"The Queen's Men" by Oliver Clements continues the thrilling "Agents of the Crown" series, where John Dee, the original MI6 agent, faces yet another perilous task. This installment opens dramatically as Queen Elizabeth I survives an ambush in Waltham Forest, igniting a high-stakes quest for security in a kingdom under constant threat from abroad and within.

In response to the attack and the rising threat from Catholic Spain, Elizabeth's trusted adviser, Sir Francis Walsingham, scrambles to identify the assailants. Simultaneously, the Queen tasks John Dee with a seemingly insurmountable challenge: to rediscover the lost recipe for Greek fire, a legendary weapon that protected the Byzantine Empire. Dee’s mission encapsulates the essence of the nascent secret service—combining science, espionage, and philosophy to safeguard the nation.

Clements expertly blends historical intrigue with spy thriller elements, creating a vivid portrayal of Elizabethan politics and espionage. Dee's character, with his deep intellect and commitment, highlights the crucial role of intelligence in national security. "The Queen's Men" not only captivates with its fast-paced plot and complex characters but also enriches the reader’s understanding of the delicate balance of power during a pivotal era in history. This novel is a compelling blend of adventure, historical richness, and espionage, perfect for readers who relish a cerebral yet action-packed narrative.

This is a fabulous idea for a series. Why am I just now reading it? The author has put out a clever and quick paced novel that is original in spite of being historical and based on real people. Book 1 is faster than the other books in the series but the intrigue never slows.

Book #2 in the Agents of the Crown historical fiction series. Book #1 gives alot of the background of how this cast of characters came to be loyal defenders of the crown. You could read this one as a stand alone but you'd miss the back story. So many historical fiction books are dry, repeating the same facts and stories that have been written over and over. Not this series. Oliver Clements does cover an era that so many before him have set as the core of the story. But Clements' approaches the undeniable history from a different stand point. He bases the mystery and suspense of the Queen Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots reigns on those who would defend the queens and the nation from all who would see them fail. It makes for some very intriguing reading and actually made me go look up some of the characters and their stories. Isn't that what a GOOD book is supposed to do?

"The Queen's Men" is a novel that intricately weaves historical facts with fictional elements to create a coherent and engaging narrative. The depiction of Elizabethan England is rendered with striking clarity and detail, distinguishing the book within its genre. The author's adeptness in sustaining suspense throughout the novel—despite the readers' foreknowledge of historical outcomes—highlights their narrative proficiency.

For aficionados of historical fiction, particularly those with an interest in espionage and political machinations, "The Queen's Men" comes highly recommended. The book excels in delivering both entertainment and a deeper understanding of the period it portrays. It is a commendable choice for anyone with an appreciation for history or simply in search of an absorbing tale.

The Queen's Men by Oliver Clements is a wonderful historical fiction that is the second book in the Agents of the Crown series. I honestly really, really like this series. I am surprised more readers do not know about this hidden gem. Using real figures such as John Dee, Queen Elizabeth I, and so on and weaving them into a fictional narrative that is full of intrigue, mystery, espionage, and high-stakes drama really makes for a great end result. I am really looking forward to the new books! Excellent. 5/5 stars Thank you NG and Atria Books | Atria/Leopoldo & Co. for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub and Amazon accounts immediately. Date of Publication 12/7/21.

I enjoyed this second book in the series set in Elizabethan England. I enjoyed this action filled book and felt that it was well written, a historically accurate historical fiction book. The Queen’s Men is about a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth. Once again, John Dee is the protagonist of the story. I really enjoyed the subplots and felt that the author did an excellent job with character aand plot development. I am a fan of the series and I hope that there will be noire books to come.

I needed Oliver Clements' The Queen's Men. Lately, I've hit a string of lackluster historical mysteries. They haven't been complete failures, but they've left me aware of some of the weaknesses of the genre: the overly simple mystery at the heart of the novel and historical characters that feel more like cardboard photo props than real people. The Queen's Men is delightfully free of these problems.

The mystery is complex, stretched out across time with small leads that keep bringing a solution near, but not quite close enough. Clements' tale is woven of multiple threads, so moments of crisis and resolution occur throughout the book. The ending is powerful and climactic (I'm pretty sure my reading speed doubled on the last few chapters), but there are other dramatic solutions to seemingly intractable problems throughout. Clements introduces readers to the complex politics of the time (the reign of Elizabeth I) in a way that makes that information essential to the story, rather than a didactic add-on.

The central characters—John Dee, Francis Walsingham, William Cecil, Christopher Hatton, and Jane Frummond—are complicated on their own and in relationship to one another. Of the five, Frummond is (as far as I know) the only non-historical character, and her presence is a particular delight, an adventurous woman both of and beyond her time.

This is a historical mystery that should delight anyone who enjoys the genre. It will also delight readers of historical fiction and readers of "real" history who need an occasional romp. It's well worth purchasing or requesting from your local library.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher; the opinions are my own.

I received an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. Going into this book, I wasn't quite sure if I would like it, but I have found a new literary hero (flawed for sure, but so much fun), Dr. John Dee, and a fabulous new author, Oliver Clements. Clements not only spins a great story, but he has fun in the telling. The author's sense of humor shines through on page after page with his snarky, but clever, remarks. I found myself re-reading many passages just for the giggle. For me, the story took second place and the way Clements wrote it won me over completely. It all starts out with an assassination attempt on Queen Elizabeth I (not to be confused with Elizabeth II--the current monarch). Set in the 1500s, John Dee is on a quest to create 'Greek fire'--a powerful weapon of war. His many failed attempts wreak havoc. He is also a 'friend' of the Queen and much to her dismay, calls her 'Bess' whenever they meet. His familiarity in front of her staff causes her to cringe and shoot him warning looks--all of which he takes in good stride. All kinds of things happen in the interim and there is never a dull moment--or page. Whether you like history or not, I highly recommend this book. It is written with intelligence and, at the same time, will make you laugh out loud. I had no idea that this was the second book in a series and you can be sure, I will be looking for the first one. I sincerely hope that many more will follow. Long live Dr. John Dee!