The Queen's Cousin: A novel of Queen Anne of Scotland

by Raymond Wemmlinger

A page-turning political drama of the late Elizabethan era! For fans of Philippa Gregory, Elizabeth Chadwick, Carol McGrath and Anne O’Brien.

With an ageing childless queen on England’s throne, the search for an heir intensifies…

Scotland, 1594

Nineteen-year-old Anne of Denmark, Queen of Scotland, is thrilled and triumphant at the birth of a healthy baby boy, destined to reign as King of Scotland and, possibly, England.

But Anne’s enjoyment of maternal glory quickly fades as her husband King James, fearing his son will be politically manipulated against him as he was against his mother, the deceased Mary Queen of Scots, removes the child permanently from her care.

Outraged, Anne tries to regain control of her son, initiating a bitter marital struggle which sours what had been a loving and harmonious marriage.

Anne is haunted by the giant legacies of Mary Stuart and Elizabeth Tudor on the thrones of Scotland and England, and is determined to make her own mark.

And central to that ambition is securing the succession to the English throne from her husband’s cousin, the elderly and childless Queen Elizabeth.

Can Anne regain favour with the Scottish King? Will they join forces to secure the English throne?

Or will this daring Queen of Scotland fade into obscurity…?

THE QUEEN’S COUSIN is a biographical historical novel of Anne of Denmark, wife of King James and Queen of Scotland during the Tudor era of Elizabeth I’s reign.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 16, 2025

About the author

Raymond Wemmlinger is the curator and librarian at The Hampden-Booth Theatre Library, New York City, which specializes in nineteenth-century British and American theater. He has lived his entire life in or around New York City, where most of Booth's Daughter is set.

Reviews

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book but very focused on really one aspect of Queen Anne's life - mainly her eldest son. It's a pretty well documented fact that the relationship between Anne and James was very good in the beginning but deteriorated thereafter for several reasons. This book addresses none of them. Therefore, it leaves the reader with a small understanding of this strong and determined woman. I understand it's historical fiction but it could have been better.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waited 24 hours before writing a review, and I'm still torn. First, as with the previous books in this series, The Queen's Cousin is well written, and the pacing of the story is excellent. The "queen" in the title is Queen Elizabeth I, and the "cousin" is James VI of Scotland. It's a fascinating time in history, both in Scotland and England, so I was instantly intrigued. I appreciated the deep research required to effectively write about the complicated political climate in Scotland.

I guess my disappointment is personal. I expected the bisexuality of James and how that affected his wife, Anne, to at least be touched on, but there was no mention at all. No mention of James VI's historical hatred of witches, not even regarding his belief that witches caused the storms that hit Anne's first voyage from Denmark to Scotland. I understand that this wasn't the focus of the author, but the omissions loomed large for me since this is Queen Anne's story. As a wife, I know that both of these issues would impact the marriage, even if you are a queen.

[Mercedes Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was refreshing to see a book about the rarely seen queen of James VI and I. I knew she was from Denmark, and in this book she and James had a loving relationship. It was sweet, until James put his foot down and insisted their heir, the infant Henry, was to live in a separate household. He didn’t consult her first, and Queen Anne felt betrayed and terribly hurt. What made matters worse was that the child’s guardians were to be the horrible Countess of Mar and her son the Duke, trusted by the king and hated by Anne. Things were never the same after this, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the bereaved mother, who suddenly understood that her feelings and wishes didn’t matter an iota, once her husband made a decision:

He stood across the table from me, his breathing strong with agitation, his expression angry in a way I’d never seen before. It also held a look of extreme surprise, telling me he hadn’t expected opposition to this extent. It gave me an advantage, and I took it. “It baffles me completely that you could even imagine I would consent to such an arrangement,” I said strongly. “You say we must do what is best for the prince, and certainly that would be for him to remain in proximity to the love of his parents. At least, until he is older.” Even in my anger I saw it had been a mistake to attack the Countess of Mar. “I am sure your friends have qualities to recommend them, but no matter how fine, nothing can compare with a mother’s love.”
It was his turn to laugh, but instead of harsh and loud, it was low and drawn out. Then he said vehemently, “Speak not to me, madam, of a mother’s love!”

Of course! We are reminded that the king’s mother was the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots, and this unfortunate circumstance also hung over their heads like a spectre. They even slept in the room where Mary’s secretary, David Rizzio, was murdered while a gun was pointed at the pregnant queen’s belly. Pregnant with James! Poor Anne learned to swallow her anger and she did her duty, patching up her differences with the king for the sake of their marriage and the country. There were several children ahead, some stillborn or died in infancy; others miscarried. A daughter Elizabeth and the fragile Charles survived and were placed into their own households. But the injustice of Anne’s separation from Henry never faded, and when it was time to move on to England after Queen Elizabeth’s death, the situation quickly came to the forefront. This is the first of two books about the royal family, and it didn’t delve into the the king’s close personal relationships with his male favorites. I kind of regretted this missing aspect. The focus of the story was about Anne’s love for her children, but I couldn’t help but wonder how the king’s behavior with other men would have impacted their marriage. Regardless, it was good reading and flowed well.

[jeannette Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean38no

Interesting book on the Queen , the wife of James 1 who was the King of Scotland ,Mary Tutor’s son who she had to abdicate the Scottish Crown to him when he was a baby. The book depth into the marriage between the King and his Queen and their children. Things they may have thought and incidences that actually happen . The author showed a wealth of the times and customs between Scotland and England at that time.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read about a queen, a woman, a wife and mother. I didn't know much about Queen Anne of Scotland, either as a queen nor as a mother. I found it interesting to read about her relationship to James, the King, which appeared rather loving. Nevertheless, Anne remained a woman with no rights as to make a decision, not even about the education of her son.... I really felt for her! Unfortunately, this was the reality for most women.

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good overall and was highly focused on Queen Anne's relationship with her eldest son, and heir. It was well focused on the political complexities in Scotland at the time but I think it missed the mark on the slow crumbling of her relationship with King James.
If you're looking for a really humanizing read, this is it.

[Diane Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and Queen Anne

I'm very surprised the book ended so soon. There must be so much more to tell about this family and what happens to Prince Henry to make Charles the next king.

[Carol Beckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit slow

It was interesting to read about this Queen Anne who doesn't have a very high profile in history. However I honestly struggled to finish the book as it sent me to sleep every time I read it. This read like a diary so there didn't feel the book overall had structure.

[Sheree Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I found this story so engaging and I was so sad when it ended. I wanted to know what
Came next in the lives of these characters. Would encourage any lover of historical fiction to read this book.

[Knitshappy · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read

A very fast moving, emotionally charged page-turner of historical fiction! An amazing story of loss and love. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen Anne of Scotland

Captivating read.

I could not put it down. Stayed up most of the night. I learned a lot as well.

[jules · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring…..

So Boring I’m afraid, couldn’t carry on reading so I skipped to the end to see what happened, which wasn’t much!!!

[Eileen's hd · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

This was a well written book. I enjoyed it and liked imagining what it would have been like to live back then.

[Monica Herrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held my interest

I feel that this book is well written. It held my interest. I would read and read and read until I feel asleep. No boring parts.

[Betsy E. Bruaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Insights

Interesting perspective of the family waiting to rule England after Elizabeth I. Good to see a novel of this period!