Scan barcode
earl_grey_nox's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 I thoroughly enjoyed this book for the quick fun romp it was: A slightly alternate history re-telling of Francis Bacon's younger years during the reign of Queen Elizabeth but with murder(!!). The book brings personality and color to historical figures and the time period, making it easy to imagine yourself there, even if some descriptions go on for a bit with no real story relevance. There's a few twists that seemed to come out of no where, specifically about one of Clarady's friends, but they do not distract from the main story as much as I thought it would.
I will not be seeking out the sequel but I can't say this book wasn't entertaining. Just don't expect anything too deep.
I will not be seeking out the sequel but I can't say this book wasn't entertaining. Just don't expect anything too deep.
truebookaddict's review
4.0
I love a good mystery. And what could be better than a mystery combined with one of my favorite historical eras, the Elizabethan age?! It takes a talent to write a great mystery and also adhere to historical detail and this author has done just that. I'm thoroughly impressed.
I've had mixed feelings on Francis Bacon, as I've read other books with him as a character or background figure and it seems the portrayals are not always favorable. However, I really liked him in this book and his apprentice, Thomas, was a refreshing addition to the story.
The mystery itself is labyrinthine and carries much suspense. It's rare for a historical novel to be "edge of the seat" reading. Don't get me wrong. Everyone knows I love historical fiction and it can be exciting, but when you add an element of suspense to the genre, it's even better. I'm thinking along the lines of C.W. Gortner's Spymaster Chronicles or Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death series. This book is a worthy addition to that type of series and this too is a planned series so I'm looking forward to reading Bacon's continuing adventures.
I'm recommending this book to anyone who loves mysteries. Don't let the historical fiction genre dissuade you. Even if you do not normally read historical fiction, you are going to want to read this one purely for the excellent mystery writing. The historical bits are just icing on the cake!
I've had mixed feelings on Francis Bacon, as I've read other books with him as a character or background figure and it seems the portrayals are not always favorable. However, I really liked him in this book and his apprentice, Thomas, was a refreshing addition to the story.
The mystery itself is labyrinthine and carries much suspense. It's rare for a historical novel to be "edge of the seat" reading. Don't get me wrong. Everyone knows I love historical fiction and it can be exciting, but when you add an element of suspense to the genre, it's even better. I'm thinking along the lines of C.W. Gortner's Spymaster Chronicles or Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death series. This book is a worthy addition to that type of series and this too is a planned series so I'm looking forward to reading Bacon's continuing adventures.
I'm recommending this book to anyone who loves mysteries. Don't let the historical fiction genre dissuade you. Even if you do not normally read historical fiction, you are going to want to read this one purely for the excellent mystery writing. The historical bits are just icing on the cake!
ptaradactyl's review
4.0
Different and fun and fussy in a good way. The clothing did alarm me.
3.5 rounded up.
3.5 rounded up.
mareich's review
5.0
I love historical fiction and found Murder by Misrule highly engaging and entertaining. The first of Castle's novels for me, I really didn't know what to expect, but quickly found myself immersed in 1586 London and the somewhat strange training for lawyers (compared to the somewhat strange training for lawyers in our time). It's an all-male assembly, structured like a college fraternity, from tutors to dorm housing near Elizabeth's court. After a murder of an innocuous lawyer, young Francis Bacon is tapped by his powerful uncle to lead a secret investigation into the murder, which may be related to the dead lawyer's involvement in uncovering a Catholic plot to import anti-government pamphlets. The story brought to the forefront the continuing discord brought about by Henry VIII's schism with the Pope in the 1530s. At any rate, Bacon leads a small group of first-year students in trying to identify the murderer, which task becomes more complicated with another murder. Is the second one related to the first? Were there two killers or one? Is it a prominent member of Bacon's lawyers' "guild?" The clues are collected and analyzed using 16th century logic and deductive practices but the killer(s) remains unclear. The characters are well-developed, especially the merry band of students who are pretty much like students everywhere; focused on avoiding study, drinking whenever possible, and following any wench who appears vaguely interested. About 2/3 through the book, an unexpected twist is presented, and one of the students reveals a remarkable secret which changes the dynamic of the student group and will undoubtedly impact future books. It makes the amateur detectives even more human and more interesting. Eventually, Bacon is able to reveal the killer's identity in the presence of Queen Elizabeth herself and while not nice and tidy by modern sensibilities, the mystery is solved and the investigators return to their studies (when there's no alternative) and downing copious quantities of ale. If you enjoy being immersed in the culture of a different time, you should enjoy this outing.
nuphoc3's review
4.0
It was a bit slow in my thinking but still was very interesting. I loved the twist with Trumpet
hrynkiw's review
2.0
The story assumes you know who Francis Bacon is and are awed by his... awesomeness. If you do not and are not, the story rather falls flat. I felt like I missed a great many of the in-jokes. I did persevere and read to the end, but meh.
earl_grey_nox's review
3.0
3.5 I thoroughly enjoyed this book for the quick fun romp it was: A slightly alternate history re-telling of Francis Bacon's younger years during the reign of Queen Elizabeth but with murder(!!). The book brings personality and color to historical figures and the time period, making it easy to imagine yourself there, even if some descriptions go on for a bit with no real story relevance. There's a few twists that seemed to come out of no where, specifically about one of Clarady's friends, but they do not distract from the main story as much as I thought it would.
I will not be seeking out the sequel but I can't say this book wasn't entertaining. Just don't expect anything too deep.
I will not be seeking out the sequel but I can't say this book wasn't entertaining. Just don't expect anything too deep.
fallchicken's review
3.0
An easy, fun read. Not in the same league as C.J. Sansom's Shardlake series, though.
kristick's review against another edition
3.0
Around the Year (ATY) 2020 Prompt #3: a place or time you wouldn't want to live (Elizabethan England)
Good historical mystery with an interesting mix of real (Francis Bacon) and fictional characters (Tom, Trumpet, etc.) at the Inns of Court during Queen Elizabeth's reign.
Good historical mystery with an interesting mix of real (Francis Bacon) and fictional characters (Tom, Trumpet, etc.) at the Inns of Court during Queen Elizabeth's reign.
avidreadergirl1's review against another edition
3.0
A bit long for my taste and that Trumpet character added nothing much except trouble.