October 15, 2024 9:00 am
Elizabeth St. John has been a guest of this blog many times in the past . She is a historical fiction author with a joint passion for her family history (and what a history!) and the revolutionary events of the 17th century. The Lydiard Chronicles follow the Apsley and St. John families during the War of the Three Kingdoms. Her last novel, The Godmother’s Secret, dealt with the mystery of the disappearance of the Princes of the Tower, and did so brilliantly. Although set during the War of the Roses, The Godmother’s Secret also featured the St. John ancestors and their involvement int the mystery.
Elizabeth is back with another novel and this time, she explores the secrets of the Princes from another lens.
The King’s Intelligencer is a companion novel to The Godmother’s Secret and is set in Restoration London when the bones were found buried under a staircase in the Tower.
The Restoration comes alive in The King’s Intelligencer, with all its frivolity and decadence that teeters on the edge of disaster. There’s spying and intrigue in a court where the slightest misstep spells disaster. It’s a gripping story and a must-read for historical fiction fans!
If you are as intrigued by the history of the Princes and want to learn more about Elizabeth’s research, check out this article on her website, A Family History of Secrets, Spies and Intelligencers – Investigating the Missing Princes.
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.
Available through Amazon and KindleUnlimited.
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.
For more information of her work, visit her Website, Amazon Author Page, or Bookbub. Connect with Elizabeth through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Goodreads.
Posted by Cryssa Bazos
Categories: 17th century, Author Spotlights, Charles Stuart, historical fiction, War of the Three Kingdoms
Tags: Elizabeth St. John, Family secrets, Mystery of the Princes of the Tower, Restoration mystery, The Godmother's Secret, The King's Intelligencer, The Lydiard Chronicles, Who killed the Princes of the Tower
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Love Elizabeth St.John’s stories. This looks like another great one! Nice book cover.
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By layeredpages on October 15, 2024 at 9:29 am
I completely agree! I just love this cover!
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By Cryssa Bazos on October 15, 2024 at 9:54 am
Thanks for the lovely post Cryssa! Always good to spend time with my 17thC bestie!
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By Elizabeth on October 15, 2024 at 12:10 pm
You’re very welcome! Glad you’ve returned to the 17th century 🙂
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By Cryssa Bazos on October 15, 2024 at 12:18 pm
delightful . . .
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By Adelina Carpenter on October 16, 2024 at 6:51 pm
looking forward to enjoying reading the book
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By wondrousd7e10601be on October 16, 2024 at 7:37 pm
Hope you enjoy as much as I did
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By Cryssa Bazos on October 16, 2024 at 7:54 pm