The Crimson Crown

Layton's ( Surrender to Love ) novel of late 15th-century England is an overburdened effort to construct an alternate fate for the ``two unlucky boy princes'ix '--Edward and Richard Plantagenet--competitors for the throne who were supposedly murdered in the Tower of London. After eight years of spying throughout Europe for Henry VII, Lucas Lovat returns to England only to be caught up in the king's continuing attempt to protect his throne from rival claimants. Most dangerous is Perkin Warbeck, who says he's Richard Plantagenet and may still have a secret, devoted following. Lucas knows better, as he himself is Edward Plantagenet (his brother, Richard, is Henry's right-hand monk). But he accepts his assignment to ingratiate himself with Warbeck's wife, Lady Katherine, and her attendants in hopes of uncovering possible intrigues. While there, Lucas is caught in the spell of Megan Baswell, attendant to Lady Katherine and another of Henry's many spies. Plots, machinations and identities are revealed at last; none have the spark needed to raise this tale above the ordinary. (Dec.)