My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this free early review copy. 

This got off to a very slow start.  I advise you to skip the intro and cast of characters and refer back to all that later.  Trying to read that before I knew anything about the story just bogged me down and made me feel like I was studying for an exam.  It made me reluctant to read this book, so it took me a long time to really get going.  (In fact, it took me so long to read it that I'm now finishing it over a month after its publication date!)  After a few chapters, I became engaged in the story and started to care about the characters. 

The story is told in four POVs: Phoebe Westaway, the daughter of a king's scrivener William; Andrew Logan, the eponymous King's Messenger; Sir David Moray, former companion of Prince Henry; and Queen Anne.  Logan’s and Phoebe’s are  first person, David’s and the Queen’s are third person, an odd choice that I struggled to make sense of.  Perhaps it was because David and Anna were real people, and Logan and Phoebe are fictional creations belonging wholly to Kearsley?  Other than that, the voices all sounded rather similar, and I occasionally forgot whose POV I was reading and I had to double check. 

Phoebe has got a crush on her neighbor, Valentine Fox, but it's clear from the start that Valentine is a selfish jerk and Logan is the guy she should really set her sights on.  But she hates Logan and doesn't even know why, so she judges all of his actions as selfish and brutish and cold.  Naturally, circumstances lead to Phoebe joining the group of five (the other four being her father, Logan, Sir David, and young lad Hector) who will travel on horseback from Leith to London.  Kearsley does a great job of showing us how much Phoebe hates Logan, and showing us that Logan is a truly decent person, while also making it clear that Phoebe is not a petty shrew, she's just misguided.    I happen to love the enemies-to-lovers trope, and this is a masterful example.

Unlike some other Kearsley books, this one stays solidly in 1613 (with a few flashbacks to earlier times, as memories only), there is no time travel, but the paranormal does appear in the form of ghosts and foretellings, since Logan is blessed or cursed with "the Second Sight."

The action moves really slowly, and switching between four POVS keeps breaking up the flow of the story.  Three of the POV characters are traveling together, but it still kept taking me out of the story to bounce around like that.   Finally in the second half things really get rolling.  By 75% in I could not put it down.  I’d guess it took me about ten days to read the first half and two days to read the second half. 

I began to really appreciate the slow burn romance and the gradually tightening tension of how to obey the king while also escaping his clutches.  But the ending was disappointing.  The build up promised great danger and tension and intrigue, but the resolution did not deliver any of that.  This is a very slow and gentle story.  <spoiler> Phoebe and Logan get married SO quickly! She barely had time to grieve her father, within a week of his death she was marrying!  Why so fast???  That slow burn romance sure exploded into an epic bonfire!

And the big “plan” Queen Anna and David were hatching was so anti-climactic.  Her plan was … to be in Greenwich and talk with David first? And that was it, he was free to return to Scotland!  If it was that easy, why was anyone worried??</spoiler>

Kearsley's research is thorough, she sprinkles real people into the book throughout (most notably Queen Anna and Sir David Moray, who each get their own POVs, but also many others) and her descriptions of towns and landscapes along the trip from Leith to London is so crisp that is is clear she also travelled this same path.   (And, indeed, she did, as she notes in her Author's thanks, thanking the various people she stayed with during her trip, including several descendants of the people described in this story.)


<b>words I looked up:</b>
pouncet box - a small perfume box with a perforated lid
sandy pounce - a fine resinous powder similar to ground pumice, used to prevent ink from spreading on unglazed paper.
reiver - A "reiver" is an archaic term, primarily used in British English, referring to a robber, thief, or plunderer, especially in the context of raiders along the Anglo-Scottish Border during the late Middle Ages and early modern period. 
bastle - a fortified farmhouse, particularly those found in northern England and southern Scotland, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, known for their thick walls, small doorways, and narrow slit windows for defense
mastic - a plant resin from the mastic tree.
windgalls - soft, fluid-filled swellings that appear on the back of a horse's fetlock joint
sherris-sack - sherry.  Sack is an antiquated wine term referring to white fortified wine imported from mainland Spain or the Canary Islands.
quoits - a ring of iron, rope, or rubber thrown in a game to encircle or land as near as possible to an upright peg (I've seen this game so many times, but I did not know this name for it!  I guess we call it "ring toss")
doublet - a snug-fitting jacket that is shaped and fitted to a man's body (ok I feel like an idiot needing to look this one up, but I wasn't sure what it was!! I thought it was a leather tunic, like armor - totally wrong.)
jerkin - a man's close-fitting jacket, typically made of leather
equerry - a royal officer, typically from the armed services, who acts as a personal assistant or aide to a member of the royal family, often overseeing their official duties and engagements

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookmarked for this free copy of "The King's Messenger."

I didn't want it to end! I completely fell in love with EVERY character! They all felt so real and I just adored everything about this book. Definitely one of my favorite books ever!

Author Kearsley writes a gorgeous "alternate history" that takes historical characters and events from 1613 England and weaves fictional people through them to create a realistic scenario that will leave you amazed.

So Andrew Logan, the titular King's Messenger of James I, has been sent to Scotland to arrest David Moray and return him to London for questioning about Prince Henry's death. But Andrew has Second Sight and gleans that David is innocent. Is there a way he can save David?

Andrew's order includes having an appointed court scrivener accompany him to record what David says on the journey. However the scrivener is ill so his daughter Phoebe agrees to join them to help her father.

The slow-developing relationship between each of them on their journey to and from Scotland is warm, realistic, touching, and uplifting. Thinking about them talking at night under the stars just makes my heart glow.

And the descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was transported back to 1613, especially when talking about the activity at court - I could almost feel the atmosphere.

I didn't know that James I was such a weasel and that the Queen Anna was so cool. And I'd never read much about Prince Henry who died at age 18, so his murder was plausible - definitely worth reading more about him.

This was such a great read! This book had me hooked from the first page and I just loved the setting and plot and how it was developed! The characters were enjoyable and easy to connect with and root for! I loved the touches of the slow burn romance too! Definitely recommend reading this book!

I switched between reading and the audiobook. What a great story! Very much enjoyed the writing, the story and when listening the narrator brought a whole new dimension to the experience. Loved it and highly recommend.

This was an enjoyable adventure story. Something for everyone, romance, court intrigue, chases and suspense. Really impressed by author's engagement with the historical sources, though I'm not a big enough devotee of this time period to notice details.

✔️ Court intrigue and politics
✔️ A quest
✔️ Reluctant but tender romance
✔️ A hint of magical realism
✔️ Found family

I LOVED THIS BOOK. Kearsley's writing is lyrical, atmospheric, and extremely well-researched. I thoroghly enjoyed learning more about 17th-century Britain through the perspectives of Phoebe, Andrew, Sir David, and Queen Anna. I read this in one sitting because I just could not put it down. I think Kearsley may be a new auto-read author for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions!

4.5 stars rounded down

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy!

"We are, most of us, “none else of name.” When we’re gone, few of us will end up in the history books. But I like to believe each life matters; and just as our lives are important to somebody, people who lived in the past were important to somebody, too."

This is the first time I've read Susanna Kearsley - where have I been!? This type of historical fiction is right up my alley. How can you not fall in love with Andrew Logan, a man with a heart of gold who is just trying to do his job as the King's messenger while also biding his time waiting for stubborn Phoebe to realize she has been wrong about him all along.
While this has a little romance, which is very sweet, this book also details a lot of history and highlights many things I never knew about this time period. I read historical fiction to learn things as well as be entertained, so I am more than thrilled when a book makes me Google things. This book definitely did that!
If you like found family, Scottish history, some sweet romance with zero spice, this is the book for you. My 1/2 star reduction is because for me, the story left a couple small things unresolved and I wished I had a little more clarification.
I look forward to diving more into Kearsley's backlist!

Kearsley always delivers on romance and political intrigue. This story goes back to the original Stewart king, an area that had not been covered before, however the ancestors of the families on Kearsley's later works will recognize names. The theme is fathers, their influence on their children and the child's duty to legacy for all of the characters. The outcome is mostly predictable, but the characters are interesting and Kearsley's fans will enjoy being in her world again.

I have always enjoyed Kearsley’s novels so was very excited when I saw this new one. I was a little thrown that it took me so long to get into it, but I should have known that she always reels me in. Told from alternate POVs, this is the story of Andrew Logan, the King’s Messenger, who is tasked with bringing Sir David Moray to London under suspicion of murdering the Prince. In his retinue is Phoebe Westway and her father, a scribe for the King. Intrigue abounds on the journey. Told with a touch of melancholy, the well researched history I expect from Kearsley and a bit of romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this title!

Susanna Kearsley’s The King’s Messenger is a masterfully woven tale that brings together history, fiction, romance, and intrigue to create a captivating narrative. Known for her evocative historical fiction, Kearsley once again delivers a story that transports readers to a bygone era, immersing them in a world of courtly politics, personal duty, and love. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous European courts in the 17th century, The King’s Messenger offers a poignant exploration of loyalty and sacrifice.

At the heart of the narrative is Phoebe, a young woman of exceptional resolve who is swept into a dangerous political game. Her father is a reporter for the court and has been assigned by King James to accompany Andrew to apprehend a suspect. No one can refuse the King. Since her father is gravely ill, Phoebe takes it upon herself to help him along the long trip.

The plot thickens when Phoebe crosses paths with Andrew, as he is the messenger of the king sent to detain a man accused of the murder of Prince Henry. The chemistry between Phoebe and Andrew is palpable yet understated, their growing bond interwoven amid the secrecy of their work. The narrative explores the tension between their conflicting duties and personal desires, creating a dynamic that is as emotionally gripping as it is authentically human.

The story also introduces David, a seasoned and enigmatic diplomat whose allegiances are unclear. David’s character is pivotal in illustrating the moral grayness of courtly politics. At times, an ally and at others a potential threat, David’s ambiguous nature keeps readers on edge, questioning his intentions until the very end.

Finally, at the heart of the political intrigue is Queen Anna herself, portrayed as equal parts regal and vulnerable. Kearsley breathes life into Queen Anna, highlighting her sharp intellect, fierce determination, and deep sense of responsibility to her people. She seeks justice for the death of her son.

If you want a fabulous historical read that combines mystery, romance, and a well-researched time period, The King’s Messenger is perfect for you.

England/Scotland 1613: Prince Henry is dead, allegedly from an illness that had been plaguing him for months, but Queen Anne has suspicions as to whether that is genuinely what killed her bright, beautiful, vivacious, and popular child. It is an open secret that many at court were jealous of the place the young man held in the people’s hearts, not least among them his own father, King James I. When the whispers spread from the castle to the streets, the King is forced to act to quell the suspicions gripping the populace. To that end, he sends messenger Andrew Logan to Scotland with secret orders to remand Sir David Moray, close friend and advisor of the late Prince Henry. Andrew is uncomfortable with his orders, and a conversation with Sir William Moray, Sir David’s brother and a high-ranking member of Anne’s court, makes him even more so. There is little doubt that the King plans to make a scapegoat of Sir David in a quest to quiet the rumors racing through the nation and bring a rapid end to any mistrust that might be thrown on His Majesty’s own coterie.

Andrew knows he has been tasked with this mission because of the many secrets he himself has to keep. Having the Second Sight has made him exceptional at his job, able to survive traps that would have killed lesser men. In James’ religious court, it could also get him hanged for witchcraft, so he must maintain a façade of excellence that hides what makes him so. There is another weakness, one that he has worked hard to conceal, which makes him ideal for this particular assignment. Andrew, contemplating why he was chosen, experiences some discomfort at the idea that this particular deficiency might already be known.

Adding to the many concerns surrounding the journey is the fact that Laurence Westaway, a court scrivener, is to join him. The man is a friend, someone whose company Andrew sincerely enjoys, but the Sight has shown Andrew that the man’s age and illness are catching up with him and he fears that the trip will be far too difficult for someone so weak to survive. Phoebe, Westaway’s daughter, has similar concerns so she demands to come along to take care of her father. Andrew is not too thrilled about that because from the moment he and Phoebe met, they’ve been at odds. Having her along to snipe at him will make for an acrimonious trip.

Phoebe doesn’t trust Andrew. There is too much about him that is shrouded in mystery, and he doesn’t seem to have much regard for the heirarchy that runs the court and the lives of the people who work there. She knows she is on this voyage only to care for her father, but will she be able to get along with Andrew Logan well enough to do her job and let him do his?

For those who dislike paranormal elements in their novels, let me assure you that Andrew’s gift plays a relatively minor role in the story. It is of (small) use for their travels but provides no answers to the mystery surrounding Henry’s death.

Ms. Kearsley’s writing is – as always – beautiful, evocative, and lyrical. Her prose calls forth a perfect sense of a chilling, atmospheric world in which we are never sure of our footing and lends the perfect air of menace to the main focus of the tale. Fans of her novels often rave about the meticulously detailed and immersive history and that, too, is in full evidence here.
However, some things are different this go-round. Ms. Kearsley previously wrote dual timeline novels with a modern-era hero/heroine and a historical couple embroiled in politics, but that is not the case here. This book is an historical, focused on the events of the characters’ present (mainly their journey to bring Sir David to the King), and the only forays into the past are through their memories. It works because the author focuses on their growth as a team and the mystery surrounding Henry’s death, giving us a thorough understanding of who the players are as people as well as a rich understanding of the components and personalities surrounding Henry’s case. Ms. Kearsley does a terrific job of showing us the dangers of working for royalty, how lives were impacted by the many fights for power at court, and how easily the truth is distorted when those who wield control wish it to be.

I liked Phoebe and Andrew a lot. Phoebe is a bit acerbic at the start of the trip, having mistakenly believed slanderous information about Andrew given her by a cruel-hearted neighbor, but she is wise enough to change her mind as the expedition progresses and she sees a man wholly different to the one she had been led to expect. She behaves appropriately for the era while still being independent, mature, temperate, and wise. The latter is especially important given her proximity to the court.

Andrew is a stellar hero. Strong, brave, honest, smart, skilled – really, my list could extend into eternity. He’s absolutely lovely, and he is so gentle and patient with Phoebe, it is amazing. He loves her before she loves him, and his kindness and respect for her own feelings as he waits for her to be his is wonderful to behold. Their HEA is made all the sweeter by watching them work a bit to get there.

Sir David is also a terrific character. He is very similar to Andrew, but the strength of his family connections makes him bolder. He is also a bit more savvy and skeptical regarding politics, but he has a core sense of honor that keeps him from becoming bitter about it. I loved glimpsing the young Prince Henry through his wise and caring eyes.

I have a few (very) minor quibbles with the tale. One is my bafflement at Phoebe’s inclusion on the trip. From a story standpoint, it makes perfect sense since she and Andrew fall in love along their arduous ride. From a practical perspective, it would only have made sense to include her if she shared the same gift that made her father ideal for his position. My second is that Andrew’s rival for Phoebe’s hand seems unlikely. I got no sense of why he would have genuinely wanted to marry her.

That said, The King’s Messenger is both a fantastic, detailed look at a bygone era and a wonderful mystery. I strongly recommend it.

The King’s Messenger by susanna Kearsley
Treachery, betrayal, and love.
In 1612, King James, son of Mary Queen of Scots has unified Scotland and England. Then with the death of his son, Henry, the nation is thrown into mourning. Andrew Logan, the King’s messenger, is sent to find and arrest Sir David Murray to stand trial.
It’s gripping, dramatic and immersive! Another impressive novel from Susanna Kearsley! I really enjoyed it! 4/5 ⭐
I would like to Thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book.

It’s been a while since I’ve delved into historical fiction and this new release by Susanna Kearsley did not disappoint. Readers are transported back to England and Scotland, during the reign of King James I of England and VI of Scotland. We immediately meet main characters Phoebe and Andrew, and find no love lost between them. This initially makes things difficult as Phoebe finds it necessary to take a lengthy trip with her father and Andrew. Andrew, the King’s Messenger, is being sent on a mission to apprehend a fugitive for questioning in the murder of Prince Henry. The story takes us on a journey of mystery and intrigue sprinkled with bits of romance. This is a quiet book with well developed characters who reveal and learn both secrets and truths. Don’t miss Kearsley’s notes at the end of the book, where she tells about the research that went into the writing of the story! Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley #TheKingsMessenger #SusannaKearsley

Phoebe plans to marry a man with ties to the king. She thinks he is a good choice. What she can’t see is what everyone else sees. He presents a façade the world because he is a social climber and a bad man. Logan works for the king. He is dedicated to his job. When he is sent to collect a prisoner, he does his duty. He never expected that Phoebe would have to accompany her father on the journey. The two of them have spent years at odds. Now they have to work together to overcome the odds to get back to the king and deliver the prisoner. Will they find that their time away from court is just what they needed to realize that they are perfect together?

This is a sweet love story. Phoebe and Logan slowly reveal their inner thoughts and feelings to one another. The author did a nice job giving the characters reasons to confide in one another. The journey back to the king with the prisoner in tow revealed many secrets from the king’s court. My review is this, the book is utterly forgettable. I generally like books from this author but this one lacked the hook to keep me engaged and the heart to make me get invested in their final outcome. I didn’t even think that the bad guy was all that memorable.

This book takes place in 1631 in various locations in Great Britain. It is a story of political intrigue. Both of the main characters are adults who fit into their assigned roles in the king’s court. I will probably read more from this author in the future even though this book did not appeal to me.

This story is set in 1600s England where we have a prince dead under mysterious circumstances and a king’s messenger tasked with bringing back to the court the one man who might know what happened. I enjoyed this book! It was atmospheric and the characters were vividly crafted. Definitely one that’ll cause you to have Google open in another browser, as much of the drama that unfolds on the page actually happened! I’m eager to find more books from this author’s backlist. Thanks to NetGalley for a digital arc!

Thank you to Sourcebooks for an arc of this novel!
I am such a massive fan of Susanna Kearsley and was ecstatic to find out she was coming out with a new book. The Kings Messenger is muli pov set in historical UK across England and parts of Scotland. I can’t decide who was my favorite of all of the characters. Each had character growth that led me to feel truly connected to them by the end. So much so I didn’t want to close the book and for this interaction with the characters to end. The beginning is fast paced as is the end though the middle slows down and really draws you into the characters and their dynamics. I was hooked the last 70 pages especially. Its surprising to me that this book was only about 300 pages when it packed such a punch. I absolutely loved Hector and Andrew. Both in such different ways. I had a lot of respect towards David and felt such empathy towards Phoebe and her father. Truly such complex characters. Kearsley has such a way with words and her writing style is so addictive. Check out this book if you havent! The romance was so sweet. I wish it had started a bit earlier than it did, but at the same time it really drew it out and made you wait in anticipation for it.

This book has a complete 5 stars from me. At first I was hesitant because the beginning parts of the book felt a little slow, but once I got used to the multiple points of view, I was perfectly fine. I flew through the last part. Historical fiction is a hit or miss for me but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book.

Susan Kearsley has written a serious historical novel about the death of Henry, heir of King James VI an I and the intrigues surrounding it. The King's Messenger covers the career of Andrew Logan, hereditary king's messenger, who is told to bring back to court from Scotland Sir David Moray, a trusted advisor of Henry. James is touchy about his rights and has been known to arrange the death of someone he regarded as dangerous to him. In this novel David Moray did return to court but was able to give his papers regarding Henry's death to the queen. That protected him. King's Messengers were couriers and direct servants of the crown; the office carried on into the nineteenth century were it was folded into British bureaucracy.

"The King's Messenger" is a quick historical romance read for millennials who grew up devouring this genre. You'll feel the familiar immersion into the history, but what we're really here for is the slow burn, the quiet yearning, the scandalously unpinned hair of it all. And this Pride-and-Prejudice-esque love story will certainly not disappoint. I found each and every character unique and interesting in their own right, the pace of the book appropriate (albeit with some tidily wrapped up plot points at the end that could have been more complex to be more realistic), and the plot to be engaging enough to keep me interested while I wait for more pining. While I didn't always get excited to read some of the POV chapters that were more historical, I thought it was well-executed and well-written, and I'm still giddy with happiness at these two cutie-patooties.

While the characters are a bit old for the YA genre, I love this as a book for teens--I would have eaten this up in 10th grade myself (and let's be honest, I did today, several decades later!).

I mostly enjoyed The King’s Messenger by Susana Kearsley. I was not initially engrossed in the story or invested in the characters, but that changed as I continued reading. I felt like the main female character was unreasonable and judgmental at first. However, the reasons for her behavior became clear later in the story and I related to the character much better at that point. I felt like the ending was very satisfying and made up for the rocky beginning.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.