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The Vagabond Clown An Elizabethan Theater Mystery Featuring Nicholas Bracewell Edward Marston 9780312307899 Books

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The Vagabond Clown An Elizabethan Theater Mystery Featuring Nicholas Bracewell Edward Marston 9780312307899 Books

consistent. The entire series is reasonably well done regarding the mystery. However, as a reader I have two criticisms. One, it is consistently obvious who is going to be killed. The individual might as well wear a "Start Trek red shirt" -- it will be the "new" person. Seriously, why can't Nicholas investigate the death of someone who is a relative or friend of the company? Secondly, the characters don't grow. Nicholas never has a fight over what color flowers his landlady likes, Firethorn never has a woman pursue him that he doesn't like and poor Gil never gets a boyfriend. The stories are reasonably plotted and entertaining, a bit more depth to the characters and length of the stories would have made them all the better.


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The Vagabond Clown An Elizabethan Theater Mystery Featuring Nicholas Bracewell Edward Marston 9780312307899 Books Reviews

Edward Marston is the pseudonym of Keith Miles, a fairly prolific and extremely good writer of mainly Elizabethan and medieval mysteries. He has also written mysteries under his own name with both sporting and golf backgrounds. However it is primarily the books that take place earlier in history that I am interested in. He read modern history at Oxford and has had many jobs, including university lecturer, but fortunately for all his readers, he turned to the writing profession.

Regular reader's of the series will know that Lord Westfield's Men are probably the most accident prone troupe of actors that ever went on a stage and it is always the company's stage manager Nicholas Bracewell who has to untangle the web of intrigue that seem to follow them wherever they go. Once again they have been struck by an unexpected disaster. A melee caused by men in disguise is brought under control, but before the troupe can attempt to recover what they can of their damaged set, Nicholas discovers a body in the stands. A body with a knife sticking out of its back . . .

The author's love for the Elizabethan theatre comes shining through this series of books. Plus his knowledge of the period fills the pages with authenticity and the sights and sounds of the streets and inns of Elizabethan London.
The Westfield's Men acting troupe consider themselves very lucky while in London to be based at The Queen's Head Inn. It has an enclosed yard that is perfect as an outdoor theatre and it even has balconies for the aristocrats and wealthy merchants that want to attend a play without mingling with the common folk. When a riot breaks out during a play they are giving, one of their star performers is injured and a man in the balcony is murdered. It is clear to all that someone wanted to use the riot as a diversion for the killing.
The proprietor of the Queen's Head throws out the actors forcing them to take to the road. They hire a substitute player temporarily until the injured actor is ready to perform again. However, every place they stop they are welcomed by villains who try to sabotage their performances. At one stopover, a player is killed and Nicholas Bracewell, the book holder and the glue that keeps the company together, realizes somebody is out to destroy the company and he intends to stop them.
Readers are privy to what happens behind the scenes in a traveling troupe's entourage. Westfield's Men are a diverse lot of actors who are at times act petty and argumentative but are at the same time loyal to one another and the troupe as a whole. They love to act and it shows in the risks they take but it is Nicholas Bracewell, a hired hand, who manages to rise above the ensemble to make Westfield's Men one of the best acting troupes in Elizabethan England.
Harriet Klausner
"The Vagabond Clown" is the latest in the Edward Marston series ("An Elizabethan Theater Mystery Featuring Nicholas Bracewell") and the author continues to maintain his
flair for the dramatic!
Once again, Westfield's Men, in which Nicholas is the stagemanager "and all around performer of miracles," find themselves in a lot of trouble! Owing to a devastating
brawl during one of their performances at the Queen's Head Inn, the troupe has to exit stage out-of-town, as so much damage has been done to the Inn and their stage proprieties,
there is nothing left for them but to head to Kent to recoup their losses. A major injury to the players is that Barnaby Gill, their erstwhile clown, was injured (a broken leg) in the
melee.
Alas, during said brawl a young man is found dead in the bleachers, a dagger sticking out of his back. Nick and his colleagues know this is murder but cannot imagine
how it relates to them.
But without a clown, the players know they cannot go on. Thus, when Nick recommends one Giddy Mussett, everyone stares askance at the suggestion. Giddy is known as a brawler, a drinker, and a lecher! He is also in debtors prison. After securing his release--and his promise to be on good behavior--Westfield's Men head for the country.
And while the show must go on, it goes with much ado about murder and more mayhem. Someone is out to destroy the players. And not far into their tour, Giddy is found
murdered. It is for Nick to figure all this out.
Marston, of course, takes us though the paces and by the final curtain, all's well that ends well. It goes without saying, particularly if you'ver ead any of this series, that
Westfield's Men save the day.
The author does an excellent job of staying in character--his historical mysteries also include The Domesday Book Series--and "The Vagabond Clown" is no exception. It's light,
fun reading, especially if one likes historical whodunits. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)
Not the best in the series but worth the read
I am always delighted to spend time with the troupe of colorful actors in this series. Edward Marston AKA Keith miles, a prolific British author has an exceptional flair for the times bygone. He captures not only the language and historical background, but smells and colors also. This particular puzzle was easily solved by this ardent reader, but nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed. I'll be back for more soon.
consistent. The entire series is reasonably well done regarding the mystery. However, as a reader I have two criticisms. One, it is consistently obvious who is going to be killed. The individual might as well wear a "Start Trek red shirt" -- it will be the "new" person. Seriously, why can't Nicholas investigate the death of someone who is a relative or friend of the company? Secondly, the characters don't grow. Nicholas never has a fight over what color flowers his landlady likes, Firethorn never has a woman pursue him that he doesn't like and poor Gil never gets a boyfriend. The stories are reasonably plotted and entertaining, a bit more depth to the characters and length of the stories would have made them all the better.