The King’s Intelligencer by Elizabeth St. John Book Review (Blog Tour)

Publication Date: 15th October, 2024
Publisher: Falcon Historical
Pages: 494
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description

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.

Franny Apsley, trusted confidante to Charles II’s beloved niece and heir, Lady Mary Stuart, is caught up in the court’s excitement surrounding the find. Yet, as a dark family secret comes to light, Franny realises the truth behind the missing princes is far more complex—and dangerous—than anyone suspects. Recruited by her formidable cousin Nan Wilmot, Dowager Countess of Rochester, to discover the truth behind the bones, Franny is thrust into the shadowy world of intelligencers. But her quest is complicated by an attraction to the charismatic court artist Nicholas Jameson, a recent arrival from Paris who harbours secrets of his own.

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.

My Thoughts

The Apsley family have kept a secret for nearly two centuries, but when children's bones are discovered during building renovations at the Tower of London and assumed to be the remains of the two princes supposedly murdered on Richard III's orders, the secret is about to be exposed as a lie, for along with the bones is an item that could prove disastrous for the Apsleys and have far reaching consequences.

To protect her family's interests and also the Crown's, Franny Apsley is recruited by her cousin Nan Wilmot, former spy mistress to Charles II, to find proof that the secret they have kept for so long is indeed fact.

Franny, firmly established in the household of Charles II's niece, Mary, is well-versed in the ways of the court and Charles II's fondness for her family paves the way for her to approach him for permission to examine documents held in the Tower. While Franny is relieved that she has his support, her task is made more difficult by the secrecy and strict deadline Charles II imposes, his intention to display the bones before their internment and her budding romance with artist, Nicholas Jameson, who is on a quest of his own.

Franny's mission takes her from the Tower to her family's ancestral seat in Wiltshire, where she makes some astounding discoveries in the chapel, and to Yorkshire, where she finds more connections to her ancestors and the possible fates of the young princes.

I thought the previous novel, The Godmother's Secret (my review) was outstanding, but this one was even better.

From the start, nineteen-year- old Franny is thrust deeper into the minefield of court intrigue when the bones are discovered and old rivalries are reignited. She is an intelligent young woman and realises that some discoveries must be kept private or only shared with those she really trusts.

At times, Franny feels the weight of family obligation. To protect past, present and future generations is a great burden for one so young, when all she wants is to follow her heart, but she is reminded, and also reminds herself, that she comes from a long line of strong women who took great risks to put duty first.

Anyone who has researched their own family tree will relate to Franny's excitement or frustration as she follows leads, learns more of her family history and tries to interpret what she has uncovered. This is an interesting history lesson in itself.

In closing, I can only reiterate my comments from my review of Elizabeth St. John's earlier novels. Once again, she has created a believable scenario through which she moves her historical figures, staying true to the known facts, but this time, cleverly presenting a supportive narrative for the fates of the Plantagenet princes initially raised in The Godmother's Secret.

The King's Intelligencer is another historical fiction gem from a writer that never disappoints!

Where to Purchase

This title is available to read on #Kindle Unlimited.

Universal Buy Link HERE

Meet the Author

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:
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Tour Schedule

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