Susanna Kearsley is one of those authors whose writing can sweep me away to another time and place and allow me to get lost in a book. Her latest book is no exception. This one sent me back to England and Scotland in 1613, and as she so often does she gives us a mix of fascinating fictional and historical characters, along with just a touch of the paranormal. The writing is lovely, the story of a dangerous road trip was compelling, the shifting timeline was easy to follow and gave us an interesting backstory that informed us about the events that were happening in the book's current timeline. The excellent narrations by Angus King and Beth Eyre also helped in keeping track of which viewpoint we were getting in the chapters. I'm not sure I'd heard either narrator before, but I certainly wouldn't hesitate to listen to more from either of them. Overall it was a very enjoyable read and a good reminder that I need to pull out her books that I own but haven't read yet and get started on them.
My thanks to Netgalley and RBmedia/Recorded Books for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Susanna Kearsley has long been one of my favourite writers and this did not disappoint. She masterfully handles a complex period in Scottish history with interest and care, building plot and layers of fact flawlessly. Added to this the audio production was exceptional! Thank you!

I don’t usually read books set so far in the past. I really liked Andrew’s character. Having the Sight made him a very likable character. He was determined to protect Sir David Murray event hough the King wanted him punished for something he didn’t do.

I enjoyed the dual narration for the audiobook. Beth and Angus do a great job portraying Phoebe, Anna, Andrew and Sir David. The multiple POVs really gave you a full view of the story.

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and RB Media for my copies of this book.

4 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early listen. Another great listen from Susanna Kearsley.
Definitely highly recommend. Narrator did an amazing job!

I love books from a historical point of view.... This one was fascinating!!

The book was absolutely brilliantly written. I loved the narration.

The characters drew me in and I loved the plot!

I definitely enjoyed the time period. Lots of POVs but I actually enjoyed that for once.

4 stars

Great for fans of Outlander and other historical fiction novels about the Scottish/Jacobites Era.

It was a great listen, very reminiscent of Outlander (which I enjoyed). It has just a sprinkle of magic that makes it just a little more fun.

Susanna Kearsley does not disappoint with another great historical fiction novel and I will be looking forward to more by her.

The narration was well done and engaging

Thank you to NetGalley for an audiobook version of this book for an honest review.

This is a beautiful Historical romance. For me the audiobook added os much more flavor than just reading a book. With the Scottish accents this completely transported me into the story and time period immediately. The Narration was very good i felt the distinct characters taking shape by the intonation and passing of the narration.

the story is about the kings messenger, a task he is send to do the challenges he faces during this journey and his history in the kings service. The book is very karakter driven and during the story we peal back the onion of who these people are and the periode they live in.

Sometimes funny, sometimes hard breaking but a very lovely ending to the story. Also i did appreciate al the historical information the author shred at the end of the book. I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical romance.

It was another book club weekend for @bookfriendsbookclub and we had the privilege to once again meet with Susanna Kearsley. She writes such richly historical, deeply researched, romantic stories! The King’s Messenger was no different.

Our first question we always to ask our authors is, where the idea for the book came from. So, where did the idea percolate for The King’s Messenger? Every bookworm is going to love this answer! It was one of those cozy used bookstores beckoning you downstairs where more books are, and finding one in particular—The History of King’s Messengers by V. Wheeler-Holohan—published in 1935. Next came research of King’s Messengers, Pell Records, Scrivners, Second Sight, traveling and so many more rabbit holes. It’s clear Susanna enjoys the research that she does just as much as the writing!

With a multi POV story, I was so glad to have access to this via audio. Thank you @recordedbooks via @netgalley for the #gifted audiobook which is narrated by Angus King and Beth Eyre to perfection!

Part adventure. Part romance. Rich history. Impossible choices. Duty and court alliances.

What stuck out most to me in this story is the good vs. evil element. One’s duty and a treacherous king.

1613—King James, sixth of Scotland, first of England, son of Mary, Queen of Scots—has unified both countries under the crown. But, when his eldest son, Henry, dies it sends a nation in mourning and rumors of a poisoning.

Andrew Logan, The King’s Messenger, is tasked with with arrest of Sir David Moray, who is accused of the poisoning. He must find him and bring him from Edinburgh. Coming with him on the journey is to record all the events in an official scrivener, Laurence, and his daughter Phoebe to help her aging father.

Phoebe and Andrew are enemies, but with a journey this long they start to soften for each other. Along the way, they also pick up a stable boy, Hector, who helps them with their horses, errands and keeping an eye on things. I adored Hector!

Susanna Kearsley just doesn’t miss and I highly recommend this story! 4.5

I really enjoyed this historical fiction story. The focus on the King's Messenger position offered a different perspective on the court maneuverings of King James I in the early 17th century. I found the character of Andrew Logan fascinating to follow. Phoebe took a little while to connect with, but her relationship with her father and other side characters gave her more depth throughout the story. I found the plot surprisingly engaging; it is a fairly straightforward journey story, however Susanna Kearsley kept things suspenseful and interesting. I also found the romance to be very endearing and sweet to read. The different narrators do a great job of giving each character a distinct perspective in the audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for providing an eALC in return for my honest thoughts.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

I really enjoed reading this historical fiction. It was a combination of love, magic and history all good mixed in together.
Will recommend
4 stars

You have a quest, a love story (enemies to lovers, no less!), a murder mystery, and wraiths! All in a historical setting. I'm obsessed.

In this book set in 1613's England, a young woman, her father, and a king's messenger (nudge nudge) go on a quest to help bring to justice the man the King believes murders his son. Susanna Kearsley's prose and ability to weave in deep emotion as well as moments of light and levity was stunning. Listening to the audiobook was delightful, with both narrators doing an excellent job with their accents, different voices for each character, and ability to convey such emotion and enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the advanced copy of this audiobook <3

I was able to pair an ARC with the audio (my favorite) thanks to @recordedbooks & @netgalley which added so much with accents from dual narrators, Beth Eyre & Angus King. They transported me deep into 17th century England & Scotland!

I honestly don't know if I have ever read a book set in the days and places of King James I. It was messier and more fraught than I had thought, though I don't know why. Upon reflection and reading this gorgeous historical fiction, it seems only normal for a monarch to be so corrupt and paranoid. They were often right in their paranoia.

This story had all the marks of a suspenseful tale with plans to frame an innocent man for a prince's murder! Add in a man with a special sight, a bit of romance (I know, I know!), and a chase that threatens more than one life.

I was quite fascinated by the players in this piece. I appreciated how the strengths of the women were presented as well as the softer sides of a couple of our main men, as realistic and somewhat hidden, not unlike today. They made this slice of history come alive and I learned a bit in the process. The author's note was fantastic on this point. A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ historical fiction that you should check out since it is out now!

Are you hankering to read something similar to Outlander? Do you love a good historical romance? Look no further! Loaded with action, history, romance, and a dash of magic, this new release will have you feeling like you stepped right in the historic setting of this novel.

What I liked:

I enjoyed that it appeared to be accurately presented and described. It’s not always easy to pull off an historic novel and remain accurate with the details. I enjoyed the slight mystery aspect of the novel as well as the romance and magical realism sprinkles in there. The author is very talented and I would definitely read more books by her in the future.

What I disliked:

I often got sidetracked while reading this one. At times it dragged and while I appreciated the accuracy of the novel, I was the author would have livened it up a bit. When I heard it compared to Outlander, those are pretty big shoes to fill and while it certainly does give off Outlander vibes, it’s definitely not Outlander quality.

THE KING'S MESSENGER by Susanna Kearsley is a magical, fantastical historical novel that reminds me of my mom and her early 2000s outlander phase. For that reason, and that reason alone, this book felt like such a special hug.

I’ve read and listen to this story. What a great read. Very much enjoyed it and thought the narrators were fantastic. Great job all around.

The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley is a historical fiction novel set in 1613 during the reign of King James I of England and Scotland. The story follows Andrew Logan, one of the King's Messengers, who is tasked with a dangerous mission to arrest Sir David Moray, a trusted courtier of the late Prince Henry, amidst rumors of poisoning and court intrigue.
The novel is rich in historical detail, blending mystery, romance, and a touch of the paranormal. Andrew's "Second Sight" adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, as he navigates the perilous political landscape while concealing his gift to avoid accusations of witchcraft. The characters are well-developed, with Andrew's complex relationships, particularly with Phoebe Westaway, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.
Kearsley's writing is praised for its eloquence and immersive quality, transporting readers to another time and place. The plot is filled with themes of duty, betrayal, love, and sacrifice, making it a captivating read for fans of historical fiction.
If you're drawn to stories of courtly intrigue and richly woven historical narratives, this book might be a perfect choice for you!

This was my first read by Susanna Kearsley and I loved her combination of historical details and rich characters. Phoebe was a fabulous lead and I loved her slow burn romance with Andrew. I had never heard of King's Messengers before this, and I liked learning something new in an accessible way.

The audio narrators were amazing. I love listening to narrators change accents and this was perfection!

I thoroughly enjoyed this ride through history: 1613 Scotland and England and all the treachery that brings, quiet heroes, strong heroines, all with just enough of a love story to keep it sweet without overpowering the interesting history. This is for any historical fiction fan who wants a perfect escape into the turbulent times of Scotland, England, and the royal power plays that continue to fascinate us centuries later.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narration is great!

Thank you to RBMedia, NetGalley, and author Susanna Kearsley for the complimentary copy. It was my pleasure to write this candid review.

The author's passion shines through in this book. I really appreciated the small nods to Pride & Prejudice. The characters were perfect enemies to lovers. However, I had a hard time connecting with the story and that is obviously on me and not the book. It has great potential to appeal to other romance readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Alot of time period research was put into this, which I appreciate! It takes place in the 1600's, King Jame's son, Henry has just died. But the circumstances are suspicious? The story is full of adventure, secrets, gaining trust, change of heart and betrayal.

Andrew Logan is one of the kings messengers, tasked with finding and bringing Prince Henry's trusted courier back to London as a prisoner. While also keeping his own secret of sight that could see him hanged if found out. Will the secrets of others bring their mission to a hault?

I loved the adventure these characters ended up going on and I felt like I was appart of the group, just along for the ride.

The light romance is a sweet, slow burn, that comes on unexpectedly with progression that is believable. I enjoyed Pheobe's interactions with all of her companions, including her father, and how her story unfolds.

Overall this audio was really great! I enjoyed the growth of the characters and how their relationships evolved while in their search for truth and trust in each other.