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PRINCE
by Rory Clements
John Murray, May 2011
420 pages
12.99 GBP
ISBN: 1848544251


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Who murdered playwright Christopher Marlowe? Throughout PRINCE this is the question that is on the mind of Will Shakespeare's brother, a likeable and thoughtful investigator, whose first name is never revealed. The story is set in late 16th century London, when life was perilous, particularly for the poor, and for foreigners and Catholics too. Shakespeare works for Sir Robert Cecil, and when not pursuing the killers of such as Marlowe, is required to investigate attacks on Dutch settlers and threats to King James of Scotland. He is not to know at the start that all the enquiries might be related. Although mainly set around the city and the East End of London, the story also takes place on the river itself, to the west towards Hampton Court and to the east right down the estuary almost to the coast.

The story as a whole appears to be based on a very strong foundation of thorough research, and yet there is no feeling that everything has to be absolutely true. Fact and fiction blend seamlessly with a wonderful depth to the writing that enables the atmosphere to pour off the page. The action takes place in numerous settings that include among others, homes of various status, a prison, an inns yard, a warehouse, a factory, the river and the estuary. There is a great feeling for the reality of life for the working people of London and of how fearful some of them were of the bullies employed by those with wealth and power.

Whilst the story relates many murky goings-on, including dangers from fanatics with explosives, Clements manages to avoid creating the really bleak atmosphere that sometimes pervades novels of this period. The glimpses of family life are quite heart-warming, a result probably of the sympathetic nature of the main character. It is refreshing to have a central character who is strong and thoughtful and yet pragmatic and by the same token, the other characters come over as real people, not stereotypes.

The interrelated storylines ensure that the pace of the story is fast with never a dull moment. Similarly the dialogue is realistic and punchy. This is one of the most enjoyable novels that I have read for some time. It was also good to have some historical notes included at the end of the book.

PRINCE has just been short-listed for the Ellis Peters Historical Award for 2011.

§ Sylvia Maughan is a retired university lecturer, based in Bristol.

Reviewed by Sylvia Maughan, August 2011

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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