This is a short, impactful read, shining a new light on the demise of Katherine Parr and shares some interesting and credible new theories about some of her actions, especially around her marriage to Thomas Seymour. This book is a credit to the author & I enjoyed reading it.

NetGalley, Amber Johnson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I was blown away by this investigation. I was unaware that Katherine Parr remarried ( a Seymour) and was intrigued by this detailed exploration of the facts around her death. What a story! June Woolerton’s research appears to be meticulous and I found her narrative engaging and compelling. I knew she was Henry’s last wife and outlived him, but I didn’t know that she remarried so quickly. As soon as I learned her new husband was a Seymour, I could understand why there was mystery surrounding her death and hasty burial a few days after giving birth, The Seymour’s werekey players on the Tudor stage with a singular interest in one thing; power.

June Woolerton offers a number of possibilities, each have some conviction and I liked the fact that there is little by way of speculation. The facts are presented based on evidence, not conjecture, and upturn the long held conventional view. A really enjoyable investigation and plenty of food for thought, with, for me, a totally new angle on the Tudors. I really enjoyed this title.

NetGalley, Anita Wallas

The final days of Henry VIII’s last queen included a faithless husband and rumours of a royal affair while the weeks after her funeral swirled with whispers of poison and murder. The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr dives into the calamitous and tumultuous events leading up to the last hours of a once powerful queen and the bizarre happenings that followed her passing.

>From the elaborate embalming of her body, that left it in a state of perfect preservation for almost three centuries despite a burial just yards from her place of death, to the still unexplained disappearance, without trace, of her baby, the many questions surrounding the death of Queen Katherine are examined in a new light.
A very well researched and thorough insight into Katherine Parr and her life once the king had died ( and death ).
Was interesting and found out things I had not known before.

NetGalley, Angela Thompson

This book is well written, interesting and informative. It deals a lot with the afterlife of Katherine Parr as well as with her actual death which was an interesting approach but not really one that I was expecting from the title. Nevertheless I highly recommended this.

NetGalley, Rebecca B

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I love historical fiction, especially about the Tudors. It's one of my favorite parts to read about and this book was perfect for me. It had so much to say about one of the last Tudor wives and the only one to survive. Much isn't known about Katherine Parr after she survived Henry and it was fascinating to read about how she lived and died. There was so much tragedy and horror filled around this man that you feel sorry for everyone involved. I loved this book and will be recommending it.

NetGalley, Katherine McCrea

Although this is a history book, large parts of it rea more like a story. I quickly became invested in Katherine, her family, and what happened to her. She comes alive as a real person, not just a historical ruler. The sadness I felt over the state of her grave, and her death was completely unexpected. I will definitely be picking up other books this author has published, and any to come in the future.

This is both an informative and an interesting read. The author has included primary and secondary documents, which makes the story - and theories - far more credible than others I have seen. In addition to this, the author explains WHY certain actions raise red flags, which is helpful for someone who may not understand the historical social times.

NetGalley, Becky Johnson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was fascinating and very enjoyable. I never knew that much about Katharine Parr.

NetGalley, Kathy Pagan

The well-researched story of Katherine Parr’s rise to become Henry Vlll’s last wife, and her ability to survive his threats and those of her enemies around him is a vital, easy to read, contribution to knowledge about the Tudor courts and the role of women in them, as well as disseminating Katherine Parr’s unique story.

NetGalley, Robin Joyce

I became interested in Katherine Parr after seeing the musical Six, and was thrilled to see this book. Katherine Parr outlived Henry VIII, if only for a mere 18 months. Not typically being a nonfiction reader, the writing and information presented were engaging and compelling. Did she die in childbirth or was something more sinister at play? The author dies a fabulous job presenting interesting facts that make your question what you know.

NetGalley, Ashley Weir

The book was well researched and is an interesting addition to books about the wives of Henry the Eighth.

NetGalley, Tracey McHardy

Although I have read a lot of books about the Tudors, I have never read any which focuses on her life after Henry VIII as much as this one does. And what a fascinating subject. Although she only lived a short while after his death, I had no idea that how she died was controversial at all. Was it a result of childbirth? If so, why was she buried so quickly and at such a small church even though she was still regarded as a queen? This book approaches the questions from all angles and is full of a wealth of facts. It is an intriguing mystery and perhaps one that we will never know the answer to.

NetGalley, Leah Zinn

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a very well written account of the mysteries and lack of documentation and records surrounding the late life, death, and burial of Queen Katherine Parr, the last queen of Henry VIII. The author has done an impressive job of collecting and presenting an astounding collection of snippets, historical talks, excerpts from letters, and extant records to reconstruct the later life of the queen.

Although it's a layman accessible text, and written in everyday language, it is meticulously annotated and the chapter notes are well written and provide another layer of detail and will provide the keen reader many hours of reference reading outside the main text. The author/publisher have also provided a number of facsimile documents and black and white photos and greyscale illustrations of the main characters (many of the known Holbein portraits are included, as well as the lands and gardens around Sudbury, and several B&W studies of the marble tomb figure erected in the 19th Century for the late queen by Queen Victoria when Queen Katherine's remains were moved to a new (more appropriate) location.

Five stars. Engaging and well written. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for gift giving, and for home library.

NetGalley, Annie Buchanan

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Katherine Parr is known as the wife who survived. She outlived Henry VIII by using her wit and knowledge. She did so much during her lifetime. Her death has never been a mystery to me. Everything I have read says that she married Thomas Seymour after the king's death, gave birth to a daughter, and then passed away from childbirth complications. To explore the possibility that something more sinister at play is truly fascinating. To think she could have been murdered is heartbreaking. This book is very well done.

NetGalley, Stephanie Peterson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful biography of Katherine Parr that reminds how much she accomplished besides "surviving Henry VII" and "marrying Thomas Seymour" and how many questions we should be asking ourselves about what really happened at the end.

NetGalley, Kara Race-Moore

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Queen Katherine Parr, sixth & final wife of Henry VIII of England. Katherine Parr has always been a sort of afterthought in the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII & her life after Henry's death is eclipsed by her decision to marry Thomas Seymour who was executed as a traitor shortly after her death. It seems that she was allowed to fade into the background, even in death, & her tomb was lost for many years before being rediscovered in the ruined church at Sudeley Castle. Why would a former Queen of England be buried in a small church on a private estate & then forgotten?

Wow, this had a lot of information about Katherine Parr that was completely new to me. It's wild to realise that what we think of her & her death is mostly based on conjecture which doesn't hold up under close scrutiny. The evidence here suggests that Katherine Parr did not die of puerperal fever (infection during childbirth) as widely thought, but lived for several days afterwards with no sign of illness until she suddenly announced that she felt that she was not going to live & that someone close to her was responsible. Her death was mightily convenient for her enemies at court & her (seemingly untrustworthy) husband who was aiming for more power, but it may have been coincidence. The disappearance of her daughter with Seymour from official records is also strange.

We may never know why or how Katherine Parr died, indeed there are aspects which will never be proved one way or another such as why none of her stepchildren or her daughter were mentioned in her will & the only one to benefit was the husband she was supposedly suspicious of. This book argues that we should remember her not as a dull, dour, staidly matron, but as an educated, powerful, religious reformer who stood in for Henry VIII as Regent during his last war in France. There was some repetition in places but overall it was a well-written factual discussion of the evidence. The author does a great job of covering the facts without trying to sway the reader, & it's possible that Katherine either died from plague or there could have been foul play, i;e. poison. It made me wonder why I have never thought to question the official narrative before.

NetGalley, Gayle Noble

When Henry VIII died in 1547, his widow Katherine Parr was not only still considered to be Queen, she was also free to remarry - which she did, six months later, to the man who became her fourth husband, Thomas Seymour. Then Katherine found herself pregnant - and eight days after the birth of her only child, a daughter, Katherine was dead and hastily buried.

Woolerton takes the reader through the discovery of Katherine's tomb at Sudeley, the rumours surrounding her death, and her rather hasty and low key funeral. Katherine's husband - Thomas Seymour - hot-foots it back to London, leaving the newborn in the care - initially - of Katherine's attendants. We already know that Katherine's daughter Mary will soon be left without both mother or father, as after a plot was discovered to put the protestant Elizabeth on the throne, her father Sir Thomas Seymour was beheaded for treason.

Woolerton explores Katherine's final months and days, and notes her actions were in sharp contrast to the self-assured woman she was prior to and during her marriage to Henry VIII - and considers this against the backdrop of what we already know - or think we know. Katherine's funeral, in stark contrast to other female monarchs was, as mentioned, a rather hasty and covert affair, not even attended by her husband - and Woolerton delves into this quite deeply, as she does with Katherine's will.

I found Woolerton's exploration of events quite engaging and her open-mindedness to other hypothesis rather refreshing. She posits a number of plausible theories for Katherine's actions and behaviours after Henry's death whilst exploring Seymour's own actions against the changing political tableau.

A must for Tudor lovers, and for those with an interest in royalty and notable women.

NetGalley, Melisende d'Outremer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A first-class study into the death and burial of King Henry VIII's last wife less than two years after his own passing. A lost grave far from a known royal establishment - was it murder/ was it the plague? - and what happened to the site in the centuries after her death?
An excellent read. Recommended.

NetGalley, Stephen Dale

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In "The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr" by June Woolerton, readers are transported back to the tumultuous final days of Henry VIII's reign as they delve into the enigmatic circumstances surrounding the demise of his sixth and final wife, Katherine Parr.

Woolerton's meticulous research and engaging narrative style bring to life the intrigue and uncertainty surrounding Katherine's death. From her unexpected demise just eighteen months after Henry's passing to the bizarre events that followed her burial, Woolerton leaves no stone unturned in her quest to uncover the truth behind one of Tudor history's most enduring mysteries.

What sets "The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr" apart is its exploration of the lesser-known aspects of Katherine's final days and the peculiarities surrounding her burial and subsequent rediscovery. Woolerton meticulously examines the evidence, from the elaborate embalming of Katherine's body to the unexplained disappearance of her baby, painting a vivid portrait of a queen whose fate remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Throughout the book, Woolerton skilfully navigates the complex web of historical accounts and theories surrounding Katherine's death, offering readers a tantalising glimpse into the intrigue and machinations of the Tudor court. With each page, readers are drawn deeper into the mystery, eagerly following Woolerton's investigation as she seeks to unravel the truth behind Katherine's untimely demise.

"The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr" is a captivating blend of history and mystery that will appeal to fans of Tudor-era intrigue. Woolerton's meticulous attention to detail and engaging storytelling make this book a must-read for anyone fascinated by the enigmatic figures and events of the Tudor period.

Overall, "The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr" is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of one of history's most enduring mysteries. Woolerton's insightful analysis and compelling narrative make this book a standout contribution to Tudor scholarship, shedding new light on the life and death of one of England's most fascinating queens.

NetGalley, Chelsea Littleton-Harper

This was a fascinating read, one that I could not put down. For those interested in Tudor history, in particular, the Tudor Queens, this is a must-read. The book was incredibly well-researched and paced, and Woolerton’s style was flowing and accessible despite dealing with large amounts of contextual information.

NetGalley, Sophie L

This was a really interesting read. There were several theories put forward as to why she died after childbirth, and the real reason she married Thomas Seymour. I enjoyed reading through this, and learning a bit more about her life, death, and what happened to her after her burial.
Great for history lovers, and especially those who enjoy reading about the Tudor period.

NetGalley, Rebecca Hill

Her writing is engaging and her love and interest in the subject shine clearly.

NetGalley, Christine Ethier

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a great book and I think Ms. Woolerton did a fabulous job reporting the facts and making it interesting at the same time. I love reading about the royal family and their incestuous and complicated existence most girls knew what real women in the royal family had to go through I don’t think the majority of us would’ve been wanting to be a princess at all. I love this book it was a definite five star read and one I highly recommend.

NetGalley, Janalyn Prude

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


“In the tumbledown remnants of a royal castle at Sudeley, on a quiet May afternoon, a spade hit soft earth. Birds soared overhead while the sheep who lived in surrounding green fields of the Cotswolds bleated gently. Suddenly, the peace was shattered as the spade made contact with hard metal……..within minutes, a leaded casket had been uncovered.”

The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s 6th and final wife was well written and extremely interesting. I enjoy reading about the Tudor Court and I have read lots of books by Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory and John Guy. This is my first book by June Woolerton, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unlike Alison Weir, or Philippa Gregory this book is not dramatized history- but it is well written, and interesting. I was never bored, and my mind never wandered while reading…..which sometimes happens to me when the book is pure history.

The author lays out cases for many causes of death, which are compelling. I enjoyed how she ultimately she asks the questions but leaves it up to readers to decide what is true. I do find it odd that a Queen of England’s tomb was lost to history, mistreated, lost again and then finally received the burial she deserved. I also find it odd that in many of the books I have read about Katherine, a lot of her contributions to the reformist cause is glossed over. I also didn’t realize some of the contributions she made during the reign of Henry VIII. I knew she narrowly avoided arrest, but Woolerton tells the story of an intelligent, cunning and interesting woman. Katherine is so much more than the final wife of Henry VIII, and I learned things about her I didn’t know.

I highly recommend this read, it was fantastic from start to finish.

NetGalley, Suzie Twain

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Very interesting read detailing some of the sketchy details surrounding the death of Henry VIII's final queen. This book definitely got me convinced that some fishy things went on in terms of her death.

NetGalley, Lindsay Goodman

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

…survived. A lifetime of stories diminished into one word. A word that is more important in your husband’s story than your own. Katherine Parr… one of six, but maybe also one in a million, because this book makes sure we learn about how a strong, intelligent and kind woman navigated her way through Tudor England.

Within Katherine's story lies a poignant portrayal of the broader societal dynamics of her era. Women, including her stepdaughters and her own daughter, are depicted as mere pawns in the power struggles of their time, their worth determined solely by their proximity to male figures of authority. Katherine's resilience shines through as she navigates a complex web of marriages, each a strategic maneuver to secure her own position in a world dictated by patriarchal norms.

Oh how I wish I had a time machine to take me to Katherine’s final moments. What did she die of? Why was she burried so quickly and why there? And if there… why was her body so thoroughly embalmed?

Through the lens of Katherine's life, the narrative subtly underscores her role as a trailblazer for the women after her, a true queen.

NetGalley, Maartje Paauw

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr by June Woolerton explores the life and death of the last Wife of King Henry VIII.
I found the book extremely interesting and discovered so much about what a complex and surprising woman Katherine Parr was and how under rated and talked about she was.
“For centuries, she has been remembered as a supplement to the men she married and a survivor who managed to outlive a king who had already had two previous wives killed. Yet the woman buried beneath remains the only commoner to have ruled England as regent, and she was instrumental in paving the way for female rule in the country.”
Katherine Parr was a truly powerful and influential woman, not only in her dealings with a short tempered king, but in raising children that would one day ruling England, as well as ruling herself.

“Katherine learned languages including Latin and French, while Maud was deeply interested in humanism and employed tutors who encouraged her children to question and to debate.”
Katherine valued education for everyone, and was extremely educated herself.

I found the references to her will and bequeathments to be extremely interesting especially when referencing the way women were regarded during that time period. Not leaving anything to her child, or step children that she adored definitely makes you look at it differently.
And learning so much negative information about her husband Thomas Seymour was surprising. This was definitely a part of history that has not been explored in most historical references.

I definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about such an intriguing period of time and a truly powerful underrated woman.

NetGalley, Carolyn Wyman

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I never really thought of what happened to Katherine Parr after she survived Henry VIII. It does a great job in presenting the fact and that the historical elements felt like a possibility. June Woolerton has a great writing style and I enjoyed what I read.

NetGalley, Kathryn McLeer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Pen & Sword have an incredible range of non-fiction books that absolutely scream off the shelves to a history lover such as I and oh my crikey, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr is catnip if you have a love of Tudor history.

Often, we learn our facts and that is that. We know Henry VIII had 6 wives and that to skirt around conventions at the time, thought it prudent to dispose of his wives and move on to one he liked more. What a delightful fella, imagine being known more for your exploits than your achievements.

I digress; Katherine Parr survived Henry the VIII (win) but little known is that she only survived for a further 18 months. I had never even considered what happened to her afterwards, that is, until this book (thank you very, very much to Pen & Sword for the unexpected gifted copy, it made my day!) I was utterly thrilled to delve into this little known part of Tudor history and it is no understatement when I say I devoured it.

June Woolerton presents compelling evidence and writes in a way that is both concise, yet engaging, bringing the story to life. The uncovering of the crypt in the midst of a tea party and the associated correspondence and article hooked me into the book and kept me there until I was finished.

This book is a timely reminder of how many women were trailblazers and world-changers in their day, but were written out of history due to their gender. I for one am very glad that we have experts such as June Woolerton who also have the skill to present history in a way that is accessible to all, so that the story can be told authentically and retained for posterity.

A great read and highly recommended.

NetGalley, Ink Reads

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I was very glad to read this book, I love all aspects of Tudor history, and the mysterious death of Queen Katherine Parr, has always sat uneasily on me. Why would such a strong intelligent woman, famed for her wisdom, kindness to her Royal step children, her interest in the new religion, her ability to be a regent in her husbands absence , marry such a self promoting man as Thomas Seymour?
The King was her fourth husband, and reports seem to suggest they had a cordial and friendly relationship, and a love of debate. Queen Katherine was responsible for getting Princess Mary and her half sister Elizabeth restored to the line of succession, why would she throw all this affection and goodwill away? Even more bewildering, where did her baby daughter,Lady Mary Seymour disappear to?
There are times when a Time Machine would be a marvellous solution to all these questions.
The idea discussed in this book is that Katherine married Thomas Seymour to protect the reputation of her step daughter Princess Elizabeth. When Elizabeth was under the guardianship of Katherine, Thomas was overly friendly towards her, and may even have proposed marriage to the young girl. Any hint of scandal would have prevented her from claiming the throne of England, and may even have resulted her being confined to the Tower of London or forcibly married off to a foreign ruler.
Katherine had a very hasty funeral and internment , did she die from puerperal fever following childbirth, or this book suggests perhaps the plague. A new and novel theory, that would certainly explain the almost indecent haste and secrecy involved.
A well researched and thought provoking read, it has certainly given me much food for thought, I will definitely do more reading and a visit to Sudeley Castle beckons!! A interesting life by all accounts, but such a miserable and confusing ending, poor lady.

NetGalley, Daphne Sharpe