Beware the Royal Court!

Courting Dragons (A King’s Fool Mystery #1) by Jeri Westerson        

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A brilliant new series from the ever masterful spinner of tales, Jeri Westerson. Set in the court of Henry VIII, at the time when Henry is trying to put the Queen, Catherine of Aragon, aside and marry Lady Anne Boleyn or here known as the Lady Nan Bullen (read Westerson’s commentary at the end for further information about the spelling of Bullen). Will Somers is Henry’s court jester. (He was a real person historically in Henry’s court btw) A complicated man who can move through the court, unseen and yet not. A man who learns the secrets of the court, even as he has his own. Will is bisexual. He has one true love, Marion, a court seamstress / embroiderer, the illegitimate child of Lord Robert Heyward.

He has various alliances of the moment with men. One is the Spanish contingent, Don Gonzalo de Yascar. When Gonzalo is found murdered, Will investigates. There are so many plots brewing that Will feels stymied. Was this an assignation, were Cromwell or Wolsley involved?  

There’s another murder! A rogue priest is abroad, a sharp visaged pedant, whom Will is suspicious of. After all the priest did search Gonzalo’s rooms.

The relationship between Will and Henry is fascinating, often tender, and yet Henry is the King. Perhaps that’s what allows the freedom between the King and his fool? But Will always needs to read the room very carefully.

Westerson has put a very human face to these turbulent times.

The scene of Will visiting the once with Queen Catherine and Princess Mary, are filled with love and sadness. After all, as Will says he had been part of their family, but now all is pulled asunder with Henry’s plans for Catherine. The Great Matter as the king’s pursuit of the divorce is being called.

Superb storytelling gives life to these people of history. I am looking forward to hearing more of Will Somers. The title, ‘Courting Dragons’ gives food for thought. Courting trouble perhaps! Not for the faint hearted! Grabbing a dragon by the tail? Beware!

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.