The King's Court Murders

The Samuel Pepys Mysteries #4

by Ellis Blackwood

Who dares spill blood inside Whitehall Palace?

October 1666. Samuel Pepys and his inquisitors, Abigail Harcourt and Jacob Standish, are summoned to Whitehall expecting revels and splendour. Instead, they find death.
One of Charles II’s mistresses lies beneath a fallen chandelier, its rope crudely sabotaged.
As Abby and Jacob pursue the trail, they are pulled into Whitehall’s dark heart. Ministers jostle for power, mistresses guard their influence, and rivalry is silenced with murder.
Then loyalty divides the inquisitors themselves, the investigation falters – and the killer strikes again.
Dare they fail the King himself, who holds power over life and death?

The King’s Court Murders is the fourth of the Samuel Pepys Mysteries, a historical mystery series steeped in period detail and brimming with fiendish whodunits. Click Read Now or Buy Now and step into Pepys’s London – once you do, you won’t want to leave.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2025

About the author

Ellis Blackwood fell in love with the writings of Samuel Pepys, and the 17th-century England he inhabited, through the great man's published diaries. The Samuel Pepys Mysteries are the result of that literary love affair.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series and I plan to go back from the beginning when I read all books out, waiting for the next. I adore the characters and the vivid imagesI get reading the books.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the court

First the language is odd. Not because it’s wrong just because it’s time period appropriate so reading some of the slang or words may need a google search or two. Second not a fan of Samuel Pepys so much. On one hand he’s elevated a house maid to an inquisitor position and encouraged her learning and on the other he’s more than willing to say a position as a king’s mistress is an honor. That rankles but that may be more reading from the perspective of a woman in 2025 rather than 1066.
Thirdly I’m not quite sure why Pepys needs inquisitors. That’s kind of confusing. He works for the Navy in what seems to be an accounting role so why is he investigating? Or sending his two inquisitors to do so? I don’t know if that was explained in a prior book in the series but it is well odd.
Now putting those points aside the story and the mystery is quite a fun read. I’m a fan of historical mysteries because I always learn something as I enjoy trying to solve a mystery along with the characters. The opulence and corruption of the court was a bit shocking. Not sure if that’s embellished or not but if not no wonder that was such a tumultuous time in England’s history. Good mystery but still not a huge fan of Pepys the man but I do like Abby and Jacob and that’s good enough to want to read more.

I received an ARC copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

love these little who done it's just the right length, hard to put down.

[Di Prokop · Rating 5 out of 5]

From his brilliant series debut to the fourth novel, my excitement still hasn’t waned for Ellis Blackwood’s Samuel Pepys Mysteries.

In my favorite to date, The King’s Court Murders finds the famed diarist’s inquisitors -Pepys’ former housemaid, Abigail Harcourt, and Jacob Standish - paying a visit, as honored guests of Charles II at his court at Whitehall Palace, where Jacob’s younger sister Anne resides as one of the king’s mistresses.

After one of the mistresses is murdered and Pepys is implicated, the king gives Jacob and Abigail an emotionally fraught 24 hours to find the truth and exonerate their esteemed employer.

With his incredible gift for seamlessly weaving setting, history and a most compelling mystery, Blackwood brings readers on a thrilling adventure through 17th century London and the royal court.

I highly recommend The King’s Court Murders for anyone interested in historical cozy mysteries and 17th century London. I received this advanced reader copy of The Brampton Witch Murders from Vintage Mystery Press, courtesy of the author.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since Abby was instrumental in saving the King's life, the trio were invited to court as the King's guests. Abby, especially is in awe of the life and luxury led by the courtiers but finds to her horror, she is in danger of becoming the King's next mistress. And what is even worse, one of the mistresses lies murdered under a sabotaged chandelier.

I do enjoy the Samuel Pepys mysteries; well written and clever, they are exciting and intriguing. And I loved having an opportunity to peek at what a King's court would have looked like in the 17th century

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Samuel Pepys mystery series. I've enjoyed all the others that I've read and I liked this one as well. I like how the author brings the characters to life in the historical setting, and I enjoy how Abby and Jacob work together. If you like historical cosy mysteries, these are light and easy to read.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Regina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This time Abigail Harcourt and Jacob Standish the personal inquisitors of Samuel Pepys have been summoned to the court of King Charles II where they find not only debauchery but someone is killing off the King's mistresses one by one and Samuel Pepys has been arrested! It's up to Abigail and Jacob to clear their beloved employer's name.

I love this look into the royal court of England at this time. Charles II was an outright dog! Abigail is decidedly uncomfortable among the British aristocracy since she was Samuel Pepys maid until he promoted her and Jacob is his usually clumsy self. I love him the author shows how hard Abigail is adjusting to this new life.

We also learn about Jacob's family which is not what we think it is and we meet his sister Anne who is one of the king's mistresses

My one con is Jacob seems to have regressed somewhat in this book

This series gets better and better.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After their last adventure, King Charles II has invited Abby and Jacob to Whitehall Palace as a thank you. While there, they meet the King's current four mistresses. When one of the women is killed, the King asks them to investigate.