Fool | A Vibrant Tudor Historical Novel by Mary Lawrence

Fool
Mary Lawrence

Betrayal. Power. Perception. The most dangerous mind at court belongs to a fool.
From the author of The Alchemist’s Daughter comes a dark tale of ambition and survival.

“One of the most vibrant characters I’ve encountered in years.”–Goodreads Ecostell

Kronos is a fool–mocked for his dwarfism, prized for his juggling, and underestimated by everyone who matters. But in a court ruled by paranoia and whispers, invisibility is its own kind of power.
When Kronos overhears a secret that could destroy Queen Katherine Howard, he becomes a liability the crown cannot afford. Silenced, mutilated, and left for dead, he survives–barely.
Rescued by an ambitious apothecary, Kronos soon realizes he has not escaped danger–he has merely changed masters. His secret is worth a fortune…and powerful men are willing to kill to control it.
But Kronos has spent his life being overlooked and he’s ready to use that to his advantage.
As rival factions circle and scheme, Kronos sets a plan in motion–one that could topple the mighty, rewrite his fate, and force his foes to reconsider which of them is truly…the fool.
Perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom and Philippa Gregory

Praise for Fool:
“Vividly written and grounded in scrupulous research, Fool captures both the dark comedy and lethal danger of Henry VIII’s court.”
~ Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown and The Blue
“A masterclass in immersive storytelling.”
~ Tony Riches, author of the best-selling Tudor Trilogy
“A thoughtful and unsparing Tudor novel that reframes the court jester not as comic ornament but as a precarious witness to power.”
~ Megan Parker for IndieReader

Author’s Universal Buy Link: https://www.marylawrencebooks.com/linktree
Amazon Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/479KQ8

Please enjoy an excerpt:

London, October, 1541
A man of my stature must have twice the wits if he is to survive amongst men twice his height. That is not to say that I have had fewer opportunities afforded me. Nay, decidedly not. My shortcomings have merely coloured the cards of fate that I have been dealt. And while others may have folded, I have played on.
So where must my tale begin—this one of courts, and queens, dissemblers, and fools? Should I bore you with tales of my youth? Of being raked out of a dung heap as a babe at Thetford Priory? The monks raised me and taught me to read and write, then tossed me out after I was discovered with a farmer’s daughter behind a wheel of Wensleydale.
Instead, I shall take you to Whitehall where our sovereign, King Henry, fat as a stuffed boar and about as lively, delights in his new child bride, Katherine Howard.

Mary Lawrence is the author of the Bianca Goddard mysteries, a 5-book series that takes place in the slums of Tudor London featuring the daughter of an infamous alchemist. Suspense Magazine named The Alchemist’s Daughter and The Alchemist of Lost Souls best historical mysteries of 2015 and 2017.
Her writing has been published in several journals, including The Daily Beast. When she is not writing, she tends a small berry farm in Maine with her husband and creates artisanal jams for sale at market.