The Vagabond Clown

by Edward Marston Narrated by David Thorpe

Overview

When unexpected disaster strikes Lord Westfield's Men during a packed performance, Nicholas Bracewell must save the day. Will a vagabond clown prophesy the end of the troupe, and perhaps the demise of Nick himself?

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Edgar nominee Marston sends in the clowns in his 13th Nicholas Bracewell mystery (after 2002's The Bawdy Basket), once again providing an engaging look at the life of players in Shakespeare's day, with their aristocratic sponsors, resident playwrights, actor-managers and apprentice boys (who played female parts). When a riot and murder (both perhaps engineered by a jealous rival company) during a play performance deprive Westfield's Men of their London venue and cripple their clown, the company seems doomed, but ever-reliable, ever-resourceful Nicholas finds a substitute clown and helps to arrange a tour in Kent. The author vividly evokes the sights, sounds and smells of the taverns, inns, guildhalls and castles visited by the players, each of whom is a distinct personality. He shows how important it was for travelers to have skills as carpenters, blacksmiths, wheelwrights and fighters. The suspense builds, as attacks and delays by clever, ruthless adversaries imperil the company's livelihood and very existence. Excellent as the theater background is, the climax may come as a disappointment to some readers, especially those who appreciate how fervently Catholics held to their faith in Elizabethan times. (Aug. 4) FYI: Marston is the pseudonym of Keith Miles, who is also the author of The Owls of Gloucester (Forecasts, Mar. 31) and other titles in his Domesday Book mystery series. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Lord Westfield's Men, the actors' troupe for which Bracewell works as stage manager, are forced to leave their theater after a violent act of sabotage trashes the place. Worse, someone has killed one of Westfield's friends during the melee. Bracewell struggles to save the troupe and its reputation. An outstanding historical, the 13th in the series. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Disaster strikes Lord Westfield’s Men, the Renaissance acting troupe for which Nicholas Bracewell (The Bawdy Basket, 2002, etc.) acts as the bookholder, or behind-the-scenes manager. During a smash performance of A Trick to Catch a Chaste Maid at their home stage in the yard of the Queen’s Head Inn, two groundlings break comic actor Barnaby Gill’s leg and incite the rest of the audience to riot. The innkeeper blames Westfield’s Men and throws them out. When Bracewell finds aristocratic young Fortunatus Hope stabbed to death in the audience, he begins to wonder whether the deadly disruption was something more than the unfortunate result of the man’s ill-omened name. Hoping that the cooling-off period will bring their landlord around, he rallies the dispirited company to tour Kent and hires Gideon Mussett as comic temp to take Gill’s place. Mussett has as much talent as Gill, but also a weakness for drinking, wenching, and brawling. On the road, Bracewell must contend with Mussett’s unreliability and a series of cruel tricks played on Gill, who insists on being carted along, and worse, on the rest of Westfield’s Men. Who could have a deadly grudge against a couple of comedians, especially since Adam Sandler hasn’t even been born yet? That paragon Bracewell proves himself as clever and courteous as a Renaissance Boy Scout, and about as interesting, although other personalities and details of theatrical history are entertaining enough.

Reviewing the Evidence

"Marston has created a mystery series that manage to seem both timeless and historical simultaneously. This is an amazing feat for any writer and Marston should be proud of this accomplishment."

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173874740
Publisher:	Soundings, Limited
Publication date:	03/01/2017
Series:	Elizabethan Theatre , #13
Edition description:	Unabridged

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