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.

In 1613 James is now the king of England but when the beloved heir to the throne, Prince Henry, dies it is suspected he was poisoned. The King assigns his messenger, Andrew Logan, to find Henry's long time companion, David, and bring him back to be tried for the poisoning. Lawrence Westaway, the scrivener, is sent with Andrew and Phoebe, Lawrence's daughter, insists on accompanying her father due to his ill health even though she has always loathed Andrew.

There was a large cast of characters and I was grateful for the list provided also denoting who was a real person and who was fictional. The story unfolds through the view points of Andrew, Phoebe and David Moray. This gives plenty of time to learn more about the characters and their motivations. I really enjoyed the slow building of trust between Andrew and Phoebe and the relationship that Phoebe had with her dad.

This is a story of love and trust and an adventure with a mystery rolled in.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with a digital copy.

I really enjoyed this story!! I loved the mix of history and royal drama and romance and even a sprinkle of magic. This story felt well researched and from a historical perspective was really interesting.

I really liked Phoebe and Andrew - yes they clash at first but slowly get to know one another…and maybe something more too?

At times this story felt like an onion…we keep peeling back these layers to the characters and the plot. Our characters deal with betrayal and honor and integrity and duty…sometimes it’s not obvious what the “right thing” is. No spoilers but this story was more emotional than I expected!

The King's Messenger is a Historical Fiction novel imbued with romance, Danger, and moral ambiguity. The characters are some of the strongest realized I've read in a historical fiction novel. At first, I was thrown off by the beginning focusing on a pretty scrivener's daughter, but quickly the narrative enraptured me. The extensive author's note at the end explaining the history and reasoning behind everything from her inspiration to the spelling of characters' names was very interesting. I found her storytelling did just enough to keep pressure on the characters without it ever feeling like too much or unrealistic. Even the nod to Second Sight made sense within the context of the narrative, staying true to the times and cultural norms. Though this is not my preferred genre, I really enjoyed reading this novel.
I started with the audiobook, which was well done, but I needed to switch to reading the ebook to read more quickly for my understanding. It was worth it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and RB Media for this ARC!

An excellent historical fiction set in 1613, full of drama, intrigue, and romance. Prince Henry is dead, and his father King James sends his Messenger to fetch a man he claims could be responsible—Sir David Moray, a close advisor to the Prince. The Messenger Andrew Logan doesn't travel alone, but has to bring along a scrivener, and the scrivener's daughter, Phoebe.

The perspective shifts between different character's points of view throughout the book, with the main first person narrative told through the eyes of Phoebe and Andrew, and additional perspectives from others in third person, including David Moray and the Queen. I admit it took me a bit to get into the book, as it took some time for me to get my footing in the story with its shifting points of view and courtly drama. But once they were on the road the narrative picked up, and interesting character dynamics came into play. After they find David Moray in Scotland, they travel south to London, accompanied by a young boy who idolizes Andrew, giving Phoebe a new perspective of his character. Phoebe's been resentful of Andrew for the last ten years he's been her neighbor — but as she spends more time with him on the road, she realizes her impressions of what kind of person he is may not reflect the truth. Andrew, we learn, has the Second Sight, allowing him to catch glimpses of the future—and know that Phoebe's father's death is close. The conversations between the five on the road include glimpses of Moray's past with Prince Henry, helping readers understand who they were to each other, and why the King feels threatened by him still. An adventurous story that will certainly please Kearsley's many fans, but will also appeal to those looking for well-researched historical fiction with a hint of fantasy and a blossoming romance.

In 1613, Andrew Logan- King James’s Messenger- is given the task of arresting David Murray and bringing him back to England to stand trial.
Logan is a man of duty while holding true to a moral compass and discipline despite the pressures and opinions from his peers. I began to see this about Logan early on and was curious on how this task at the King’s demand would play out. His convictions to do right by others at his own peril had me cheering for him. Without giving too much away, I will say that Logan exemplifies the best of what a king’s messenger ought to be.

I must confess it isn’t often I read historical fiction stories that take place in the 1700s regarding King James’s – sixth of Scotland court. What do I mean by that? I have read a couple books and articles about King James and there was always something about his character and ruling I disliked or mistrusted-if you will. I was curious on how Kersley would depict him and I was surprised-in a good way-by her characterization of him. It I how I imagined him to be.
For me, the story really took off when Logan and others began their dangerous journey to arrest Sir David Murray. The interactions and growing camaraderie between the characters made the story all the more praise worthy and heart-felt in my eyes.

I must confess, I had my doubts upfront about the theme of, “Born with the Sight.” Will it overpower the story? How will it be dealt with and weaved through the story and will it be heavy handed? Kearsley’s out depiction of the Sight was balanced and well-drawn out and I was quite relieved.

What a wonderfully woven historical story with a fantastic cast of characters and a suburb historically depiction of court life, perilous duty and adventure. This is my top favorites of Kersley’s work and seeing as I have been a bit critical of her stories in the past, I’m giving The King’s Messenger five stars
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Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end. You won’t be disappointed and you will learn a few historical details that will enhance your thoughts on the story.

Stephanie

This book started slow. At first I was lost and had a hard time connecting with the characters. But as the story progressed I became invested in the lives of Phoebe, Phoebe's dad Lawrence the scribe, Andrew Logan the kings Messenger. They are on a mission to arrest Sir David for the death of Prince Henry. There are twists and Logan has the sight which helps them on their journey. This was an interesting listen because my knowledge of the 1600's England is lacking and I did a lot of Google searches to understand the time period better. I enjoyed the author's note at the end explaining her inspirations and her research for the book. I really enjoyed the narrators and their storytelling talents.

Treachery and trust!

Andrew Logan is a King’s Messenger. King James VI has commanded him to undertake a secret mission from London to Stirling, Scotland. He is to bring back Sir David Moray. David had been Gentleman of the Robes to James’s dead son, Prince Henry.
Andrew is gifted (or cursed) with the second sight, sometimes a handy warning.
The way will be fraught, the way back even more dangerous as the group dodges David’s cousin’s forces, and the King’s treacherous minions.
The story is told from the viewpoints of all the major characters, except King James, a hard and dangerous man.
The Queen, Anna of Denmark, is stopped by a blind man, possibly a seer, who gives her a message from her dead son that has her planning for what might come.
Concerned for her father who is the the King’s master scrivener, Phoebe Westaway joins the party. Laurence Westaway has been ordered by the King to write down everything Sir David says. Andrew doesn’t want her to join them but something about Laurence worries him.
Phoebe’s giddy in love with a courtier Sir Valentine Fox. He’s the knight of all her dreams. He’s hinted at marriage. Alongside Valentine, Andrew is rather uncouth and very troubling.
The journey will expose the group’s weaknesses and strengths.
Another fascinating story, brimming with adventure and treachery from Susanna Kearsley that brings these times alive.
Fantasy and fact blend seamlessly making this a very exciting read.
(As I read this I couldn’t help but think about Kristen Britain’s Green Rider series, even though that’s fantasy and not based on historical fact. I’m guessing there is something similar about the energy and determination of the lead characters In both stories, of their pursuit by the enemy, their close escapes, the nobleness of Sir David and the integrity of Andrew Logan that called to me)

A Sourcebooks ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I really enjoyed this book and it took me to a world that I don't normally read about. I felt immersed in the time period and really enjoyed the language used in character dialogue and descriptions. So much applause for the historical research.

I do think the beginning is a bit slow and it took me a minute to stay hooked on it. (I will admit to a reading slump in January and February which may be the cause). Regardless, once the story picks up during travel, the story had me hooked. I really enjoyed the characters and their depth throughout. I felt I could connect to each one in some way.

Truly a great read if you enjoy post-Elizabethan England and diving in to stories that may not get as much air time.

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the eARC of this wonderful book.

Five stars! I am a fan of Susanna Kearsley's writing, and I love historical fiction set during this time frame. It was such a fantastic read! I learned a lot, and I enjoyed the themes of family, friendship, and love.

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this title and was interested in the historical element.
Definitely want to learn more about King James and his wife and children.
PG rating on a modern. Which is a plus.
The plot didn’t keep me moving as much as I would have liked.

Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to preview this book!

A somewhat predictable historical fiction, taking place in England and Scotland in 1613. The bulk of the story is an adventure taken on behalf of King James. The King's Messenger, Andrew Logan, is tasked to bringing Sir David Murray from Edinburgh, Scotland to the King to answer on charges of the death of Prince Henry. This is quite a long journey in those days. And Logan is not to go alone, but to bring a scribe with him to record all of what Sir David says along the way.

The King assigns the elder Laurence Westaway as the scribe, and his daughter Phoebe insists on going along to take care of her father. Phoebe has known Logan most of her life and very much dislikes him, and has a paramour waiting her return, a nobleman Valentine Fox.

The story took the POV of four characters: Andrew, David, Phoebe and Queen Anna.
Overall this was written well, an enjoyable read.

The author’s note, or “About the Characters” section at the end the book was quite long and detailed. Likely one of the longest I’ve encountered, but it is well worth reading.

3.5 stars
This is my first book by the author, though I’ve had most of her works on my TBR for years. I will definitely get to more of her titles after listening to The King’s Messenger. On the surface, not much happens in the book. We follow a small contingent on the way to King James I’s court for various reasons. But much unfolds about the times on this journey. I was pleasantly surprised how it all turned out. Recommend!
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley

Susanna Kearsley writes the perfect blend of well researched historical fiction and tender romance. Phoebe did start off rather unlikable in this one, but that does change pretty soon into their journey. This is a bit of a quieter read and so not for everyone, but her books are always such a satisfying comfort read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc! It took a little but to get into but I really enjoyed it when I did. I feel like a lot of her previous books delt with the present day and jumping into the past but this has a different feel with just being truly in 1600s. I know I will be recommend ing this!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of The King's Messenger. Susanna Kearsley is one of my absolute favorite authors and always an automatic must read for me. I love how she blends history and magical realism to create beautiful stories.

The King's Messenger, set during King James' reign (a time period I honestly know nothing about) in 1613, deals with the aftermath of Prince Henry's death. Told from several different perspectives, we see how suspicion and jealousy have corrupted a court. While I enjoyed this story, it took me a bit to get into it. I adored the characters and their journey through Scotland to London, but the alternating viewpoints slowed it down at points and I wish we'd see a bit more of Andrew Logan's gift. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

If only every historical fiction book could enthrall me the way this one did!! This was my first book by Susanna Kearsley, but it definitely won’t be my last. I loved the way she wove together her amazing fictional characters with the truth of Prince Henry’s death during the reign of King James.
Andrew Logan is my new James Fraser!

The King has a concern, a man is wanted and a messenger is called upon to retrieve him. The messenger is no ordinary man, and neither is the difficult task he faces ahead.

I haven’t read anything by Susanna Kearsley before, and historical fiction can be a hit or miss for me. But this one was a huge hit! I loved the characters, the tension and banter, the development of alliances and trust and betrayals. The romance you hoped was coming and the gasping, feet kicking moments it does! I never knew I loved a Scottish accent so much, and now here I am swooning for it and the messenger.

Blending history and magical realism, this story weaves in betrayal, found family, love, and so much more. Told through multiple points of view and at various points across time, we see past and present collide to tell a tale that will leave you wondering.

I absolutely loved this novel, and will be looking up this author to read additional books. Definitely recommend for historical fiction fans!

Susanna Kearsley's newest release is an enchanting tale, rich with history and intrigue, along with a wee bit of fantasy, that captivates the reader from first word to the last. The Morays from her Slains series show up again, so we got our taste of Scotland, but the story centers around Logan, a messenger for the king, sent on an important mission to arrest David Moray. But not all is as it seems...The love story was tender, a slow build, but so beautifully written and engaging and I adored the character of Hector. The travels on the road were also very first season Outlanderesque, but in the best way possible. Such a joyous read. Kearsley is steadily becoming my favorite historical fiction writer!

Scotland, 1613. King James’s son Henry has died. The King’s Messenger is tasked with bringing the man suspected of poisoning the Prince to the King for judgement. The case, however, is far from solid and Kearsley slowly presents the known facts. As a gifted storyteller, Kearsley captures the time, the characters, and intrigue of the royal court. Sure to delight all fans of historical fiction.

Don’t miss the epigraph, in which the author shares what facts are known about Prince Henry’s demise. Also The Kings Messenger should get an award for one of the most beautiful book covers.