First Sentence: Enemies surrounded them.

Bookholder Nicholas Bracewell and the theatre company of Lord Westfield's Men decide to leave London in an effort to avoid the plague, which seem already to have felled one of the troupe's members. More the plague troubles the troupe. They find their plays have been given to a rival company, who are performing them on the road just ahead. When a young player is kidnapped, Nicholas is determined to learn who is out to sabotage his troupe.

Although I am not as big a fan of Marston's 'Elizabethan Theater' books as I am his 'Domesday' books, this was still a very enjoyable read. Nicholas Bracewell is an intriguing character about whom we learn a bit more and who grows as a character with each book. He is the core of reason and sanity in the world-wind of artistic personalities and the vanity of actors. His background of sailing and fighting with Sir Francis Drake make him a strong, credible investigator.

Marston fine eye for history is well portrayed in aspects. From the dialogue, to the vagaries of an actor's life on the road, a look behind the scenes of Elizabethan theater and the dangers of the political and religious times; Marston doesn't 'pretty-up' the period but helps us understand the challenges of living during that time. At the same time, I appreciate Martson's humor and the bombastic personalities of some of the characters which enliven and lighten the plot.

This was a short, light, fascinating read that I very much enjoyed and series with which I shall continue.

THE TRIP TO JERUSALEM (His Mys, Nicholas Bracewell, England, Elizabethan) ' Good+
Marston, Edward, 3rd in Elizabeth Theater Series
St. Martin's Press, ©1990, US Hardcover ' ISBN; 0312051743