The Queen's Men was an interesting book and keeps you wondering about all the ramifications of the British Royalty in the 1800's. So many power struggles between different countries, with spies on all sides trying to make sense of what is happening around them.
Queen Elizabeth I is ambushed while she travels through Waltham Forest. Her carriage is riddled with holes, but she escapes. Into hiding until they can figure out who and what she can do to secure her position and the throne, she calls on her Privy Council to see what can be done to protect her country from continual intrusion from Spain into the low lands of England.
Joh Dee, a scientist, philosopher and spy is called in to find the "Greek Fire" to combat these forces. The recipe for this "Fire" was lost many centuries ago, but could be what she needs to secure England against any further threats from Spain.
What follows is his search through many avenues to find this "Fire".

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves historical mystery novels!

The Queen's Men is the second book in the Agents of the Crown series and takes place a few years after the first. We get to spend a little bit more time getting to know Dr. John Dee and he started to remind me of Captain Jack Sparrow a little bit, mostly in the scenes with Bob and Bill.
I read this book purely for it's entertainment value so I can't attest to the historical accuracy.
Do you need to read The Eyes of the Queen before this one? Not necessarily, but I would recommend doing so.

This is the second in this series and I was intrigued from the beginning (same with the first one). While I originally thought these books were about the exploits of Francis Walsingham, the first two focus much more John Dee’s escapades. This one included a strong female character with Mistress Frommond and she proved to be a match with Dr. Dee. This is excellent historical fiction, although I do question whether the Queen would have been quite so forgiving of Walsingham as she is in these books. There is a lot of “yucky stuff” to wade through and of course the violence which is apparently quite realistic in the historical context. Thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to reading the 3rd installment.

I was given the opportunity to read all four of the books in this series by the publisher via NetGalley to celebrate the publication of the fourth book, The Queen's Lies, in August. I wasn't too thrilled with book one, which seemed a bit like a James Bond novel set in Elizabethan England. But this second book is much richer in plot and quite enjoyable. Of course, most of the story is about plots against the Queen which must be stopped. This may seem nerve-wrackingly close to modern day events with the recent assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Over four hundred later, men still want to change history by assassination.

I'm happy to see one or two strong women among the cast of characters, in addition to the queen, of course. I'll be interested to see where Clements takes the relationships he's forming. So enjoyable to spend a few hours in another place and time.

In the second book in his Tudor spies series, readers follow John Dee as he attempts to unmask a host of assassins who attempted to murder Queen Elizabeth I in Waltham Forest. As the Privy Council seeks to protect their interests, secure the throne, and defend Spanish attacks against England and the Low Countries, Queen Elizabeth dispatches John Dee to discover the secrets of Greek fire, a dangerous and deadly weapon lost with the fall of the Byzantine Empire, with the intent to use it to secure her throne and defend the realm. In this dangerous political climate, readers venture to Europe with Dee in service of the Queen and in search of this weapon. A fantastic sequel to the first book in the series, Clements maintains the impeccable historical detail and fascinating historical characters in this novel, and the expansion of the plot beyond Tudor England adds to the scope of this novel. With new and higher stakes, Clements appropriately amps up the action and drama of this novel, while the new characters in this novel really add to his depiction of the political climate in sixteenth-century Europe. With fascinating characters, a beautifully detailed setting, and another compelling narrative, Clements’ latest book in his Tudor spies series is a fantastic must-read for fans of the genre.

I really enjoyed this one! This is book two in the series, and it will really scratch the historical fiction itch if you liked things like Game of Thrones. This is more realistic and less fantasy than that series. I liked this one a lot. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Leopoldo & Co. for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Interesting historical fiction. This has a good plot and characters. Keeps your interest but not a page turner

The Queen's Men is book two in the Agents of the Crown series by Oliver Clements.
This is a wonderful historical fiction story.
TQM is an un-put-downable story which will keep you up at night.

Thank You NetGalley and Atria Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I enjoyed this book so much more than the first book. The characters, plot and writing style are great and a very clear mystery and purpose to the book. I had a great time.

The Queen's Men is the second novel in the Agents of the Crown series by Oliver Clements. Like the first book I did find that the story took a bit to get into, though it did help to have all of the character background from the first novel. He continues to write a compelling story with rich details and great historical texture.

I was hoping book 2 would be better than book 1 but unfortunately after a great start that got my hopes up, the plot slowed down a lot and made it a bit difficult to enjoy the book as much as I hoped. The writing improved from book 1, which is a good thing. I will read on, as I am somewhat still intrigued to see how the plot continues hoping I might enjoy it. This book is not a bad book, but I was just not a fan of the pace this time. If you like a slower historical fiction set in the 1500s you really might enjoy this series! There are 5 star Goodreads reviews, so I am sure this series has its audience.

For the characters John Dee is again a smart and inventive fellow and probably my favourite character in the book. He invents a new weapon called the Greek Fire and that is something extraordinary. In addition, Jane Frommond is Dee’s sidekick in this book and I liked her as a character even though her part is somewhat smaller in comparison.

All in all I think the characters are very interesting, the idea of the book/series is good but this time the pace was just a tad slow.

"The Queen's Men" by Oliver Clements continues the thrilling "Agents of the Crown" series, where John Dee, the original MI6 agent, faces yet another perilous task. This installment opens dramatically as Queen Elizabeth I survives an ambush in Waltham Forest, igniting a high-stakes quest for security in a kingdom under constant threat from abroad and within.

In response to the attack and the rising threat from Catholic Spain, Elizabeth's trusted adviser, Sir Francis Walsingham, scrambles to identify the assailants. Simultaneously, the Queen tasks John Dee with a seemingly insurmountable challenge: to rediscover the lost recipe for Greek fire, a legendary weapon that protected the Byzantine Empire. Dee’s mission encapsulates the essence of the nascent secret service—combining science, espionage, and philosophy to safeguard the nation.

Clements expertly blends historical intrigue with spy thriller elements, creating a vivid portrayal of Elizabethan politics and espionage. Dee's character, with his deep intellect and commitment, highlights the crucial role of intelligence in national security. "The Queen's Men" not only captivates with its fast-paced plot and complex characters but also enriches the reader’s understanding of the delicate balance of power during a pivotal era in history. This novel is a compelling blend of adventure, historical richness, and espionage, perfect for readers who relish a cerebral yet action-packed narrative.

This is a fabulous idea for a series. Why am I just now reading it? The author has put out a clever and quick paced novel that is original in spite of being historical and based on real people. Book 1 is faster than the other books in the series but the intrigue never slows.

Book #2 in the Agents of the Crown historical fiction series. Book #1 gives alot of the background of how this cast of characters came to be loyal defenders of the crown. You could read this one as a stand alone but you'd miss the back story. So many historical fiction books are dry, repeating the same facts and stories that have been written over and over. Not this series. Oliver Clements does cover an era that so many before him have set as the core of the story. But Clements' approaches the undeniable history from a different stand point. He bases the mystery and suspense of the Queen Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots reigns on those who would defend the queens and the nation from all who would see them fail. It makes for some very intriguing reading and actually made me go look up some of the characters and their stories. Isn't that what a GOOD book is supposed to do?

"The Queen's Men" is a novel that intricately weaves historical facts with fictional elements to create a coherent and engaging narrative. The depiction of Elizabethan England is rendered with striking clarity and detail, distinguishing the book within its genre. The author's adeptness in sustaining suspense throughout the novel—despite the readers' foreknowledge of historical outcomes—highlights their narrative proficiency.

For aficionados of historical fiction, particularly those with an interest in espionage and political machinations, "The Queen's Men" comes highly recommended. The book excels in delivering both entertainment and a deeper understanding of the period it portrays. It is a commendable choice for anyone with an appreciation for history or simply in search of an absorbing tale.

The Queen's Men by Oliver Clements is a wonderful historical fiction that is the second book in the Agents of the Crown series. I honestly really, really like this series. I am surprised more readers do not know about this hidden gem. Using real figures such as John Dee, Queen Elizabeth I, and so on and weaving them into a fictional narrative that is full of intrigue, mystery, espionage, and high-stakes drama really makes for a great end result. I am really looking forward to the new books! Excellent. 5/5 stars Thank you NG and Atria Books | Atria/Leopoldo & Co. for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub and Amazon accounts immediately. Date of Publication 12/7/21.

I enjoyed this second book in the series set in Elizabethan England. I enjoyed this action filled book and felt that it was well written, a historically accurate historical fiction book. The Queen’s Men is about a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth. Once again, John Dee is the protagonist of the story. I really enjoyed the subplots and felt that the author did an excellent job with character aand plot development. I am a fan of the series and I hope that there will be noire books to come.

I needed Oliver Clements' The Queen's Men. Lately, I've hit a string of lackluster historical mysteries. They haven't been complete failures, but they've left me aware of some of the weaknesses of the genre: the overly simple mystery at the heart of the novel and historical characters that feel more like cardboard photo props than real people. The Queen's Men is delightfully free of these problems.

The mystery is complex, stretched out across time with small leads that keep bringing a solution near, but not quite close enough. Clements' tale is woven of multiple threads, so moments of crisis and resolution occur throughout the book. The ending is powerful and climactic (I'm pretty sure my reading speed doubled on the last few chapters), but there are other dramatic solutions to seemingly intractable problems throughout. Clements introduces readers to the complex politics of the time (the reign of Elizabeth I) in a way that makes that information essential to the story, rather than a didactic add-on.

The central characters—John Dee, Francis Walsingham, William Cecil, Christopher Hatton, and Jane Frummond—are complicated on their own and in relationship to one another. Of the five, Frummond is (as far as I know) the only non-historical character, and her presence is a particular delight, an adventurous woman both of and beyond her time.

This is a historical mystery that should delight anyone who enjoys the genre. It will also delight readers of historical fiction and readers of "real" history who need an occasional romp. It's well worth purchasing or requesting from your local library.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher; the opinions are my own.

I received an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. Going into this book, I wasn't quite sure if I would like it, but I have found a new literary hero (flawed for sure, but so much fun), Dr. John Dee, and a fabulous new author, Oliver Clements. Clements not only spins a great story, but he has fun in the telling. The author's sense of humor shines through on page after page with his snarky, but clever, remarks. I found myself re-reading many passages just for the giggle. For me, the story took second place and the way Clements wrote it won me over completely. It all starts out with an assassination attempt on Queen Elizabeth I (not to be confused with Elizabeth II--the current monarch). Set in the 1500s, John Dee is on a quest to create 'Greek fire'--a powerful weapon of war. His many failed attempts wreak havoc. He is also a 'friend' of the Queen and much to her dismay, calls her 'Bess' whenever they meet. His familiarity in front of her staff causes her to cringe and shoot him warning looks--all of which he takes in good stride. All kinds of things happen in the interim and there is never a dull moment--or page. Whether you like history or not, I highly recommend this book. It is written with intelligence and, at the same time, will make you laugh out loud. I had no idea that this was the second book in a series and you can be sure, I will be looking for the first one. I sincerely hope that many more will follow. Long live Dr. John Dee!