My favourite type of book is one set in the past and this is one of the best children's novels I have come across set in the Tudor times. A warning, you can guess from the title that it is a little gory in places, but nothing too bad.. just be careful if you are a little squeamish! The story would make a wonderful drama series on CBBC. There is now a sequel to this story called River Daughter.
*** Please be careful buying this book. There is at least one other book with this title that might pop up on websites. It has a different author and, looking quickly, doesn't look suitable for children!!! ***
"Moss hates her life. As the daughter of the Executioner in the Tower of London, it's her job to catch the heads in her basket after her father has chopped them off. She dreams of leaving, but they are prisoners with no way out. Then Moss discovers a hidden tunnel that takes her to freedom, where she learns that her life isn't what she believes it to be and she doesn't know who to trust. Her search for the truth takes her on a journey along the great River Thames. Could the answers lie deep in its murky depths?"