Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark, #partner, for the finished copy of The King’s Messenger in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Published: March 4, 2025
Summary:
For fans of Diana Gabaldon and Philippa Gregory, courtly rivalry and intrigue…
1613: King James – sixth of Scotland, first of England, son of Mary, Queen of Scots – has unified both countries under one crown. But the death of his eldest son, Henry, has plunged the nation into mourning, as the rumours rise the prince was poisoned.
Andrew Logan’s heard the rumours, but he’s paid them little heed. As one of the King’s Messengers he has enough secrets to guard, including his own. In these perilous times, when the merest suggestion of witchcraft can see someone tortured and hanged, men like Andrew must hide well the fact they were born with the Sight.
He’ll need all his gifts, though, when the king sends Andrew north to find and arrest Sir David Murray, once Prince Henry’s trusted courtier, and bring him a prisoner to London to stand trial before the dreaded Star Chamber.
A story of treachery, betrayal and love…
My thoughts:
I have been a fan of Susanna Kearsley ever since reading The Winter Sea. I love the way she is able to transport me into whatever setting she creates, this time the 17th century – I always find myself completely immersed in her books!
This is historical fiction at its best! There is intrigue, a little romance, some action and all the history that I couldn’t get enough of. It is so evident just how much research went into the writing of this book and yet it reads to smoothly…I was so captivated by the characters and all that was happening. This is the type of historical fiction I love to sink my teeth into and the best part, of course, is the author’s note where she clearly details what is fact and what is not.
I really enjoyed this story – a part of history I was not familiar with going into the book. Susanna Kearsley is such a master storyteller that I found myself wanting to know more – and I just know this will be a treasured book on my shelf and possibly one I will reread in the future!
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