This novel takes place in the court of James I of England. Frances Howard, a beauty and daughter of the influential Howard family, was married to the Earl of Essex in an attempt to bury the enmity between the two families. Frances had a waiting lady and dress designer named Anne Turner who was good friends with her. Anne was married to the court physician when the two women became friends.

Frances's marriage to the Earl Of Essex was never a success and she grew to hate him for his cruel treatment of her. Frances fell in love with the king's favorite, Robin Carr, and Anne helped her with a plan to get her marriage annulled so that she could marry Carr instead. Sir Thomas Overby, another influential court advisor, was against the marriage and tried to talk Carr out of it. He ran afoul of the king and was imprisoned in the Tower where he died. While there, accusations were made that his death was caused by poison sent by Frances and Anne.

Several years later, individuals were accused of this death. Richard Weston was a confidant of Anne's and a guard at the Tower. He confessed that he was given poison by Frances and Anne to kill Overby. Weston was executed along with several other small players. After Anne's trial, where she refused to testify against Frances, she was hung. Frances and Robin were found guilty and sentenced to the Tower for life but later pardoned by the king.

This novel is based on this true story. The author, Lucy Jago, is sympathetic to the woman, seeing them as confident and independent women not willing to be subservient to the men in their lives. Frances was used as a pawn by her family and Anne was betrayed by the lover who fathered her three youngest children. Jago also emphasized the friendship between the two women and the comfort that they were to each other. I listened to this novel and the narrator was perfect to invoke the English court and it's protocols. This book is recommended for readers of historical fiction.

Unfortunately this was another audio book to be added to my did not finish collection, I was only able to listen to 12.8%. Historical fiction books are one of my favorite genres, but the writing of this book did not hold my interest at all. I am definitely in the minority with my review of the book, but I promised an honest review to #Netgalley.

It was just "okay" I didn't love it. I wanted to love it from the description.
But I liked it enough to give it 3 stars..... i'm not sure it's for my library though

this book did an amazing job of having me sympathise with the main character’s struggles and applaud her successes. i love this book.

Okay, I have a serious question. Do you enjoy historical fiction but feel burned out because eighty-seven percent or so is set during World War 2? If so, I have a fantastic book recommendation for you here!

A Net for Small Fishes is an outstanding novel set in the early 17th century that is based on a real scandal during the reign of King James I of England. It’s a compelling blend of fiction with meaningful historical components of the politics of court life. In this atmospheric telling, Lucy Jago recreates an unlikely friendship between two women. Frankie is an aristocrat, unhappily married at a young age. and Ann, a physicians wife who is struggling as a fashion stylist. These times weren’t kind to women who sought independence, but these women had courage and stayed loyal to their friendship.
This book is incredible and I’m so happy I had the opportunity to read this.

This book gave off a lot of the same energy as The Miniaturist. The interactions between the characters was similar and the writing style was similar. I enjoyed the point of view of this story. Set in Jacobean court, a stylist becomes the confidant of a lady. Back in early days it was unlikely that a lady would accept someone who serves her as her friend, however, it was not uncommon for the servant or stylist to be very on the in about what a lady is thinking, feeling, and has going on. I loved that aspect of this book, but the pace felt a bit stiff and slow.

This Historical Fiction play at Thelma and Louise was enticing from the start.
However, the book got quite muddled and seemed to lose it's charisma while trying to hold too many plates in the air.

It was feminist yet historical. Funny at times but also brought up a few serious subjects and the contradictions were not pleasant. It didn't fully answer all of the questions it proposed, and it left me feeling like I had an incomplete reading reading experience.

There were too many plot points and not enough breadth to carry it

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Flatiron Books and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

A Net For Small Fishes
Lucy Jago

Jago gifts readers with a dark, beautifully written and impeccably researched novel based on real events that features two courageous avant-garde women who dare to speak their minds. Her recounting is full of humility and humanity and will take readers/listeners back to the Jacobean Court of King James I, a volatile time when loyalties changed often and behind the scenes devious plans were frequently in play to unseat what many in England thought to be an untrue ruler.

In this “me too” era we live in now some, especially young people can’t appreciate just how far women’s rights have come in the last four centuries and most of those advances occurring in the last one alone. They weren’t alive when tennis star Billy Jean King beat Bobbie Riggs in the early 70s, or when the first woman became CEO of a Fortune 500 Company in 1972 and not until 1999 for a woman of color.
But what the main protagonists of Lucy Jago’s masterpiece suffered was much, much worse because in the Jacobean period in England women were the property of their fathers until they married and then were the property of their husbands. Plus the women centerpieced here were Catholic, Frances a member of the once powerful Howard Family and Anne the widow of the King’s physician. Papists in England were a definite minority and often-times villainized after all the religious wars between Protestants and Catholics and these women were mere pawns in a power play between opposite political/religious factions.

The author brings to life the events leading up to the death of Sir Thomas Overbury an English poet and essayist who Franky and Anne were both eventually accused of murdering. And about the lives and incredible friendship between these two disparate women who shouldn’t have been closer than sisters but were. She also gives her audience other characters some good some evil but all unforgettable. And while obviously taking artistic liberties she manages to make the sights, sounds and even smells of that time come alive for her audience.
Narration:
The narration by Sarah Durham is FAB, the perfect voice for both English and Scottish inflections and for both male and female roles.
Mistress Anne Turner was a very fortunate woman, married to Dr. George Turner a prominent London physician much her senior, a very forward-thinking man who allowed her to be true to herself and to have a trade of her own. However, after his death she needed someway to keep food on her table so her recent friendship with Francis (Frankie) the Countess of Essex was very timely. Little did she know just how much that friendship would cost her.
Frankie Howard, now the Countess of Essex is determined to end this loveless and abusive marriage to the Earl of Essex. Arranged by her Catholic family to keep them close to the new Protestant King is not worth it to her to suffer what she has. So she treasures her new friendship to Anne Taylor a woman, like herself, ahead of her time. Little did she know just how advantageous her friendship to Anne would become in the events of her life yet to be.

Not a great story nor is it something I would normally read. I do find the history behind this very interesting. Again not a very clean book so not usually what I would read but I did enjoy stepping out of my box for this book. It is well written with excellent description to help you find your self in this period.

Very interesting historical fiction covering the Overbury scandal but retold from the point of view of the women. Anne and Frankie meet and become fast friends. Anne is the wife of a doctor and makes clothes for courtiers. Frankie is the wife of the Earl of Sussex, who regularly beats and abuses her. Frankie meets and falls in love with Robert Carr - the King’s favorite - and then schemes to rid herself of her marriage so they can be together.

The true story of the scandal involving Frances Howard who sought annulment from her marriage to Earl of Essex. This is told by her close friend Mistress Anne Turner. Sir Thomas Overbury was murdered by poison whilst incarcerated in the Tower.

Tough slow start. I wasn't drawn in right away. The story began coming together, and I found myself interested (25%) and evaluating the characters. I actually didn't like any of the people. The time period blew me away with the moral standards and lack of standards. The author made up the story around plausible historical facts.

I found the story too long. There was a period around 75% of the book that seemed to ramble. I was over it. Had this been a physical book, I would not have finished it. The narrator was impressive, and when I found myself wandering she reeled me back.

I would rate this 3.5, and will round up to 4. The time period is not my favorite, and I'm accounting for that.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Lucy Jago for accepting my request to read and review A Net for Small Fishes.

#NetGalley
#MacmillanAudio
#LucyJago
#ANetForSmallFishes
#NarratorSarahDurham
#HistoricalFiction

Not quite finished with the book and the archive date is pending; will review soon on my website, bibliostatic.com. Really enjoying it so far and expect to give it a good review.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Really loved reading this book, love historical fiction especially ones like this! will read again and buy

Set during the 16th century, I wasn't already familiar with the real events that inspired this novel so I must admit that the storyline definitely held some surprises for me. Told from Anne Turner's perspective, it relays not only the details of her friendship with Lady Frances Howard - but also of the workings of the Court at the time. I appreciated the historical detail quite a bit - from the clothing, the food, as well as the split political atmosphere. Both Catholic, but of different classes, the layers on difference in class, station and finance also become clear. Anne isn't a member of the court formally, and her viewpoints as an ambitious outsider add dimension and spurns on the plot.

It feels like Jago tries to make both of these women almost too sympathetic while trying to remain true to the historical record. There's some disconnect there because I never found myself particularly liking either woman - not that the men in their lives were any more likable... there really weren't any characters here that I liked. to be honest. The audio is well-performed, but middle of the book really dragged on and on for me, which made the climax feel surprisingly rushed. I think maybe those going in with more foreknowledge of the history might have expected more time to be spent in the ending, in particular. The characters just never really came to life for me in a way that I could connect with them. I never really felt all that eager keep listening - and contemplated setting it aside all together a few times. But, ultimately, I am glad that I did finish this one, and I do know a few people that I will mention this one to who might enjoy this one more than I did.

A Net For Small Fishes by Lucy Jago
is historical fiction about two very real unlikely best friends during England's 17 century Jacobean Court doomed because they were born female.

Lady Frances befriends her dressmaker and doctor's wife Anne Turner. Frances is that friend who convinces you that her life is all consuming so you don't need to deal with your own. At 15 Frances is forced to marry a horrid man. When his abuse becomes too much the women hatch a plan that has dire results.

The narration of #sarahdurham is worthy of any dishy soap opera but it's scary that it is all based on facts.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A Net for Small Fishes, audio version, by Lucy Jago was an interesting version of a scandal that took place in the court of King James I and Queen Anne (of Denmark) involving Lady Frances Howard Devereaux Carr and Mistress Anne Turner. This was a very favorable version of events. The reality probably being somewhere between this and the way history portrays it. The climax is the poisoning of Sire Henry Overby, of which Mistress Turner is accused. The friendship had grown between the two women, despite the difference in age, Turner's 34 to Frances' twenty and the difference in station. Turner was the wife/then widow of Dr. George Turner, Frances was a countess. Frances had been married tot he Duke of Essex when she was 15. Thereby uniting two opposing factions by matrimony. She didn't like him especially and he was never able to consummate the marriage. They were eventually granted an annulment, but not before considerable time and much aggravation.

Mistress Turner was able to concoct potions, but had always put that knowledge to good use. In this version, she was nothing more than a good friend to Frances (Frankie) and tired to keep her (to no avail) on the straight and narrow. Frankie was immature, desirous of love, and entitled. She did as she pleased, come hell or high water, but as a noble with a fabulously powerful family, she rarely saw consequences. This was an enjoyable listen, but probably no the best source of historical fact. It covered twenty years of there friendship through ups and down for both of them.

The narrator was Sarah Dunham and she did a fine job. Her voice and style is perfect for this time period and this book, which is primarily women. Based on other reviews, this is probably better in audio than it is in written form. I enjoyed it.

I was invited to listen to a free audio version of A Net for Small Fishes by Macmillan Audio, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #macmillanaudio #lucyjago #anetforsmallfishes

A Net for Small Fishes by Lucy Jago
Narrator, Sarah Durham
Absolutely Fabulous, to coin a phrase. An excellent historical novel based on the Overbury Scandal during the reign of King James.
Frankie and Anne were friends, through life and beyond. As they say in the book, things always change. I enjoyed this book immensely. Best book of the year.
Narration was very good.
Great thanks to Netgalley.

Ok, I wanted to finish this one, but had to DNF @ 66% 😬

Honestly, I was bored listening to this book- there appeared to be a lot going on, but also… nothing really happened? I knew generally what was going on, but it took too long to get things going, and by the time we got to the ‘exciting’ parts, I was uninterested in seeing how it was going to end.

Some passages were beautifully written, and I can appreciate the research that went into this historical fiction book, but at times the flowery writing started to get repetitive, and could’ve been cut down to get to the heart of the story.

Historical fiction is not usually my thing, this one pleasantly surprised me. I was really into all of the characters and could not wait to see how the story would end up.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this audio ARC.
#Netgalley #Anetforsmallfishes

I hate this book.
I just hate the entire, thing A lot of credit for trying to write this in almost Victorian novel English.

But I can still tell it isn’t contemporary, to the time and type of English it’s being written. it feels artificial.

I know I have seen examples of this done well. that’s just feels like an example, of how not to do it’s.
It’s dry and it doesn’t flow properly in the way those novels that we’re actually written at the time slow and it feels like I’m eating a small amount of research just to get the idea without actually understanding why people wrote the way they did back then

I don’t know the whole thing is just not for me

One store sadly

Thank you to Not Galli for sending me this review copy

This book was well researched and very well written. I felt that each character was brought to life well, I just didn't find the actual story interesting. I felt bored while reading it.