A great read if slow to start.
Will the court jester is charged by an incresingly disturbed Henry VIII will discovering who was responsible for the gruesome murder of a courtier.
Amisdt a backdrop of political and religeous intrigue Will has to use his skills to discover the murderer whilst satisfying a capricious Henry.
He has to use a mixture of guile and his privelige as a court jester to uncover the truth., whilst keeping his own passions and love scret from prying eyes.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jeri Westerson for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Rebellious Grace coming out January 7, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I’ve read another book by this author. I really love her historical mysteries. This book was really cozy to me. I’m obsessed with historical murder mysteries. I love the time period and the intrigue. The characters were really interesting and I loved the royalty involved in the plot.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical murder mysteries!

Jeri Westerson's King's Fool mysteries draw on all sorts of interesting material. They're set during the reign of Henry VII, and I suspect that eventually the series will have included all six of his wives. The fool is an interesting character because he can speak difficult truths—as long as he appears to be jesting. And this fool in particular is bisexual, so the romantic and erotic possibilities are many.

As the title suggests, this volume is set during the Pilgrimage of Grace, a movement to return England to Catholicism after the execution of Anne Boleyn. Those participating in the "Pilgrimage," really an uprising, are sure they are acting in both God's and the king's best interests. But, now that Henry is the head of the church in England, questioning the new Protestant faith is equivalent to questioning Henry himself. And Henry does not like to be questioned, verbally or through actions.

Will Somers, the King's fool, has been charged with solving the murder of one of Queen Jane Seymour's retainers. While Will investigates, Robert Aske, leader of the pilgrimage, is spending the Christmas season at court, trying to find an agreement between the King, himself, and Thomas Cromwell. If you know your history, you'll know how that effort winds up.

Setting the novel during the Christmas season allows Westerson to offers feasts, performances, dancing, and general fol-de-rol, which adds to the charm of this novel. It's more or less a "cozy" mystery, though no one in Henry's England can ever feel fully certain of their status and safety.

Rebellious Grace is a good read for those who enjoy historical mysteries, particularly those set in Tudor times, and who don't want the action to get too bloody.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

Will Somers, jester to King Henry VIII, finds himself tangled in a mess when he investigates the murder of a servant to Jane Seymour.. it's 1536 and the King is distracted by political and religious issues (I got a bit lost in this) but Will knows he's got to solve this or risk the King's wrath. This slim volume packs a great deal of history into a clever mystery featuring an unusual and appealing character in Will (and his wife as well). Don't worry of you haven't read the earlier books as this will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A very good read for fans of historical mysteries.

This is book 3 of Will Somers, King’s Fool mysteries, and a Jester or Fool must keep his Royal master happy with jokes and amusements, but this is not an easy job when the King is Henry the Eighth.
When a body is found with his throat cut, Will is tasked with investigating the murder. The dead man is a servant to Queen Jane Seymour, could this be a plot against her recent marriage to the King?
Due to his unique position at court, Will is allowed access to all areas. He has been a skilled investigator before, and before long, both Marion, his long suffering wife, and Will’s current paramour, Lord Hammond are all involved in the search for a killer.
The King is distracted by The Pilgrimage of Grace, whereby disaffected Catholics are rebelling against the new Protestant religion and the closure of the Monasteries, which has deprived them of medical care for the sick, education for the children and the loss of alms to help in their poverty. They are led by the lawyer Robert Aske, and Will meets him when he goes to court to see the King.
This is a fascinating look at the fashions, politics and religious upheavals in England in 1536. Will Somers bisexuality has to be kept secret, it is an unlawful act, his wife Marion is a very understanding woman. There is a skilful use of both actual and fictional characters, with enough clues Laid down to tempt the reader. The humour is very bawdy and earthy, the Glossary at the beginning of this book is very helpful.
The term Fool, is not an expression of pity or derision, or used as a term of disability, but used as a term for their innocence, they were respected as being too innocent to be guilty of misdeeds. They were respected for their naivety.
I enjoyed this risqué read, and it was a most unusual murder to be committed. The narrative flows and the characters are very likeable.
I am already looking forward to the next title, Beloved Sister. A five star read.
My thanks to Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for my ARC freely given in return for my honest review. I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

Once again Will Somers, the official fool to King Henry VIII, is called upon to solve a murder, this time of a servant in Queen Jane's household. And once again he manages to accomplish the task, with help from his long-suffering wife and the support of his lover, Sir Nicholas. As in the previous installment in the series (the only one I'd read prior to this), the mystery is the least compelling and convincing part of the book. What I most enjoyed about "Rebellious Grace" was the detailed depiction of life in the Tudor court and the well-rounded characters. Will, who narrates, is a bit garrulous and redundant; I'd like to see his musings edited a bit. In fact, I'd love if his wife, Marion, narrated one of the subsequent books. Even so, I'm already eager for next title in the series, which is set to take place during Anne of Cleve's brief time as consort.

Thank you, NetGalley and Severn House, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked Jeri Westerson’s Crispin Guest medieval noir mysteries. However, I read the first in her King’s Fool series, and now the third, Rebellious Grace. This series, set during the reign of Henry VIII, is filled with politics, court fashion, and customs. And, Will Somers, the king’s jester, is the primary character. I like Will, and his way of investigating. Courtiers realize he makes a good inquisitor, and even the king turns to him for answers.

By 1536, Henry VIII is married to Jane Seymour. He’s turned away from the Catholic Church, an action that has divided his court and the country. Henry has to deal with rebellion, but, first he has to deal with a murder in the corridors of the palace. Geoffrey Payne, a servant in the queen’s household, has been found with his throat cut. Two weeks later, that same man’s body is removed from its grave and disemboweled. That’s when Henry tasks Will with finding the killer.

Because it’s the Christmas season, Will has time on his hands to investigate. With the help of his wife, Marion, and his lover, Nicholas, he questions people in the queen’s household as well as others in the castle. By the time he’s eliminated his primary suspects, he realizes his murderers could be too high up in the palace hierarchy for him to accuse.

Westerson does a masterful job incorporating the holidays, the murder investigation, and the primary political problem of the time, “The Pilgrimage of Grace”, in which 9000 people marched, demanding the monasteries and the Catholic Church be restored. While all the issues blend smoothly in the story, it’s helpful to have her Afterword in which she discusses the facts and people involved.

I like Will, and his quiet, but witty way of questioning people. He has access to the entire palace, as the King’s Fool, but he also knows his place. And, he fears for his position, as everyone does. I’m looking forward to the next book that takes place during Henry VIII’s short marriage to Anne of Cleves.

A nail biter to the very end. What I really enjoyed about this book was although it takes place entirely at King Henry VIII's court during his marriage to Jane Seymour - it doesn't rehash everything we already know about this. It primarily focuses on Will Somers (the King's Fool) , Jane (the King's Fool) and their family and acquaintances. Great writing and storyline - I will definitely be reading more! Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jen Westerson’s book was everything I look for in an historical novel:
. . . A great immersion into the period, and a better understanding of some aspect aspect of history after reading it;
. . . An interesting puzzle; and
… . Compelling characters.

Henry VIII came to life as a nuanced person, not simply a domineering political animal.
And, the principal character, Will Sommers, is a wonderful “ guide” to court life during Henry’s tumultuous reign.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.