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The King at the Edge of the World by Arthur Phillips - 4* - My Review

Protagonist Mahmoud Ezzedine is a doctor from the Ottoman Empire. In 1601 he travels to England as part of a diplomatic delegation. They visit Queen Elizabeth I and discuss trade. Though he wishes to return to his wife and child, he makes an error in judgment and must remain behind in England. He is “gifted” multiple times to high-ranking nobles, converts (for appearances) to Protestant Christianity, takes the name Matthew Thatcher, and learns the medicinal uses of English plants. He is eventually asked by the Queen’s spy master to determine whether James VI of Scotland is, in fact, Protestant, as he professes, or if he is still secretly Catholic. The goal is to ensure he is suitable to inherit the throne upon the death of Elizabeth I.

This is an entertaining and well-written historical fiction. It provides the interior thoughts of the main character, as he grapples with issues of identity and makes observations about the situation in England and Scotland from an outsider’s perspective. He is a Turk, brought up Muslim, converts to Protestant Christianity, and investigates the true faith of James whose mother (Mary Queen of Scots) was Catholic. The story combines elements of espionage, religion, and Elizabethan history. It takes time to become immersed in the flow of the story, but really hits its stride once all the pieces and parts are set in motion.

It is intricately plotted, and the reader will have fun fitting all the puzzle pieces together. There are some great characters here. Ezzedine is not a natural spy, and he falls victim multiple times to the deceitful schemes of others. He questions his courage and wonders how events would have unfolded if he had acted more courageously. It is an intelligent book that works on several levels. The period details are delightful. The ending is clever and intriguing. If you enjoy books set in the Elizabethan period, I definitely recommend this one.

4.5