On continuing my journey into St. John’s novels:
There is a bit of a back-story I need to share ahead of the conversation I had with Ms St. John in regard to her latest release The King’s Intelligencer. In (2016) I had the pleasure of hosting Ms St. John for her blog tour featuring The Lady in Tower. Wherein I had my first introduction to both her writerly style and voice of narrative as much as it was my introduction into the Stuart era of British History.
The story is told in an journalled manner of the craft – where we are treated to a more intrapersonal experience on behalf of Lucy rather than a traditionally styled novel. With the journalled prompts serving as a bit of a chapter by chapter hinting towards the events that will soon be revealled and strengthened by a firm enlarging of it’s events – we are growing in our scope on behalf of the life Lucy St. John might have led whilst she was alive. The interesting bit is how the artifacts of her life were resurrected and read by her descendant (Elizabeth St. John) proving to provide wick for the flame as the story truly arose out of the ashes of the past.
St. John has given a layer of authenticity towards arriving in the century of her ancestor’s living age by reaffirming how her circumstances were constrained against her will but bound by duty to be upheld. Lucy St. John would be grateful to have such a resourceful writer in her ancestral line – one who could give testament to her life and provide a living legacy for all who might never have known of the life she lived.
-quoted from my review of The Lady in the Tower
I knew then, what I re-realised now – St John is writing convicting Historical Fiction rooted in the Historic Past and unearthed by Autobiographical Histories from her own family. These are living tributes to her ancestors as much as her descendants as she goes the extra mile in having all of us experience their lives as if we were right alongside them living it with them ourselves. This is where genealogical research and writing forge their own version of living history and restore it through our imaginations to have a better appreciation for not only those lives which were lived but for the hidden annals of History which might never have been brought forward in time without the pen of a writer like St John who has envisioned how these stories need to be told.
Being one-half of the Ancestry Sleuths in my family, I can attest to have riveting it is to unearth biographical information about your ancestors and how wicked it is to see how those connections can sometimes re-emerge in latter generations. History is a long threading of time and people, and it is a beautiful tapestry of lives and souls; of voices from the past who might not have a voice in the present if only for those who remember their lives or for those of us who discover them. This is one reason why I LOVE reading Historical Fiction. To tuck closer to History whilst feeling as if I’ve been giving a living impression of how those lives were once lived.
And, in step with that is The King’s Intelligencer which continues the story within The Godmother’s Secret – consider it a duology of sorts – exploring the Mythos and intrigue behind ‘the princes in the tower’ – or otherwise known as the missing princes. A story I had never heard of previously and one that I felt compelled to learn more about now through the pen and craft of St John’s novels.
Ahead of reading The King’s Intelligencer I am listening to The Godmother’s Secret on audiobook whilst I will be reading the sequel (of sorts) in print. Whilst I created an interview exploring the themes and topics that are conversational about both stories as the suspense behind the fate of the princes was something I felt was worth discussing. Thereby, for this blog tour I am bringing our conversation to the forefront and hope that it might inspire others to pick up these stories and begin their own journey into discovering ‘who were the princes’ and ‘what became of them’.
The King's Intelligencer
Subtitle: Author of the Lydiard Chronicles
by Elizabeth St. John (2024)
Source: Author via The Coffee Pot Book Club
London, 1674: When children’s bones are unexpectedly unearthed in the Tower of London, England’s most haunting mystery—the fate of the missing princes—is reignited.
Franny Apsley, trusted confidante to Charles II’s beloved niece and heir, Lady Mary Stuart, is caught up in the court’s excitement surrounding the find. Yet, as a dark family secret comes to light, Franny realises the truth behind the missing princes is far more complex—and dangerous—than anyone suspects. Recruited by her formidable cousin Nan Wilmot, Dowager Countess of Rochester, to discover the truth behind the bones, Franny is thrust into the shadowy world of intelligencers. But her quest is complicated by an attraction to the charismatic court artist Nicholas Jameson, a recent arrival from Paris who harbours secrets of his own.
Pursued by Nicholas, Franny searches for evidence hidden in secret family letters and paintings, and uncovers a startling diplomatic plot involving Lady Mary, which causes Franny to question her own judgment, threatens the throne, and sets England on a course for war. With only her courage and the guidance of an enigmatic spy within the royal household, Franny must decide how far she will go to expose the truth—and whether that truth will lead to England’s salvation or her own heartbreak.
In a glittering and debauched society where love is treacherous and loyalty masked, Franny must navigate a world where a woman’s voice is often silenced and confront the ultimate question: What is she willing to risk for the sake of her country, her happiness, and her family’s safety?A captivating historical novel of conspiracy, passion, and courage, The King’s Intelligencer is one woman's quest for a truth that could change the fate of a nation. A companion to the critically acclaimed best-selling novels The Godmother’s Secret and The Lydiard Chronicles, The King’s Intelligencer weaves together beloved characters and actual events to bring a suspenseful mystery to life.
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 979-8341165724
Published by Self Published
on 15th October, 2024
Format: Trade Paperback
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook
Converse via: #TheCoffeePotBookClub, #HistFic, #HistoricalFiction, and #ThePrincesInTheTower
About Elizabeth St. John (2024)
Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England's kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.
Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.
Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.
Elizabeth's works include The Lydiard Chronicles, a trilogy set in 17th-century England during the Civil War, and The Godmother's Secret, which unravels the medieval mystery of the missing princes in the Tower of London. Her latest release, The King’s Intelligencer, follows Franny Apsley's perilous quest to uncover the truth behind the sudden discovery of the princes' bones. In Charles II's court of intrigue and deceit, Franny must decide what she’ll risk—for England’s salvation, her family's safety, and her own happiness.
The story behind the stories you’ve written about ‘the princes in the tower’ is a new part of History for me to explore as I never heard of this tragic part of British History previously. Whilst I was getting ready to listen to your novel “The Godmother’s Secret” which is tied to “The King’s Intelligencer” I uncovered another book “The Princes in the Tower” by Philippa Langley who claims to have solved the mystery. I also noted several Historical Fiction authors have tackled this Historical Mystery as well. I read how you were first inspired to tell this story after uncovering your ancentress Elysabeth St. John. I was curious if you could speculate on how your ancestor might react knowing how far forward in time her story and the lives of the Princes themselves have taken such a stronghold of interest in our modern life?
St. John responds: Philippa’s book is excellent, and I worked with her and her team on the “Missing Princes” Project while I was writing The Godmother’s Secret and The King’s Intelligencer. She has uncovered some compelling evidence, and continues to search archives around the world for more hidden clues.
I think both Elysabeth St.John (The Godmother’s Secret) and Franny Apsley (The King’s Intelligencer) would be fascinated that the story of the missing princes continues to dominate English history. Both women were well-educated, and definitely were aware of the significance of the disappearance (or possible murder) of the young heirs to the throne. As women who were part of the court, they would have seen firsthand the dangers associated with knowledge. They may be a bit bemused by the intense discussions on social media; Elysabeth especially would be worried that perhaps the secret may eventually be broken.
I gained my love for genealogical research from my Mum – which is one reason I’ve been compelled to continue reading your stories, as I first crossed paths with your writing style when I read “The Lady in the Tower”. What is unique about your ability to root out your ancestors is finding different eras to explore. What did you enjoy about being in this particular era of British History?
St. John responds: My parents loved genealogy too – we would spent most Sundays “St.John-hunting” – clambering around ruined castles and overgrown churchyards looking for our ancestors. I grew up surrounded by history, but interestingly enough, didn’t know a great deal about the seventeenth century – my preference was more Medieval and Tudor. Now, I am delighted to spend all my time in the 1600s – it was an era of massive social change, (most revolutionary periods are) and literally moved people from magic to science. Exploration, women’s literature, medical advancements, discovering the natural world – so much changed and informs us still today. I would encourage anyone who thinks it was just the Civil War to read further!
I agree with what you said about how Historical Fiction seeks to paint the truth into fiction whilst giving readers a historically accurate story to the best of knowledge on behalf of the writer until more facts become known or proven otherwise. From the time you wrote “The Godmother’s Secret” to “The King’s Intelligencer” what if anything changed in your mind about the Princes and their fate? That you can share without spoiling the story of course. I am referring more to the research itself or your reactions to what you found rather than revealling specific details.
St. John responds: No spoiler alerts! When I first embarked on this writing journey, I did not know much about the princes, other than that which we learned in school and general knowledge. I was determined to research only contemporary sources, to get a better understanding of the timeline and politics, and to identify all those other events that were going on at the same time. I call those the “Black Hole” – a gravitational pull that we can’t see, but which can seriously impact events. The more I researched, the more I realised our knowledge of the princes was mostly hearsay, gossip, propaganda and conjunction. Every little piece of research, even that which appears tangential, all help to lead to more insights. So far, we do not know what happened to them, and we have no proof that the bones in the abbey belong to them. As for future research – I hope I’m around as more gets discovered. And it will.
I was wicked fascinated by your family’s long history of intelligencers and spies – especially as they were both male and female operatives. What do you think might have been the hardest part of their lives as they operated to serve whilst gaining intelligence in the 17th Century? What would complicate their situations and how do you think they found balance between their service and their personal lives?
St. John responds: I think the continual stress of not revealing their occupations – or being caught – was the most difficult. It certainly made for some stressful research in my Lydiard Chronicles book Written in Their Stars, where women intelligencers and spies were under constant watch. I’m not sure they ever found balance, for in those dangerous times, their was little to separate their worlds. And I believe I found plenty of evidence (mostly in excessive drinking and unpredictability) among some of the men in my family that they suffered from PTSD (which of course would never have been identified).
I felt the emotions just reading about the inspiring paths you took to research your novels and I know it has been an emotional journey for you as a writer. You’ve become the voice of the present for the lives of the past within your own family. Of all the persons you’ve brought forward and to life in your novels – in particular of these two novels, which person did you enjoy bringing back to life? Who stood out to you the most in other words and gave you a lot of joy to write about?
St. John responds: That’s a great question. I can’t choose a favourite child, but I loved giving Elysabeth a voice and agency in The Godmother’s Secret, because Medieval Woman were so silenced by society. And I thoroughly enjoyed all the antics in the Restoration Court with Franny Apsley – I intentionally wanted to write of the frivolous and fun-loving court – but also the poignancy of the emotions, too. Franny was a perfect woman to tell us of both sides.
How did you find the links to the past outside of the historical records themselves? As you mentioned there were clues in both paintings and monuments left behind as much as the diaries and public records. How did your path in research take you beyond the words and take you closer to objects and items that are readily seen by others but of whom might not have realised the truths they hid in secret?
St. John responds: I think this is where fact and fiction converge in my story. The paintings, monuments, books and portraits all exist. Some of them contain curious names and clues that don’t have a reason today for being there. Others have symbols that tell of great wealth gained, or a position in society. Messaging that would have been obvious in those days, but has to be interpreted today by specialists. I’ve been very fortunate to use the resources within The Lydiard Archives, and the transcriptions and interpretations by historians over the centuries to inform my writing.
For someone new to reading about the Stuart era in British History, what would they need to understand about the political climate and the state of the country during the times in which your stories are set?
St. John responds: First and foremost, my stories are about people. Like us, they lived, loved, wept, laughed and did all the things we do. I make them relevant to their times, so war, politics, births and deaths, marriages and affairs are all happening around them and to them. And then I weave them into the social environment, so what is history to us is current to them. I hope it’s a great way to discover new eras, and approach it from a perspective that’s fresh and relevant to the plot and the characters. So no, I think you could approach my novels with a very minimal understanding of the time and may end up wanting to learn more!
Are you planning a third novel set during this tumultuous time or are you planning to leave “The Godmother’s Secret” and “The King’s Intelligencer” as a sort of duology where both are bookended into each other and give the reader the best perspective on what History can reveal about the two missing princes? And what influences your choice?
St. John responds: I think the story begins and ends with these two novels. But that’s not to say you won’t meet the people again. There are so many stories within the family that it is quite exciting to think of some of the characters re-appearing in different roles. That definitely happened with The King’s Intelligencer – it features people from The Lydiard Chronicles, and explores The Godmother’s Secret. I’ve probably done my bit on the missing princes, now, though.
Can you share a favourite quotation from “The King’s Intelligencer” and explain why it stood out to you?
St. John responds: There is a moment early on in the novel, when Franny is standing watching the bones being excavated:
Franny stared at the pitiful remains, stared until the chatter and giggles of the courtiers faded and rubble and bones filled her world. A miasma of sorrow rose from the cold ground, settled in her chest. Almost two centuries lost, poor little Prince Edward and Prince Richard. Now this was their final unhallowed resting place. She must entreat St. Gertrude to release them from purgatory. No longer would the boys haunt the Bloody Tower. Ned and Dickon would finally be laid to rest.
At this moment we believe whole heartedly along with Franny that the missing princes have been discovered, that the bones are theirs, that they can now be laid to rest. But this also marks a pivotal scene, where Franny can look back and realise that The Godmother’s Secret became her secret. For me, writing as I did “in the moment”, this is when the book takes off.
As you visited places in real life as you researched “The King’s Intelligencer” which physical place made the most profound impression on you and why?
St. John responds: I always love our ancestral home of Lydiard Park, and the “Great Painting” is just as a I describe it, standing within St. Mary’s Church just a few yards from the house. I have been spending my time sitting quietly with it and the surrounding tombs for fifty years. The atmosphere is tangible, and the artwork is beautiful. The light from the painted windows shines jewelled colours upon the flagstones, and I know that the people in my novels saw just what I see now almost five hundred years later. That’s quite profound.
I would like to extend a note of gratitude to Ms St. John for conversing with me about her novels and for giving us such a wicked good conversation!! I loved how she tucked into my questions and gave us a lot to contemplate – these are the kinds of moments I love sharing with my readers, visitors and followers alike as I hope they offer a bit of inspiration to others. To seek out new routes into literature or to understand the writer’s journey into creating their story (or stories).
This conversation deepened my curiosity about the ‘princes in the tower’ as much as it encouraged me as I chase after my own ancestors and hope each time I dive into archives and records, I too, might find connecting threads to my own ancestral past to a bit of the extent St. John has done herself. I’m not sure I can uncover as much as she has in details and written legacies, but she is definitely an inspiration to us all to never give up the search and to hope that time and history can reconcile through the different centuries for each of us who try to break through those boundaries and better understand the past within the present.
As I am still in the process of listening to The Godmother’s Secret, my review of The King’s Intelligencer is forthcoming during November. I suspect I shall have a heap to say about both stories and especially how both novels interconnect the events and topics explored in reference to the princes themselves. I look forward to bringing those reviews to Jorie Loves A Story and to continue this discussion after both books have been read.
The Virtual Road Map
for “The King’s Intelligencer” can be found here:
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NOTE: Similar to blog tours wherein I feature book reviews, book spotlights (with or without extracts), book announcements (or Cover Reveals) – I may elect to feature an author, editor, narrator, publisher or other creative person connected to the book, audiobook, Indie film project or otherwise creative publishing medium being featured wherein the supplemental content on my blog is never compensated monetarily nor am I ever obligated to feature this kind of content. I provide (98.5%) of all questions and guest topics regularly featured on Jorie Loves A Story. I receive direct responses back to those enquiries by publicists, literary agents, authors, blog tour companies, etc of whom I am working with to bring these supplemental features and showcases to my blog. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them: I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers. Whenever there is a conflict of connection, I do disclose those connections per post and disclose the connection as it applies.
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2024.
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Thank you so much for hosting Elizabeth St.John today, Jorie. What a fabulous chat!
Enjoy listening to and reading those two amazing novels!
Take care,
Cathie xo
The Coffee Pot Book Club