First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eArc. What a fun read - I loved the two different perspectives throughout the novel. For me, Elizabeth Barton's perspective was my favourite. It added so much depth to the novel, and honestly I would to have loved to read more about the nuns!
I'm definitely excited to see what else this author has written.

I enjoyed both the stories of Elizabeth and Alison, two women in different times but connected by a "dangerous" book for different reasons. I liked the descriptions of the manor house; I could imagine it very well, especially the somewhat claustrophobic priest holes!

The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton is an engaging and atmospheric novel that blends historical fiction with contemporary mystery. One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the richly drawn Tudor-era context, which brought a fascinating period of history to life. The dual timeline—switching between Tudor times and the present day—was particularly compelling, especially as both storylines unfolded in the same location, adding depth and a sense of continuity across centuries. The mystery at the heart of the novel was intriguing, though its pacing felt uneven at times. It started off slowly, building atmosphere and character, but then seemed to resolve a bit too abruptly. Still, the payoff was satisfying, and the historical threads tied in nicely with the modern-day narrative.
Overall, this was a well-written and immersive read.

I think you could give me any book set in the Tudor era and I’d tear through it with zeal. This is no exception. It’s the story of a real woman who claimed to have visions from God that were especially critical of Henry VIII, his marriage to Anne Boleyn, and the transition away from the Catholic Church - you can guess the fate she met. The book also has a modern day setting with academics searching for a possible treasure related to her, oh & there’s a murder. The ending unfortunately felt a little abrupt and unresolved. I guess that just means I wanted more of this story! Overall very interesting and enjoyable. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for letting me sneak this one in early!

I really loved this book. I love dual timeline historical fiction, and this one also gave me a glimpse into the life of an academic researcher - something I wish I would have pursued. The historic timeline is one that is somewhat familiar to me, but no prior knowledge would be necessary in order to enjoy the novel. Everything tied together so well, and even the moments early on in the book where I wondered why there was so much attention given, everything made sense by the end. I look forward to the publication of the book so that I can recommend it to others!

I devoured this book! It's a dual timeline story that combines historical fiction about Elizabeth Barton, a Tudor era nun known for her visions, and a modern story of a group of academics, one of whom has located a copy of Barton's book. There's a secondary modern storyline that I won't cover here to avoid spoilers, but suffice to say it's interesting and keeps the plot moving. I was a bit frustrated with the modern main character, but nonetheless really enjoyed the book. Unlike many dual timeline stories, this one has clearly identified chapter headings noting the time and location, and both story lines move along in chronological order, making it easy to keep things straight. Thanks to the publisher for the free e-copy for review.

AWESOME. I didn't know what to expect going into this novel, but boy o boy I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed by the speed of this book and the sheer amount of information that fits in here. This is a mix of historical fiction, suspense, thriller, dark academia vibes, etc. So interesting and poignant, and while I don't typically love a split perspective that switches off each chapter, this worked so well for me and taught me so many new and interesting things about that specific time period in the 1500s. LOVE!

Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

📖 The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton – Jennifer N. Brown
Rich in historical detail, this novel brings the past to life with a compelling sense of place and atmosphere. The story of Elizabeth Barton feels both informative and emotionally engaging, shedding light on an underexplored figure. At times, the narrative could move a bit more swiftly, but overall it’s a rewarding read for fans of historical fiction.

I always find this period of English history interesting. Although somewhat fiction, the story is interesting and based on historical facts. The modern story is equally interesting. The ending is a little disappointing as not all characters stories were concluded

I was really impressed with this book — it’s a period of history I love and know a lot about, so I felt that the author did a great job of keeping things interesting and mysterious while also providing another historical backstory. I definitely recommend if you enjoy English history during Henry VIII or academic intrigue. My only qualm with this book was that the main protagonist behaved a bit naively at times and it pulled me out of the story.

I received this book as a free ARC through netgalley, 3.5 starts rounded to 4. The book is composed of two timelines, a rich historical narrative woven into a modern story of greed, murders, and scholars. To be perfectly honest I was about 25% of the way through and struggling with where it was going and decided to read a few pages from the last present day chapter. I learned there was a new character, a detective, and thus became re-interested to see what mystery was brewing. The pace picked up around 65% of the way through. I found the predictable switching of timelines every chapter interrupted the flow in some places and but helped it in other parts. I felt the book ended without tying up loose ends in the modern timeline —there was a lot left for the reader to assume or determine on their own—but I’ll admit that I prefer to have neat endings that offer closure.

An absolutely brilliant debut work of fiction. I was transfixed (and off learning more about Elizabeth Barton, Bloody Queen Mary etc. between chapters).. This is a classic closed circle in the style of the golden age of murder mysteries. A who dunnit that keeps you guessing.

When I started this book the only knowledge I had on the subject was a brief knowing of Henry VIII and his love of wives and food. I had no idea that there really was a Maid of Kent trying to help keep Catholicism in England during Henry’s reign. This book was a very interesting read knowing that some events were truly based in history and then most of it was the fictional brilliance of the author and historian, Jennifer N. Brown.

We get to experience two timelines in the book, the first follows Elizabeth Barton, a low born maid who one day has a vision while feverish. She is swept up by the Catholic establishment and used as a pawn to try and affect the changes in religion. And then fast forward to present day, when historian Alison Sage has found the previously thought lost writings of the Maid of Kent and is planning on publishing her finds, but first she must navigate some treachery of her own.

This was a very fast paced entertaining read, which gives enough history to make one want to do a little research on one’s own. The author even threw in a bit of mystery and murder! Would highly recommend if you like Tudor history with modern day drama.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton is a clever blend of historical intrigue and modern mystery. When historian Alison Sage uncovers a long-lost manuscript, she’s drawn into both academic rivalries and a deadly murder at a crumbling English manor. The dual timelines—Tudor England and the present day—intertwine seamlessly, balancing eerie atmosphere with sharp suspense. A quick, engaging read for fans of history, secrets, and locked-room mysteries.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review: The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton by Jennifer N. Brown

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton. This beautifully woven novel captivated me from start to finish.
I especially loved the dual timeline structure—moving between past and present added depth and intrigue, making the story feel both timeless and urgent. Jennifer N. Brown skillfully blends fiction with threads of real history, which gave the narrative an extra layer of authenticity and emotional resonance.
If you're a fan of historical fiction or mystery, this book is a must-read. The characters are compelling, the pacing is spot-on, and the historical elements are seamlessly integrated. I give it a full five stars and can’t wait to see what Brown writes next.

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The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton is such an entertaining read and was right up my alley. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I was uneducated on a lot of the history it referenced. I enjoy the Tudor era, and learning about the history of that era through this book was a good time for me. The story is a dual timeline where in our modern time, a historian finds the lost book of Elizabeth Barton and investigates the mystery shrouding her life, while the alternate timeline is in the Tudor era, exploring Barton's life as she claims to receive visions from God. It's super interesting and I completely recommend!

I love a literary mystery and books about books. I liked the duo timeline and the historical significance. The pacing was a bit off, most of the action happened in the last 40 percent of the book.

““Will there be a fair?” he asks, hopefully. For some reason when I tell people I study the medieval period or the Renaissance, they expect me to come out in full dress, eating a turkey leg. Medieval Times is the public’s view of my work. I’m pretty sure that Victorianists don’t have this same problem.”

The era of Henry VIII’s rule and his relationship with his six wives/ Elizabethan era has always been somewhat of a Roman Empire for me, and I have never read a book that was entirely focused on Elizabeth Barton before.

This story utterly captivated me from the start and I was desperate to figure out the mystery of the supposed treasure. I loved the usage of the dual POV narrative; I’d reach the end of a chapter and would be so wrapped up in the story line that I’d forget we’d switch characters and plot lines, and it would be yet another chapter before I would find out what was happening with either Elizabeth or Alison. The twists were clever and I loved how well little puzzle pieces sprinkled throughout the novel all came together at the end. I felt that the ending seemed a bit rushed and would've loved a resolution concerning Alison's relationship with a few of the other consortium members, but it is also incredibly fitting the way that her story ends

Diving into The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton felt like stepping into a dusty English manor filled with hidden prayers, academic tension, and echoes of Tudor era danger. The dual timelines, one weaving Elizabeth Barton’s prophetic life in the 16th century, the other following historian Alison Sage in the present day, pulled me between intrigue and reckoning. Initially, the scholarly quiet of Alison’s world allowed me to settle into her ambition and curiosity. When the murder struck in that old manor, the tension shifted sharply, and I was hooked.

The writing balances academic depth with emotional stakes quite effectively. Elizabeth’s voice is filled with intensity and conviction, while Alison’s narrative reflects the pressure of discovery and rivalry in the archives. I loved the layers, from religious upheaval to academic backstabbing, echoing across centuries. If anything held me back, it was how the modern timeline sometimes slowed while building up. Adding a bit more stirring intrigue or relational tension early on might keep the momentum straighter before the murder mystery fully kicks in.

I expected this novel to be historical, set in the time of the Tudors. I was not, therefore, surprised that it was written in two timelines, the present and the the 1500s. What did surprise me was that it did not become a murder mystery until I was 60% into it. After that, it climaxed rather quickly and not believably. It was a bit of a shock to go from the two timelines to the gruesome killings by serious historians.
really?

The rating reflects; points for the research on the Holy Maid of Kent. Interesting, ieven though this period has been well covered by Phillipa Gregory.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC copy to read and review.