The Daughter of Time

Confined to a hospital bed with a broken leg, Scotland Yard Inspector Alan Grant finds himself maddeningly bored. His friend brings him a collection of historical portraits, and one face captivates him: Richard III. Popular history paints Richard as a monstrous child-murderer, the villain responsible for the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower. But Grant, a keen observer of human nature, sees something else in Richard's portrait—a man of intelligence and integrity, not a cruel tyrant. Unable to pursue active police work, Grant transforms his hospital room into a 'cold case' investigation office. Aided by an American researcher, a young nurse, and various historical texts, he meticulously sifts through centuries-old evidence, contemporary accounts, and Tudor propaganda. What begins as a simple intellectual exercise evolves into a compelling re-evaluation of one of history's most notorious crimes. As Grant delves deeper, he uncovers a tangled web of political ambition, rumor, and injustice, challenging the deeply ingrained narrative and seeking to unmask the true culprit behind the infamous deaths of Edward IV's young sons, the uncrowned kings of England. Tey's masterpiece is a brilliant exploration of historical truth, perception, and the enduring power of reputation.