Revenger

by Rory Clements

Hardcover, 2010

Status

Available

Call number

823.92

Publication

John Murray Publishers Ltd (2010), Hardcover

Description

Chief Intelligencer John Shakespeare, the bard's younger brother, is summoned out of retirement back to the dangerous intrigues of the palace when a plot against the aging Queen Elizabeth I causes her to be targeted by two of England's most powerful men.

User reviews

LibraryThing member devenish

This is the second in Rory Clements John Shakespeare Elizabethan series. The story continues in 'Revenger' with Shakespeare being once more being involved against his will in the world of the intelligencer. Robert Cecil has taken over as spymaster after the death of Sir Francis Walsingham has

persuaded him to infiltrate the household of the Earl of Essex. He is to attempt to find proof of plots against Queen Elizabeth and bring secret papers concerning these to his new master.
The evil Topcliffe continues to dog Shakespeare's footsteps and also to make himself busy in his torture chamber. There are also several lesser villains lurking throughout the story and these together with Topcliffe carry the story along at a fine pace. As I've said before,the baddies get the best parts in many books and films,while the good and upright characters can sometimes come over as a little insipid. While this is not the case with Shakespeare and his assistant Boltfoot, a few of the others are slightly that way.
Overall however,this is an excellent follow-up to 'Martyr' and this reader at least looks forward with eager anticipation to the next book in this series.

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LibraryThing member everfresh1

The novel has it all: good writing, authentic historical environment, interesting theories, very well developed characters and mystery behind all that.

LibraryThing member john257hopper

This is the second offering in Rory Clements's series featuring the intelligencer John Shakespeare, now, following the death of Walsingham, working for Robert Cecil. This is a grim story involving the famous lost American colony of Roanoke and the headstrong activities of the Earl of Essex. It

contains some interesting characters, including some of the most unpleasant ones I've encountered in historical fiction (Topcliffe is real, though). I'm still not sure if I like John Shakespeare - for me he still largely lacks the human appeal of Sansom's Shardlake.

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LibraryThing member pierthinker

A powerful novel featuring John Shakespeare (brother of Will - you may have heard of him...) as a retired 'intelligencer' (spy) called back into service to foil nefarious plots, defeat blackguards a-plenty and save the monarchy, and by extension, the nation. Clements has a good sense of the right

historical details to include and linger on and he uses language well. Speech is Elizabethan in tone, but not so much that it overpowers action and character. Shakespeare's rocky relationship with his wife Catherine over her illegal-at-the-time Catholicism rang true and is sensitively handled. A fine romp with black hats and white hats to hiss or cheer as the action moves swiftly to a satisfying conclusion.

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LibraryThing member Vesper1931

Five years have passed (1592) and John Shakespeare, school teacher is called upon by Privy Councillor Sir Robert Cecil to spy on the Earl of Essex, and to accept Essex's offer to investigate the mystery of the appearance of Eleanor Dare from the doomed Roanoke colony.
A very enjoyable and

interesting well-written mystery

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LibraryThing member suewilsonphd

1592. Englad and Spain at war. At home Elizabeth I crown is at stage as the Earl of Essex, her favourite, undermines to take the crown for himself by marrying into a royal blood line and disposing his wife, by poisoning, to do so. John Shakespeare, called out to work for Robert Cecil, is sent to

find vital papers in the possession of the Earl to expose his plot. Shakespeare finds himself and family under threat. Another page turning success.

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