The King's Messenger

This is an atmospheric, quieter read with a sweet love story, some political intrigue and adventure.

The Gist: 1613: when King James' son Prince Henry suddenly dies, rumours abound about the cause of his death. The king sends Andrew Logan, his trusted messenger, to ride into Scotland and apprehend Sir David Morgan, the close companion to the prince, and bring him back for trial. Logan is assigned an aging scribe to accompany him, but due to his health problems, the scribe's daughter Phoebe, who is not a fan of Logan, tags along. 

My Take: Well-researched and with great use of various POVs, the story and atmosphere are easy for readers to envision - the dangers, the subterfuge, and the gorgeous Scottish setting. This wasn't the high adventure read I was expecting but it does have a couple of tense scenes. It's more of a milder, straightforward story that benefits from a sprinkling of magical realism, a tender romance and I particularly enjoyed the bits of well-placed humour and the addition of wee Hector.

The only harrumphy feelings I had was the miscommunication trope which went on a bit long and the fact that Phoebe initially is a prickly character (stubborn and judgy), but readers will warm to her as the journey progresses and she lets go of old feelings. 

The King's Messenger had more of a slower paced, historical romance feel to it and less court intrigue and adventure than I expected, but Historical Fiction fans will enjoy Kearsley's ability to surround her reader in the era and atmosphere while sprinkling well-researched historical facts. 

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary copy of this book which was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Author: Susanna Kearsley

Genre: Historical Fiction (England), Canadian

Type and Source: Trade Paperback from publisher

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada

First Published: March 4, 2025

Read: Feb 7 - 13, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: For fans of Diana Gabaldon and Philippa Gregory, courtly rivalry and intrigue…

 
1613:  King James – sixth of Scotland, first of England, son of Mary, Queen of Scots - has unified both countries under one crown. But the death of his eldest son, Henry, has plunged the nation into mourning, as the rumours rise the prince was poisoned.
 
Andrew Logan’s heard the rumours, but he’s paid them little heed. As one of the King’s Messengers he has enough secrets to guard, including his own. In these perilous times, when the merest suggestion of witchcraft can see someone tortured and hanged, men like Andrew must hide well the fact they were born with the Sight.
 
He’ll need all his gifts, though, when the king sends Andrew north to find and arrest Sir David Murray, once Prince Henry’s trusted courtier, and bring him a prisoner to London to stand trial before the dreaded Star Chamber.
 
A story of treachery, betrayal and love…