- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press; 1 edition (Feb 7 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1890208558
- ISBN-13: 978-1890208554
- Product Dimensions: 21.9 x 16 x 1.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 349 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,410,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
The return engagement of Lord Westfield's Men, the Elizabethan-era theatrical troupe introduced in The Queen's Head , faces opposition from Puritan factions attempting to stop the premiere of The Merry Devils . The supposedly impious play goes on, but at the requisite moment three boy devils appear through the trap door instead of the expected two. Was it an appearance by the Devil himself? When the play is staged again, only one devil appears--the other little lad is found in costume backstage, dead. It's up to Nicholas Bracewell, mainstay of the troupe, to solve the crime before the Puritans shut down his organization (and the golden age of Elizabethan drama) forever. Though its period dialogue takes some getting used to, this is a believable, satisfying mystery, colorfully costumed and staged, with a bawdy, raffish and utterly amiable cast.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Marston's second foray into the world of Elizabethan theater ( The Queen's Head, LJ 6/1/89) flushes out noble and ignoble characters at all strata. The unexpected appearance of one devil too many at a new play by Lord Westfield's Men upsets the superstitious actors; a subsequent "accident" and a death threaten the company's existence. Nicolas Bracewell, the sensible, well-spoken book holder for the troupe, attempts to fathom the mystery behind the scenes. With its wide-ranging backdrops, attention to authentic detail, closely held plot, and sometime boisterous clatter, this welcome portrayal belongs in all public libraries.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
One devil too many,
By
This review is from: The Merry Devils (Hardcover)
First Sentence: London was the capital city of noise, a vibrant, volatile place, surging with life and clamorous with purpose.Lord Westfield's Men, an Elizabethan acting company, is presenting a new play, 'The Merry Devils.' Contrary to the stage direction of book-holder, Nicholas Bracewell, a third 'devil' appears when the scene only calls for two. Upon the second presentation, Bracewell decides to have there be three devils, but only two appear. The third is found dead under the stage. Threats increase and Nicholas must find who is behind it before anyone else dies. Marston is one of the best at crafting time and place. He takes us from the workings of the theater, to the streets, to the properties of nobles to Bethlehem Hospital, otherwise known as Bedlam. This was a time when Christianity and superstition were intertwined and strict Puritanism was on the rise. The cadence and syntax of the dialogue reflect the period while delightful metaphors and humor exemplify the characters. The cast of characters is interesting and appealing. Marston has provided enough of Bracewell's background to bring him to life but has, intentionally to us and the other characters, left much in the shade. The members of the company reflect the egos, insecurities and conflicts one would expect without be stereotypes. All the characters have dimension and substance. I did appreciate the character of Dr. John Mordrake, based on Dr. John Dee, mathematician, scientist, occultist and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He seems to be the subject of numerous books these days. Although there was a very good, twisty plot and a dramatic ending, it did feel overly contrived. However, that did not diminish my enjoyment or my anticipation of Marston's next Elizabethan Theater book. THE MERRY DEVILS (Hist Mys-Nicholas Bracewell-England-Elizabethan) - G+ Marston, Edward ' 2nd in series St. Martin's Press, ©1989, US Hardcover ' ISBN: 0312038631
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Devil to Play,
By Budge Burgess (Kilmarnock, Scotland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Merry Devils (Paperback)
This is the second of Edward Marston's Elizabethan whodunits (the first being "The Queen's Head"); we meet again Lord Westfield's Men and the heroic Nicholas Bracewell, the book holder, production manager, mister fixit, and organiser of the company. Urbane, cultured, he has sailed with Drake and can handle his fists and wield a sword or dagger with the best of them. Bracewell is a practical man, a solver of problems, a searcher after rational explanation who eschews religious fanaticism and casts a sceptical eye over any evidence of magic.This is an era in which religion and magic count for much: they can mean life and death. Marston does offer a certain amount of historical exposition - setting the contemporary scene, explaining the political/religious tensions and dynamics, offering pen-pictures of real, historical figures. He handles this well - his exposition is rarely intrusive and is generally a seamless part of the narrative. He establishes place, time, and atmosphere economically and convincingly. Indeed, sometimes he creates a narrative claustrophobia - you almost wish he would suspend action while he digresses about the history. But, of course, you can find that elsewhere (readers will find highly entertaining and accessible history in the works of Alison Weir). The Elizabethan theatre-going public was a cross-section of society, with the emphasis on vulgarity, and a brash, loud demand for entertainment. Lords and ladies were here, but so were the prostitutes and thieves. The players had to walk a tightrope between providing literate entertainment without offending any of the powerful... especially the queen. In "The Merry Devils", Westfield's men risk antagonising and outraging wide sections of society. When they put on their new production it appears that one of Satan's imps has joined the cast, cavorting about the stage to the consternation of actors and public alike. This satanic apparition is the first in a series of injuries done to the company. Are they cursed? Has their playwright truly conjured up the devil? Is there a rational, material explanation? Or will the Puritan fundamentalists succeed in closing the show? Marston offers a bloody, bawdy, bodice-ripping yarn without ever becoming too explicit. His style is lightweight - not a criticism, merely an observation that he writes enjoyable page-turners rather than intense, sociological studies of the 16th century. An engaging read! ["The Trip to Jerusalem" is the next in the series.]
4.0 out of 5 stars
Supernatural Elizabethan mystery (some mix!),
By
This review is from: The Merry Devils (Paperback)
What happens when an unexpected supernatural guest shows up on the stage of a play in Elizabethan England? I was confused at the beginning of this book because there is a large cast of characters, and they are all introduced at the same time... once I got the characters straight in my head (I think) I found this mystery enjoyable.
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