Courting dragons A king's fool mystery

Set in 1529, this impressive series launch from Westerson (the Crispin Guest medieval noir series) introduces an unusual lead, Will Somers, Henry VIII's actual court jester. In this role, Somers has free rein of the royal court, where he often overhears secrets. At Greenwich palace, Somers meets Don Gonzalo de Yscar, an aide to the ambassador to the Holy Roman Emperor. The two men form an attraction, and act on it, but it isn't long before Somers chances upon Gonzalo's corpse in the palace gardens, his throat slit. That shock is compounded when Somers receives an anonymous note stating that its sender knows of his liaison and threatening to inform the king of it unless he attends a midnight meeting--and reveals secrets about the monarch. To remove the threat to himself and the realm, Somers must learn who's behind the murder and the extortion. 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. Agent: Joshua Bilmes, JABberwocky Literary. (Jan.)

Westerson ("Crispin Guest" series) launches a historical series about the politics and intrigue of the Tudor court. As court jester to King Henry VIII, Will Somers has learned to walk a fine line between counseling his king and ridiculing the actions of the court. In 1529, the court is on edge, as Henry's advisers struggle to obtain his divorce from Catherine of Aragon so he can marry Anne Boleyn. Will's one foolish fling could jeopardize his career and his life. He beds Don Gonzalo de Yscar, the Spanish ambassador's aide. The next morning, Will's dog finds Gonzalo's body in the gardens. Then Will receives a blackmail note threatening to reveal his secret unless he spies on the king. At a time of negotiations with the Pope and the Spanish, Will knows his rendezvous must remain a secret. With his access to the king, and his knowledge of politics and the secrets of the entire court, Will turns amateur sleuth to find a treacherous killer who threatens his beloved monarch. VERDICT For readers who enjoy accurate, in-depth historical details in a mystery.--Lesa Holstine

Westerson's new series introduces a reluctant detective who's no fool. Well, actually, he is a fool, the court jester for King Henry VIII, who's currently passing the year 1529 in Greenwich. In the four years Shropshire lad Will Somers has served as Henry's beloved jester, palace politics have never been more fraught than now, as Henry seeks to rid himself of Queen Catherine so he can marry Anne Boleyn. Henry's genuinely fond of Will and often listens to bits of his advice and court gossip, giving Will protection against those who might harm him. That's more people than you might think, for the future inheritance Will's been promised is not enough to gain consent from the father of Marion, the woman he loves, a courtier's bastard daughter. To make matters worse, Will also has a dangerous secret. Despite wanting to marry, he's bisexual, and a night's pleasure with Don Gonzalo, a handsome member of the Spanish delegation assigned to protect Catherine's interests, plunges him into a nightmare of suspicion, blackmail, and murder. Will and Nosewise, his newly adopted dog, work to keep Henry amused, no easy task while the king's will is thwarted. After Nosewise sniffs out Gonzalo with his throat cut, Will uses his role as the overlooked and underestimated jester to gather information. When Will himself is blackmailed, he and Marion work to unmask a killer. Familiar historical figures seen from a different viewpoint add spice to the mystery. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.