aka The John Dee Chronicles
J.A. Downes 
🕵️ Introducing Tudor Detective: The Educational Mystery Game That Makes History Come Alive! Step into the shoes of a Tudor-era investigator and solve delightfully absurd mysteries in our new browser-based game, Tudor Detective! This free educational game transforms learning about the Tudor period into an engaging adventure that’s perfect for students, history enthusiasts, and anyone … Read more
Tudor historical fiction mystery books have exploded in popularity over the past two decades. From C.J. Sansom’s dark atmospheric Shardlake novels to lighter cosy mysteries like the Predestition series, readers can’t seem to get enough of sleuths solving crimes in Henry VIII and his dynasty’s England. But what exactly makes Tudor mysteries so compelling? And … Read more
Divination is FREE at all good eBook stores – or here on my website. Synopsis Cambridge University, 1547. John Dee finds himself in mortal danger when a visiting Polish astronomer is murdered hours after revealing revolutionary astrological techniques. Pursued by ruthless agents determined to suppress knowledge of a royal coup, Dee is forced from his scholarly … Read more
How to Play 1. You’ll see 4 Tudor events per round 2. Click/tap them in chronological order (earliest to latest) 3. You have 30 seconds per round 4. Faster answers earn bonus points! Choose Your Difficulty Level You have a choice of: Include Fictional Events Add events from the Predestination series, again major events in the Easy level, with … Read more
An Interview with Jack Delauris We meet the enigmatic young sailor whose adventures have taken him from French galleys to English scholarly circles RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: Jack, you’ve had quite a remarkable journey to England. Can you tell us how you came to work with the renowned Dr. John Dee? Jack Delauris: [shifts in his chair, unconsciously … Read more
Sometimes the best adventures come in the most delightful packages. I’m thrilled to announce that both Divination: A Conspiracy of Blood and Speculation: Undercurrents of Treachery are now available as beautifully crafted 6×9 inch paperbacks. There’s something wonderfully satisfying about holding a real book in your hands, especially when you’re settling in for a cosy … Read more
Let’s face it, if there’s one thing the English have excelled at over the centuries, it’s standing up to authority when pushed too far. From outraged peasants to ambitious nobles, England’s history is punctuated by dramatic uprisings that remind us: people have limits. Here’s your guide to the rebellions that shook the realm, each with … Read more
An Interview with Catherine Brandon Renaissance Weekly’s exclusive conversation with the formidable Duchess of Suffolk. We caught up with Catherine Brandon at her London townhouse, where the widow of Charles Brandon continues to navigate the treacherous waters of Tudor court politics. At thirty, the Duchess remains one of England’s most influential women – and one … Read more
If you have browsed around my website you may have seen the following phrase: My goal is simple: to share the complexity and wonder of Tudor history in a way that’s memorable, engaging, and fun. If you love historical puzzles and want to discover that history can be thrilling rather than dry, the Predestination series … Read more
We caught up with the 20-year-old Trinity College fellow who’s got all of Paris talking – and some people worried RENAISSANCE WEEKLY: John, you’ve just returned from lecturing in Paris where crowds were reportedly overflowing from the lecture halls. How does it feel to be the talk of the continent at just 23? DEE:It’s rather … Read more