Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable but lacking
Review: 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?
Rating: 
Summary: Get your Shakespeare Lite
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Much Ado About Job Hunting
Review: 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.'
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