a delightful, well researched historical fiction with a splash of magical realism, even a hint of romance. if you enjoy political and court intrigue, and like to be transported back in time, definitely pick this one up

3.5 stars rounded up

I couldn’t put this book down! It masterfully blends historical intrigue with a touch of magic, creating a vivid and compelling world. The attention to detail in capturing the period is astounding—Susanna Kearsley’s use of language, descriptions of attire, and portrayal of 17th-century England and Scotland truly transported me back in time.

The story, told from multiple perspectives, is richly layered. Andrew Logan, the King’s Messenger with a secret gift of Sight, was such a fascinating character, and his perilous mission kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved how Phoebe, Andrew, David, and even Queen Anna’s chapters gave unique insights and depth to the narrative, making every character feel real and relatable.

The threads of magic added a subtle charm without overpowering the historical elements, striking a perfect balance between reality and mysticism. And those author’s notes at the end? Such a thoughtful touch for history lovers like me!

If you adore historical fiction with a sprinkle of mystery and the supernatural, this book is a must-read. Ms. Kearsley has earned a new fan in me—I can’t wait to dive into her other works! Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I confess, I’m a newish Susanna Kearsley fan. But I am a fan for sure.

Many of my most trusted GR friends are fans, too, and one in particular tempted me to listen to the first book in the <i>Slains</i> series, and… well, I haven’t looked back. That series went from good to great - I loved the last book <b>The Vanished Days</B>, best. I’ve spent the past few weeks listening on dog walks and reading on weekend evenings. Her narrators are equally excellent.

It was a nice treat/surprise to see her newest available on Netgalley. If you are in NG and tempted to ask for it, do! It’s lovely in all the ways the best books are. Historically rich, exciting, romantic, clever…I could go on. I particularly like Andrew, The Messenger, and the other two male main characters- Hector and David, and you will too. Phoebe is also good but she started off annoying and I had to make peace with her midway through. I did and liked her very much by the conclusion.

This novel, like the others, is told through multiple narrators and takes place not long after the death of Prince Henry. Intrigues and villains and heroes and outlaws and dashing men on horses are here aplenty and the climatic scene that’s puts many of them in the same room is terrific. Our villains are shown at their worst and our David - friends, he’s dashing!!! I loved it. And I wanted more. I could read about him all day.

So what’s it about? Read the blurb and the book. It’s wonderful & definitely one of my bests of the year.

I have many “favorite” authors, but if I were pressed to choose only one, I think it would be Susanna Kearsley.

I loved The King’s Messenger. The characters are wonderful and memorable. I adored Sir David and Andrew Logan and the others grew on me. The line about it taking a great man to step aside and allow someone else to be strong was excellent. The villains were well crafted and memorable as well.

The author has such a magical way with words, that I get sucked into the story and the history. Many times, the fictional characters are so flawlessly blended with the historical figures, that I do a quick internet search while reading to sort them out. I always appreciate her notes at the end of each book, explaining historical details and her train of ideas and where she has taken liberties. It’s a hugely valuable part of each story. Her research is meticulous and awesome.

The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this eARC. I really enjoyed The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley. I found her book The Winter Sea in a used bookstore several years ago. Immediately after finishing it, I checked out all of her other books from the library. I was so excited to receive the approval to read the ARC of this one.

Fans of Susanna Kearsley will not be disappointed in this book. The characters are well developed and easy to relate to. I found myself easily rooting for them invested in their happy endings. The story is interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I love the little sprinkling of magic that is usually present in Kearsley’s books. Logan having the sight added great tension to the story. As always, the attention to historical detail is obvious and the author’s notes at the end are much appreciated. The ending felt a little anticlimactic after the build up to it throughout the rest of the book.

Overall, this was a great book and I am already looking forward to reading more from Susanna Kearsley!

What a fantastic read! I didn’t really know what to except going into this, but Kearsley never disappoints. I really enjoyed Sir David Murray and the birth of a deep friendship with the main characters. Every character seemed at odds at the start and I love how through mutual hardship, their lives all tangle together in a beautiful web of adventure and loyalty. I’m not very familiar with the time or historical politics but I found it captivating and easy to follow due to the heavy research Kearsley has clearly done!

There are minor threads of magic woven throughout in the way of a supernatural ability in one of the characters which gave this book the charm and mystery I know and love from Kearsley’s books.

Don’t skip the author’s note, I found not just as interesting as the book itself!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC — all opinions are my own.

I'm a huge fan of anything written by Susanna Kearsley. I've read everything she's ever written and wait impatiently for each new book to appear! Having said that, I'm always sorry to start a new Susanna Kearsley book, because then I know I have to wait a while for the next one!

Her books are so, so good. I get drawn in to the point where I am transported to a different time and place. The time period of the 1600's was a turbulent time in history; lots of names, places and events. I stopped reading only long enough to research people and places mentioned in the book, to look up fashion and housing, and other things to really solidify my connection with the characters. As always, the character development is superb, relationship building on target and straight to the heart. The book pacing is thoughtful, but not slow. The reader is definitely kept on edge, but not nail biting on edge. The author uses multiple viewpoints and character flashbacks to build the story and the characters. I appreciate that while there's never an easy ending, there is usually a happy ending.

If you've never read anything by Susanna Kearsley, you're missing out! My favorite of all time is "Marianna", but any of her books are well worth the read!

Susanna does it again in this long awaited novel. She never fails to build a historical novel that keeps you turning the page. Set in 1613 during King James' rein, many secrets are held onto. Hiding the gift of sight may be the hardest secret to keep for messenger Andrew.

“It takes a man of strength to let another man be strong.”

In a world of political intrigue, a place where so many people are focused on trying to gain, consolidate, and advance their own power, acting with integrity can become the exception rather than the rule.

When King’s Messenger Andrew Logan is sent north to arrest Sir David Moray and return him to England to stand trial for the suspected murder of Prince Henry, he’s determined to carry on his father’s legacy and honorably fulfill his mission.

All too quickly, Logan realizes that the task will be anything but simple as he faces challenges from within and without. Phoebe Westaway, the outspoken daughter of his scribe, has insisted on accompanying her father on the journey. She’s never liked Logan and isn’t afraid to continuously remind him of his long list of shortcomings. Sir David’s kinsmen, anticipating that the outcome of Moray’s trial has already been decided, are swiftly riding to his rescue, ready to fight to protect one of their own. And Andrew, himself, must confront the doubts that have started to plague him about King James’s intentions. He’s sworn loyalty to the King, but what happens when that loyalty serves the interests of one instead of the many?

Kearsley’s writing never disappoints as she transports us back in time to a world that might look very different from our own, yet still bears striking similarities to contemporary conflicts. She reminds us all of the power of using our voice to stand for what is right and to surround ourselves with those who are trying to do good in the face of evil.

Thanks to Net Galley and Sourcebook Landmarks for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Historical fiction with a sprinkle of romance and a dusting of fantasy- I. Love. It. From political intrigue to schoolyard bullying, and everything in between, I had a hard time putting this down once the story found its footing. Like probably most readers, I came for the promise of a romance between the two MCs, but stayed with my eyes glued to every page for so much more. Of course, every character was so specifically crafted, but I will have a special place in my heart for Sir David.
My only potential qualm would be the anticlimactic nature of the piece as a whole, but after further consideration, I did find myself generally on the edge of my seat due to the lore surrounding King James VI and the nature of society at that point in history.
Overall, a sweet/bittersweet story abut grief, humanity, and love in all forms that is definitely welcome in today’s climate.

A great escape to 1613! The story takes us into a world full of different customs, clothing, food and language. There are many secrets, and you wonder just who you can trust. There’s romance, some magic, and action galore. I will read any book by Susanna Kearsley, and this is no exception

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me this ARC copy for my honest review.

Alright, let me tell you about The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley. This book whisked me right back to 1613 Scotland, and I’m talking intense vibes—political drama, hidden motives, and a bit of romance on the side. If you’re into lush historical settings and love a touch of intrigue, this one’s for you!

So, the story centers on Caroline, who’s sharp and independent (love her vibe), and Nicholas, a bit of a brooding mystery man with a sense of duty. Together, they’re pulled into a high-stakes mission that’s all about loyalty and secrets. I don’t want to spoil anything, but trust me, it’s got that classic Kearsley feel: secret letters, dangerous meetings, and a slow-burn connection you can really root for.

Kearsley’s writing is just as atmospheric as ever. She’s got this knack for making every scene feel so alive—you can almost feel the chilly Scottish mist. If you loved The Winter Sea, you’re going to vibe with this one. Both books have that same blend of historical drama and romance that draws you into another time and place. It’s got all the history-meets-romance goodness she’s known for, and the tension is real.

If I had to point out one little thing, it’s that a few character motivations left me hanging. Like, I found myself wondering why certain things happened or why someone acted a certain way, and I wished for just a bit more background. It didn’t mess up the story, but I kept wanting more clarity there.

All in all, this book’s perfect for historical romance fans who are here for the drama, the history, and a good, slow-burn romance. I’d say it’s a solid 4 out of 5 stars for me. It’s got strong characters, a killer setting, and enough mystery to keep you flipping pages till the end. If you liked The Winter Sea, definitely check this one out!

A character-driven narrative, The King's Messenger is full of period detail and political intrigue, plus an enemies-to-lovers romance that feels a bit like a pre-packaged trope inserted and decorated for the time period. I can't say it's the best historical romance I've read, but it's a fine way to spend a few hours if you're into the Jacobean era.

I read this courtesy NetGalley and Sourcebooks. As a longtime fan of Susanna Kearsley’s novels, I looked forward to this, her latest, and found it a warm, satisfying read. While I tend to prefer her work that divides the story between the present and the past, with the past shaping and informing the present, this novel made me remember what made me love Kearsley’s writing. The details! The warmth of the characters! The history brought to life. If only more historical fiction were like her work. In The King’s Messenger, we have the story of Andrew Logan (as in the messenger of the title) and his relationship with David Moray, the person he is tasked to bring to the king, most likely to his death, and his fraught relationship with Phoebe Westaway, the young woman Logan secretly loves, but who does not return his affection. Their journey from Scotland to London is constantly beset by those who are determined to save David Moray (perhaps against his will), and others with secrets that may or may not work against them. This was wonderful.
#TheKingsMessenger #Sourcebooks #NetGalley

4.5 / 5.0 Stars

Susanna Kearsley has delivered a spectacular piece of historical fiction yet again! It's a quest impelled by duty which changes one's soul over time.

The story is set in England and Scotland of 1613. The two lands have been joined under James VI of Scotland/James I of England, son of Mary Queen of Scots. James' son, Henry, Prince of Wales, had recently died under mysterious circumstances and the perceived murderer is to be brought to trial. The king calls upon his messenger, Andrew Logan, and his aged scrivener, Laurence Westaway, to head up to Scotland to fetch and deliver to court for trial Sir David Moray, the former first gentleman of the (Prince's) bedchamber. Westaway's daughter, Phoebe, insinuates herself on the journey to aid her father. Once Sir David is captured, the long journey back to London commences and a great adventure begins.

Ms. Kearlsey has beautifully captured the nuances of 17th century England/Scotland through her effective use of period language where able and through the rich descriptions of attire, lodgings and locations. Her writing is solid and rich. The deep research is apparent and Herculean in scope. The mise en scène is spectacular and at times cinematic. The many protagonists of the story are well fleshed out and heartfully delivered. The concept of "Second Sight" is judiciously incorporated and draws well on the beliefs of the time. If historical fiction full of honor, duty, adventure and heart is your jam, then this could well be a book for you.

I am grateful to Sourcebooks Landmark for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: ‎Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication date: ‎March 4, 2025
Number of Pages: ‎381
ISBN: 978-1464233593

This story is about how the kings messenger, Andrew Logan is sent to bring David morey back to the King as he is suspected in the death of his son. The book follows four characters throughout and this makes it hard to connect with any of them. Andrew has visions where he sees glimpses of his future. He's realized he can't change his future but it does feel him stay alive. An interesting read.

Really enjoyed this one! It's very atmospheric but also has plenty of solid character development. I love a good adventure story and this one was all that- just following along a group of people. Plenty of action and flashbacks to keep the reader engaged. Writing was solid and very well done and the whole book was just a very enjoyable read!

Great quick read. Reminded me of the Harry styles movie where they have to get the message before their group is destroyed, Thrilling

England in 1613, corruption, secrets, messengers, murder and love all find their place in this beautifully written book.

Two days after completing and am still missing the characters. At its heart this is a beautifully woven story of humanity that is so much the richer for each person it contains. There is weight, dimension and depth on each page. It conveys insight and caring into a period of history that as an American, I've often found pompous and dry, which is rather miraculous. The language, customs, clothing, food and nuances included are folded in so naturally that you are transported rather than lectured. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark Publishers and NetGalley for this ARC.