Publisher: Falcon Historical
Pages: 494 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
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.
The right to inherit the throne depended on Edward V and Richard, Duke of York’s death. 191 years later and once again, the fate of the two princes has been called into question. Just as Sir Thomas More had stated in his unfinished biography, The History of Richard III, the bones of two children have been found at the foot of the stairs under a great heap of stones at the Tower of London. If these are indeed the two lost princes, inquiries must be made and answers must be provided.
The Stuart king, Charles II, knows all about regicide, civil war and unrest. He has risen from the ashes of his exile and has taken his rightful place as monarch. However, religious turmoil prevails and the constant fear of civil war plagues Charles’ thoughts. It is crucial for him to ascertain if these two boys are the lost princes and, if they are, who was responsible for their deaths. If it were King Richard III who had ordered the murder of his own nephews, then Charles’ throne was safe, but if it were not, if the boys were murdered on the orders of King Henry VII’s mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, then that would mean Charles’ path to the throne is paved in innocent blood. The truth has a way of coming to light, but some truths are better left concealed under a pile of stones in the Tower of London.
By hiding the truth, one is also concealing its devastating consequences. Franny Apsley must tread carefully, for it is not only the House of Stuart that could suffer if the princes died by the hands of Lady Margaret. Position is everything and what is given by one hand can be taken with the other. Decades of political jostling, currying favours, and unwavering loyalty mean some families have risen high in the ranks whereas others have fallen by the wayside. The Apsley’s are in favour. Franny is the beloved confidante to Mary Stuart Princess Royal, the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York, and therefore the heir-of-the-heir. Franny’s father, Allen Apsley, is in charge of James’ treasury. Franny’s cousin, the infamous John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, is also a favourite with King Charles, although sometimes he acts with alcoholic inspiration, which leaves a nasty hangover and, in some cases, exile from court! But all of their futures now depend upon what happened to those two princes. Franny must uncover the truth before it is discovered by someone who does not have the king’s or her family’s best interest at heart.
In her latest literary achievement, Elizabeth St.John delivers a powerful and memorable narrative in The King’s Intelligencer. Through her storytelling, she has woven together an indelible plot that delves into the realms of family, friendship, monarchy, espionage, and love. This book has an irresistible pull that draws you into the story and the lives of those who lived so many years ago.
While we often come across stories about kings, queens, and noblemen, it is the narratives of ordinary women during these times that remain truly intriguing. The forgotten ones, unjustly overshadowed by their male counterparts, have equally compelling stories. Franny Apsley is relatively unknown, often regarded as a footnote in history, and is mainly associated with Mary II. Nonetheless, St.John has elevated her from obscurity and given her a voice. St.John has successfully blended fictional elements with historical accuracy in Franny’s life and the events of this time period.
The storyline follows Franny as she investigates the deaths of the two princes and navigates the political landscape of her time. There is a clear narrative arc, with Franny’s initial thrill of investigating the princes’ death giving way to the overwhelming magnitude of the task. The events are logically connected, with the investigation uncovering new evidence and raising questions about who can be trusted. The pacing is effective, keeping the reader engaged and moving the story forward.
Though she derives great satisfaction from her investigative work and the thrill of uncovering new evidence, Franny quickly realizes that if Lady Margaret is guilty of murdering the princes, her family’s support for the Tudors and Stuarts would be a significant source of guilt. Despite the incriminating evidence, she remains determined to demonstrate her relative’s innocence in the princes’ deaths. Yet, she is not the only one on this mission; the handsome French painter, Nicholas Jameson, is also driven to discover the truth, and together they become a formidable team. Franny and James’ relationship was expertly portrayed, making their story incredibly believable. The reader, like the characters in this book, are blindsided by James’ brilliance, but also by the investigation. The more Franny learns about the princes, the more the reader does.
The portrayal of Franny and Princess Mary is skilfully executed, showcasing their profound friendship. St.John beautifully captures the depth of their bond through their heartfelt letters and playful role-playing. St.John subtly underscores Mary’s infatuation with Franny. Mary refers to Franny as her husband many times, but the reader senses her actions are rooted in her longing for love, for her father is indifferent, and her mother is dead. Franny loves Mary deeply, albeit platonically, and genuinely wants what’s best for her. Mary, despite her royal status, is incredibly vulnerable because she is young and easily influenced by others. Franny must balance protecting Mary with living her own life, while navigating financial and parental obligations, and unravelling the truth behind the princes’ disappearance.
Throughout this book, the damaging effects of unchecked ambition are examined. Certain individuals exploit their positions to manipulate members of the royal household for personal, political and religious advantage. Betty Villiers is a thorn in Franny’s side because she longs for the same role as Franny - to be Princess Mary’s confidante. Betty is a somewhat straightforward character who doesn’t hide behind falsehoods to convey her intentions. The reader’s dislike for Betty stems from her status as a rival to Franny, albeit a somewhat insignificant one. While Betty may be bothersome, she is less harmful than other courtiers who manipulate events and influence young minds to advance their own agenda. The level of manipulation in this novel is so high that it keeps the reader constantly engaged. Who is trustworthy and who is not is a question that persists throughout the length of this novel.
The courts of King Charles II and James, Duke of York are depicted as having a false sense of wealth - money is borrowed and debt accumulates. Charles and James alike appear to be unable to be frugal, which negatively affects their loyal courtiers. Despite their seemingly shared ignorance about the consequences of borrowing large amounts from a foreign nation, it is James’ financial struggles that give the protagonists in this story reason to reflect. When it comes to the inability to keep the books in order, it is not the royal family who pays the price, but rather the individuals entrusted with managing the treasury and those who contribute to the extravagant lifestyle enjoyed by the monarchy. By delving into the complexities of debt, St.John introduces a thought-provoking aspect to the book, exposing the deceptive allure of riches.
One of the reasons this book resonates with readers is its authentic portrayal of the time period. St.John has meticulously crafted each sentence to reflect historical accuracy, no matter how small the detail, and this is why this book is so very successful.
The King’s Intelligencer by Elizabeth St.John is an exceptional work of scholarship. With its rich historical context and captivating emotional narrative, this book will keep you hooked until the early hours of the morning. This novel is undeniably successful and strongly recommended for fans of this era.
Yarde Reviews & Book Promotion
Elizabeth St. John
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.
Congratulations on such a fabulous review. I am fascinated, as many people are, about the Princes in the Tower and what happened to them. I also love reading books from a woman's perspective, especially during this era. As the review says, I think their stories are overshadowed, but I think their lives are far more fascinating than the men's stories. I shall look forward to reading your book. And congratulations once again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous review, you must be so pleased! I will be first in line to read your book when it is released!
ReplyDeleteOh WOW! This book is definitely going on my to-read list. I love novels set during this era and I have always wondered what happened to those poor boy - did Richard kill them? Did they get away?? Who knows?. I can't wait to read it.
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