Review Detail

Sixteen-year-old Will Hughes's days as an actor come to a close right when he's whirled into the schemes of Queen Elizabeth. A son of traitors, he plays along, fearing a slip will end him up in prison or worse, dead. Along the way, he meets Lord James Bloomsbury. Even though his lordy manners annoy Will, a connection forms. A connection if found out can have its own deadly consequences.

What worked: Engaging romp through 1593 England filled with dastardly suspense and mystery. Will is used to pretending by acting in plays during Shakespeare's time. He's charming and also loyal to those he counts as friends. When his mentor playwright Marlowe is murdered, Will is fearful of his own secret being uncovered. Conspiracies are everywhere. I like how the author shows Will as being multi-layered with his attempts to find out who killed his friend to whom he can actually trust.

There's a little of everything in this suspenseful historical. The bubbling romance between Will and Lord Bloomsbury is one that is a slow burn. Also, Will's not really sure if he can in fact trust him as Lord James represents everything he despises.

At every turn, something goes wrong. Add to that murders that only increase the mystery behind who is trying to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. In this novel, the Queen is pictured as an unsympathetic ruler who looks down on those not of royal lineage. So those who have links to so-called traitors, like Will, one wrong word can be deadly.

Lots of vivid images of Elizabethian London with a cast of miscreants, royals, and a secret society.

THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE meets Elizabethian London, filled with twists and turns and a surprising reveal.