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helenephoebe's review against another edition
3.0
Review - My least favourite of the three I have read, however, still a cleverly constructed murder mystery. I did think that the introduction of the religious controversies of the period was a clever device, but it could have been used to better effect. The characters didn't come across as fully formed as in the earlier two novels which, for me, let the story down.
Genre? - Historical / Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Nicholas Bracewell / Edmund Hoode / Lawrence Firethorn / Richard Honeydew / Anne Hendrik / Margery Firethorn
Setting? - London & York (England)
Series? - Nicholas Bracewell #3
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 16/20
Genre? - Historical / Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Nicholas Bracewell / Edmund Hoode / Lawrence Firethorn / Richard Honeydew / Anne Hendrik / Margery Firethorn
Setting? - London & York (England)
Series? - Nicholas Bracewell #3
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 16/20
fat_girl_fiction's review against another edition
4.0
When I picked this up in the bookshop I couldn't wait to get home and start reading it. The plague, a touring band of players, murder and mystery and all narrated by their stage manager. As a stage manager myself it was interesting to read about what my role would have been like if I had been alive during that time period (and had been a man).
Initially the style of writing took me aback. I had expected it to be of the period, and am accustomed to reading Shakespeare but some phrases took two readings for me to understand what was being said or going on. However, as the book progressed I became more used to the language and the book flowed well.
The characters were an eclectic mix which I enjoyed reading about, especially the magnificent Lawrence Firethorn! Dubious in character, but an excellent actor. The other players were also interesting, all distinctive enough to keep separate in my head. Although it did annoy me when Martson constantly referred to them by their full name but actually this became useful as were introduced to more people within the novel.
The story itself of Westfield's Players, their travels on the road and their running feud with Barnaby's players was enough to keep me enthralled. In fact, I found the two running stories alongside a bit boring, especially the one about the traitors. The woman who had abandoned her husband for God was a bit more interesting but it's conclusion was a bit bland, and it had no tie into the main story.
Overall an excellent book, a quick read and a very original idea. I hope to discover the first two of these novels and enjoy them just as much as I have this one.
Initially the style of writing took me aback. I had expected it to be of the period, and am accustomed to reading Shakespeare but some phrases took two readings for me to understand what was being said or going on. However, as the book progressed I became more used to the language and the book flowed well.
The characters were an eclectic mix which I enjoyed reading about, especially the magnificent Lawrence Firethorn! Dubious in character, but an excellent actor. The other players were also interesting, all distinctive enough to keep separate in my head. Although it did annoy me when Martson constantly referred to them by their full name but actually this became useful as were introduced to more people within the novel.
The story itself of Westfield's Players, their travels on the road and their running feud with Barnaby's players was enough to keep me enthralled. In fact, I found the two running stories alongside a bit boring, especially the one about the traitors. The woman who had abandoned her husband for God was a bit more interesting but it's conclusion was a bit bland, and it had no tie into the main story.
Overall an excellent book, a quick read and a very original idea. I hope to discover the first two of these novels and enjoy them just as much as I have this one.
monique3's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
"Enemies surrounded them. Though theatre flourished in London as never before, bestowing vivid entertainment upon the nation's capital and earning daily ovations from large audience's, its practitioners were under constant threat. Acting was a perilous enterprise."
Like the past two books, the story is fun and dramatic, but in its drama it also lacks? I'm not sure if it was the pomp of the male characters, how badly the female characters are presented or just the sheer amount of characters and mini plots squished into such a short narrative? But then, I wouldn't want to read this book if it was bigger! I love the historical settings, I love the idea of a theatre company in Elizabethan London and learning little bits here and there of the time period, but I do have a love hate relationship with the characters. One example being Gill's character, I appreciate having a gay character in any book but not when he's written as some lustrous creep feasting on overly innocent boys. Being the third book, it also felt repetitive, there doesn't seem to be any character growth and is getting a bit wearisome to read Firethorn's fiery outbursts or Nick's extreme heroism multiple times within one book let alone three (and more). What I did enjoy in this book is the brief mentions of the plague hitting London forcing theatres to close and how Westfield's men decide to tour instead, while also exploring Walsingham's network of spies unfolding Catholic plots against the Queen amidst the battle of theatre companies. I do like how there's a mixture of fiction and accuracy to the story but other than that I won't continue with the series.
Like the past two books, the story is fun and dramatic, but in its drama it also lacks? I'm not sure if it was the pomp of the male characters, how badly the female characters are presented or just the sheer amount of characters and mini plots squished into such a short narrative? But then, I wouldn't want to read this book if it was bigger! I love the historical settings, I love the idea of a theatre company in Elizabethan London and learning little bits here and there of the time period, but I do have a love hate relationship with the characters. One example being Gill's character, I appreciate having a gay character in any book but not when he's written as some lustrous creep feasting on overly innocent boys. Being the third book, it also felt repetitive, there doesn't seem to be any character growth and is getting a bit wearisome to read Firethorn's fiery outbursts or Nick's extreme heroism multiple times within one book let alone three (and more). What I did enjoy in this book is the brief mentions of the plague hitting London forcing theatres to close and how Westfield's men decide to tour instead, while also exploring Walsingham's network of spies unfolding Catholic plots against the Queen amidst the battle of theatre companies. I do like how there's a mixture of fiction and accuracy to the story but other than that I won't continue with the series.
psalmcat's review against another edition
5.0
Good again. This time the troupe have to leave London because of the Plague, so they tour up to York, aided & abetted by their arch-rivals, and assorted hangers-on & crazy people. The story brings in the history of the time with a subplot about the persecution of those still practicing Catholicism.
mockingjay16's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this 3rd instalment!! I really did not see the plot twist coming, and I love the way Nicolas makes everything okay which can get annoying at times but mostly it's perfect. I think I enjoyed the 2nd book in the series the most (so far) but there are still 13 books in this series (The Bracewell Mysteries) to go!
roberto's review
4.0
This is the third story in the Bracewell mysteries, and all the familiar ingredients are there: dastardly acts of sabotage by the Earl of Banbury's Men; a player who is not what he seems; the abduction of one of the boy-players; marital problems for Lawrence Firethorn; bloody scenes of torture and death. But then, the genre is formulaic, and Edward Marston has honed his technique well. And to be fair, there are some unusual elements to this tale of Lord Westfield's Men. The plague has forced the players out of London, and the action takes place in a series of provincial locales, ending up at York, where, according to this novel, the pub called the Trip to Jerusalem was to be found. I remember going to the Nottingham Trip, so I was puzzled by this substitution, especially as some of the action takes place in Nottingham, where Firethorn pleases the locals by giving them his Robin Hood. Extensive research (well, I googled it) suggests there was no Trip to Jerusalem pub in York, and actually, Marston's pub now has a new name since it was taken over by Sir Clarence Marmion.
Bracewell is his usual resourceful self, saving the company from disaster, and bringing a plot that involves recusant Catholics, gay spies and a mad woman to a satisfactory conclusion.
Bracewell is his usual resourceful self, saving the company from disaster, and bringing a plot that involves recusant Catholics, gay spies and a mad woman to a satisfactory conclusion.
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