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Marcia Clayton writes historical fiction with a sprinkling of romance and mystery in The Hartford Manor Series, a heart-warming family saga that stretches from the Regency period through to Victorian times.

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Latest

The King’s Intelligencer: Discovering the Missing Princes in the Tower by Elizabeth St. John

by Marcia Clayton | Oct 24, 2024 | Guest Authors

Today, I’m delighted to host The King’s Intelligencer, the latest book from popular author, Elizabeth St. John.

The book is on a Blog Tour with the Coffee Pot Book Club: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/09/blog-tour-kings-intelligencer-by-elizabeth-stjohn.html

About the Book

London, 1674: When children’s bones are unexpectedly unearthed in the Tower of London, England’s most haunting mystery—the fate of the missing princes—is reignited.

Franny Apsley, trusted confidante to Charles II’s beloved niece and heir, Lady Mary Stuart, is caught up in the court’s excitement surrounding the find. Yet, as a dark family secret comes to light, Franny realises the truth behind the missing princes is far more complex—and dangerous—than anyone suspects. Recruited by her formidable cousin Nan Wilmot, Dowager Countess of Rochester, to discover the truth behind the bones, Franny is thrust into the shadowy world of intelligencers. But her quest is complicated by an attraction to the charismatic court artist Nicholas Jameson, a recent arrival from Paris who harbours secrets of his own.

Pursued by Nicholas, Franny searches for evidence hidden in secret family letters and paintings, and uncovers a startling diplomatic plot involving Lady Mary, which causes Franny to question her own judgment, threatens the throne, and sets England on a course for war. With only her courage and the guidance of an enigmatic spy within the royal household, Franny must decide how far she will go to expose the truth—and whether that truth will lead to England’s salvation or her own heartbreak.

In a glittering and debauched society where love is treacherous and loyalty masked, Franny must navigate a world where a woman’s voice is often silenced and confront the ultimate question: What is she willing to risk for the sake of her country, her happiness, and her family’s safety?

A captivating historical novel of conspiracy, passion, and courage, The King’s Intelligencer is one woman’s quest for a truth that could change the fate of a nation. A companion to the critically acclaimed best-selling novels The Godmother’s Secret and The Lydiard Chronicles, The King’s Intelligencer weaves together beloved characters and actual events to bring a suspenseful mystery to life.

Reviews

“A stunning and beautifully written historical mystery.”

“This is a brilliant novel and a must-read for lovers of historical fiction.”

Buy Links

This title is available to read on #Kindle Unlimited.

Universal Buy Link: https://geni.us/KingsIntelligencer

The Book Details

Book Title:

The King’s Intelligencer

Sub Title:

Discovering the Missing Princes in the Tower

Author: Elizabeth St.John

Published: 15 October 2024

Publisher: Falcon Historical

Pages: 494

Genre: Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: No

The King’s Intelligencer: Excerpt from Chapter 6

Her father took both of her hands, turned her face to the light. “And when you saw them in the pit, when everyone was there, when they were first discovered, you are sure they were children’s bones?”

“Sir Kit Wren said as much.”

Allen shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts. “And was there anything else?”

Franny shook her head. “No, Papa. No coffin, no stone nor lead casing. Just their bones.”

He raised his face to the ceiling, blew a breath of relief. “Good.” And murmured almost to himself. “That is good.”

She smiled at him, relieved his humour was returning. “They were just in the dirt. Lying on a piece of velvet.”

He froze. “What did you say?”

“Embedded in dirt. On an old cloth. It looked like a bedcover. Or a cloak.”

Papa almost pushed her away, paced away to the window, and after a long pause turned back. Anguish creased his face. What could she possibly have said to cause such distress?

“Oh, Franny,” he said. “This is what I dreaded the most.” He slumped on the bench by the empty fireplace, buried his head in his hands. “Tell no one,” he muttered through his fingers. “Tell no one what you saw. And thank God you and anyone else were refused entry this last time. No one else knows? You’ve spoken to no one?”

“Why?” Franny was really troubled now. She pushed away the conversation about family in the palace ruins with Nicholas Jameson. She hadn’t spoken directly to him of Nan’s request to see the bones, had she? “What do you mean?” This was a side to her father she did not recognise.

“Forget you have ever seen any bones. And forget what you have told me about a cloak. Go back to your duties at the palace, Franny, and leave this well alone.” He poured a goblet of wine with a trembling hand, tipped it down his throat in one gulp, and rapidly poured another. “You are sure they were children’s bones, Franny?” He didn’t wait for her answer, but lowered his voice, muttered to himself. “It is a secret which should never have been discovered. I must talk to Nan. She’ll know what to do. And Peter. My son will be back soon. He should be here now.”

“Nan told—”

“Nan told you what?” he snapped back.

“Nothing.” Franny retorted. “Nothing, Papa.” She was done with this drama, this mysterious find, this intrigue. Her family held secrets, that she knew. No one could survive the war years without making compromises. But this? This story stretched way back, before England’s recent war with itself, back to when her ancestors first came to prominence. Back to when the land and titles and money and influence flowed from the Tudors directly to their family. “May I go? I need to prepare the Lady Mary for bed.”

He didn’t reply, lost as he was in his own thoughts, quaffing draughts from his wine cup. Was Papa drinking away his cares, as Nan had predicted? He appeared sober enough, if overwrought. Not unusual; a residue of war, Franny had been assured, ever since she could remember. Her mother advised when the dark ague appeared to overwhelm to leave rescue to those women who had battled in times before to heal him. Those family ties tethered her father to sanity. She’d let Nan know. Perhaps she should tell Mama, despite Nan’s warning. Her brother would manage Papa when he returned. Let those who created the safety net bind him. And she could walk away.

“May I go?” she repeated after her father poured a third glass and slumped on a chair by the fireplace.

“Hmm?” Papa glanced up at her, as if puzzled she was still there. “Franny. Yes. Go.” Franny left him with his wine for company. Nan or her mother could take charge. She had enough on her mind managing her own place at court without worrying about her father’s and Nan’s old secrets. Her own challenge was to govern Lady Mary. Court’s gossip glasshouse was cultivating rumours that wedding negotiations were underway. And persuading her charge this was something to joyfully anticipate would take a miracle.

About the Author

Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England’s kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.

Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.

Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.

Elizabeth’s works include The Lydiard Chronicles, a trilogy set in 17th-century England during the Civil War, and The Godmother’s Secret, which unravels the medieval mystery of the missing princes in the Tower of London. Her latest release, The King’s Intelligencer, follows Franny Apsley’s perilous quest to uncover the truth behind the sudden discovery of the princes’ bones. In Charles II’s court of intrigue and deceit, Franny must decide what she’ll risk—for England’s salvation, her family’s safety, and her own happiness.