Tudor Historical Fiction Mystery Books
The Predestination Series
A Lighter Alternative to Shardlake
Like 'cosy crime' but set in the sixteenth century and grounded in real history: characters, locations, events.
The main protagonist is John Dee (later "Dr" John Dee). We follow his progress from naive scholar to investigator, to 'magical' advisor to Queen Elizabeth. His adventures bring him into contact with more lovable characters; Catherine, Kat, Jack, Rook, and more. Even the antagonists have their charm - but don't cheer for them too loudly, they never win (well, hardly ever).
With clever plots and subtle humour, the series will paint a series of images that'll leave you pining for even more Tudor goodness.
We start in early April, 1547, with "Divination: A conspiracy of blood". The nine year old boy-king, Edward VI, is securely perched on his throne, with a loving extended family eager to help him succeed.... hmmm. Or are they more interested in grabbing power for themselves? I leave that for you to discover, as you turn the pages.
The complete Tudor mystery collection
Divination: A conspiracy of blood
A novella.
Young scholar John Dee's quiet academic life takes an unexpected turn when a visiting Polish astronomer is found dead just hours after sharing revolutionary astrological secrets.
Suddenly thrust into a world of Tudor court intrigue, Dee must navigate the treacherous politics of Hampton Court Palace while unraveling the astronomer's cryptic final prediction about a Midsummer coup.
Speculation: Undercurrents of treachery
A novella.
When bread riots grip the nation and the royal treasury stands empty, scholar John Dee faces an intriguing puzzle: a prisoner in the Tower of London claims to know the location of a Spanish treasure that could save England's economy.
What begins as an academic investigation into currency crisis becomes an unexpected adventure along Suffolk's remote coastline. As Dee and his companions follow contradictory clues, they discover that finding treasure involves more than simply digging - it requires unraveling the protections left by its original owners.
Resurrection: The heresy of a Jesuit
Young scholar John Dee's European education takes an unexpected turn when a dying stranger entrusts him with a mysterious oath that plunges him into the shadowy world of religious intrigue.
The prequel to the series follows Dee's transformation from naive Cambridge student to confident scholar-detective.
In the bustling streets of Renaissance Paris, he must navigate competing loyalties while investigating a heretical Jesuit whose dangerous ideas threaten the established order.
This Tudor historical fiction mystery escapes the misty island of John's birth and explores several European locations - perhaps you have been to them too? They're waiting for you.
Predestination: The bloodstone of Boiorix
King Henry VIII is dead. Long live King Edward... or will he?
As the Tudor dynasty teeters on the brink, young King Edward VI lies dying and the realm faces religious and political chaos. Scholar John Dee finds himself thrust into an extraordinary quest when he and his friends discover a clue to the location of the legendary Bloodstone of Boiorix - a gem that may hold the key to the King's health and England's future.
The first full-length novel in the series follows Dee as he partners with escaped galley-slave Jack and mysterious adventuress Kat in an intricate historical puzzle that takes them from the corridors of power to ancient secret chambers beneath London.
This original Tudor historical fiction mystery is a longer novel, and the first book written by the author.
Proclamation: Poetry will be the death of me
The succession crisis deepens as Queen Jane's brief reign crumbles and Mary Tudor gathers her forces. In this dangerous political climate, Dr. John Dee and his loyal companion Jack face their most delicate mission yet: retrieving a compromising document before it destroys an innocent life.
The second full-length novel in the series takes our scholar-detective from the imposing Tower of London to the formidable walls of Framlingham Castle, where Mary Tudor prepares for battle.
This Tudor historical fiction mystery is one of the most acclaimed in the series.
Insurrection: Weddings can be murder
The last thing you need when planning a rebellion is a dead body in your castle. Two would be an embarrassment.
Dr. John Dee and his companions, Jack and Kat, find themselves at Allington Castle investigating murder while Sir Thomas Wyatt prepares his uprising against Queen Mary's Spanish marriage. Between mistaken identities and planned rebellion, our scholar-detective must solve the crime before the conspirators march on London.
The third engaging novel in the series combines historical authenticity with cosy mystery charm during one of Tudor England's most dramatic moments.
Why Readers Love These Tudor Mysteries
Meet John Dee: Tudor England's Most Unusual Detective
John Dee was an almost mystical figure in his own age, gaining an early reputation as a magician, quickly becoming the leading intellect of the country in the sixteenth century.
Hopefully you agree, he makes the ideal protagonist to explore the early renaissance world depicted in the Predestination series of Tudor historical fiction mysteries.
[The Predestination starts (with the novella Divination) in 1547, when John Dee was only 20 years old and still studying at Cambridge University, so I don't use his famous portrait picture, painted when he was an old man, instead I substitute this AI rendering of a younger (more dashing?) polymath studying in his workshop.]
Perfect for fans of...
- C.J.Sansom's Shardlake mysteries (but lighter, and slightly later in the timeline)
- Ellis Peters and the Brother Cadfael novels (similar cosiness, but 400 years later 😉)
- Cosy historical mysteries in general
FAQ
- Is this series like Shardlake?
The series is more "cosy crime" than the darker Shardlake series by C.J.Sansom. It is still set in the Tudor age (Edward VI onwards) so very similar in that respect, but light-hearted, no graphic violence, with reasonably complex plots and it leans into the real Tudor socio-economic and political events. - What order should I read the Predestination series of books?
The chronological sequence is as per the following list, and that is certainly the best order, however the sequence of full novels can be read without the novellas if you like, again using the order below- Divination: A conspiracy of blood (1547) [novella]
- Speculation: Undercurrents of treachery (1548-9) [novella]
- Restitution (expected publish date: Dec 2025) (1549) [novella]
- Absolution (expected publish date: Dec 2025) (1549) [novella]
- Resurrection: The heresy of a Jesuit (1550) [full novel]
- Predestination: The bloodstone of Boiorix (1552) [full novel]
- Proclamation: Poetry will be the death of me (1553) [full novel]
- Insurrection: Weddings can be murder (1553-4) [full novel]
- Are these books historically accurate?
Some characters are completely fictional (eg Jack, Rook, Arrabella, Madeleine, Cristóbal, Tomás), some are fictional but lean heavily into real families (eg Kat), many are real characters who I have imagined the actions and motivations for (eg John Dee, the Seymours, Renard, etc). If want more details I recommend you download the app from the Apple app store or see the Meet the characters page of this website.
Almost all the locations are historically accurate...the castles, palaces, churches, towns, streets, even the various taverns are as accurately sourced as I can manage. For dramatisation purposes I have simplified building plans and town street plans - but the intent is always to be as historically correct as I can manage in the context of a novel.