Three Queens by Rebecca Connolly

 

 

Three Queens by Rebecca Connolly. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2026. Historical fiction. 

    Marie Antoinette, Abigail Adams, and Queen Charlotte of England never met in real history. But, in this insightful historical fiction novel. they meet in Calais and find they have much in common. All have powerful husbands, but little power themselves. All have lost children. All wish for more for themselves and their families in a world of turmoil and wars. They form an unlikely bond and communicate with each other through letters.

     Connolly has done a good job with the research on each woman.  A bibliography is included. Beautiful young Marie Antoinette is about to be part of the French revolution. Commonsense filled Abigail Adams wants to be home with her husband but must support him as he looks for political alliances in Europe. Dignified Queen Charlotte must deal with her husband, the King, who suffers from mental problems and her son who wants to take over and is not ready to be a king. Their letters are believable, their situations dire. Most moving is the plight of Marie Antoinette who clings to these two women friends even as she knows her end is coming.