Fool: A Dwarf's Reckoning in the Court of King Henry VIII~Betrayal, Revenge, and the Power of Perception

Mary Lawrence

Apr 2026 · Red Puddle Print

About this ebook

Appearances are not what they seem...

Kronos is a juggler at court; a man jeered for his physicality, lauded for his juggling talent, and discreetly desired by noble women. One dangerous moment of eavesdropping nearly costs him his life. Brutally maimed and left for dead, he is rescued by an apothecary and nursed back to health. When his rescuer learns of Kronos's import to the future of England he contrives to make himself a rich man. He will use Kronos to pit two powerful Tudor families against one another.

But Kronos is wise to court machinations, and he is ready to outplay anyone who thinks him weak. Dismissed and underestimated, Kronos is a man who can overcome any preconceptions and make his foes reconsider which of them is truly...the fool.

Ratings and reviews

This exploration of intrigue in and around the court of King Henry VIII—and the turmoil of the religious and cultural structures of that time—is an EXCELLENT read for anyone who might be looking for a historically-grounded story of intrigue and power. The structure of the book is super cinematic, featuring clever flashbacks in vivid, distinct settings, and I really hope this ends up on screen sometime soon. No dragons, but definitely sexy, for all y'all who are into the romantasy genre!

Captivating story. A real page turner. Good follow up to the Bianca Goddard mysteries.

About the author

Mary Lawrence is the author of the Bianca Goddard Mystery series set in the slums of Tudor London and featuring the daughter of an infamous alchemist. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications including The Daily Beast. She lives on a small farm in Maine. Learn more at https://marylawrencebooks.com