Much Ado About Murder (Shakespeare and Smythe Mystery)

Rating:
Summary: exciting historical mystery
Review: After leaving their hamlet for cash, wannabe playwright Will Shakespeare and his equally hopeful thespian Tuck Smythe think all's well as they are on the brink of fame (and steady meals with decent ale) when the plague strikes. To reduce the chance of the epidemic spreading, theaters are closed. With the halls shut, Will markets a sonnet romance writing business while Tuck toils at a smithy.

Former troupe player Ben Dickens introduces Will and Tuck to his friend, goldsmith Corwin. who loves Hera, the daughter of wealthy Genoa ship trader Master Leonardo, who recently relocated to Britain. When Hera's reputation goes into a tankard, a hurt Corwin ends their engagement. However, someone murders Leonardo with Corwin considered the prime suspect. Will, Tuck, and Ben scrutinize the crime and the victim, only to learn that when it comes to an Elizabethan tragedy in which the world is the investigative stage, homicide is Much Ado About something deadly to the actors.

The third Shakespeare and Smythe sleuth story is an exciting historical mystery that engages the audience with its insight into the Bard and the era he wrote his great works. Though the plot moves slower than the first two novels as the who-done-it fails to take the stage until the fourth act, fans will relish the relationship, oft dysfunctional, between the protagonists. Will and Smythe accompanied by Ben set forth on A MYSTERY OF ERRORS while trying to solve THE SLAYING OF THE SHREW'S FATHER. MUCH ADO ABOUT MURDER is much ado about strong writing that thou the reader will taketh to enjoy.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Much Ado About Creative License
Review: I discovered this book at a discount bookstore, and being the Shakespeareophile that I am, I was intrigued. I was even happier to discover that "Much Ado About Murder" is just one of Hawke's books in a series of Smythe and Shakespeare mystery novels. Hawke writes this novel from the time period of Shakespeare's life, where not much is known about the poet. His novel is most definitely speculation, but it is an enjoyable read.

We are quickly introduced to Tuck Smythe, a player in the King's Men, who rooms with Shakespeare, a down-on-his-luck player, who writes some sonnets on the side to earn some money to keep himself fed. Due to their connections, these two players come into contact with various sorts - the seemingly-wealthy would-be patrons, and the band of roving apprentices who fashion themselves to be thieves. Trouble ensues for Tuck Smythe as he befriends Ben Dickens, a returning soldier who used to be a member of the King's Men. And sure enough, Shakespeare and Tuck find themselves at the heart of a murder mystery, desperately trying to clear the name of an innocent acquaintance.

Hawke's narrative is relatively quick-paced and filled with sly quips that any reader of Shakespeare will recognize. These will, of course, later become lines in the plays that Shakespeare struggles to write. In fact, Shakespeare seems to get some of his best lines from others, asking them if he could write down what they said and credit it as his own. Anyone familiar with "Much Ado About Nothing" will recognize the parallels to this novel's plot, with some inventive differences. At times, however; the narrative seems too bogged down with characters before it hits its stride about half-way through the book. Yet I look forward to reading the others in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Much Ado About Creative License
Review: I discovered this book at a discount bookstore, and being the Shakespeareophile that I am, I was intrigued. I was even happier to discover that "Much Ado About Murder" is just one of Hawke's books in a series of Smythe and Shakespeare mystery novels. Hawke writes this novel from the time period of Shakespeare's life, where not much is known about the poet. His novel is most definitely speculation, but it is an enjoyable read.

We are quickly introduced to Tuck Smythe, a player in the King's Men, who rooms with Shakespeare, a down-on-his-luck player, who writes some sonnets on the side to earn some money to keep himself fed. Due to their connections, these two players come into contact with various sorts - the seemingly-wealthy would-be patrons, and the band of roving apprentices who fashion themselves to be thieves. Trouble ensues for Tuck Smythe as he befriends Ben Dickens, a returning soldier who used to be a member of the King's Men. And sure enough, Shakespeare and Tuck find themselves at the heart of a murder mystery, desperately trying to clear the name of an innocent acquaintance.

Hawke's narrative is relatively quick-paced and filled with sly quips that any reader of Shakespeare will recognize. These will, of course, later become lines in the plays that Shakespeare struggles to write. In fact, Shakespeare seems to get some of his best lines from others, asking them if he could write down what they said and credit it as his own. Anyone familiar with "Much Ado About Nothing" will recognize the parallels to this novel's plot, with some inventive differences. At times, however; the narrative seems too bogged down with characters before it hits its stride about half-way through the book. Yet I look forward to reading the others in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Much Ado About Nothing
Review: I have read the authors first 2 mysteries and found them utterly charming. The first 100 pages of this 229 page book contain nothing of any interest to any reader. There is no plot and there is very little action. Pass on this book and save your money!

Rating:
Summary: Much Ado About Nothing
Review: In this Simon Hawke's third outing for Tuck Smythe and his friend Will Shakespeare, the hijinks are there right from the first chapter. This series is a lot of fun and the characters are the liveliest ones you'll find anywhere, especially in the historical genre. There are enough references to famous lines from subsequent plays that Shakespeare will write to keep even a Shakespearophile happy, and for those that aren't familiar with these famous lines, the humour and light repartee will keep your interest. In this book we are introduced to the Guild system that was prmoninent in England in the Elizabethan era. We also get a close look at the criminal underground. Smythe and Shakespeare set out to try to clear one of their friends of a murder charge, and it throws them into contact with a whole group of renegade trades toughs. There are lots of brawls and hijinks before the game is done.

Rating:
Summary: Lights, Curtain, Action!
Review: In this Simon Hawke's third outing for Tuck Smythe and his friend Will Shakespeare, the hijinks are there right from the first chapter. This series is a lot of fun and the characters are the liveliest ones you'll find anywhere, especially in the historical genre. There are enough references to famous lines from subsequent plays that Shakespeare will write to keep even a Shakespearophile happy, and for those that aren't familiar with these famous lines, the humour and light repartee will keep your interest. In this book we are introduced to the Guild system that was prmoninent in England in the Elizabethan era. We also get a close look at the criminal underground. Smythe and Shakespeare set out to try to clear one of their friends of a murder charge, and it throws them into contact with a whole group of renegade trades toughs. There are lots of brawls and hijinks before the game is done.

Rating:
Summary: It's 'Curtains Up' for Shakespeare!
Review: Simon Hawke has posted his third episode in his William Shakespeare-Tuck Smythe medieval mystery series. As with the previous two, "Much Ado About Murder" is a fun read, a
story of derring-do, intrigue, comedy, romance, and did we mention murder?

Hawke's chief protagonist is, you guessed it, THE William Shakepeare. Much has been written about the Bard, but no one has made him out to be an Elizabethan solver of murders
and Hawke deserves the praise.

While not a heavy weight in the PD James or Ruth Rendell mysteries, nevertheless this series is well worth the time spent. And one does not need to be a Shakespearean authority to
enjoy the mystery. True, Hawke laces his prose with often clever references to the original Shakespeare, tossing in a lines here and there that, of course, "found" their way into one or more of the original plays.

In this series, Shakespeare has not yet completed one play, although he has now discovered he can at least pay the bills by writing sonnets on commision. Young twenty-ish
Will works as a minor actor for the Queen's Men, who, because of a current plague, are out of work and are only just managing to make ends meet. Shakespeare's friend Symington Smythe
II (Tuck) and he become involved when a friend (of a friend) is arrested for murder. The hunt is on, as this daring duo are convinced that the arrested man is innocent.

But the play's the thing, wherein they're bound to catch the conscience of the thing, and through diligence, brilliance, and cleverness, well, all's well that end's well, to coin a
phrase.

Indeed, "Much Ado About Murder" is a delightful book, whether one is versed in Shakespeare or not. Kudos to Hawke for creating such a series and here's to future episodes.

Rating:
Summary: Adventures of Shakespear--detective
Review: Symington (Tuck) Smythe and his friend Will Shakespear find that the theater business can be chancy. London's council has banned theater production and their company's tour of the countryside was largely a bust. Now, back in London, they rehearse, drink too much beer, and wait for something positive to happen. In the meantime, Tuck makes money using his blacksmith skills rather than his (dubious) theatrical ones and Shakespear writes sonets for the amusement of England's nobility (and for his own profit). In these hungry times, the apprentices of London frequently go wild, stealing, breaking heads, and generally causing problems.

A rich merchant from Genoa looks to be a godsend to the theater, but murder puts a definite damper on that plan. When a friend of Tuck and Shakespear is accused, the two must, once again, turn detective to uncover the true killer and free their friend.

Author Simon Hawke tells a charming tale. Fans of Shakespear will get a chuckle out of the way Hawke puts well known lines from the bard into the mouths of his characters--for Shakespear to adapt later in his famous plays. I found the early going to be interesting but slow--Hawke spends the first half of the book setting up the mystery, then swings into action in the second half of the book.

Hawke's London feels authentic, with dirt, wild apprentices, disease, and a sense of hope that the future may be brighter. Tuck is an interesting and sympathetic character--his love for the theater matched only by his lack of talent. MUCH ADO ABOUT MURDER is certain to generate some smiles.

Rating:
Summary: A winning historical mystery told with wit & humor
Review: Third in the series of Shakespeare & Smythe mysteries, Simon Hawke has won me back over after my disappointment with novel number two, _The Slaying of The Shrew_. In _Much Ado About Murder_, Hawke has recaptured the sly wit and droll humor of his main characters, and writes a rather straight forward mystery that is most enjoyable. Instead of weaving a story filled with useless red herrings, he has used restraint and created a story that shows imagination and talent in it's very simplicity. A pleasant diversion told extremely well.