Customer Reviews

A Mystery of Errors

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was a good read... kept my interest and read quickly. Using Will Shakepeare as a character was refreshing and I would love to see future attempts to incorporate historical, literary figures in contemporary fiction. There were moments however when it seemed the content was repetitive. I found myself speed reading over passages that seemed to be saying the same thing over and over again as if for filler to make the book long enough to publish. As for the promoters: from the very moment Smythe and Shakespeare arrive at the theatre, I could sense, or visualize the movie Shakespeare in Love. The scene was similar as is the introduction of a discontented young woman who is being forced to marry against her will.... You probably remember the movie. A Brother Cadfael Tuck Smythe is not.

This was an interesting attempt and I wouldn't hesitate to try a follow up story. With experience comes improvement. Right?

This is a rather good entry to the historical mystery genre -- esp if you enjoy mysteries set in Elizabethan England. I do however have one bone to pick: I do wish that the publicity people would stop comparing every book that has anything to do with Renaissance England and Shakespeare to "Shakespeare in Love". Especially when the comparision is based on the most tenuous of threads. "Shakespeare in Love" was a well acted, well written and well directed movie, but it was a fluff piece; "A Mystery of Errors" is not a fluffy mystery-novel at all.

Symington Smythe leaves his home and his middle-class but almost penniless existence to go to London in hopes of joining the ranks of the actors in The Queen's Men. En route he meets the dashing and mysterious highwayman, Black Billy; and the similarly stage struck and budding playwright, William Shakespeare. Once in London, as there are few acting jobs to be had, both Smythe and Shakespeare obtain jobs as ostlers at The Toad and The Badger, all the while hoping that they will somehow manage to break into the magical world of The Queen's Men. And this is how they find themselves embroiled in the troubles of Elizabeth Darcie.

Elizabeth Darcie is the only daughter of a wealthy merchant, and who is, much to her chagrin, about to be married off to a young man of the gentry and of some small prominence at court, Anthony Gresham. Elizabeth is both dismayed and angered at her parents's apparent lack of concern over her wishes; and so she is much buoyed when after a conversation with Gresham at the playhouse, she discovers that he has no wish to marry her at all. Imagine her surprise when a few days later Gresham turns up at her home and claims that not only has he never met her but that he wishes to continue with the engagement! Elizabeth is perplexed and angered by Gresham's behaviour and turns to Smythe (whom she met at the playhouse and was very much attracted to) for help in discovering what is afoot.

While this mystery novel does not possess a dark and intricate plot, it is a well written and entertaining puzzle that will keep you guessing. What exactly is Gresham up to? Will Elizabeth be sacrificed to her father's ambitions? And how does Black Billy fit in to all this? This novel does not measure up quite in weight to Edward Marston's Elizabethan mystery series featuring Nicholas Bracewell, but it is an enjoyable read nonetheless. Simon Hawke is successful in giving the reader a glimpse of the political and religious intrigue that was taking place behind all the fanfare of Elizabethan England; and I liked his portrayal of William Shakespeare immensely.

All in all a very enjoyable read.

It is a mystery to me why promoters want to push that this book is more in the spirit of "Shakespear in Love," when the only item it has in common is that Will Shakespeare is a character in it. If you want to compare it to movies, it is much more in the spirit of Jake Scott's 1999 directorial debut: "Plunkett & Macleane." Why? It is a cheeky, edgy rendition done with a contemporary conciousness.

The historical rendition of this "Mystery of Errors" is well done, the plot is solid and the characters convincing. As a Renaissance mystery, it has a nice flow, but beware that the mystery only begins to appear more than halfway through the book. The action picks up, and the solution at the end seems a bit rushed, but it is a nice debut to the mystery genre for prolific writer Simon Hawke. I only wish that the 'Afterword' had served as an introduction instead. Recommended.

Hailed as the first “Shakespeare-Smythe” episode in yet another Elizabeth mystery series, Simon Hawke’s “A Mystery of Errors” is a good first edition. Mr. Hawke, an acclaimed writer in the fantasy genre, makes his mystery gambit with this one and draws good marks. While there may be those who wish to compare it to “Shakespeare in Love” (or even Kellenman’s “Quality of Life”!), there’s actually little to compare, at least that would be worth the effort. This book stands on its own.

Having Shakespeare as a co-central character is pleasant enough, certainly original enough, and Hawke’s powers of description and episode--not to mention his knowledge of Elizabethan history--are enough to make this a worthwhile read.

“There was nothing quite so invigorating t the senses, Smythe decided, as ending a long and dusty day by being robbed.” A good opening sentence, and Hawke, with his unlikely duo of protagonists, is off to trip the light fantastic on the boards of London’s stage.

Young Smythe, just twenty and a bit of a hunk himself, vows to fulfill what he believes is his true calling--to become an actor! Of course, with that as the basic quest, Smythe sets out and soon teams up with another wannabe, Will Shakespeare. Clever and fun, at the same time. Not a heavy-weight, literarily (but how many historical mysteries really are?), “A Mystery of Errors” nonetheless demonstrates careful writing, thought, and a knowledge of the craft. Its pacing is sometimes erratic, but perhaps that’s meant as literary symbolism to the Elizabethan times! Regardless, Hawke, we hope, is busy with a second episode of Shakespeare-Smythe.

Being a longtime fan of both Shakespeare and mysteries, naturally this book piqued my interest. I was not disappointed with the result of Simon Hawke's efforts to combine the two. It was one of the best mysteries I have read in a very long time. The period detail is superb, as are the characters and the plot itself. I thoroughly recommend this book; although, if you are interested in it because you saw "Shakespeare in Love", be forewarned that the portrayal is much different from the portrayal of Shakespeare in that film.

I enjoyed this novel very much, save for two
utter bloopers Mr. Hawke pulled, such as
the mention of high tea (when tea wouldn't
be imported to England for ca. 150 years),
his evident belief that "high" tea is the
fancy meal rather than "afternoon" tea,
and the scene in which a wise woman reads
a tarot deck of a type which didn't exist
until the 20th century.

I liked the book very much otherwise, but
my disbelief suspenders had a hard time
recovering from the serious snapping produced
by these silly errors.

When young Symington Smythe discovers that his father has bankrupted himself trying to climb the social ladder, he decides to pursue his dream of a career as an actor. In 16th century Britain becoming an actor meant going to London, so off Smythe went. After being robbed so often that the last highwayman took pity on him and gave him enough for dinner, the young man finally stumbled into the Hawk and Mouse which is so crowded he is forced to share a room with a stranger. Not just any strange, but Will Shakespeare himself, also off to London to make a start in the theater - as a poet. In short order the men become fast friends and travel the rest of the way together.

Once in the town Smythe (now renamed Tuck by Shakespeare) and the young bard have a bit of luck and meet Sir William Worley and Kit Marlowe in the midst of a brawl. When the smoke clears Worley offers Tuck and Will the opportunity of positions at the Queen's Men Theater. Well, 'positions' is a bit of an overstatement. Actually, they are given jobs as hostlers, attending the horses of the audience. Tuck and Will are undaunted, sure that time will favor them (assuming they can get rid of the smell of stable.

On the other side of town, in a much better neighborhood, lives Elizabeth Darcie. She discovers she has a major problem. Her father has decided to marry her off to gain preferment and a chance at a title. Elizabeth, who is quite independent for this age, is outraged. Prepared to do anything to put off her suitor, she is pleasantly surprised when her proposed husband confides to her that he loves another and has no desire to wed her. Or does he? The next day he appears to press his suit, and on the next he is stabbed and dies at her feet. And then he reappears once more. All of this panics Elizabeth and catapults her into the arms of Tuck, who is determined to investigate, despite warnings from Will and the other actors. In short order the plot becomes as complex as one of Shakespeare's own and every bit as exciting.

I was attracted to 'A Mystery of Errors' because I am familiar with Simon Hawkes other works, which are primarily science fiction and fantasy. Thus, I really didn't know quite what to expect. Hawke has never shown any interest in historical mystery stories or the stately prose of Elizabethan rhetoric. The book begins slowly, as Hawke works at the construction of his setting in 16th century England. Which is no small task. The slow pace of the first chapters, combined with an excessive use of flower speech put me off a bit and I feared that Hawke was too far out of his element.

Then, as they say, a miracle happened. The action and intrigue of the plot picked up, the characters lost their stiffness, and everything took on life. I cannot testify to the 'historicity' of the book, but it presents a believable England complete with spies and retired pirates. Thus I found the book a light weight, extremely enjoyable, page-turner. Not quite a farce, but a solid comedy in the Shakespearean style without the burden of iambic pentameter. I also enjoyed the little the countless tidbits of Shakespearean lore that wander in an out of the story, playing their part as puns and puzzles. This is a book appropriate to Shakespeare lovers of all ages. I believe you will find it 'as you like it.'

As usual I have gone about things the wrong way. Ever since reading "Much Ado About Murder", I have worked my way backwards through the Shakespeare and Smythe mysteries written by Simon Hawke. "A Mystery of Errors" is the first in the series of mysteries involving William Shakespeare as sleuth, along with would-be actor Symington "Tuck" Smythe. Naturally Hawke's first must include some background information about his characters and the time period, but it never distracts from the story at hand.

As would-be actor Tuck makes his way to London to pursue his dream, he chances an encounter with a struggling poet hoping to make his mark on the London stage as well. Becoming fast friends, the pair winds up in London, and find jobs as ostlers with the Queen's Men. While not the jobs they had hoped for, they seek all opportunities to rise above their positions and prove their worth. Shakespeare gets his chance to write for the stage and Smythe his chance to act; but of course, everything does not go according to plan and both find themselves mixed up in murder and intrigue. Loosely following the plot of "A Comedy of Errors", the pair must unravel a mystery of murder, mistaken identity and conspiracy that places both of their lives at risk.

Hawke has done a masterful job of uniting created characters with historical personages, and brings the Elizabethan theater to vivid life. In his afterword he acknowledges that he is no scholar on Shakespeare, but has taken the liberty to portray him as he has imagined him. His imagining is funny and likeable, mixing lines of dialogue from Shakespeare's plays into his 'fictional' counterpart's quips and exchanges. And while some purists may grimace at the thought of using Shakespeare as a fictional character, most assuredly the playwright himself would sanction it - for he himself wouldn't have had the plays he wrote if he didn't borrow (or downright steal) from other sources. "A Mystery of Errors" is a fine introduction to the series, but I have found them just as enjoyable to read out of order, and look forward to reading more.

I really didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I love Shakespeare, and I thought this would be a light look at him with enough familiarity about the plays that he wrote to make it fun. It wasn't like that at all. It's a romantic mystery that is not handled all that well. I found that I really did not like Elizabeth (not the Queen) at all. She is supposed to play the romantic interest, but she doesn't ring true. Even Will Shakespeare doesn't seem real in this book. I found that I liked Smythe who happens to be a purely fictional character, and Sir William is a good characterization. The mystery itself is hardly a mystery and there are even inconsistencies there. I don't want to give the story away, but three is too much of a coincidence! So, not much characterization, plot or mystery when all is said and done. I will read a second book in this series to see if there are improvements, but if you are looking for Elizabethan intrigue, you cannot go wrong with Patricia Finney. Her two books on this era are totally excellent!

This story is an enjoyable diversion for any Shakespeare fan in a mood for something light and a little bit enlightening. It's fun to recognize bits of "real Shakespeare" embedded in the text, and Hawke gives several unorthodox slants to the Shakespeare character. He does miss his opportunity to have Shakespeare's companions feed the future bard all his famous lines, or to tweak those scholars who think Shakespeare was really older Christopher Marlowe or somebody. In Hawke's afterword he doth protest unnecessarily for his travesty on great Shakespeare; we don't really expect more.

Simon Hawke is an American college professor so despite his very English name this isn't a "true English" mystery. In fact, there's not much mystery here; it might better be titled a comedy of errors ;) There's nothing of great moment, but an interesting view of London and theatrical life in the 16th century. Aspiring actor Tuck Smythe is not much of a sleuth (his eloquent companion Mr. Shakespeare is none), and no real crime appears before the last third of the book.

There's much ado about social climbing parents-indeed that's a key to the mystery. The author gives the impecunious and ostensibly ignorant young heroes (and us) an awful lot of background information, most of it interesting but told flat rather than atmospherically. He also talks at us too much rather than have his characters show us through their experiences. The ending is too rushed and wordy. I hope the author has learned from writing this rather academical novel and the next is better; there's good potential in his concept. The proofing and printing of this book on pulp paper leave something to be desired.