[Tudor Crimes 07] • The Alchemist Royal · A Courtier's Fall

The Alchemist Royal is the seventh book in Anne Stevens' sweeping story of Tudor England.

Anne Boleyn is now Queen of England, and expecting Henry's child. Great men must begin to take sides, and do their best to guess which way the political wind will blow. Thomas Cromwell has slipped out of favour with the Boleyn family, and must do all that he can to regain his position with Henry. Will Draper is busier than ever, tracking down the king's enemies, and is pitted against an Irish priest, intent on fomenting rebellion in the north. Miriam is still busy building her fortune, and her brother, Mush, is hard at work, supporting Cromwell's darker schemes. Digby Waller is the new face at Austin Friars, and is fast becoming one of Thomas Cromwell's chosen few.

Thomas Boleyn is now the Earl of Wiltshire, and is busy making himself enemies. His arrogance, and greed are tolerated by the king, because he does not wish to upset Anne, during her confinement. Henry is content to sit back, and let Cromwell, and his new father-in-law fight for supremecy. George Boleyn, who is bordering on stupidity, hates any who might stand in his way, and forms a particular dislike for Will Draper. He sets out to humiliate him, and contrives to have him sent north. On his enemy's return to court, his hatred overflows, and he decides on what will prove to be a fatal course. Draper seems to slight him at every turn, and the young Boleyn must have his revenge.

Into this tumultuous world of Tudor chicanery, comes a strange figure from the East. Grand Master, Aldo Mercurius, Alchemist Royal to the Prince of Lithuania, and his enigmatic companion, Popo, arrive in London, with an intriguing story. The alchemist, after years of failure, has finally succeeded in discovering the greatest secret there is. He has a magnificent machine, which can turn lead into gold! There are those who refuse to believe, and there are those who seek to take advantage of the alchemist's claims. Plot weaves around plot, and the boundaries of loyalty soon become blurred.

It is down to Will Draper to sort truth from lies, and uncover those who must be punished.

The sights and sounds ... even the very smell ... of Tudor London, weaves its way through this magical series of historical fiction, intertwined with historical fact.

All the usual suspects are present, from Cromwell, Henry, Anne Boleyn, and Tom Wyatt, to the delightful inventions of the author... Will and Miriam Draper, Mush, and a host of minor characters. She handles her stories with a controlled mischief that makes us laugh, cry, and wish for the next installment. BEL AMI.

ANNE STEVENS has written seven novels: WINTER KING, MIDNIGHT QUEEN, A SPURIOUS PRINCE, THE CONDOTTIERO, THE KING'S ANGELS, and THE KING'S EXAMINER are all available through AMAZON.