Froetschel offers a nuanced view of Elena's relations with the royal family that
closely follows the obvious historical model. Readers looking for a less tragic fate
for the late Diana, princess of Wales, will find much to like in this beguiling what-if.
– Publishers Weekly
The tale of Elena is a superb what-if that circles around the fractured fairy tale of
royal life. Each chapter begins with a few lines of dialogue from mysterious persons
that point fingers this way and that way in regards to who is out to get Elena. It is a
clever little trap that Ms. Froetschel has laid to entice the reader to keep going to see
what happens even when the reader’s body is begging for a few hours of rest. The printed
words on the pages of this book have all the lure of a siren’s song, and I for one fell
in love with them. Reading Royal Escape was like spending time with a dear old friend;
I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to rough up quite a few fictitious jerks.
If I have not made it clear; this story is wonderful.
– Crystal R. Guess, Genreview
Borrowing freely from the life of Princess You-Know-Who, Froetschel (Interruptions,
2004, etc.) provides more thrills than mystification. One hopes the Windsors lead a
less miserable existence than their fictional counterparts.
– Kirkus
The most interesting part of the book was how the royal family is handled by their
staff. While I don't know if it is true or not, I thought it was very intriguing.
The mystery of what really is going on behind the scenes is captivating and propels
the story forward. Basically, this book is pure escapism: if you are looking for a
fun, mindless read, this is a great book to choose....As long as you don't take
yourself or it too seriously, you will enjoy this book.
– S. Krishna
Book of the Week: Really fun mystery novel that is a great summer read!
– Radical Parenting
This is also a good book for those who love to read about royalty and get
an fictional idea how monarchy is behind closed doors sans the tabloids around....
Froetschel is a fabulous writer and I highly recommend this book to anyone
who is a parent and
also anyone who loves to read about royalty.
– Momsword.org
Froetschel began writing books when her son was an infant and her passion
for writing is only growing. Her style is engaging and a welcome change
from the simple-minded nonsense that is so prevalent on TV these days.
– Momz.com
...the story line is exciting especially once the terrorists begin their campaign and
provides insight into what it is like to be a Windsor abiding by choking nightmarish
rules under the British media microscope.
– Harriet Klausner
Articles and Interviews:
Froetschel says children born into a royal situation can't dream of being a carpenter,
journalist or politician because of a system where a child is born into instant celebrity.
"There is a danger to restricting your child's choices so early in life," she says."
– Becky Shetler, The Signal
Children can be trusted to draft their own story. Every mother likes to think of her
children as exceptional, and yet an early or excessive sense of exceptionalism inevitably
leads to unhappiness.
– A Mother's Gift of Choice, On Parenting, The Washington Post
"Status that comes by way of birth and not actual deeds is inescapable in any book on
the monarchy. But more importantly, I sympathize with members of the royal family
and the lack of choice for immediate members. They cannot easily relocate to other
countries or freely pursue some careers, and they are bound to traditions on travel,
holidays, child-rearing and education. Breaking away from family traditions is
much harder for members of the royal family than for the ordinary citizen.
Any step in a new direction meets with some resistance from the status quo."
– Interview, The Irish World
The book points out how excessive measures to protect us can end up
separating us from others. Staff members who resent the princess's
popularity use security measures to separate her from her sons.
– LibraryThing Author Chat
Froetschel says the idea for "Royal Escape" was inspired by the book "Primary Colors:
A Novel of Politics" because its author Joe Klein imagined motivation and feelings
within a presidential campaign. "Public figures are on display, but we all know there
are deeper stories within certain institutions, whether it's a presidential campaign
in the U.S. or the royal family in Great
Britain," she observes.
– Brooke Kenny, The Gazette
Asking a heating and air-conditioning technician how one might kill somebody by
using carbon dioxide poisoning in their own home can draw some odd looks.
But once you explain what you're doing, author Susan Froetschel told a group of
budding writers Saturday, it's not so weird.
– Frederick News Post
The adventurous life of the princess is a good topic!
Why are they writing crime stories about Princess Diana?
– Ma.Hu.com, Budapest
The mystery book "Royal Escape" is about how the monarchy can't help but
produce mixed messages and unhappy marriages in the modern world.
– British Royal Wedding
Froetschel said she believes mystery writers should look for book ideas in
"a crime or problem that bothers them, something that may never get resolved,"
she said. "They want justice."
– Vivian Yee, Yale Daily News