The Queen’s Musician by Martha Jean Johnson
Releasing May 27, 2025
Rating: Really Liked

If you love historical fiction from a new perspective, The Queen’s Musician is probably for you! You’ve likely heard of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII if you’re European or American, but how much do you know other than the headline that he had her beheaded when she didn’t have a son?

The Queen’s Musician gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the court from two perspectives: Mark Smeaton, a musical prodigy who escaped poverty when a powerful Cardinal heard him perform at church; and Madge Shelton, Anne Boleyn’s cousin and one of her ladies-in-waiting. Mark was a musician for the royals and often performed for the Queen, becoming very successful but trying to stay out of the politics and conflicts and just play his music. Madge is highborn and would never be allowed anywhere near Mark. So they admire each other from afar…

What an interesting perspective on the inner workings of Henry VIII’s court, the estate where Anne Boleyn spent much time as Queen, and we see the politics, the corruption, and the power as seen by two semi-insiders in their 20s. Some of it was quite eerie—seeing people demonized or even killed for disagreeing with the King, innocent people railroaded and killed without any fairness or legitimate checks on power—especially as we see some similarities with what’s going on in the world these days.

The author notes that almost nothing is known about Mark and Madge, only that they were two young, potentially attractive people who would have spent time on this estate together in their respective roles. She imagines what their story might have been while piecing together the accounts and historical notes on others in the court, the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn and her family, and the events that led to Mark’s execution and the downfall. I don’t read a ton of historical fiction but really enjoyed The Queen’s Musician!  

Thank you to Book Sparks for the advance copy and for having me in the Summer Reading Challenge program! All thoughts and opinions are mine. 

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