Book Title: Fool

Series: n/a

Author Name: Mary Lawrence

Publication Date: April 14, 2026

Publisher: Red Puddle Print

Pages: 322

Genre: Historical fiction/mystery

Any Triggers: no

Twitter Handle: @cathiedunn

Instagram Handles: @marylawrence.author @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #foolthebook #TudorFiction #HistoricalFiction #TheCoffeePotBookClub #BlogTour

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/03/blog-tour-fool-by-mary-lawrence.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Fool

Mary Lawrence

Blurb:

Betrayal. Power. Perception. The most dangerous mind at court belongs to a fool. 

From the author of The Alchemist’s Daughter comes a dark tale of ambition and survival.

“One of the most vibrant characters I’ve encountered in years.“–Goodreads Ecostell

Kronos is a fool–mocked for his dwarfism, prized for his juggling, and underestimated by everyone who matters. But in a court ruled by paranoia and whispers, invisibility is its own kind of power.

When Kronos overhears a secret that could destroy Queen Katherine Howard, he becomes a liability the crown cannot afford. Silenced, mutilated, and left for dead, he survives–barely.

Rescued by an ambitious apothecary, Kronos soon realizes he has not escaped danger–he has merely changed masters. His secret is worth a fortune…and powerful men are willing to kill to control it.

But Kronos has spent his life being overlooked and he’s ready to use that to his advantage.

As rival factions circle and scheme, Kronos sets a plan in motion–one that could topple the mighty, rewrite his fate, and force his foes to reconsider which of them is truly…the fool.

Perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom and Philippa Gregory

Snippet 2:

All stories have a beginning—as do all lives. Once upon a time begins with a mother’s final push thrusting a child into the world. A world indifferent to yet another mewling mouth seeking to find its place among a multitude of others just as needy and just as expectant. There with its scowling face, clenched eyes and fists, the necessity to breathe air instead of fluid. Live—and a story unfolds.

Stories build incrementally, then become full with the passage of time. Is it not true of lives? Threads of days become months, become years, which are woven into a tapestry. Mayhap the tale might be pleasing. The tale might be simple, an ease of prediction satisfying, but hardly revolutionary. Then, there are tapestries and lives that dazzle. Their threads shimmer and are appreciated by those who know how to see.

Which tale is this? That is for you to decide.

Praise for Fool:

“Vividly written and grounded in scrupulous research, Fool captures both the dark comedy and lethal danger of Henry VIII’s court.”

~ Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown and The Blue

“A masterclass in immersive storytelling.”

~ Tony Riches, author of the best-selling Tudor Trilogy

“A thoughtful and unsparing Tudor novel that reframes the court jester not as comic ornament but as a precarious witness to power.”

~ Megan Parker for IndieReader

Buy Links:

Author’s Universal Buy Link: https://www.marylawrencebooks.com/linktree

Amazon Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/479KQ8

Author Bio:

Mary Lawrence is the author of the Bianca Goddard mysteries, a 5-book series that takes place in the slums of Tudor London featuring the daughter of an infamous alchemist. Suspense Magazine named The Alchemist’s Daughter and The Alchemist of Lost Souls best historical mysteries of 2015 and 2017.

Her writing has been published in several journals, including The Daily Beast. When she is not writing, she tends a small berry farm in Maine with her husband and creates artisanal jams for sale at market.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.marylawrencebooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marylawrence.author/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marylawrence.author

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marylawrence.bsky.social

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mel59lawrence

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-lawrence

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Lawrence/author/B00N7JSO5Y

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/84420.Mary_Lawrence