{"product_id":"the-tower-9780593685877","title":"The Tower","description":"\u003cb\u003eA bold, feminist debut novel, reimagining Mary, Queen of Scots's darkest hour, when she was held hostage in a remote Scottish castle with a handful of loyal women while plotting a daring escape to reclaim her country and her freedom. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Such a vivid, visceral read, you feel you're locked in the tower alongside the characters, acting out a royal family drama. I am moved and impressed.\" --Tracy Chevalier, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eGirl with a Pearl Earring\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eScotland, 1567. A pregnant Mary, Queen of Scots is dragged out of her palace by rebel lords and imprisoned in the isolated Lochleven Castle, an ancient fortress surrounded by a vast lake. Her infant son and heir, James, has been captured by her enemies. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAccompanying Mary are two inconspicuous serving women: observant, ambitious Jane and romantic, quick-tempered Cuckoo, who endeavor to keep their mercurial mistress company while sharing the space of a claustrophobic room over the course of their eleven-month forced stay. Their hosts want them dead. They'll settle for Mary's abdication. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAfter Mary reluctantly surrenders her throne, her closest friend, the reserved, devoted Lady Seton, is permitted to join the captive women. Against the odds, as they hatch a perilous getaway plan, the four women form a bond that transcends class and religion, and for Jane and Seton, becomes something even deeper. At the center of it all is Mary--calculating, charming, brave, and unbowed. Flora Carr's thrilling, feverish debut is a celebration of resilience, a meditation on the meaning of power, and a testament to the unshakeable strength of female friendship, starring one of history's most charismatic leaders.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFLORA CARR was named one of 40 Emerging Writers 2020\/2021 with the London Library and has a short story published in the program's anthology. She is a previous winner of the British \u003ci\u003eVogue\u003c\/i\u003e Talent Contest, and in 2020 her short story \u003ci\u003eStarling\u003c\/i\u003e was Highly Commended for the \u003ci\u003eHarper's Bazaar \u003c\/i\u003eShort Story Prize. She was also shortlisted for the 2018 V\u003ci\u003e.S. \u003c\/i\u003ePritchett Short Story Prize, and is a graduate of The Writing Squad. Her journalistic work has appeared in the likes of \u003ci\u003eTIME Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e, British \u003ci\u003eELLE\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Observer New Review\u003c\/i\u003e. Flora grew up in Yorkshire and currently lives in London. \u003ci\u003eThe Tower\u003c\/i\u003e is her first novel.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51186281775378,"sku":"9780593685877","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_ae981898-5f50-4162-a272-d912308b49f9.jpg?v=1748526435","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-tower-9780593685877","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}