The Malevolent Comedy [Paperback]

Edward Marston (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur (2005)
• ASIN: B000OTE490
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Malevolent Comedy, August 31, 2005

By 

Nancy johns Mohlere "Nancy J. Mohlere" (Huntsville, AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Malevolent Comedy: An Elizabethan Theater Mystery Featuring Nicholas Bracewell (Elizabethan Theater Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Another enjoyable story of Westfield's Men and Nicholas Bracewell sovling mysteries in Elizabethan England. The pace, the plot and the descriptions of Tudor England are still as fresh as with the first novel in the series. I thoroughly enjoy anything by Marston (Doherty).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Malevolent Comedy is not so funny!, August 22, 2005

By 

Billy J. Hobbs "Bill Hobbs" (Tyler, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Malevolent Comedy: An Elizabethan Theater Mystery Featuring Nicholas Bracewell (Elizabethan Theater Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The latest "Elizabethan theater Mystery featuring Nicholas Bracewell" by Edward Marston comes with no surprises and certainly nothing new in plot or character development. It's Marston, tried and true.

The author, who doesn't write under any known pseudonyms, is well respected in the genre and, in addition to the Bracewell series, writes the Domesday Book episodes, equally engrossing and well researched. Like his UK colleague Paul Doherty (who does write under a number of other names), his historical takes are absorbing!

In "The Malevolent Comedy" we find Marston's stable (and staple) formula: the nasty landlord, his equally nasty wife, the tempestuous Lawrence Firethorn (great actor that he is), Edmund Hoode (once again, "losing his Muse"), Barnaby Gill (the obnoxious gay clown), Richard Honeydew (the sweet young boy who plays the lead female roles), the trademark kidnappings (of course), etc., and, because it's a murder mystery, at least one body (usually a member of the cast). And, naturally, Lord Westfield's Men (their company)in their intense rivalry with Banbury's Men is on the verge of losing (a) their reputation, (b) their license, (c) their theatre, etc. Yes, you've read this in all the Nicholas Bracewell stories.

Still, despite the fact that not much is new in this book, this series is well worth the read. I haven't missed a one and recommend this one heartily. I wish Mr. Marston would give us something new, but until he does I'll continue to read the series.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fifteenth Book in the Series, December 1, 2006

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Malevolent Comedy: An Elizabethan Theater Mystery Featuring Nicholas Bracewell (Elizabethan Theater Mysteries) (Hardcover)

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.

Westfield's Men, the most successful troupe of theatre players in medieval London are once again a prime target of jealousy and resentment. With many different theatre groups vying for the attention of the theatre going public, rival groups are not above acts of sabotage and other activities that will put their rivals on the back foot.

However when one of the actor's is found murdered it is a step too far. Other appalling events continue. The leading man Laurence Firethorn is stalked by a mysterious lady and Laurence is quite perturbed by this, as it is usually him who does the stalking. Their leading apprentice is abducted and there is even an attempt on their patrons life. Nicholas Bracewell faces an almighty struggle to save his beloved company yet again.

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.