The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley

I have been reading Susanna Kearsley’s books since 1994, when Mariana was published, and even drove to Rhode Island to meet her in 2015 when she was touring for A Desperate Fortune, so I was excited to read her new book, The King’s Messenger, and was not disappointed. Surprisingly, it is not a dual timeline book, for which she is best known; rather, it is set in the early 17th century during the reign of James I of England.

Andrew Logan is the King’s Messenger, having inherited the position from his deceased father. The role dates back to the 12th century and primarily involved the hand delivery of confidential messages. The king’s handsome and gifted eldest son, Prince Henry, has died unexpectedly and the nation mourns him. His parents demonstrate their grief differently: Queen Anna is heartbroken while King James seems to want vengeance. There are rumors the prince was poisoned:

“There is one man who was much closer to my son than any other.”

I knew what name he’d say afore he spoke it. Everyone had seen that one man sitting as the lone attendant in the prince’s funeral chariot beside the black-draped effigy, and looking as though it were his own son who had been lost.

“Sir David Moray,” said the king, “will hold the answers we do need, if any man has knowledge of the truth.”

Logan is wary of the assignment to go to Scotland to capture Sir David Moray, who had been the prince’s trusted companion and guardian for years, but has no choice but to serve the king. He is told to bring Laurence Westaway, a scrivener and his neighbor, with him to officially record every moment of the mission. Westaway’s daughter Phoebe insists in joining them as her father is in poor health but she has never been a fan of Logan’s, preferring the court manners of Valentine Fox. There is enmity between Logan and Fox, although neither has told Phoebe why.

This book is a wonderful blend of history, romance, and suspense. The reader is not fooled by the arrogant Valentine but it’s understandable that Phoebe, inexperienced in court intrigue, would be, although her father sees Logan’s worth (she matures over the course of the story). The three set out for Scotland, a complicated road trip that will reveal the strength of each character, as well as those added to their traveling party: a boy named Hector, and Sir David himself. There is also a mystery – what really happened to Prince Henry; who, if anyone, is to blame; whether Sir David is being scapegoated; and will the travelers avoid pursuit by various enemies? I have read more extensively about the previous century and later Stuart rulers so some of the history was new to me. Kearsley’s research and theory are persuasive and enjoyable, with detailed author’s note.  It has intense moments but, in some ways, is a lighter read than previous books. 

If you have not previously had the pleasure of reading a book by this author, you could start with The King’s Messenger, The Winter Sea, or The Rose Garden. The British edition of this book is beautiful, with a stunning cover, as you can see, and the end papers map Logan and Phoebe’s journey.

This is my fourth review of the year for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge. Thanks to my sister Clare for bringing it back from London as it has not yet been published in the US. Although there are hundreds of unread books in this house, every book by Kearsley is a must own.

Title: The King’s Messenger
Author: Susanna Kearsley
Publication: Simon & Schuster UK, hardcover, 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Personal copy

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