1592. Englad and Spain at war. At home Elizabeth I crown is at stage as the Earl of Essex, her favourite, undermines to take the crown for himself by marrying into a royal blood line and disposing his wife, by poisoning, to do so. John Shakespeare, called out to work for Robert Cecil, is sent to find vital papers in the possession of the Earl to expose his plot. Shakespeare finds himself and family under threat. Another page turning success. ( )

Completed this after the aborted attempt in Jan 2013. Terrific is the word! ( )

Five years have passed (1592) and John Shakespeare, school teacher is called upon by Privy Councillor Sir Robert Cecil to spy on the Earl of Essex, and to accept Essex's offer to investigate the mystery of the appearance of Eleanor Dare from the doomed Roanoke colony.
A very enjoyable and interesting well-written mystery ( )

Fun story - a bit of a James Bond story set in the 16th century. OK read (even though I listened to it). ( )

A powerful novel featuring John Shakespeare (brother of Will - you may have heard of him...) as a retired 'intelligencer' (spy) called back into service to foil nefarious plots, defeat blackguards a-plenty and save the monarchy, and by extension, the nation. Clements has a good sense of the right historical details to include and linger on and he uses language well. Speech is Elizabethan in tone, but not so much that it overpowers action and character. Shakespeare's rocky relationship with his wife Catherine over her illegal-at-the-time Catholicism rang true and is sensitively handled. A fine romp with black hats and white hats to hiss or cheer as the action moves swiftly to a satisfying conclusion. ( )