My biggest regret in reading Oliver Clements’ The Queen’s Men is that I didn’t read The Eyes of the Queen first. It’s really only a minor regret though. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a historical mystery that began with so much action-packed suspense and ended with so much tension. I knew when Queen Elizabeth I died, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t on pins and needles waiting to see what happened.
Because Queen Elizabeth is sick, she elects to return to London, but when her entourage reaches Waltham Forest, a dozen gunmen suddenly appear, shooting into her carriage. Her spymaster, Master Francis Walsingham, sets out to find the perpetrator. Although he has a web of spies throughout England, none of them had learned of any attempt on the Queen’s life. But, he knows how close the assassins came, and he’s determined to find them.
While Walsingham and other members of the Queen’s Privy Council search for answers, and ways to keep her safe, Queen Elizabeth has had dreams of fire. She turns to a friend, scientist, philosopher, and one of Walsingham’s spies, the original 007, John Dee. She wants him to find the formula to create Greek fire so she can use it against her enemies in Spain. But, Dee has a few problems along the way. He even blows a hole in the Tower of London with his experiments.
The Queen’s Men is filled with plots and secrets. While Walsingham searches for the men who tried to kill the Queen, one of her ladies-in-waiting, Jane Frummond, is observant and curious enough to search for clues about the attack. She works with John Dee, is part of one of Walsingham’s schemes to protect the Queen, and, in the climatic scene,celebrating the Queen’s birthday, is as determined to save Queen Elizabeth as any of Walsingham’s spies.
Clements’ second book in his “Agents of the Crown” begins with a riveting scene, and ends in a tense climatic event. Despite the fact that there were multiple viewpoints, the narration was smooth, and it was appropriate with all the people involved in the action. As one of those readers fascinated by history, I went down multiple rabbit holes looking up John Dee, Jane Frummond, Francis Walsingham, even articles about the original 007. Clements brings historical personages to life while making even his imaginary episodes realistic. The Queen’s Men was so good, I’m eager to read the next book. I imagine we’re heading toward the Spanish Armada with John Dee.
The Queen’s Men by Oliver Clements. Atria, 2021. ISBN 9781501154751 (hardcover), 416p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley to review for a journal.
I love historical mysteries especially those set in England!
I loved this one, Maureen, but I wish I’d read The Eyes of the Queen first. And, I’m reading a terrific historical mystery that kicks off a new series, 1900, Victorian England for this one. It’s not released until February, but you might want to watch for Four Thousand Days by M.J. Trow.
A few years ago, I saved up points for a large hardback on her and it is still sitting on the shelf. I had no idea before this year how many books I had accumulatted. Reading my way through them and some are wonderful surprises.
That’s fabulous, Carolee! It’s so good to find some wonderful surprises among books.
Ah yes. That would make a difference.
My response to your comment on mine went to the wrong slot. Sorry about that!
Don’t worry about it, Maureen. That happens.
I read The Eyes of the Queen a few months ago, undoubtedly after you announced this one as a new book. Very interesting and I thought a unique style. Looking forward to more in the series.
I am, too, MM. I like the style, and the suspense in a historical mystery.
Your review does make this sound good! I just picked up (library) Veil of Lies, Jeri Westerson’s first that you just reviewed. Now this. Are you trying to make historical mystery readers of us?
On page 168 of Christmas By the Book. Still waiting for the happy part. 😟
That should have been the first in the series of which you reviewed the latest and last…
The happy part arrives late in that book, but I promise it does, Rick!
I picked up Mel Brooks’ memoir, All About Me! today. That’s a departure for me. Not a mystery!
I like historical mysteries, but, if you’ve noticed, my setting is pretty much England, although I’ve read a few set elsewhere. Although, I guess you’d say India under the Empire was English, too.
I like historical mysteries too. Unbelievably, I have “saved” the final Cadfael to read someday. I should do that soon.
Rick, the final Cadfael is amazing. You should move it to the top of your stack!
Thank you for suggesting to read Eyes of the Queen first. I’m looking forward to reading it tonight and hopefully The Queen’s Men in a few days (Edelweiss). They sound right up my alley.
You’re welcome, Vickie. I loved The Queen’s Men. I hope you enjoy both of them!