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Published by SparkPress
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
For fans of Philippa Gregor, Alison Weir and Elizabeth Fremantle, an untold story about how the plot against Anne Boleyn entrapped a gifted young musician.
A glamorous queen, a volatile king, a gifted musician concealing a forbidden romance. Everyone knows Anne Boleyn’s story. No one knows Mark Smeaton’s.
On May 17, 1536, a young court musician was executed, accused of adultery and treason with the queen. Most historians believe both he and Anne Boleyn were innocent—victims of Henry VIII’s rage.
Mark Smeaton was a talented performer who rose from poverty to become a royal favorite. He played for the king in private and entertained at sumptuous feasts. He witnessed Anne Boleyn’s astonishing rise and fall—her reign of a thousand days. History tells us little about him, other than noting his confession and execution. The Queen’s Musician imagines his story, as seen from his perspective and that of the young woman who loves him. It all takes place amid the spectacle and danger of the Tudor court.
A glamorous queen, a volatile king, a gifted musician concealing a forbidden romance. Everyone knows Anne Boleyn’s story. No one knows Mark Smeaton’s.
On May 17, 1536, a young court musician was executed, accused of adultery and treason with the queen. Most historians believe both he and Anne Boleyn were innocent—victims of Henry VIII’s rage.
Mark Smeaton was a talented performer who rose from poverty to become a royal favorite. He played for the king in private and entertained at sumptuous feasts. He witnessed Anne Boleyn’s astonishing rise and fall—her reign of a thousand days. History tells us little about him, other than noting his confession and execution. The Queen’s Musician imagines his story, as seen from his perspective and that of the young woman who loves him. It all takes place amid the spectacle and danger of the Tudor court.
Product Details
- Publisher: SparkPress (May 27, 2025)
- Length: 256 pages
- ISBN13: 9781684633111
Raves and Reviews
“Original and worthwhile . . . A thoughtful, dramatically gripping work of historical fiction.”—Kirkus Reviews
“In one of the most savage moments in history . . . a heartfelt and thoughtful tale of the fragility of love. Very highly recommended.”—Readers’ Favorite, FIVE STARS
“A gripping, unforgettable story of the gentle Tudor musician Mark Smeaton . . . Beautifully written and impossible to put down. I had tears in my eyes.” —Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award winner, author of The Boy in the Rain and Claude & Camille
“With lyrical yet unadorned prose, Johnson interweaves the voices of Mark Smeaton and Madge Shelton, pulling you in till the final moment. A poignant read.”—Jude Berman, author of The Vow and The Die
“In this compelling novel, Johnson has used Mark Smeaton, a musician in the court of Henry VIII, to show readers how difficult it was to keep one’s head attached to one’s shoulders in the Tudor era. She knows this period and makes it live.”—Albert A. Bell, Jr., author of the Cases from the Notebooks of Pliny the Younger Series mysteries
“Haven’t we heard enough about Henry and his wives? Not really! The Queen’s Musician gives us a fresh look . . . as two fascinating minor historical characters emerge onto center stage in a tragic love story.”—John Immerwahr, author of After Monte Cristo
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