Assassin of Verona

'An engaging clever read' The TimesA thrilling new novel of conspiracy, intrigue and rapier-sharp wit starring William ShakespeareVenice, 1586. William Shakespeare is disguised as a steward to the English Ambassador. He and his friends Oldcastle and Hemminges possess a deadly secret: the names of the catholic spies in England who seek to destroy Queen Elizabeth. Before long the Pope's agents will begin to close in on them and fleeing the city will be the players' only option.In Verona, Aemelia, the daughter of a Duke, is struggling to conceal her passionate affair with her cousin Valentine. But darker times lie ahead with the arrival of the sinister Father Thornhill who is determined to seek out any who don't conform to the Pope's ruthless agenda . . .Events will converge in the forests around Verona as a multitude of plots are hatched and discovered, players fall in and out of love and disguises are adopted and then discarded. Will Shakespeare and his friends escape with their secrets - and their lives?Bursting with breathless action, swaggering charm and rapier-sharp dialogue, The Assassin of Verona is the gripping new novel from the acclaimed author of The Spy of Venice. Praise for Benet Brandreth"Playful and inventive . . . The dialogue is wonderful, and Will's banter with his fellow actors sparkles." Antonia Senior"Entertaining and ebullient . . . The author knows his Shakespeare backwards (the Venice setting has been carefully chosen), rejoices in its wordplay, loves his allusions and has a good time with his characters. So did I." Elizabeth Buchan, Daily Mail"A Venetian romp" Telegraph'Strong, well fleshed-out and colourful characters, a fast-moving and interesting plot and some good set-piece scenes, plus Brandreth's stylish writing, which rejoices in its wordplay and his love of allusions, will keep you guessing to the dramatic, blood-soaked end...a unique and compelling thriller' Crime Review

...the chief pleasure here is in the way Brandreth - who works with the Royal Shakespeare Company as an authority on Shakespeare - honours the spirit of the period's language with a richly baroque hybrid style that is, almost inevitably, littered with references and allusions to the plays William Shakespeare will eventually settle down to write., There are twists, disguises, pledges to bloody vengeance and plenty of fair Shakespearing: "You may play the knight, but you will never play a mouse." Brandreth keeps the pace high and an eyebrow nicely arched, Brandreth's style of writing draws you into the world of intrigue and conspiracy he has so wonderfully crafted immediately which sets the tone of the book very nicely. His extensive knowledge of Shakespeare and in particular his language flows beautifully onto the page creating the perfect atmosphere all the way through. Even his characters have a satisfying roundness to them - you can easily picture all of these characters in a Shakespeare play. Not only is Brandreth's knowledge of Shakespeare extensive, but also his unique approach to creating a story about the great man is one to be admired, This book will surely be a delight to readers on every level; Shakespeare buffs, lovers of literature, but perhaps most of all those who simply enjoy really exciting and well-plotted historical thrillers... I really didn't want to finish it and am very glad Benet Brandreth has left himself an opportunity to continue Shakespeare's Venetian adventures a while longer, I absolutely adored the book! Shakespeare is represented so roguishly and charming and I instantly fell in love with his character. A wonderful and thrilling adventure with lots of rogues and sass. Highly recommended

Benet Brandreth is an expert on Shakespeare's language and times, the rhetoric coach to the Royal Shakespeare Company and others, and a writer and performer whose last one-man show was a five-star reviewed sell-out at the Edinburgh Fringe and on its London Transfer. On top of all that he is a leading IP barrister. The Spy of Venice is his debut novel.