Death of Kings

Philip Gooden's "Shakespearean Murder Mystery featuring Nick Revill" is a well-written, cleverly presented historical mystery. In "Death of Kings," Gooden's Elizabethan players (lead by Revill) are involved, once more, in timely political intrigue. It is 1601 and Elizabeth I is in her waning years and there has been quite a bit of uneasiness politically concerning who will follow her reign, as she's left on direct heir. The intrigue here, of course, involves the Earl of Essex and his notorious, well-known, and ill-fated relationship with the Queen and of his failed attempts to over throw her (students of history already know this). In "Death of Kings," Gooden takes us into this intrigue in this fictionalized account. Revill is a poor player who is strutting and fretting his hour upon the stage in this second-in-the-series book. The author is certainly has certainly brushed upon his Shakespeare and reading this series is a delight for folks who know something about the Bard and his plays. Gooden's allusions are peppered heavily throughout the books and it is fun to pick up on them; however, of course, one doesn't have to know anything about Shakespeare to be able to enjoy the story. Shakespeare himself is a character, albeit somewhat minor, in these books, but his stage presence is felt heavily, either directly or the influence he exerts on young Master Revill. In "Death of Kings," Gooden uses "Richard II" as the "thematic Shakespearean play" as the basis of the story (in addition, he's used "Macbeth," "Hamlet," and "Midsummer Night's Dream" in his books), posing this history play as more politically based than Shakepeare perhaps intended. The Earl of Essex and his followers are determined to have their way and treason, murder, and other mayhem play strongly in the story. Of course, again, students of history know he fails, which doesn't give away the story. Gooden's fictionalized characters carry the weight and this book, as are the others, is a delight to read. Revill finds himself in more than one predicament, socially, financially, sexually, politically--you name it. But the young player keeps his head on his shoulders (something not necessarily easy to do in Elizabethan England) and is able to draw the curtains on yet another dramatic act of historical significance. This is a good read!