Customer Reviews

The Merry Devils (Missing Mysteries)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First Sentence: London was the capital city of noise, a vibrant, volatile place, surging with life and clamorous with purpose.

Lord Westfield's Men, an Elizabethan acting company, is presenting a new play, "The Merry Devils." Contrary to the stage direction of book-holder, Nicholas Bracewell, a third "devil" appears when the scene only calls for two. Upon the second presentation, Bracewell decides to have there be three devils, but only two appear. The third is found dead under the stage. Threats increase and Nicholas must find who is behind it before anyone else dies.

Marston is one of the best at crafting time and place. He takes us from the workings of the theater, to the streets, to the properties of nobles to Bethlehem Hospital, otherwise known as Bedlam.

This was a time when Christianity and superstition were intertwined and strict Puritanism was on the rise. The cadence and syntax of the dialogue reflect the period while delightful metaphors and humor exemplify the characters.

The cast of characters is interesting and appealing. Marston has provided enough of Bracewell's background to bring him to life but has, intentionally to us and the other characters, left much in the shade. The members of the company reflect the egos, insecurities and conflicts one would expect without be stereotypes. All the characters have dimension and substance.

I did appreciate the character of Dr. John Mordrake, based on Dr. John Dee, mathematician, scientist, occultist and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He seems to be the subject of numerous books these days.

Although there was a very good, twisty plot and a dramatic ending, it did feel overly contrived. However, that did not diminish my enjoyment or my anticipation of Marston's next Elizabethan Theater book.

THE MERRY DEVILS (Hist Mys-Nicholas Bracewell-England-Elizabethan) - G+
Marston, Edward - 2nd in series
St. Martin's Press, ©1989, US Hardcover - ISBN: 0312038631

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.

Nicholas Bracewell, book holder for Lord Westfield's Men, a company of actors, is fresh from accomplishing the task of holding the group together during a recent plot against the queen, Elizabeth I. The Queen's Head galleries are about to ring with laughter when The merry Devils a new comedy is performed by Lord Westfield's men. The landlord is somewhat fearful that mischief will follow, but Nicholas sees only a harmless comedy, a play that will not summon up real devils. Why then do three devils suddenly appear on stage, one looking remarkably life-like, and then one imp is found dead beneath the stage?

What happens when an unexpected supernatural guest shows up on the stage of a play in Elizabethan England?

I was confused at the beginning of this book because there is a large cast of characters, and they are all introduced at the same time... once I got the characters straight in my head (I think) I found this mystery enjoyable.

"The Merry Devils" is Edward Marston's second episode in the Nicholas Bracewell "Elizabethan Whodunit" series.

It's now curtains up for the London theatrical group known as the Westfield Men.Their patron is Lord Westfield, who, often times, has his own misgivings and even problems. Still the troupe carries on, as the series reveals, with murder, mayhem, and political, social, and religious intrigues!

Behind the guidance of Bracewell, the company's book holder and general stage "boss," the group is enjoying measured success, after all it is good times in England as the Virgin
Queen seems happy on the throne and prosperity seems at an all-time high.

Not so fast, though. The troupe is excited about their production of a new play, "The Merry Devils." However, on opening day, a strange and surprising event occurs: instead
of two devils appearing on stage, mysteriously there are three devils there. This catches everyone's attention and they prepare for a second performance. This time, only one devil
appears and the crew find the second one dead beneath the stage!

Now, our Nicholas takes over. Despite the fact that he's a top theatrical manager, he's also a great detective. Now, with the help (and oftimes hindrance!) of his fellow troupe members, he begins slowly to unravel the circumstances surrounding this death. And, of course, it is no accident. Like a spider web, the event spins off in a number of directions, areas where jealousy, revenge, and political intrigue step forward. Marston's supporting characters include the indomitable Lawrence Firethorne, Edmund Hood, Barnaby Gill, and their nemesis Banbury's Men.

Marston does an excellent job with this historical
"whodunit," weaving excellent characterization, plot development, historical accuracy, and authentic tone and atmosphere to make "The Merry Devils" one worth the read. This story is not a history lesson, but history "with a twist," well worth the time it takes! (...

The Merry Devils is a very creative work of art. It really shows what Tudor England was like under the reign of the Virgin Queen.
It blends theater and history into an astounding read from cover to cover.