Susanna Kearsley

The King’s Messenger

The British cover of Susanna Kearsley's book The King's Messenger, with white lettering against a stylized background of swirled red and gold and blue.
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Synopsis

He is tasked with the most dangerous of missions. She is only there from duty. But in the face of treachery and injustice, might they need each other more than they could know? A story of justice, honour, truth and love – and survival against impossible odds…

1613: Scotland and England, unified under one crown, are reeling from the sudden death of King James’ popular eldest son, Henry, as rumours swirl that the prince was poisoned.

Andrew Logan, one of the King’s Messengers, is sent north with secret orders to find and arrest the man the king suspects.

Phoebe Westaway cannot abide Andrew Logan. But when her ageing father is tasked with helping Logan, Phoebe finds herself with no choice but to join them in their quest to capture Sir David Moray, once Prince Henry’s trusted courtier, and carry him to London to stand trial for the prince’s murder.

It’s a journey rife with complications. Sir David has no intention of allowing himself to be delivered to London, and as he draws them deeper into the dark web of court alliances and rivalries, Phoebe realises she might have more need of Logan than she believes.

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I loved the story. Couldn’t put it down… thoroughly researched and told with brilliantly compelling authenticity.


— Barbara Erskine

Gallery

My novels are set in real locations, and doing the on-site research is an essential part of my writing process. Here are some of my photos.
A view looking north in Bartholomew's Close, London, in spring 2023 - a deserted courtyard surrounded by tall, modern buildings, with a few tall trees remaining to cast shade over the pavement, and a small brass plaque on the pavement in the foreground.

Bartholomews Close

Looking north across St Bartholomew’s Close in spring 2023. The brass plaque in the foreground marks the location of the old conduit, now a modern flat fire hydrant.

The King's Wark, Leith, Scotland - a large and ancient building shown in spring 2024 open as a pub, with stuccoed walls, a gabled roof, many white multi-paned windows, and a blue-painted ground floor.

The Kings Wark

The King’s Wark, Leith, still welcoming strangers in the spring of 2024.

A view along the Prince's Walk at Stirling Castle, Scotland, with a variety of gargoyle-like carvings protruding from the grey stone wall that's bathed in sun, beneath a grey sky.

The Princes Walk

The terrace at Stirling Castle where David and Celia walk, with David’s favourite little dragon looking on.

A view eastward across the Tarras Moss near Langholm, Scotland, in spring 2024 - golden moorland, dark heather, bright green new grass and scrub trees in a rolling landscape beneath a sky dark with grey cloud from which bright sun and shadows fall upon the land below.

The Tarras Moss

Entering the Tarras Moss, near Langholm, Scotland, in the spring of 2024. More photos coming soon!

Check out my other books, including more behind-the-scenes info and images.

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