5th Mar
Sophia Rose is here and is sharing her thoughts on The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley. Come along with her and a motley crew of seventeenth-century travelers on a road trip from England to Scotland.
The King’s Messenger
by Susanna Kearsley
Genres: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Susanna Kearsley explores romance, court alliances, and the limits of one’s duty in this rich story of an ordinary man in service to a treacherous king, and the mission that brings him to love and his true calling.
In 1613, King James sends his messenger Andrew Logan to Scotland to arrest his late son’s close advisor Sir David Moray. Accompanied by his aloof neighbor Phoebe Westaway, Andrew slowly untangles the real point of his mission—to frame Sir David for Prince Henry’s death. But Andrew is unwilling to bring an innocent man into a treacherous betrayal.
Andrew’s feisty and lovely neighbor Phoebe Westaway has always been stand-offish to Andrew, having heard malicious gossip against him. But as they journey to Scotland and back, Phoebe has the opportunity to see Andrew for the honorable and loyal man that he is, and her change of heart may open new possibilities for them once their mission is complete.
Sophia Rose’s Review
A seventeenth-century road trip through England and Scotland for a group suspicious of each other and suspicious of their mission is at the heart of this latest historical from an author who brings history to life through her magical and suspenseful tales. Susanna Kearsley’s books found me several years ago when an ‘if you love… then you’ll like….’ type of list caught my eye and I’ve enjoyed each new release ever since.
The King’s Messenger was different from the start because there is no dual timeline format. It’s strictly seventeenth century. That said, it still feels like a split story because of all the perspectives that come into play delivering the story in pieces to heighten the suspense and reveal multiple sides. There are three main narrators (Andrew, Phoebe, and David) with a fourth (Queen Anna) getting some chapters, too.
Kearsley’s writing style has a rich tonal quality to it. I love her unique style and it feels old-school the way romantic suspense writers from decades ago used to write their stories around their central figures and the plot.
Andrew is a fascinating character for having ‘The Sight’ and being dyslexic. He is the King’s Messenger mentioned in the title who leaves London under the King’s order and heads north into Scotland to bring in Sir David Moray for questioning regarding the death of Prince Henry. Andrew grows more certain as the trip continues just what the real reason he was sent after Sir David Moray who may or may not have murdered his charge, Prince Henry. He’s not stupid and is aware of the political jockeying of king, other nobles and even the Queen. His gift of The Sight is not controlled and comes when it wills, but it does protect him from lethal danger as his group is in danger that journey back from Scotland. He knows that he must make the biggest decision of his life by the time he reaches London- follow his duty to the King and his job or follow justice and his heart when it comes to the truth of the prince’s death.
Feisty Phoebe and her father, a scribe, are along for this trip. Phoebe’s father is old and growing weaker so she will not let him go on the mission alone though she hates and distrusts Andrew. Phoebe buys what some other sketchy guy is selling about Andrew (and by sketchy, I could tell as a reader that he wasn’t trustworthy made me side-eye Phoebe for a while). So yes, we have an enemies to lovers romance brewing as forced proximity with Andrew makes her start to question everything she thought she knew about him. The romance is a significant element, but not the only main element and it brews slowly.
Furthermore, there is Sir David’s perspective as the situation slowly comes into focus. There is David’s perspective on what is occurring currently and his flashbacks of grieving memory to his time serving Prince Henry and their loving friendship forged through Henry’s short, eventful life.
The motley crew of travelers draw closer on the long road trip. What happened regarding Prince Henry and is happening currently is revealed culminating in an exciting finish to this over the road adventure. Loved learning there were true events included in this one in the extended Author’s Note afterwards.
So, another sensational outing with a Susanna Kearsley’s The King’s Messenger. Those who enjoy a romantic historical with a dash of magic and stunning historical backdrop should definitely pick this one up.
About Susanna Kearsley
Aka Emma Cole. Susanna Kearsley studied politics and international development at university, and has worked as a museum curator. Her first novel Mariana won the prestigious Catherine Cookson Literary Prize and launched her writing career. Susanna continued her mix of the historical and paranormal in novels The Splendour Falls, Named of the Dragon, Shadowy Horses and Season of Storms. Susanna Kearsley also writes classic-style thrillers under the name of Emma Cole.
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About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
