Mask Of Night: A Shakespearean Murder Mystery [Hardcover]

His Elizabethan "mysteries" featuring young Nick Revill have all been entertaining reading--so far in this series--and "Mask of Night" lives up to Philip Gooden's reputation. Fast paced and entwined with innuendos, nuanced with intrigue, and, of course, a conclusive denouement, this episode captivates the reader from page one.

It's early 17th century (1603) and the plague is raising havoc, not to mention taking many vicitims!, and so the Chamberlain's Men decide to leave London for the hinterlands and end up in Oxford, whereupon they have been invited to play "Romeo and Juliet" as a special favor to an old acquaintance of William Shakespeare. It's pertinent, the Bard tells Nick, in that there are two houses in Oxford, quite resembling the Montagues and Capulets, he hints, and thus hopefully this play will bring the two groups together as the daughter of one and the son of the other have pledged to marry each other.

Thus, with a safe basis for this novel (all the books in the series has a Shakespearean play as its theme/foundation), Gooden lets his characters take off, certainly the reader will be excused for assuming that romantic tragedy will somehow play into the story. Granted, there are several directions in which the plot takes, as murder, mayhem, and malice play their integral roles. The secondary theme, which actually takes center stage--is the plague itself. At this point in history, very little was known scienfically or medically about it and thus superstition, ignorance, and even a lot of greed become major players, as it goes around the world with its death and havoc. Thus, early on murder becomes the vehicle for the book and with Revill's dedication--and with a little help from his boss Shakespeare and a couple of his colleagues, Nick slowly and surely diagnoses the case and, naturally, solves the crimes.

One aspect of Gooden's books in this series is his willingness to look at various issues of that time, among them the concern that their Good Queen Bess is dying. She's been queen for what seems forever and thus a great air of uncertainty (which can be spelled "intrigue")is evident. The folks are uneasy about what is to come. In addition, Gooden's wry sense of humor helps lighten the issues, although not to the point of irrelevance nor to render farsical these social, religious, economic, and political issues.

Readers--and appreciators--of historical fiction--light ones--will find this series entertaining and captivating. Using Shakespeare, as two or three other series writers do, is a good idea and one that keeps this reader coming back for more.

Gooden offers a wonderful look into Shakespeare's time. I was delighted that The Bard is a secondary character rather than the investigator, and that one does not need a great knowledge of Shakespeare or his plays to enjoy the book. It is a classic mystery with clues and suspense along the way. I loved the character of Nick Revill and didn't feel hampered by having started the series late into it. This was the first I've read in this series, but have already ordered all the others.

› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews  4.5 out of 5 stars