Review: The King's Intelligencer by Elizabeth St.John
Today, I'm delighted to welcome back a dear friend and fabulous author of historical fiction, Elizabeth St.John! I'm sharing my review of her brand-new release, The King's Intelligencer. Linked loosely to her last novel, The Godmother's Secret (check out my review HERE), it is about the discovery of children's bones in the Tower of London – and the threats this posed at the time. Have a look!
The King's Intelligencer is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fascinating posts – intriguing excerpts, interesting guest posts, and more reviews – HERE!
The King’s Intelligencer
Discovering the Missing Princes in the Tower
Elizabeth St.John
Having read the brilliant, The Godmother's Secret, I couldn't wait to read The King's Intelligencer. Continuing the continuing mystery of the fate of the missing princes – Edward and Richard Plantagenet – the novel is set during the time of the discovery of two young skeletons under some stairs at the Tower of London. To this day, the mystery about the two princes continues, and without DNA testing of the bones, which the royal family still refuses to permit, no one can be certain. But I digress...
Young Franny Apsley – confidante to the Princess Mary Stuart, heiress to the throne of England – is as intrigued as all the other courtiers about the chance discovery of the bones of two children. But when she discovers the remnants of an ancient cloak bearing the arms of Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII – the first Tudor king – Franny and her father, Sir Allen Apsley, are alarmed. As descendants of the formidable dame, their fate could hang in the balance, should this evidence be shared. But so would the king's – and with religious fervour gripping both Protestants and Catholics – the discovery could lead to a major royal crisis.
In Franny's time, the murder of the princes as reported by Thomas More is still the widely accepted 'truth', but when Franny's curiosity gets the better of her, her father's cousin – Nan – reveals a long-held family secret: the princes were alive and well thanks to their godmother's actions. But for how long? There are the bones, after all...
And so begins a thrilling race against time, leading us into the shadowy world of royal intelligencers, of which Franny becomes one, just like Nan had been during the dark years of the Civil War that had claimed the king's father's life.
Around the time of the discovery, Franny makes the acquaintance of Nicholas Jameson, a young artist recently arrived from the French court. Supposedly. And a Catholic! Despite this, she soon falls for his charms, and when he finds a post teaching the princess how to draw, they begin to spend much time with each other. But his constant mention of Margaret Beaufort, and the lady's potential involvement in the disappearance of the princes, raise Franny's suspicions, despite their growing closeness.
Having seen secret family documents at Lydiard Park that bear a secret of centuries, Franny knows she can't share her knowledge with anyone but Nan, and when a secret plot is suspected, to replace King Charles II with his Catholic brother, James, the two events converge in a dangerous maelstrom that threatens the core of the English court.
Will the truth come out, or will it remain forever hidden? And what really is the truth? Well, read this riveting novel!
The fate of young King Edward V and his brother, Richard, Duke of York, is an enduring riddle that has baffled historians for centuries. As opposing factions argue their case – Tudor vs Plantagenet – we are no closer to knowing what happened to the boys. And if they were indeed killed – who was really responsible?
Ms St.John's new novel adds a clever fictional twist to those discussions, just as The Godmother's Secret did. The thrilling plot, this time set against one of the most volatile historical eras with its religious intrigues, leads us deep into the bowels of Whitehall, and to the heart of the royal power of the Stuarts.
Following the devastating Civil War that divided England, King Charles II is on the throne, but his was no safe victory. Plots by the Pope, via the French court in particular, caused moments of danger that must have had a profound effect on the monarch. Knowing his heir – his brother, James – and his new wife are Catholics, even though James' daughter, Mary, is Protestant, must have been a constant concern. Any challenges to the legitimacy of Stuart reign were regarded as treasonous, and the strong sense of suspicion that had so influenced the Civil War, continued.
In this tense atmosphere we find Franny Apsley, keen to uncover more about the two young princes who died two centuries earlier, in order to clear the name of her ancestress, Margaret Beaufort. But with the evidence – the lady's cloak found with the bones – against her, can she uncover what really happened?
Ms St.John has caught the era's atmosphere extremely well, and as we turn the pages, we are thrown into a world of spies, of religious plots, and of secrets that threaten the very legitimacy of the English monarchy. At the same time, we follow Franny's 19-year-old self being a typical teenager, despite the serious secret she keeps. She's outgoing, curious, and jealous of anyone (especially a Villiers!) who wants to usurp her place in Princess Mary's affections. Flirting overtly with Nicholas, her behavour borders on risqué. She loves role-plays and entertainment, but at the same time, there is a seriousness about her. Franny is keen to help Nan, but intelligent enough not to rock the boat and get herself on King Charles' wrong side. This tightrope walk is at the same time thrilling and worrying as we fret over Franny's safety.
But it is the political intrigues that stand out in this novel – we delve into an shady underworld of intelligencers and plotters, each with their own agenda, personal or political. We experience the harsh reality of the religious divide between Catholics and Protestants, and the fear that the other side may find a way to destroy Franny and her family. And whilst the discovery of the bones remains at the heart of the novel, it is against this incredibly dangerous background that Franny must undertake her research.
There is a dark undercurrent of danger that weaves a fine thread through the utterly compelling plot, interspersed with lighter notes when Franny and Mary are up to their girlish antics. But the threat to both the Apsley family – as well as the Protestant Stuart monarchy – is real, and we never forget it for one moment.
As expected, the impeccable research involved in this novel shines through on each page, as we delve back into the late 17th century. The minutest details give us a real glimpse into life at court, and we lose ourselves in the long, dark corridors of royal power.
The King's Intelligencer is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and real historical mysteries, be they pro-Tudor or pro-Plantagenet. The enduring allure of the disappearance of the princes provides the perfect backdrop for a novel dealing with such a complex political situation. And Franny Apsley is the perfect heroine: genuine, curious, loyal, and highly intelligent. A real intelligencer!
Highly recommended.
London, 1674
When children’s bones are unexpectedly unearthed in the Tower of London, England’s most haunting mystery—the fate of the missing princes—is reignited.
Pursued by Nicholas, Franny searches for evidence hidden in secret family letters and paintings, and uncovers a startling diplomatic plot involving Lady Mary, which causes Franny to question her own judgment, threatens the throne, and sets England on a course for war. With only her courage and the guidance of an enigmatic spy within the royal household, Franny must decide how far she will go to expose the truth—and whether that truth will lead to England’s salvation or her own heartbreak.
In a glittering and debauched society where love is treacherous and loyalty masked, Franny must navigate a world where a woman’s voice is often silenced and confront the ultimate question: What is she willing to risk for the sake of her country, her happiness, and her family’s safety?
A captivating historical novel of conspiracy, passion, and courage, The King’s Intelligencer is one woman's quest for a truth that could change the fate of a nation. A companion to the critically acclaimed best-selling novels The Godmother’s Secret and The Lydiard Chronicles, The King’s Intelligencer weaves together beloved characters and actual events to bring a suspenseful mystery to life.
Buy Link: Universal Buy Link
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
~~~
About the Author:
Elizabeth St. John
Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England's kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.
Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.
Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.
Elizabeth's works include The Lydiard Chronicles, a trilogy set in 17th-century England during the Civil War, and The Godmother's Secret, which unravels the medieval mystery of the missing princes in the Tower of London. Her latest release, The King’s Intelligencer, follows Franny Apsley's perilous quest to uncover the truth behind the sudden discovery of the princes' bones. In Charles II's court of intrigue and deceit, Franny must decide what she’ll risk—for England’s salvation, her family's safety, and her own happiness.
Connect with Elizabeth:
Congratulations on such a fabulous review, Elizabeth. I agree with every word - a truly wonderful book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Anne. It really is. xx
DeleteThank you for the wonderful review and summary! And you didn't give any of the BIG surprise away! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Liz. I try not to... ;-) xx
DeleteI have this book on my to-read list. All the reviews I have read have been so positive. I can't wait to get stuck in!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll enjoy it. It's a fabulous read.
Delete