Courting Dragons (#1)
Introducing Will Somers, the king’s jester but nobody’s fool in this exuberant, intriguing and thoroughly entertaining first in a new series set in Tudor England.
1529, London. Jester Will Somers enjoys an enviable position at the court of Henry VIII. As the king’s entertainer, chief gossip-monger, spy and loyal adviser, he knows all of the king’s secrets – and almost everyone else’s within the walls of Greenwich Palace.
But when Will discovers the body of Spanish count Don Gonzalo while walking his trusted sidekick Nosewise in the courtyard gardens, and a blackmail note arrives soon after demanding information about the king, is one of his own closely guarded secrets about to be exposed? Trouble is afoot at the palace. Are the king’s enemies plotting a move against him? Will must draw on all his wit and ingenuity to get to the bottom of the treacherous and deadly goings-on at the court before further tragedy strikes . . .
Reviews
"Somers proves an able sleuth, and Westerson does a fine job evoking the period’s political intrigue. Devotees of Alan Gordon’s Fools’ Guild mysteries will welcome this promising series."
"Familiar historical figures seen from a different viewpoint add spice to the mystery."
"For readers who enjoy accurate, in-depth historical details in a mystery"
"A great start to a new series.... Fans of Jeri Westerson’s Crispin Guest “Medieval Noir” series will also enjoy the first book in her new King’s Fool series, Courting Dragons."
"All in all though, I enjoyed this historical mystery. It’s got a nice number of suspects and motives, a mostly convincing lead character and a convincing picture of life in the Tudor court. I look forward to book two."
"Many historical figures are expertly woven into the narrative"
"A terrific mix of royal history and rotten murder."
"Will Somers is a new favourite. Highly recommended for fans of well written and researched historical murder mysteries."
"Brilliant! Jeri Westerson has outdone herself with this brilliant first in a series book with a clever perspective"
"People who want to read a fictional account of Henry VIII’s court, set in a mystery with the perfect amateur sleuth, should be ready for in-depth historical details in Courting Dragons."
“Jeri Westerson is at the top of her game”Louis Bayard, bestselling author of The Pale Blue Eye
“The Tudor court as seen through the eyes of wily Will Somers, Henry VIII’s jester, comes to vivid life in this sparkling mystery”C.W. Gortner, bestselling author of The Tudor Secret