The Queen’s Musician
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“Original and worthwhile . . . A thoughtful, dramatically gripping work of historical fiction.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“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.”
— BookLIfe
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.
Published by SparkPress. Distributed by Simon & Schuster. Pre-order now at major booksellers. Available May 27, 2025
More Reviews and Comments
“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.”
— Stephanie Cowell. American Book Award winner, author of The Boy in the Rain and Claude & Camille
“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 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."
—Claire Ridgway, author of The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown
“The background research necessary to weave together fact and fiction has been extremely well done . . . The scene-setting was excellent.”
—Whispering Stories FIVE STARS
“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 mysteries
“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
“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
Flash Fiction—
Brilliance & Mediocrity
To most people, Jack is a brilliant composer and conductor, a winner of prestigious awards. But to his wife, he is a liar and a loser. Which of them will survive?