You can tell that this book has been well researched and that Anne O''Brien loves this period of history. I usually enjoy historical novels based on real people but this proved to be a bit of struggle to read as I found it extremely slow in the beginning and the complex relationships confusing. A family tree would have helped. Unfortunately, although I was looking forward to reading this book, it was not for me.

I can totally see why Anne O'Brian is universally loved, the historical detail is certainly second to none. However, for me, the book just did not quite work. I expected more flair, I think and more of the character of Constance, she only really came fully alive to me when her heart was broken in the end and considering that was the part where the author had to make up a lot because no one quite knows what happens, I think it is fair to say, that I personally like my historical fiction with more creative license.

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - the thought and opinions are mine and unbiased

Historical fiction is easily my favourite genre and I absolutely love Anne O'Brien's work so to be able to read this was a treat !!

Set in the 14th Century and featuring Constance of York - new historical figure to me was fascinating. Full of drama, it was wonderful to read about a strong female character in what would have been a world fully dominated by men.

Well written, engaging and well researched - Anne O'Brien at her very best

I absolutely loved this and would highly recommend

A wonderful holiday read for anyone who loves historical fiction - if you like Philippa Gregory you will absolute love Anne's work - I always look forward to a new one from her

I would like to thank netgalley and HQ for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the atmosphere of this book and learning about an obscure women of history, who O'Brien bought expertly back to life.

Constance of York lives in the intrigue of the royal courts of both Richard II and Henry IV. With royal blood running through her veins she will stop at nothing to achieve her ambitions. Will finding love in this scheming court change her mind?

An historical drama set at the end of the fourteenth century featuring Constance of York. It is full of intrigue and drama. Constance is a strong character in a political world dominated by men. The historical facts are well researched.

Anne O’Brien is no stranger to historical fiction, with her extensive catalogue of bestselling novels, revolving around a strong female protagonist. A Tapestry of Treason takes us back to 1399 and introduces us to Lady Constance Despenser, daughter of the influential House of York. It’s a story of politics, drama, family, duty and love, but also of secrets, lies and betrayal.

Lady Constance is a deep and interesting character, portrayed as an intelligent woman, shackled by her gender, but using her cunning and wiles to escape the death penalty when a plot against the King goes wrong, and to continue to advance her family where she can. Married as a very young child for a political advantage, she is cold and ruthless, but stumbles into an alliance borne from love. She has to balance her desire with political machinations, and find out what’s best for herself, whilst death will be her penalty if she makes the wrong decisions.

Women in this time period are often fairly flat characters, portrayed either as evil and devious or as mistresses. Constance bridges the gap between the two, giving us a well rounded and believable glimpse into the life of a strong woman in a world of men.

Crafted with detail, a gripping plot, great history, drama and romance. A Tapestry of Treason has everything I want. Five Stars.

It begins in 1399 and Constance of York, Lady Despenser a favourite at the court of Richard II becomes embroiled in a plot to overthrow Henry IV when he takes the throne from Richard.

The plot is discovered and her husband Thomas is executed. Constance has been betrayed but not for the last time.

Constance faces another plot and is again betrayed before being imprisoned. On her release she discovers a final betrayal which makes her turn away from life at court and men.

This story is brilliant! A character who I at first found arrogant I came to admire. She faces betrayal from those closest to her and heartbreak. I was unaware of the history of Constance so this was eye opening. O'Brien succeeds in putting you in to the heart of the life of Constance. 

I also enjoyed the additional information at the end of what happened to each character.

I'd recommend this to anyone with an interest in the Plantagenets or just general history fans like myself!

What an interesting character in Constance of York. A truly strong woman in a man's world plotting intrigue and treasonous plots, totally loyal to her dysfunctional family even when they betray her. I didn't know much about the history leading up to the War of the Roses, this makes me want to know more. A fabulous story full of twists and turns.

I really enjoy reading historical fiction. This book did not disappoint. I got totally caught up in everybody’s lives and immersed myself in that period of history. I really like that Constance did exist and that her story has been written in an interesting way.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Constance is a Lady of the house of York, married into another powerful family by her loveless union with Lord Dispenser. When Richard II is overthrown by Henry IV the two families turn to treason in order to reinstate Richard, and gain back the favour they enjoyed under his reign.

Constance is no mere bystander, she enters into treason whole heartedly, using her influence as much as possible. Her ambition knows no bounds, and sometimes no sense. The plots and intrigues make for interesting reading, as well as the personal family strife.

I enjoyed #ATapestryOfTreason though it took a while to get into, and will definitely read more by Anne O’Brien. Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for my free advance copy in return for an unbiased review.

I struggled a bit with this book as the "narrator" is not a very lovable or empathetic character. Also, as is frequently the case with books set in the medieval period, there seem to be a more limited selection of first names and complicated relationships. This sometimes causes confusion as to which character is which, and whose side they are on, although they also make a habit of swapping sides if that might be to their advantage!! An interesting book but I'm not convinced that I would search out others by Anne O'Brien.

If you love Philippa Gregory then you’ll love Anne o’brien. This is a great historical story set in the court of King Henry VI. The book tells the story of Lady Constance, the lady dispenser and the house of York.
The book has everything you want Great history. Drama and Romance with a bit of treason thrown in for good measure

I like books about little known characters from history where the historical research has been thorough and the facts embellished to make good fiction. Anne O'Brien has carried this off perfectly. I knew nothing about Constance, daughter of Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York before I started this book, at the end I wanted to know more! The period where the Lancastrians and the Yorkists plotted and battled against each other is, for me, probably the most interesting period in medieval history. I really enjoyed this book, I felt the times Constance lived in were captured well and the other characters from history were brought to life well too, I would recommend it to everyone who likes historical fiction.

This is the first book of Anne O'Brien's that I have read and I found it a joy. The book is beautifully written with incredible detail. I found myself rooting for Lady Constance even though she isn't the most sympathetic character. Her tale is well imagined and provides an intriguing look at the court of King Henry IV. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more of this author's works.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Although this purports to be a work of fiction it is based on real characters. Constance of York is not a particularly nice person and as she is the narrator, I did not find the book enjoyable. Even though the 14th century was much different from present times, the character lacked any humanity. The book did not have much depth, so was more a list of events.

It states at the beginning of this book that the novel is entirely a work of fiction and that the characters and incidents portrayed are the work of the author’s imagination but yet we have details of their deaths and burial places at the end of the book! Confusing!
Constance, our heroine was a rather unpleasant woman. Other than her looks there was nothing attractive about her character at all. I found her second rebellion particularly difficult to go along with, especially for a woman of her intelligence. Edmund also proved to be a character lacking in integrity. The only worthwhile participant in this tale was poor old Joan, at least she had some scruples. However, the story flowed and the intrigue, although not always quite credulous, kept me going to its conclusion. A list of characters and medieval terms would have been useful, particularly with the constant change from duke to earl!

The first half of this book is mainly concerned with the family of York and their plotting at court. The second half introduces an element of romance, and I felt much more engaged with Constance then. The book is very well written, with detailed descriptions of the beautiful clothes and some other aspects of life in the fourteenth century. At times it is tense, and also moving. This is the first book I have read by Anne O'Brien, and I will now seek out others.

Fourteenth century England was a volatile time and place. Everyone was vying for power and any action was permissible - well maybe not permissible but certainly carried out. Constance Despenser was the daughter of a King's brother and of a royal Portuguese princess with a wild reputation. Perhaps if Constance had been born a man her life may have been easier but maybe not. She is in a man's world and she wields as much influence as she can. As part of the royal family she is in the centre of that power and when one king, Richard II, is usurped by his and Constance's cousin Henry IV, she is appalled by the betrayal and tries to help Richard to no avail. This is a marvellous dramatisation of the true events of that time when cousin fought cousin in the tumultuous history of England through the life of one of those closest to the story. I loved it and learnt a lot of the history of that time.

Another brilliant book by Anne O'Brien. You can feel the atmosphere and intrege in the court of king Henry. The book centres around Constance and as is usual with Anne's books it brings to light a woman who would be on the fringes of court life.
A very satisfying read.
Perfect for fans of Anne O'Brien and Elizabeth chadwick in fact anyone who enjoys well written historical fiction will love this new book.

A Tapestry of Treason is a stunning novel. The character of Lady Constance is a revelation - she is perhaps the most complicated of Anne O'Brien's historical 'women' to date, and the book delightfully fluctuates between the conspiracies and treasons that she's involved in, even though she is, but a woman in a man's world. How she survived the king's wrath on so many occasions is a bit of a miracle.

In the end, I was completely hooked on the novel, and just read the last 40% or so in one sitting, in heightened anxiety from each high to each new low. Lady Constance certainly wins the heart of the reader, even if she herself would never admit to even having a heart.

I believe this might is the best of Anne O'Brien's books to date.

I will review online closer to the release date.