Review: Rebellious Grace by Jeri Westerson

Rebellious Grace (A King's Fool Mystery, #3)

by Jeri Westerson

Release Date: January 7, 2025

2025 Severn House

Ebook ARC; 224 Pages

ISBN: 978-1448314751

ASIN: B0D9M93LWY

Genre: Fiction / Historical / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3. 75 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

1536, London. The gruesome murder of a servant in the king's palace, his throat savagely cut, has brought fear to the court of Henry VIII. When the man's body is then dug up from the churchyard and disembowelled two weeks later, Will Somers, the king's jester, is horrified. What terrible mischief is now afoot under the king's roof?

With Henry VIII distracted by The Pilgrimage of Grace, the religious revolt led by Robert Aske in protest at the king turning his back on the Catholic faith, Will becomes reluctant inquisitor once again. As he attempts to unmask a murderous knave, Will uncovers a chilling link between one of Queen Jane Seymour's precious jewels, the rebellion and the dead man. Is a shocking act of treachery behind a grotesque killing?

 

My Thoughts 

Rebellious Grace is the third entry in A King's Fool Mystery series, a mystery series that revolves around the little-known life of the king's fool, Will Somers.  I enjoy how the author fleshes out the character to fit into King Henry VIII's world, and as someone who had entry into the king's personal chambers, gives the reader insight into how the world worked during this tumultuous time period. 

 

Will himself is an interesting character and I enjoy the precariousness of his position as he balances keeping the court entertained with the seriousness of some of his jests, jests thrown to enlighten people as to what is actually happening and to give warnings. The relationship between Will and another member of the court ramps up, and Will struggles between being faithful to his wife and his longings and desires.  I liked the high emphasis on the relationship between Will and his wife, and the difficulties they have trying to navigate court life as well as their personal relationship. Because I am so familiar with the time period, I had no problem distinguishing between real historical figures and imagined ones, and I like how the author incorporates what is known about their lives into the story. It does make for fascinating reading and I was impressed with the historical detail and amount of research that is included in such a short book.

 

The plot itself focused on the Pilgrimage of Grace, led by Robert Aske, an event that took place over Christmas 1536, in the aftermath of Anne Boleyn's execution. With the intention of reconciling the Catholic Church, the members are convinced they are acting in both the king's and God's interests, but King Henry struggles with what to do as to question the Church is to question him.  And while the events of the Pilgrimage played more of a background role, it did have a profound effect on the mystery and who was involved in the actual murder Will was investigating.  Because this was set during the Christmas season, this allowed the author to portray the characters within many festive moments and includes a lot of great descriptions of what court life was like during this time period.  Will's task to solve the murder was made especially difficult as there were so many additional people at court. But he was one of the few people who could enter pretty much any room in the palace, and investigate quietly, putting himself at risk.

 

Verdict

Rebellious Grace had a believable mystery at its core, reflecting the trauma the execution of Anne Boleyn had on the court as well as the Pilgrimage of Grace. Because of these events, members of the court were trying to figure out the new shift in power and new alliances so I really enjoyed the underlying tension that lay beneath the entire book.  The character of Will Somers gives the reader a perspective that is quite fascinating; one as an observer who attends all the events, but will never be allowed to participate, and the other, as an outsider who sees all and knows quite a bit. And although the mystery never plays the central role in the story, it does rear its ugly head through Will's investigations as well as through his relationships with others in the court.