mystery | Book Girl & Little Bear

Courting Dragons: A King’s Fool Mystery by Jeri Westerson

This historical mystery is set in Greenwich, London, at the court of King Henry VIII, in 1529. Yes, that Renaissance King Henry. Court Jester Will Somers is in his mid-20’s and has challenging work, entertaining the King and his court, tumbling, making music, sharing gossip, teasing the nobility, and also being a good confidant for the young king, who he calls Harry or Uncle. Will was a real person, and was a jester for King Henry and even young Queen Elizabeth, and had his portrait painted at least twice. This is the first book in a planned series.

Many of the book’s characters are fictions, including Lady Marion, an embroideress who Will loves. Will also likes men, dallying with a servant and a visiting Spaniard. This secret is dangerous, and he could be blackmailed. As this is a mystery, Will also turns sleuth, when one man is killed, someone else is attacked, and Marion is almost killed. Was Marion the target, or was it one of Anne Boleyn’s ladies in waiting. Anne is not yet queen, as Henry is still married to Catherine of Aragorn, his first wife. The colorful daily life of Henry’s court comes to life, especially as a fool can go almost anywhere. This mystery really kept my interest, and I look forward to reading a sequel.

Readalikes include Thirteenth Night by Alan Gordon, the first of six Fool’s Guild mysteries and A Play of Isaac by Margaret Frazer, the first of seven mysteries featuring Joliffe.

Not the Ones Dead by Kate Shugak

It’s great to see Kate Shugak, Alaskan P.I., back in fine form, along with her sidekick Mutt, half-husky and half-wolf, in this thrilling mystery. A Cold Day for Murder is Kate’s first appearance, while my favorite is the very funny Breakup. I also enjoy Stabenow’s Eye of Isis Egyptian mystery series, beginning with Death of an Eye.

Bobby Clark, a black Vietnam vet who runs the area’s unlicensed radio station, is run off the road near Kate’s homestead. In town, Inuit Kate is shopping with partner and fromer trooper Jim Chopin, when she is snubbed by a guy in camouflage.

A large isolated lodge has a new, unknown, owner and hikers on public trails nearby have been threatened. After a midair collision leaves 9 people dead, Kate is asked to investigate by the children of one of the pilots. There was drone activity in the area, and young reporter Van gets an anonymous email claiming there was a 10^th body.

Set in mid to late 2022, the Niniltna Aunties may be looking to add to their group. Bernie’s Roadhouse, where the Aunties quilting group meets, has a serious problem. I won’t say much about the plot, to avoid spoilers. I was intrigued by the author’s note, which gives the inspiration for much of the plot. Welcome back, Kate, Mutt and Jim!

Brenda