The Queen’s Priest by Theresa Abell Haynes

The Queen’s Priest by Theresa Abell Haynes
Series: Stand Alone Novel
Publisher: Tall Tree Press (Indie); July 30, 2025

I was thoroughly impressed with the depth of historical research it must have taken to write this novel. Haynes skillfully describes the power struggles of Henry VIII’s court, particularly the king’s determination to annul his marriage to Catherine to wed Anne Boleyn and the nuances of court politics. As the story progresses, Haynes demonstrates how fear, pride, and the hunger for control shaped the king’s decisions—decisions that left little room for dissent.

To his credit, Abell continued to argue both publicly and in written form that there was no legitimate basis for Henry’s divorce, which made him a thorn in the king’s side and led to multiple imprisonments, including a long confinement in the Tower of London. Evidence of his presence there—his carved name and family emblem survives to this day.

Throughout the novel, Haynes offers readers a portrait of faithfulness under pressure without romanticizing the dangers or simplifying the moral issues at hand. Abell’s faith is revealed through prayer, study, and inner struggle, emphasizing the cost of discipleship—how remaining true to one’s beliefs can lead to isolation, imprisonment, and even death.

Overall, The Queen’s Priest is a rewarding read for fans of faith-centered historical fiction. Theresa Abell Haynes succeeds in illuminating a forgotten martyr while offering a sobering look at one of England’s most volatile periods. It is a novel that honors history, challenges the reader, and quietly testifies to the enduring power of the Christian conscience.

For all these reasons, I give The Queen’s Priest five well-deserved fish.

I received a free audiobook copy of The Queen’s Priest from the author. I was not required to write a favorable review. The narrator, Alex Bhat, did an amazing job bringing the story of Blessed Thomas Abell to life. I highly recommend this audio production.