Praise for
The Queen’s Musician
“Original and worthwhile . . . A thoughtful, dramatically gripping work of historical fiction.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“Superb writing and soulful characterization . . . The Queen’s Musician offers a gripping tale for Tudor fans and newcomers alike.”
– Open Letters 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.”
– BookLIfe Reviews
“We know how it all 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.”
– Historical Novel Review
“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 Readers’ Favorite
“The background research necessary to weave together fact and fiction has been extremely well done . . . The scene-setting was excellent.”
- Five Stars from Whispering Stories
“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.”
- BookLife Reviews
“The characters are vibrant and deeply human . . . Johnson excels at making readers care about them, drawing us into a world where we already know the outcome, but nonetheless making us hope for a minute before slowly shattering our hearts.”
- Five Stars from Her Grace’s Library
“Usually, tales are told from Anne’s perspective, or even from Henry VIII[‘s}, but here we get a true view of the matters at court . . . The story soars in representing the emotions and foibles of the royals from the outside, building suspense towards the inevitable betrayal and fall.”
- Readers Lane
“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
"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
"A brilliant book which captures the uncertainty and fear of the late 1520s and 1530s . . . an emotional story told very skillfully."
- Helene Harrison, author of Elizabethan Rebellions and Tudor Executions
“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 Cases from the Notebooks of Pliny the Younger
“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