For more than five hundred years, the mystery of the lost princes in the Tower of London has garnered intense speculation and curiosity. Theories abound as to the true fate of the two young boys—one of whom was the heir to the crown of England—who vanished from the tower in the 15th century.
The discovery of children’s bones in the tower during the 17th century was proof to many people that the young royals must have been murdered by their uncle Richard III to clear the way for his own ascent to the throne. But in the intervening years, research has revealed that the boys may have escaped to foreign shores and lived in secrecy, perhaps plotting their eventual return to England.
Elizabeth St.John’s thrilling new historical mystery, The King’s Intelligencer, takes us back to the moment the children’s bones were unearthed at the Tower of London. The stunning discovery happened during the tumultuous 17th-century reign of King Charles II, after Civil War tore England apart and religious and political tensions were at a fever pitch.
The heroine of The King’s Intelligencer, Franny Apsley, is a courtier whose family stands to lose everything if the shocking secret behind these mysterious bones is revealed. Elizabeth St.John, a descendent of the family with access to historical records and diaries that provide endless inspiration for her fiction, has crafted a high-stakes, beautifully written story about Franny’s quest to reveal the truth about the bones while keeping her family’s reputation—and fortune—intact.
Read on for a fascinating interview with the author.
London, 1674: When children’s bones are unexpectedly unearthed in the Tower of London, England’s most haunting mystery—the fate of the missing princes—is reignited.
Franny Apsley, trusted confidante to Charles II’s beloved niece and heir, Lady Mary Stuart, is caught up in the court’s excitement surrounding the find. Yet, as a dark family secret comes to light, Franny realises the truth behind the missing princes is far more complex—and dangerous—than anyone suspects. Recruited by her formidable cousin Nan Wilmot, Dowager Countess of Rochester, to discover the truth behind the bones, Franny is thrust into the shadowy world of intelligencers. But her quest is complicated by an attraction to the charismatic court artist Nicholas Jameson, a recent arrival from Paris who harbours secrets of his own.
Pursued by Nicholas, Franny searches for evidence hidden in secret family letters and paintings, and uncovers a startling diplomatic plot involving Lady Mary, which causes Franny to question her own judgment, threatens the throne, and sets England on a course for war. With only her courage and the guidance of an enigmatic spy within the royal household, Franny must decide how far she will go to expose the truth—and whether that truth will lead to England’s salvation or her own heartbreak.
In a glittering and debauched society where love is treacherous and loyalty masked, Franny must navigate a world where a woman’s voice is often silenced and confront the ultimate question: What is she willing to risk for the sake of her country, her happiness, and her family’s safety?
A captivating historical novel of conspiracy, passion, and courage, The King’s Intelligencer is one woman’s quest for a truth that could change the fate of a nation. A companion to the critically acclaimed best-selling novels The Godmother’s Secret and The Lydiard Chronicles, The King’s Intelligencer weaves together beloved characters and actual events to bring a suspenseful mystery to life.
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What inspired you to write about that particular era or character?
I’ve always felt a deep connection to the 17th century, particularly because I’m writing about my own ancestors. Discovering how my family navigated the political and social intrigue of the time is both a privilege and a responsibility. Their lives intertwined with English royalty, they fought on opposing sides during the Civil War, and the decisions they made shaped history in ways I never imagined. I feel inspired to give them a voice and tell their stories from a more personal perspective.
How did you create a realistic setting for your story?
I’m fortunate to have access to family archives, letters, and documents that provide intimate details of the settings my ancestors lived in. I also spend time visiting the actual places they inhabited—such as Lydiard Park and the Tower of London. Immersing myself in these locations, walking in their footsteps, allows me to breathe life into my stories with authentic details.
Memorial urn to Edward V and Richard III, Westminster Abbey
What surprised you in the course of your research?
One of the biggest surprises was discovering just how involved my family were in secret intelligence work for King Charles II and James, Duke of York. It’s fascinating to think that they played a role in espionage and were close to such pivotal events in English history. Another surprise was uncovering the level of power and influence women in my family wielded behind the scenes, despite the restrictions placed on them by society.
Do your research findings guide the plot, or do you plan out the plot first and flesh it out with research? (Or perhaps both?)
It’s a bit of both. I develop a broad outline of the plot based on key historical events, but as I dive deeper into the research, I find details that reshape the story or add subplots. For example, in each of my books, discovering a letter, a diary entry and a bequest in a will has revealed a family secret that adds new dimensions to the characters. The research is the foundation, but it’s also the spark that ignites new ideas.
The Great Painting, Lydiard Park, courtesy Friends of Lydiard Park
Name three historical facts or events that helped bring your main character to life.
Do you completely plan out your cast of characters before writing, or do you sometimes add new characters as you go along? What are some reasons you’ve added new characters to a story?
I start with a cast of key characters based on historical figures, but new ones often emerge as the story unfolds. For instance, while researching, I might come across a minor character in a letter or document who had an unexpected role in events, and they suddenly demand a place in the narrative. Some characters are added to provide a different perspective on the historical events or to bring out qualities in the main character that weren’t apparent at first.
Do you have any tips for other writers about keeping track of your historical fiction research?
I use a combination of digital tools and good old-fashioned notebooks. I always keep a timeline of events and key dates handy. I also try to maintain a detailed character map, so I can track relationships and historical interactions. And lots of whiteboarding and doodling, to let the creative elements loose! It’s essential to stay organized because one small detail can dramatically affect the accuracy of the entire story.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with background music? If music, what kind and why?
When I’m outlining or brainstorming, I like to listen to classical music, particularly Baroque or Renaissance pieces. It helps me get into the mindset of the era I’m writing about. If I’m editing, usually rock, country or blues, something with a great beat that keeps me focused.
What do you have planned for your next writing project?
At this point, after three intense years with this novel, I can just about manage a Costco shopping list! Seriously, I have some ideas bubbling…maybe even in the realm of exploring a book of seventeenth century medical remedies and curatives, created by a very gifted woman in our family. Would she have been branded a witch? Possibly, if she wasn’t the lady of the manor.
Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England’s kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.
Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.
Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.
Elizabeth’s works include The Lydiard Chronicles, a trilogy set in 17th-century England during the Civil War, and The Godmother’s Secret, which unravels the medieval mystery of the missing princes in the Tower of London. Her latest release, The King’s Intelligencer, follows Franny Apsley’s perilous quest to uncover the truth behind the sudden discovery of the princes’ bones. In Charles II’s court of intrigue and deceit, Franny must decide what she’ll risk—for England’s salvation, her family’s safety, and her own happiness.
Author Links:
Website: https://www.elizabethjstjohn.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/ElizStJohn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethJStJohn/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethjstjohn/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethjstjohn/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@elizabethjstjohn
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/elizabethstjohn.bsky.social
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elizabeth-st-john
Amazon Author Page: https://geni.us/AmazonElizabethStJohn
Goodreads: https://geni.us/GoodreadsElizStJohn
The White Tower, site of bones discovered in the 17th century
Thanks so much for hosting Elizabeth St.John today, Amy. What a fascinating interview!
Take care,
Cathie xo
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Always a pleasure, Cathie!
Thanks so much for the great questions, Amy. It was fun to think about everything that went into writing the book again!
Absolutely…It’s always so fascinating to learn about an author’s process!