'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
It may be difficult to believe, but there still are two final residents in the remaining grace-and-favor apartments in London's Hampton Court, courtesy of the queen. And, perhaps, they still are coping with ghosts such as Queen Catherine Howard running screaming through the gallery of the palace before her head was cut off by King Henry VIII a few centuries ago.
The ancient and sinister Tower of London that lures more than 2 million visitors a year would be an inspiration for any writer, especially one with the kind of whimsical imagination from which sprouts a world of ravenous ravens and a 181-year old tortoise called Mrs. Cross whose tail has been replaced by a parsnip.
Ms. Stuart has concocted a marvelous confection of a book in which she writes of a unique cast of characters.
