Today Is Pub Day—The Queen’s Musician Is Out in the World

Coming next week to Historical Magic, a smitten King John . . . yes, that King John

I’ve spent decades writing about public opinion and politics, resulting in four nonfiction books and countless reports, articles, and commentaries. But today, May 27, is my fiction debut. The Queen’s Musician is now available. My heartfelt thanks to all of you who’ve cheered me on and shown an interest in both my project and its subject, the Tudor musician Mark Smeaton.

For centuries, fiction and nonfiction writers alike have chronicled Anne Boleyn’s rise to power and her brief reign of a thousand days. Her story is both poignant and confounding. I share the fascination. Henry VIII risked his kingdom to marry her, but decided to move on when she “failed” to give him a son. To oust her, he agreed to the judicial murder of six people—his wife and five men accused of being her lovers. Mark Smeaton was one of the condemned, the youngest and the only commoner.

The injustice that ended his life has haunted me since I first learned about it. This is why I wrote the novel. To my knowledge, it is the only account of these cruel events told from Mark Smeaton’s point of view. I’d like to share a quote from a BookLife review: “Little is known about Mark Smeaton beyond his tragic fate. Yet Johnson imbues him with depth and dignity, transforming a historical footnote into a fully realized character whose story lingers long after the final page.”

Next week, I’ll be discussing Behold the Bird in Flight by Terri Lewis. This new historical fiction pulled me into the age of the Magna Carta and England’s infamous King John. It’s not a period I’m deeply familiar with, and the love triangle includes the notorious monarch himself. How could I resist? Read more about this engrossing, richly imagined tale in my next post.

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THE QUEEN’S MUSICIAN IS NOW AVAILABLE.

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.

Kirkus Reviews

“Original and worthwhile . . . A thoughtful, dramatically gripping work of historical fiction.”

Historical Novel Society

“We know how it ends, but the journey is hopeful, bittersweet, and utterly heartbreaking. Highly recommended for anyone who loves Tudor history or anyone who, like me, enjoys being completely destroyed by a story.”

Open Letters Review

"Superb writing and soulful characterization . . . The Queen’s Musician offers a gripping tale for Tudor fans and newcomers alike."

Five Stars from Readers’ Favorite

“In one of the most savage moments in history . . . a heartfelt and thoughtful tale of the fragility of love. Very highly recommended.”

Five Stars from Whispering Stories

“The background research necessary to weave together fact and fiction has been extremely well done . . . The scene-setting was excellent.”

BookLife

“Johnson brings the Tudor court to life with lavish feasts, chivalric traditions, resplendent music, and exquisite royal fashion, making the world feel both authentic and immersive. But behind the glamour is an unsettling truth: even the most beautiful melodies could not drown out the sound of the executioner’s blade.”

Helene Harrison, Tudor Blogger

“A brilliant book which captures the uncertainty and fear of the late 1520s and 1530s . . . an emotional story told very skillfully.”

Stephanie Cowell, author of The Boy in the Rain and Claude & Camille

“In the terrifying free fall of Queen Anne Boleyn . . . innocent men will be condemned. . . . Beautifully written and impossible to put down. I had tears in my eyes.”

Claire Ridgway, author of The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown

"A captivating and deeply moving retelling of Anne Boleyn’s dramatic fall . . . This beautifully written novel brings history to life with such emotional depth that it brought me to tears."

JERSEY CITY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS:

You can pick up a copy of The Queen’s Musician at our beautiful local bookstore, WORD at Hamilton Park. And we’ll talking about the novel and all things Tudor come August 16. Please join us if you can.