The Understudy's Revenge

by Sophie Masson

When mysterious Oliver Parry walks into the King's Company's rehearsal rooms to audition for Hamlet, Millie Osborne is intrigued. Why is he so secretive? What is his interest in the Company? When Millie investigates, she uncovers a tale of secret identities, betrayal, lies, revenge . . . and perhaps even murder.

Great for children aged 12+.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Born in Indonesia of French parents, Sophie Masson was sent to live with her paternal grandmother in Toulouse, France, when she was just a baby and lived there till she was nearly five, when her parents came back from Indonesia and took her to Australia. All the rest of her childhood, the family stayed in Australia, with frequent trips back to France, and this dual heritage underpins a good deal of Sophie's work.
Sophie's first book appeared in 1990 and since then she has published more than seventy books, for children, young adults and adults. Her books have been published in Australia, the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and many other countries. She has also had many short stories and articles published in newspapers, magazines, and online journals.
Sophie holds a BA and M.Litt in French and English literature, and a PhD in Creative Practice. A former Chair of the Australian Society of Authors, she is the current Chair (2021) of the New England Writers' Centre and of the Small Press Network. She is also the President committee of the New England and North West sub-branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia, NSW branch.
Sophie has received several awards for her creative work, including the Patricia Wrightson Prize in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, and the YA category of the Aurealis Awards. In 2019 she received an AM in the Order of Australia for her significant service to literature as an author, a publisher, and through service to literary organisations.
Sophie's website is at www.sophiemassonauthor.com
She has a writing blog at www.firebirdfeathers.com
Her You Tube channel, with trailers to many of her books, is at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWLa...
She is also a regular contributor to the popular authorship blog Writer Unboxed, www.writerunboxed.com

Reviews

[Jess]

Review to come. Not entirely sure what to think about it yet, which is why there is no rating.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aninteresting historical mystery/escapade. Heavy on the dramatic emotions (as is usual for this author). I used to really love that but the heteronormativity and phallocentrism behind it irritates me now.

It's well written and has a spirited and intelligent heroine but she is surrounded by male characters with any other female character relegated the the periphery of the plot. It's like musical theatre in that characters pair off (or find a spouse off stage) as their happily ever after.

To the extent that this centres on a theatre and relates to Shakespeare I guess some degree of melodrama (surprising coincidences, love triangles, etc) is permissible. I didn't hate it.

[StarBlast1234 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!The book was very well written for me.It had a good climax and rising tention.There was a good mystery in the story and kept me engaged throughout the book. Set in the time of Dickens, in London.Overall very good book,recommended for people who enjoy mysteries!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps you guessing.

[Kate Forsyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the days of Dickens, The Understudy’s Revenge tells the story of Millie Osborne, who works for The King’s Company, a famous troupe of actors who have fallen on hard times following the death of its lead actor and director. The new manager is both the brother of the dead director and newly married to his widow. Perhaps recognising the thematic links to Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, he decides to put on a performance of the tragedy. A young actor called Oliver Parry is given a role in the play, but arouses Millie’s suspicion because of all the questions he asks. One day she follows him to Seven Dials, one of the most dangerous places in London, and finds herself catapulted into an exciting mystery that soon sees her and her friend Seth facing danger, intrigue and murder.
I enjoyed The Understudy's Revenge immensely. It reminded me of some of my favourite writers including Agatha Christie and the UK children’s writer Julia Golding who has written a great series of historical mysteries set in a Drury Lane theatre (The Cat Royal series). I’d really recommend The Understudy's Revenge to anyone who loves a quick-paced historical mystery.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Set in London during the mid 1800s, The Understudy's Revenge follows Millie, 16, and her colleagues at King's Company as they rehearse for their revival of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

I don't want to give too much away about the story but I will let you know that there is plenty of mystery and intrigue to come after the arrival of amateur colonial thespian, Oliver Parry, whom Millie believes to be not all he seems.

I found the plot thoroughly enjoyable and enjoyed the twists and turns that the story provided. I also particularly enjoyed the burgeoning romance between Millie and her charming friend, Seth:

"If you're going to be flippant-"
"What? You'll give me a kiss? Then I'll be as flippant as I can possibly be."


I had previously picked up this book to read several times but always put it down and said "Hmm, maybe next time." However, I eventually succumbed and bought it for a bargain at a second-hand bookshop and haven't regretted it since!

I would recommend this book to anyone who, like myself, enjoys historical fiction with a good dose of mystery and a dash of romance.

[Elegale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible.

The story had an amazing old London lilt to it, reminds me of The Monstrumologist. Except, this one isn't long and descriptive and scientific; this cuts to the point.
There's lots of reference to Hamlet, but the story is not as you'd think. The truth is revealed at the end, but it wasn't rushed off. It was kinda emotional... ;)

[Corda-lily]

I thought this book was surprisingly good.

[Hasara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it wz ok. It's kinda confusing but overall it's very interesting compared to other books.

[Haylee]

i think that the story line was good but it just wasnt gripping enough

[Maryam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, good plotline , better than I expected.