The Quality of Mercy

The royal physician’s daughter leads a dangerous double life with a young William Shakespeare in this “tour de force” historical thriller (Publishers Weekly). Rebecca Lopez enjoys a life of privilege in Elizabeth's England, yet she guards secrets that would be anyone’s undoing. The beautiful, tempestuous daughter of the queen's own physician, Rebecca is also a converso -- a Jew who practices her banned religion clandestinely. And to court danger further, she helps others of her faith escape persecution and death. Rebecca’s risky endeavors often take her to the bustling streets of London disguised in male garb. But one such outing is leading her into a dangerous viper's nest built of intrigue and foul murder. Accompanying her every step of the way is a dashing young actor who inflames her romantic passions—a charming and fearless would-be playwright who calls himself Will Shakespeare.