Lovers of historical fiction never seem to tire of reading about the Tudors, and this new take on a jester detective gives you a whole new perspective of that turbulent court. Will is the only man who—as the king’s entertainer, chief gossip-monger, spy and loyal adviser—knows all of the king’s secrets…and almost everyone else’s within the walls of the king’s palaces.
A Note from the Author: ‘I was thinking about a series with Will Somers for a long time. And because he is the real court jester to Henry VIII…and Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I…he seemed pretty special to me. I felt he would naturally require a special kind of series. You might have noticed if you’ve read any of my other books, that I am character-driven, fascinated by recreating lives long past, and creating lives for fictional people. I therefore put characters first…sometimes at the expense of the mystery. This is intentional. It’s the what if of a murder mystery. What would YOU do in a similar situation? How will that impact and just generally upset your life? My characters live that. So, though the mystery isn’t an intricate Agatha Christie-type puzzle, it gets in the way of their living their lives and so it must be solved as they continue to try to soldier on around the weave of the mystery. There’s also a lot of humor in a book about a jester. There had to be! But there’s also a lot of heart, too. So read, laugh, enjoy… repeat!’
“COURTING DRAGONS is the first in a new series narrated by Will himself, a sprightly figure with a well-cultivated flair for gossip and a vigorously pansexual appetite. It’s this latter that embroils him in the murder of a Spanish diplomat and a murky blackmail scheme, as well as a possible plot to kidnap Princess Mary. ‘The court was full of dragons,’ Will observes. ‘Which dragons must I slay to protect Henry? And which to protect myself?’ – Alida Becker, New York Times Book Review
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“Jeri Westerson is at the top of her game with Courting Dragons, which brings the long-ago past to roaring life. As for Will Somers, the wise, witty and sexually adventurous court jester she has enlisted as her hero, he’s both an ideal guide to the tangled history of the Tudors and the kind of sleuth a reader will follow anywhere.” – Louis Bayard, bestselling author of THE PALE BLUE EYE, now a Netflix film
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“The Tudor court as seen through the eyes of wily Will Somers, Henry VIII’s jester, comes to vivid life in this sparkling mystery. Will is a wry voice in a dangerous world. The twists and turns of fate as he navigates the treachery keep you turning the pages late into the night.” – C. W. Gortner, bestselling author of THE TUDOR SECRET
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“Westerson’s new series introduces a reluctant detective who’s no fool…Familiar historical figures seen from a different viewpoint add spice to the mystery.” – Kirkus Reviews
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“This impressive series launch from Westerson introduces an unusual lead, Will Somers, Henry VIII’s actual court jester…Somers proves an able sleuth, and Westerson does a fine job evoking the period’s political intrigue.” – Publishers Weekly
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“A superb fictional tapestry of court life under one of England’s most charismatic monarchs, superbly plotted with lots of twists and turns, sparkling dialogue and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters, Courting Dragons is a fascinating piece of historical fiction and a highly entertaining whodunit. I simply can’t wait for the next installment!” – Goodreads
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On THE TWILIGHT QUEEN:
“Historical details mixed with a puzzling mystery make for a fine read.” – KIRKUS REVIEW
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“Westerson’s second King’s Fool mystery vividly evokes the bawdy, lusty, turbulent, highly politicized, favor-currying atmosphere of King Henry’s court, and her vibrant characters, coupled with unexpected twists and a surprising conclusion, make this an entertaining read.” – BOOKLIST
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“I loved the details of the food, the clothes, the way people lived in the palace, even the description of the man in the stables who makes the saddles. I really loved Will himself and loved Westerson’s imagining of him, and I appreciated the way she was able to further illuminate Tudor court life through her clever story. If you are a fan of the Tudors, don’t miss this read.” –GOODREADS REVIEWER
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“With an artful mix of historical details and fiction, author Jeri Westerson engages readers in a mystery of twists and turns, riddles, bawdy humor, and clandestine trysts, featuring a richly developed main character whose observations on court life had me laughing out loud by page three. A thoroughly enjoyable read with a final surprise.” – HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY REVIEWS
“A compelling series of puzzles set against the glories and dangers of the Tudor court.” – KIRKUS REVIEW
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“Entertaining, bawdy, tense Tudor mystery with vivid characters, unexpected twists, and realistic details of court politics and intrigues during Henry VIII’s reign.” – BOOKLIST
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“Fans of mysteries set during the Tudor era will appreciate the historical details that are skillfully woven into Westerson’s gripping story.” –LIBRARY JOURNAL
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On DEVIL’S GAMBIT:
The historical detail is well researched and I like seeing the machinations and intrigue through the keen eyes of a trusted and faithful court jester. –NETGALLEY REVIEWER
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The bizarre plot twist involving a disappearing and reappearing body provides some genuine laughs and keeps things moving at a good clip. –NETGALLEY
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The mystery is nicely plotted, and the ending is surprising but believable. If you like Tudor history mixed with a satisfying crime, this is a highly recommended read! –NETGALLEY BLOGGER
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A suspense-filled story set in Henry’s court. I was intrigued by the plot and the devious nature of the characters. A book full of secrets and humour. An extremely enjoyable read. –EDUCATOR (NETGALLEY)
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A very enjoyable story, and Will Sommers is a thoroughly heartwarming and pleasant character, making for a very warm and fuzzy read at times. A very pleasant change from the hard-bitten, cynical and generally unlikeable characters that seem to populate most current literature. –REVIEWER (NETGALLEY)
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You will never be bored by reading a Will Somers story. Will triumphs in this thrilling (and randy) romp through the Tudor court, filled with the larger-than-life personalities of the time, from a very unhappy Henry down to scandalous court ladies and courtiers, all brought to life in the author’s capable hands. Entertaining from start to finish, “The Devil’s Gambit” is another first-rate entry in a delightful history mystery series. –REVIEWER (NETGALLEY)
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Welcome to the Zazzle King’s Fool Store!
Click on the jester hat below to take you to it. In order to actually get to the page, you must either sign in first, or create an account on Zazzle.com or you will get an page error message. Only two products so far; the t-shirt and the mug.
