Overview

Set on the night of 9 March 1566, Rizzio: Darkland Tales retells the murder of David Rizzio, favourite and secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots, during a dinner party at Holyrood. The duchy of Scotland is convulsed by ambition, betrayal and power, as a pregnant queen watches the machinations unfold around her.

Writing & Voice

Mina’s writing is taut and unerring—she brings a crime-writer’s precision to a moment of historic upheaval. Her voice is both modern and raw, showing the politics of power through conversation, fear and betrayal rather than florid historical detail.

Characters

Mary is present in the shadow of events, poised, pregnant and endangered; Rizzio is charismatic, caught between loyalty and danger; the conspirators are brutal, calculated and deadly. Mina ensures that all characters serve the tension, offering vivid glimpses of inner life without slowing momentum.

Themes

The novella explores power and vulnerability, the intersection of gender and monarchy, and the cost of loyalty in a world of intrigue. It asks what it means to be watched, to serve, and to be betrayed when you hold authority and yet are utterly exposed.

What Worked

• Focused tension – The entire work takes place within hours, giving nerve and pace to the story.
• Strong character insight – Mina keeps the emotional stakes visible even amid political manoeuvring.
• Concise excellence – At just 128 pages, it delivers a full story without excess.

Minor Quibbles

• The brevity leaves little space for broader context or the queen’s entire reign, which may leave historical readers wanting more.
• Some modern-tone moments contrast with the sixteenth-century setting, which may disrupt immersion for purists.

Final Thoughts

Rizzio: Darkland Tales is a powerful, elegant and sharply wrought historical thriller that will appeal to lovers of Scottish history, intrigue and well-executed novellas.

Rating: ★★★★☆ / 5