Book Review: The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley

Pages: 352

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: March 4, 2025

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Winter Sea,

The Vanished Days, The Shadowy Horses, 

The Rose Garden, Bellewether, and Mariana

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "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…"

The year is 1618 and Henry, Prince of Wales, has died under suspicion. Many people suspect poison and many suspect his Gentleman of the Robes, Sir David Murray, as they were quite close. Curiously, he traveled to France right after Henry's death, which raises another red flag. They assign Andrew Logan, the King's Messenger, to track down Murray in his native homeland of Scotland and apprehend him. The King has also requested a scrivener to attend, who happens to be Andrew's neighbor, Laurence. He is ailing though, so his daughter, Phoebe, accompanies them, so she can help out her father. The issue is that Phoebe can't stand Andrew even though Andrew has secretly had a bit of a crush on her. While on the journey there's danger that lurks, the awkward moments between Phoebe and Andrew, dealing with Laurence and his health, and not to mention Andrew's second sight. Once they come in contact with Murray, things aren't as they seem though and Andrew is questioning his suspicions. Meanwhile, Phoebe and Andrew's relationship blossoms and it has Phoebe questioning her feelings towards him. Susanna Kearsley's The King's Messenger is rich with historical detail and while slower than her other novels, there is still much to enjoy for historical fiction fans.

Andrew's role is an interesting one in The King's Messenger. I liked how he was assigned this mission and slowly readers learn what happened to Prince Henry, although Kearsley takes a bit of creative license in this sense. His forced proximity to Phoebe and the slow burn of their romance was enjoyable in that it was like a road trip romance as they journey to Scotland. The addition of a his second sight also gives the plot a touch of magical realist. Lastly, I did appreciate the mystery surrounding Henry's death and wanted answers as well. The Prince of Wales was meant to unify the country and his death was especially sad in that sense as he held much promise.

While I felt The King's Messenger was a bit slower than Kearsley's usual novels, I still enjoyed the the slow burn. The historical details that readers have come to love from Kearsley are present and as always, she truly brings the time period to life.

Have you read The King's Messenger? Is it on your TBR list? Are you a fan of Susanna Kearsley? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.