The Queen’s Secret

Harper’s enchanting latest (after American Duchess) explores the private life of Queen Elizabeth, formerly Elizabeth Bowes Lyon. Harper traces Elizabeth’s long life through her marriage to King George VI, raising her daughters Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, and living through WWII. Harper’s artful prose brings Elizabeth to glorious life as tensions mount around the animosity between Elizabeth and upstart American socialite Wallis Warfield Simpson, whose intention to marry king Edward VIII led to his abdication (and about whom Elizabeth is said to have uttered “The two people who have caused me the most trouble in my life are Wallis Simpson and Hitler”). While not all of the dishy details are historically established—for instance, the story lines about Elizabeth’s supposedly true parentage, her largely celibate marriage, and certain peccadillos of her brother-in-law, the former king, which call his character into question—Harper’s evocative prose and able plotting make each twist and turn believable. This displays Harper’s mastery at fictional profiles of prominent 20th-century women. (Apr.)