All the Queen's Spies

Agents of the Crown #3

by Oliver Clements

The “lively” ( The New York Times ) Agents of the Crown series continues with this thriller about Queen Elizabeth I’s advisor John Dee in a race to save the Empire with the help of a mysterious manuscript that offers global power.

With rumors of the end times swirling, philosopher and astronomer John Dee travels to Prague in an effort to prevent one of Catherine de Medici’s seductive ladies-in-waiting from luring the Holy Roman Emperor into a crusade against England.

To convince the famously occult-loving Emperor to join his side, Dee entices him with the esoteric Book of Secrets, a volume that, if decoded, could provide the chance to control the levers of heaven and earth. But Dee faces enemies at every turn, including a female codebreaker who could be the undoing of Dee and the British Empire.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Espionage, British Literature, Historical

400 pages, Hardcover

First published March 14, 2023

Reviews

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oliver Clements is the universe's gift to those of us who enjoy historical mysteries that mix engaging characters with a real understanding of Tudor religious politics. Bonus: besides Lord Burghley and Spymaster Walsingham, Alchemist John Dee is featured at the center of these novels. Clements' Dee is a wonderful combination of the arcane and general decency. He's quick to be distracted when new ideas about the mystic or scientific arise, but he also has loving relationships with those around him, particularly his wife Jane Frommer. She lacks his mysticism, but is remarkably intelligent and resourceful—something that Dee recognizes and respects. This volume in the series also features Christopher Marlowe—double bonus!

All the Queen's Spies plays a bit loose with small details pulled from the historical record—and the plot Clements serves up as a result is delightful, intelligent and humorous in equal weight.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title via Edelweiss+; the opinions are my own.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in the Agents of the Crown historical mystery series takes place in 1583-84 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Dr John Dee, philosopher and astronomer, now has a wife and son and is happily working away at his studies. But unfortunately he's made an enemy of Lord Hatton whose men catch Dee participating in an occult experiment with two others, an act punishable by death on the pyre. However, an alternative punishment has been devised if Dee agrees to go into exile and perform a small job for the Queen. Dee's mission is to travel to Prague to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolph, and try to tempt the Emperor away from funding a crusade against England by providing him with an esoteric Book of Secrets written by Dee with the guidance of angels, which purportedly could give the Emperor unlimited power to take over the world!

The story fairly crackles with intrigue and danger. Dee will do just about anything to be able to return home to England, to his wife and son, to his lab and books. But can he outwit this den of spies, including a beautiful temptress sent by Catherine de Medici? Meanwhile back in England, the Queen's advisers are working furiously to discover from where the next attack will likely come and who amongst her lords might be a traitor.

I have quite gotten into this historical mystery series and enjoy spending a few hours immersed in the past. I was given access to all four books in the series by the publisher via NetGalley to celebrate the release of the fourth book, The Queen's Lies, on August 13, 2024. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like reading about political intrigue? How about historical fiction? All The Queen’s Spies is the third book in the Agents of the Crown series, all of which center on the court of Elizabeth I, from the 1570s through the 1580s. The main characters (in addition to the Queen herself) are Francis Walsingham and John Dee, the founders of what later became Her Majesty’s Secret Service/MI6. Walsingham and Dee were real people but are used in a fictional way, of course. In fact, there were a large number of real people in these books. (I fell down the proverbial rabbit hole reading about some of them!)

This time the story delves more into Dee’s more mystical efforts but is also full of international intrigue, with Dee going to Prague in 1583-1584 to influence the occult-loving Holy Roman Emperor there. A lot of the intrigue involves schemes to return England to Catholic rule. There’s a huge amount of worry over Spain’s power and intentions.

Dee’s wife, Jane Frommond is a terrific major character, as is a minor character known as Mistress Devereaux. I enjoyed all their exploits and loved reading the vivid descriptions of London and Prague, as well as various places along their difficult route. The author does not sugar coat things!

Don't miss the Author's Note at the end.

Will there be a fourth book in this series? We shall see!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books / Leopoldo & Co. for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was rather late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, Matthew Lloyd Davies, did a good job with the various voices and accents. All opinions are my own.

[Marymetobooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

England. 1583. Good Queen Bess sits on the throne. Her court and her country are besieged by threats.

Her cousin Mary, pretender to the English throne, rules Scotland, and there is strong, albeit hidden, support for the Catholic Mary to usurp the crown. Secret plots abound.

And word has reached England that Spain, at the time the greatest power in the known world, is assembling a large naval force (The Spanish Armada) in preparation for the invasion of England. (Philip of Spain, like Mary, Queen of Scots, believed he had a legitimate claim to the throne of England because he was the husband of Mary I at the time of her death. There was also a strong religious motivation for fiercely Catholic Spain to conquer Protestant England.)

Queen Elizabeth I and her advisors learn that her enemies are attempting to persuade The Holy Roman Emperor to join their crusade against England. (Rudolf II was the emperor of all the Germanys, the king of Hungary and Croatia, and the archduke of Austria.) They decide they need to send someone to the court of Rudolf in Prague to prevent this alliance.

Who to send? A trusted insider, fully apprised of the details of the operation? No, why not send John Dee, and not tell him anything about anything, and, hey, let’s not ask him to go, instead let’s trick him into it!

John Dee was an astronomer and philosopher who was an occasional advisor to Queen Elizabeth and who, according to the first two books of this series (“The Eyes of the Queen” and “The Queen’s Men”), had previously assisted the crown in sensitive situations. He has been referred to as the original M16 agent. He signed his letters to Elizabeth as 007. (He also coined the phrase “the British Empire”.) His personal library was over three times the size of the libraries of Cambridge and Oxford combined. He really existed, but, by all that is historical, do not google him! (I wish that I had read this book without knowing that he looked like Rasputin.)

Dee was also interested in the occult, in alchemy, and in divination. This was not unusual at the time, when spirituality and magic were considered as legitimate as science as a means to acquire knowledge. Dee sought to contact angels through the use of a crystal gazer. However, the penalty for conjuring evil spirits or conjuring to seek treasure was death, so anyone seeking contact with spirits, even angels, was at risk. For how to prove that you were not attempting to contact the dark side?

Coincidentally, Rudolf II was fascinated with the supernatural and the mystical. Thus QE1 and her advisors were betting that these shared interests would gain Dee an audience with him.

So. Magic, spies, lies, betrayal, danger, royalty, and a peek into life in Elizabethan England. This book has it all. Although this is historical fiction, the characters portrayed are, for the most part, based on real people. My favorite character is Christopher Marlowe, who arrives in the narrative like a breath of fresh air and whose eccentric personality and surprising actions help propel the pace of the story.

Any fan of historical fiction will like this book. Almost no gore, although a man is racked. Almost no sex, although (gasp) a nipple is caressed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️. Publication date: March 14, 2023.

My thanks to the author, Oliver Clements, to the publisher, Atria Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster), and to @NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.

[Mai H.]

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Leopoldo & Co.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

These John Dee historical novels by Clements are simply great. Intelligent , well written , exciting , funny, excellent historical integration into the story—it checks all the boxes for a great historical fiction series. There is some of Flashman by Fraser in these books which is high praise (at least from me) indeed. This is the third book in the series. Read them all. And best of all, the end of this book hints strongly that another one is in the works! Can’t wait.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Queen’s Spies by Oliver Clements is the third book in the Agents of the Crown series.

This is such an excellent series that takes place in England (and in this book, the continent as well) during Elizabeth I’s reign. I absolutely love this fast-paced historical mystery and thriller and that incorporates real historical figures, events, and facts and weaves a fictional story that has a bit of a mystical and magical feel to it as well.

John Dee is our main character and is at it again, working against political intrigue, adversaries, and helping save the throne, and the day. He is just not on the fringe and part of, what is to be the beginnings of, MI-5, but he is also a well-rounded character as part philosopher part spy part scientist.

I loved the pacing, the action, and the ending. I highly recommend this book, and this series.

5/5 stars

Thank you EW and Atria Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I will post this review to my GR, Bookbub, Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/14/23 per publisher request.

[Melisende · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan. Despite the plotline, I was not really engaged and I think the reason is that this is the third in the series - and I had not realised that at the time.

I have read much historical fiction set in Elizabethan England, with the focus on her notorious spy network, with characters such as Marlowe and Shakespeare, Walsingham and Cecil; as well as non-fiction on the subject to hand. Ad whilst this tome had all the essential elements: Elizabethan espionage, a notorious manuscript, secret codes, notable nobles - jumping in the middle of a series can detract from anyone's reading pleasure.

Start at the beginning to ensure greater enjoyment of the work at hand.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

All The Queen's Spies is the third book in this series, and while I enjoyed it as I love stories about John Dee, I did struggle with the pacing and some of the actual writing. Rich in historical detail, this book takes us to a time that is not as well-known about John Dee's life so I found the author's descriptions to be fascinating. Despite this, some of the descriptions were a bit murky and I felt as if the author didn't quite know what to do with some of the historical details and the story he was trying to tell.

First of all, Dee is an interesting character during this time period. Interested in the occult and in divination, he made himself useful to Queen Elizabeth I when his services were required, something that was not that unusual during this time period when science was kind of wrapped up in the supernatural and was slowly making its way towards the more factual study we know today. People were quite superstitious and often looked at Dee for answers to things they couldn't explain; such things however, also made him a scapegoat and when people didn't like his answers, he would also be to blame for when things went wrong. Personally, I couldn't imagine living on the whims and desires of someone else all of the time and the stress that would cause. But the author managed to capture the essence of that time period quite well, and even though I know John Dee's fate, I still felt tense every time he had interactions with the rich and wealthy.

The secondary characters were also fascinating, most based on historical figures, and I especially loved the addition of Christopher Marlowe and seeing some of his adventures as a spy. It has been speculated he was a government spy, so I loved having him a such a character in this book and although the intricate politics with France were murky the way they were explained in the book, I am very familiar with them so I enjoyed them quite a bit. I do think they would be confusing for someone who doesn't know very much about them though, as European politics during this time period are not easy to untangle.

And while I enjoyed the characters, the actual plot left me somewhat frustrated. I felt like the author wasn't quite sure where he was going with the plot, whether he wanted to display the dangerous political nature of the time period, or how John Dee was involved in what happened, but neither felt fully developed, not really explained how dangerous the situation really was as the characters just seemed to react in this dreary fashion. It's not that it wasn't interesting, but there definitely was a tension missing that should have been there for such a scenario.

All The Queen's Spies was an enjoyable book overall, but it did lack tension and suspense as the plot was a bit murky; it felt like the author was having difficulty pulling all the many strands together which made the overall story seem dreary and slow at times. Because this is the third book in the series, some readers may wish to read the first two books to get a richer understanding of John Dee and his life, but if you have any knowledge of the time period, I don't think it's necessary and you can read as a standalone.

[Sheri Metzger Karmiol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already knew who John Dee was and many details of his life. Renaissance history was my PhD field many decades ago. However, even though this novel is historical fiction, I very much enjoyed reading All the Queen's Spies. Author Oliver Clements provides many of the smaller details and imagines the history that might have occurred, thus filling in the historical blanks. All the Queen's Spies is the third book in this series. I have not read the first two books, which was a bit of a disadvantage. Still, I do think All the Queen's Spies can be read as a stand-alone historical fiction novel.

All the Queen's Spies is definitely for readers who are interested in this period, late 16th central England and Europe. The minutia can be overwhelming at times, and I suspect many readers will want to skip around a bit, but I urge them not to do so. There are rewards to having stuck with the details. So many of the historical characters populating this novel are portrayed in a manner that was surprising--Chris Marlowe, for example. Chris Marlow dressed in peach silk was a perfect description of the playwright but not one often seen. It was also very interesting to learn so many details about this plot to invade England and how the men surrounding Queen Elizabeth dealt with these events. Characters were given full lives with some depth. How characters spoke of and felt about death and the risks they faced was so matter-of-fact, which I imagine is how anyone might have dealt with so much death. Since I never could stand Hatton, All the Queen's Spies did not tell me anything I did not already know about this self-righteous 16th century politician.

I wish to thank author and publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you also to NetGalley for their assistance in providing this book.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the third book in Clements’ Agents of the Crown series, readers continue to follow philosopher and astronomer John Dee when the royal spymaster Francis Walshingham reappears in his life asking Dee to spy on an eccentric Polish count. However, this mission leads to Dee being forced into exile, so he flees England for the continent and the court of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor. Also in Prague are the French Flying Squadron, a group of ladies in service to the Dowager Queen of France, Catherine de Medici, and Dee and his companions are set on a collision course with the Flying Squadron in Prague. Clements’ familiarity with the time period clearly shows in this novel, and his characters continue to astound in this novel. With new high stakes, sixteenth century Europe is a chessboard, and Clements makes his readers players in this high-stakes political game. The characters are the star of the novel, and Clements weaves some new and interesting female characters into the latest book in the series. With a vibrant and detailed historical setting, complex and mysterious characters, and an intense plot, this novel is an absolute must-read for fans of the series and for sixteenth-century political drama in any format.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Leopoldo & Co. for the advance copy.

[Debra Pawlak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. I thoroughly enjoyed the last Oliver Clements's book, The Queen's Men', which was the second in the series and I genuinely looked forward to the next installment. Clements has a wonderful writing style filled with snarky comments and laugh out loud moments. It always seems to me that he has as much fun writing these tales as I do reading them. This third book concerns our favorite hero, Dr. John Dee, who is sent to Prague in order to abort a crusade against England. From pornographic doors to magical books, there is never a dull moment. Colorful characters also abound including one Polish diplomat, Count Laski, who can't seem to stay out of trouble and who seems pretty sure that his mother's face adorns that pornographic door. We also learn a little more about Dee's long-suffering wife, Jane. All in all, it is a fun ride during the 1500s when Queen Elizabeth I ruled the land. My only complaint is that there are too many characters to keep track--the difference between a four and five star review. Rest assured, however, I will be looking for Clements's fourth volume just to see what Dr. Dee is up to next!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that when I first requested to review this book, I somehow missed that it is the 3rd book in a series. But I love this era in history -- all the politics, court intrigue, and treachery! -- so I jumped in and read without backtracking to start the series from the beginning.

I am happy to report that I was able to follow the characters and plot of this book without having read any of the prior books in the series. I am going to back up and read the books in order now just to get the entire feel of Clements' writing and the tales he is building. I am a total nut for anything historical from the Tudor era, fiction or non-fiction. So I happily sipped tea and read this fictional story set in Queen Elizabeth I's reign.

Some historical license is taken in this story. But, it's a fictionalized suspense/mystery story, so that's to be expected. The changes in fact were nothing major that pulled me out of the story. Minor historical license taken for the sake of story doesn't really bother me.

All in all, a very entertaining read. I am going to jump back in at the first book and read my way through all three books before the next one comes out.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Atria Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

[Janereads10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Atria, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review.

Immerse yourself in the intrigue of Elizabethan England with "All The Queen's Spies" by Oliver Clemens. This captivating historical fiction will transport you to a world of political machinations and occult mysteries.

At the heart of this clever and cunning tale stands John Dee, an unlikely spy whose wit and intellect make him an endearing protagonist. As Dee and his cohorts race to thwart a looming war against England, you'll find yourself caught up in a web of espionage that's as thrilling as it is historically rich.

What sets this novel apart is its fascinating blend of political intrigue and the supernatural. The scenes where Dee and Edward Kelley commune with angels add a layer of mysticism that's both intriguing and unsettling. Clemens masterfully captures Dee's skepticism, mirroring our disbelief and drawing us deeper into the story's complex world.

As you follow Dee's journey, you can't help but feel a connection to this unsung hero. His struggles and sacrifices in the name of politics resonate deeply, leaving you with a bittersweet appreciation for the often thankless work of those who operate in the shadows of history.

"All The Queen's Spies" is more than just a spy thriller—it's a window into a fascinating period of history, brought to life through Clemens' vivid storytelling. Whether you're a history buff or love a good tale of espionage, this book promises an engaging read that will keep you turning pages long into the night.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the time period and plot but struggled to enjoy the actual writing. The historical accuracy was a big plus for me in regards to characters I was already familiar with and historical events BUT I didn't realize this was a sequel when I requested the ARC. Needless to say, you will probably enjoy this book more if you know the backstory of previous events.

My biggest issues for not enjoying it as much as I wanted were the slow pacing and the wordiness... sometimes the descriptions were overlong in regards to travel and the plotlines could get a bit murky to follow. Big pluses for this book were the intrigue with a healthy dose of Elizabethan court politics which I always love to get sucked into. I will definitely take a chance on reading the first two books in the series to see if that fills in the gaps I felt I missed with All the Queen's Spies.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Queen’s Spies is the third book in the Agents of the Crown series, all of which center on the court of Elizabeth I, from the 1570s through the 1580s. All the Queen's Spies is definitely for readers who are interested in this period, late 16th central England and Europe. The main characters (in addition to the Queen herself) are Francis Walsingham and John Dee, the founders of what later became Her Majesty’s Secret Service/MI6. Walsingham and Dee were real people but are used in a fictional way, of course. In fact, there were a large number of real people in these books. The most alchemical and mystical of the spy series with a lot of summoning of the spirits plus a laborious journey and stay in Prague. Really enjoyed the stories thus far. Thanks to the author, Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I love the covers. The cover is a beautiful visual adaptation of Queen Elizabeth I's face; so is lovely. Yet another exciting historical novel, 3rd in the series, by Mr. Clements - it is full of spies, intrigue, and lots of excitement. There is A Book of Secrets, which Dr. John Dee has created (unknowingly to others) that assists in keeping John Dee, his wife and Kit Marlowe (LOVE him!) alive. Unfortunately, this "Book of Angelic Magick" only manages to keep them hunted dow. I love that Queen Elizabeth I, Francis Walsingham, William Cecil are still involved in the main plot. The author has crafted wonderfully vivid characterization, an excellent plot, culminating in a very thrilling read.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about John Dee, one of Queen Elizabeth I's spies. He infiltrates the court in Prague and is able to stop a war from breaking out. One of Catherine de Medici's ladies-in-waiting is attempting to seduce the Holy Roman Emperor and in turn start a war with England. Dee astutely is able to convive the Emperor away from that idea by offerring the enticing Book of Secrets. It's a story with many twists and turns but this story will likely be enjoyed bu those who are intrigued by court politics.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6 stars, really. A good tale and a nice diversion, and by far the best of this three book series about the beginnings of MI6. I almost skipped this last one, because the prior to were only three star books, so-so. But I’m glad I read it, it was an interesting story, and he is getting better as he goes along. Queen Elizabeth’s unwilling spy in Prague, alchemists channeling angelic spirits to influence heads of state, poisoned gloves that go wrong, etc. interesting characters. I particularly liked Christopher Marlow.

[Ashley Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this period and I love historical fiction taking place during this time. I was especially excited since it included John Dee. But the pacing was slow and it dragged at some points. I wanted to give this a chance but sometimes it was a bit dry. I did think it was a good concept!


I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a decent piece of historical fiction, but it starts to flag in the second half. I'm also a little frustrated by the tone & style: weary & wry characters who seem to constantly know they're going through the motions of a light farce...in spite of the violence that hangs over them. Entertaining enough, but very odd.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to read the other 2 books in Oliver Clements' Agents of the Crown series. I finished All The Queen's Spies entirely too fast! It is THAT good. Clements has obviously done his research - I have read a lot about many of the people and topics in this book, but none so exciting. Make sure to read and refer to his Author's Note!

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the Queen's Spies is the third book in the Agents of the Crown series and you definitely don't want to start the series with this one. We are introduced to several new characters and most of the novel takes place outside of England. John Dee kind of takes a back seat while other characters take over the narrative. It just felt so... chaotic.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up from my library forgetting how much I disliked The Eyes of the Queen. This was better-I have not yet read a Tudor story where Dr Dee is the main character. And honestly, if the story had just focused on his wife Jane's and Christopher Marlowe's traveling adventures, I would have enjoyed it much more. This is just not the series for me.

[Mags · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling historical novel that is full if excitement and intrigue. A Book of Secrets is a prop used to keep characters alive and or hunted down for death. Expertly plotted, vivid characterization and a very compelling read.

[David C Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most alchemical and mystical of the spy series with a lot of summoning of the spirits plus a laborious journey and stay in Prague. Walsingham and his assistant Beale continue to be a day late and a thaler short.

[Athena A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this brilliant, historically cohesive novel, Clements continues the story of John Dee, English counter-espionage, and the disturbing trend of anti-Semitism in the Holy Roman Empire in his sweeping tale of love, honor, death and mysticism in 1560s Elizabethan England and northern Europe.

[Sunny Lovestories · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just amazing! And I came across it by accident. This is a great espionage author who went and found the scandalous bits of history and put a spy twist on all of it.
A few chapters were a little wordy but with historical fiction, I feel like that happens often.

[John Callahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 novel in series. John Dee is exiled to Europe by Queen Elizabeth, but it’s all part of a plot to keep the Holy Roman Emperor of Prague, Rudolf, from financing France and Spain in their crusade to destroy Protestant England.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 in the Agents of the Crown series. All about murder and plots and alliances and spying. The beginnings of England’s MI5. An interesting and fun series.

Published by Atria, 2023