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.

This was an interesting read . I love that her books are always well researched and readable. I’m not a fan of the fantasy aspect but overall a read worthy of your time .
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Excellent historical fiction with a sprinkling of magic, romance, and action. This novel was set in 1613 in Scotland and England. Andrew Logan is a messenger for the king. He is sent to bring back Sir David Murray, who was a constant companion to the prince, from Scotland. The king wants to question him. Logan must bring David back in one piece while traveling with a woman who hates him and her sick father. The only problem is Murray's family doesn't want him brought back because there is more than meets the eye to this situation.

A fantastic read with incredible characters that you will fall in love with. Susanna Kearsley is a master storyteller and I love that there was a hint of magic in this book as well. There were several parts of this book that I reread just because they were that good. I also enjoyed at the end of the book where the author told the historical details about the characters and what was true in real life. This is one of my favorite parts of a historical fiction book, knowing what really happened. An overall wonderful book!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark Publishers and NetGalley for this ARC.

Susanna Kearsley is one of my favorite authors. This book will not disappoint.
King James, son of Mary Queen has unified England and Scotland. His young son, Henry heir to the throne has died suddenly. Rumor has it he was poisoned.
The King summons his messenger, Andrew Logan to Scotland to arrest Sir David Moray. The King believes he is responsible for his so son’s death. Andrew is accompanied by Laurence Westaway a scrivener and his daughter Phoebe. Phoebe has concern for her father’s health.
This book is beautifully written with four perspective’s, Andrew Logan, Phoebe Westaway, Sir David Moray and Queen Anna.
It is a very intriguing story. Andrew and Phoebe don’t get along very well. it is a long journey, sparks fly, emotions run high.
I just loved how Susana Kearsley brought the atmosphere of time and place to this tale. I knew nothing about Prince Henry. The characters were well drawn out. A bit slow in the beginning getting into the story.
The authors note in the end was amazing.
Highly recommend if you love Historical fiction.
Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebook Landmarks for this advanced readers copy of this book.

I used to read Susanna Kearsley all the time. Obsessively,. And then I stopped.. Maybe she slowed down publishing?

Reading this book made me ask why. I had forgotten how she brings you into a world I have no idea about (the court of King James, I only know one things and she widely avoided that area), introduces it with care, and then lets you just live there. It was an excellent vacation book when you gave time to get lost for hours of reading. This book has good pacing and engaging characters. It might have moved faster without the queen's sections, but she does give an emotional center to the book. I just wanted to get to the main story! The MFC was annoying at first but isn't that par for the course? I absolutely adored the MMC, I'm ready to time travel to meet him, although he might smell bad being round horses all the time.

This has been an excellent reintroduction to Kearsley and now I need to go and see which books I've missed in the interim. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC and push to rediscover!

Susanna Kearsley is a treasure. I have been reading her novels for over a decade now and have loved every one of them. The King's Messenger's was just wonderful. I absolutely loved the characters and the alternating points of view. Kearsley's writing is simply gorgeous.

Susanna Kearsley is far outside my preferred genres (YA Fantasy & Contemporary YA Romance), but I absolutely ADORE everything she writes. So I was very excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley!

I don’t even like historical fiction, and I just eat up anything she writes. Her ability to take real historical events and effortlessly weave in fictional characters that are believable and easy to love is unmatched, and The King’s Messenger is no exception.

The plot is simple and full of suspense. Logan and Phoebe are strong main characters, the story has multiple POVs and moving parts, but I was never lost or confused.

Overall a 3.5, rounded up to a 4.

Andrew Logan is my favorite protagonist of the year!

What a wonderful read. So well researched, and the characters, historical and fictional alike, just leap off the page.

I really enjoy this period of English history, so I loved the insight into poor Prince Henry and his parents - especially Queen Anna's portrayal as someone so brave and spirited.

The romance was also very sweet, and Phoebe's growth was a relief as I found her pretty immature at the beginning of the novel.

The action itself can be a little slow, but I enjoyed the intrigue and small mysteries. And I'll say it again but I cannot say it enough - the characters!! I love this cast so much and I felt like I was leaving behind my good friends as I finished this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!!