The Queen's Musician: A Novel

(Paperback)

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For fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir and Elizabeth Fremantle, an untold story about how the plot against Anne Boleyn entrapped a gifted young musician.

A glamorous queen, a volatile king, a gifted musician concealing a forbidden romance. Everyone knows Anne Boleyns story. No one knows Mark Smeatons.

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 innocentvictims of Henry VIIIs 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 Boleyns astonishing rise and fallher reign of a thousand days. History tells us little about him, other than noting his confession and execution. The Queens 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.

Reviews

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 executioners blade.BookLife

Original and worthwhile . . . A thoughtful, dramatically gripping work of historical fiction.Kirkus Reviews

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 gripping, unforgettable story of the gentle Tudor musician Mark Smeaton . . . Beautifully written and impossible to put down. I had tears in my eyes.Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award winner, author ofThe Boy in the RainandClaude & Camille

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 ofThe VowandThe 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 ones head attached to ones shoulders in the Tudor era. She knows this period and makes it live.Albert A. Bell, Jr., author of theCases from the Notebooks of Pliny the YoungerSeries mysteries

Havent we heard enough about Henry and his wives Not really! TheQueens Musiciangives us a fresh look . . . as two fascinating minor historical characters emerge onto center stage in a tragic love story.John Immerwahr, author ofAfter Monte Cristo

Author Bio

Martha Jean Johnsonis a writer of fiction and non-fiction and the author of a series of books and articles on public opinion and public policy.The Queens Musicianis her debut novel. She also reviews trends in historical fiction and discusses her own love of reading and writing in her biweekly blog,Historical Magic. She currently divides her time between writing and her work with the National Issues Forums Institute, an organization that encourages civil discourse and nonpartisan deliberation on national and local issues.

During a long public policy career, she analyzed and reported on American public thinking, working with noted social analyst and public opinion pioneer, Daniel Yankelovich. She has published articles inUSA TodayandThe Huffington Postand appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and PBS. She is the author of a series of nonfiction paperbacks on major political issues, co-authored with Scott Bittle and published by HarperCollins. She holds degrees from Mount Holyoke College, Brown University, and Simmons College. She lives in Jersey City, New Jersey