✼ We may earn an affiliate commission if you make a purchase through links on our site.
Last updated on February 22, 2026
An Assassin’s Guide to Love & Treason by Virginia Boecker sounds like the perfect choice for Shakespeare fans. I really enjoyed Virginia Boecker’s The Witch Hunter series. I have a feeling that this book is going to be quite interesting, as it has Shakespeare elements to it. I am not usually one for historical fiction, but this one is too intriguing to pass on.
An Assassin’s Guide to Love & Treason
Title: An Assassin's Guide to Love & TreasonAuthor: Virginia Boecker
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 23, 2018
When Lady Katherine's father is killed for being an illegally practicing Catholic, she discovers treason wasn't the only secret he's been hiding: he was also involved in a murder plot against the reigning Queen Elizabeth I. With nothing left to lose, Katherine disguises herself as a boy and travels to London to fulfill her father's mission, and to take it one step further--kill the queen herself.
Katherine's opportunity comes in the form of William Shakespeare's newest play, which is to be performed in front of Her Majesty. But what she doesn't know is that the play is not just a play--it's a plot to root out insurrectionists and destroy the rebellion once and for all.
The mastermind behind this ruse is Toby Ellis, a young spy for the queen with secrets of his own. When Toby and Katherine are cast opposite each other as the play's leads, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. But the closer they grow, the more precarious their positions become. And soon they learn that star-crossed love, mistaken identity, and betrayal are far more dangerous off the stage than on.
Book Quotes: An Assassin’s Guide to Love & Treason
If I’ve learned anything in my position, it’s that there’s nothing more deceptive than the obvious.
He looks at me and shakes his head, and he’s still smiling, as if the thought of me is too much. I would like to be too much to him.
About Virginia Boecker
Virginia Boecker is the author of The Witch Hunter series and An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason. A graduate of the University of Texas, she had a decade-long career in technology before quitting to become a full-time writer. When she isn't writing, Virginia likes running, reading, traveling, and trying new things (most recently: learning to drive a boat). She has lived all over the world but currently resides in beautiful Lake Oswego, Oregon with her husband, children, a dog called George and a cat named Thomas.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
this one does sound good. I have it on my TBR too.
I hope we both love it. 🙂
This is a fantastic pick, it sounds really good!
I love anything set during the Tudor period, and this sounds very cool! Hope you enjoy it!
It has such a cool concept! 🙂
This book sounds AMAZING oh my god.
My thoughts exactly! 😉
This sounds great actually. I love the idea of the leads being cast opposite each other in a play- not to mention the play itself and the whole Shakespearean thing. Adding this one!
I hope that you love it! 🙂
This sounds great ~ Hope you enjoy it a lot!
This one sounds like quite the adventure !! That cover is also fabulous, and fits the description really well – gives me vibes of the BBC version of “The Three Musketeers.” 🙂
Hope you enjoy!
That font does have a familiar feel to it. 🙂
I loved The Witch Hunter series too so of course I’m excited for her new upcoming book as well. Maybe even more so since it’s historical fiction. And I love anything related to Shakespeare. 😀
I instantly thought of you when I first saw this title! I hope that we both love it. 🙂
You know, I wouldn’t have taken a second glance at the book based on the cover and title. The summary is great, though, and it’s the time period I love to read about. Adding this to my list! I’ve never heard of this author, so I want to check out The Witch Hunter too.
I agree with you on that cover! It doesn’t catch your eye right away. 🙂
The Witch Hunter series was fantastic, so while this doesn’t sound like something I would necessarily jump at, because of the author, I am more willing to give it a chance.
I know, right?! Not my typical genre, but I love Boecker so much. 🙂
This one sounds great! I love the title.
I love historical books. This is on my TBR list.
Enjoy! 🙂
I like it
I haven’t heard of this book but it sounds exciting! Adding it to my TBR! 🙂
Oh, this sounds fabulous! Another one for my tbr…
I totally love this title and the book sound really interesting! I am adding it to my TBR!
Mary
This is really interesting! Plus I saw this one from Mackenzi Lee’s instagram omg hahah!
I like good historical fiction and this seems like a good story, thanks for bringing it to my attention.