Tower of the Five Orders

The Shakespeare Mysteries #2

by Deron R. Hicks, Mark Edward Geyer (Illustrator)

Colophon Letterford’s life changed overnight when she uncovered Shakespeare’s lost manuscripts. Now the authenticity of those manuscripts is in question . . . and the centuries-old family publishing business is in danger. In this exciting mystery, thirteen-year-old Colophon travels from Oxford’s lofty Tower of the Five Orders to the dank depths of London’s sewers in her pursuit of truth and honor. But the stakes are high. Budding cryptologists, Shakespeare fans, and mystery lovers alike will revel in the twists and turns of this fascinating middle grade sequel to Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave .

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Childrens, Adventure, Juvenile, Young Adult, Fiction

297 pages, Hardcover

First published October 8, 2013

About the author

I live in Warm Springs, Georgia with my wife Angela, daughter Meg, and son Parker. I am a proud graduate of the University of Georgia, where I obtained a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting. Having obtained a degree in painting, I took the next logical step in life -- I went to Law school (more specifically, Mercer Law School, which I loved). After years in private practice, I had an idea for a mystery novel that I thought my children would enjoy (and that might teach them a little bit about Shakespeare). That idea turned into THE SECRETS OF SHAKESPEARE"S GRAVE. A second book followed shortly thereafter - TOWER OF THE FIVE ORDERS. And coming in 2017, a new mystery - THE VAN GOGH DECEPTION, published by HMH Books for Children.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

After not really finding the first novel of Deron R. Hicks’ The Shakespeare Mysteries all that spectacular, after already not considering his Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave a total and complete personal reading pleasure (a decent enough Middle Grade mystery to be sure, but with in my opinion much too stereotypical both heroes and villains), I do have to admit that I only bothered to even read Tower of the Five Orders in the first place since I had recently perused Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave and thus felt kind of obliged to also consider the sequel. And yes indeed although the main storyline of Tower of the Five Orders does fortunately focus a trifle more on William Shakespeare and his literary legacy (and whether the manuscripts located by Colophon and Julian Letterford in Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave are authentic and not as it has been suggested forgeries) the very and exact issues I experienced with book one, with Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave, these also do from where I am standing consistently plague Tower of the Five Orders.

For while main protagonist Colophon Letterford might perhaps appear in Tower of the Five Orders as a bit more believable intelligence wise, to and for me, she (in the sequel) has still been depicted and rendered by Deron R. Hicks as much too precocious and unnaturally clever for her age, so that Colophon’s smartness and problem solving ease in Tower of the Five Orders once again rather annoyingly feels as though this has simply like a deus ex machina just dropped from the sky so to speak (something that I kind of even expected since Colophon’s unnatural and out of the proverbial blue intelligence has been one of my main peeves regarding book one of the series, regarding Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave but just because I was expecting Colophon Letterford to once again appear as rather too stereotypically good and clever in Tower of the Five Orders does not mean that I have not been massively disappointed when this indeed has proven to be the case).

Combined with the fact that in my humble opinion main antagonists Cousin Treemont Letterford and his hired minions (his gang of thugs) are even more pronouncedly stereotypically villainous and evil in Tower of the Five Orders than in book one (and yes, I already found how ridiculously cardboard flat and thin a character with totally on the surface nastiness Cousin Treemont is presented and featured as being a total and often really infuriating reading drag in Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave), I certainly have not at all enjoyed my reading time with Tower of the Five Orders and am thus only willing and able to grant a two star rating at best. And furthermore, if Deron R. Hicks were to ever decide to actually pen a third novel for his The Shakespeare Mysteries I honestly doubt if I would (at least at present and for the time being) consider reading it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something so appropriate about reading a book about Shakespeare in April -- his birthday and death-day are April 23 -- and what an exciting book to read!

I liked this book better than I did the first book in the series. Colophon was still preternaturally clever, but in a more believable way. The plot was still a bit too adult-character-driven and coincidence-driven to suit my taste, but the author does get extra points for his title headings and for saying nice things about Kit Marlowe.



Actual rating: 4.5 stars, but I round up (except during swimsuit season).

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just want to start off by saying that I hate the "Christopher Marlowe wrote Shakespeare's plays" theory with an undying passion. So the fact that I gave this book five stars should give you a clue that this book did not end that way. But it nearly looked like it would and it made me want to stop reading.

Obviously I persevered and finished it, and it was great. When a famous expert on old documents declares the Shakespeare manuscripts fake, it's time for Colophon and her cousin Julian to save the day again.

Colophon takes the reader on another historical clue hunt across England in search of the real family treasure in hopes that it will authenticate the manuscripts and save her father's publishing house once more.

Unfortunately the nasty Treemount is still after the family business, and this time he might get what he wants after all.

The best part of this book and the last one is all of the real history that you can look up. This really feels as you could follow the clues to a real historical discovery. I hope there will be another book soon.

[Katie Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

the main characters: wow. look at these birds on this medieval crest. such strange, strange birds. what on earth could they possibly symbolize.

me, a Catholic: PELICANS. CHARITY. SELF-SACRIFICE. THE EUCHARIST. ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

random side character: yeah I'm pretty sure that's the crest of Corpus Christi College at Cambridge . . .

me: *sips tea*

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colophon Letterford and her cousin Julian has not given up on the family's mysterious clues, even though they already found lost Shakespearean manuscripts in the last book. They both are convinced there's more out there Miles Letterford left for the family treasure, and they won't stop till they find it. Unfortunately, greedy cousin Treemont is just as determined to get his hands on any treasure and the Letterford company, and he'll stoop to sinister lows to do so. Like hiring someone to say the Shakespeare manuscripts are a fake, and putting a tap on Colophon's phone. It is high action to the finish to see which Letterford family members will be able to unravel the clues uncovered and maintain control of the family business.

This adventure with Colophon, Case, and Julian was just as satisfactory as the last book. I continue to love the way Hicks is able to make this treasure hunt/mystery seem completely plausible and realistic, even the way the kids are involved. It feels like there really could be a Colophon and Case Letterford out there, two teenagers who, with the help of some of their adult family members (and the family dog), can do just as well as any Indiana Jones. (Oh, and the peek Colophon gets into Oxford in this one made the Brit Lit lover in me geek out just a little.) Thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm sure the kids will too, and I'm super glad the epilogue promises more adventures in store for the Letterfords.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. One person gets knocked out with a flashlight, but is ok. Another person is mildly poisoned but recovers.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book. All of the excitement set off by the conclusion of the first book in this series comes to a screeching halt when the authenticity of Colophon's find is called into question. Everything seems on the verge of crumbling, and her family could lose more than their credibility. But she has one clue left from that initial discovery, and pursuing it leads to more riddles, hints, and clues. With the help of her cousin Julian, Colophon embarks on another quest.

Lovely stuff. I want more books!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

WIIA: This scary sequel to the first book, Secrets from Shakespeare's Grave was a real page turner! Now Treemont it back and worse, and she, Julian and her brother once again have to save their family from ruin and discover the next clue to their family treasure. The Epi. at the end was super scary for me but I cannot wait for the next book..and that is just the thing I have to! It is not out yet. :(

Pros: The author is amazing, the way he switches back and forth between everyone really keeps the story going strong. I love the mystery aspect I just adore it! I hope they are movies because the plot would make a great one!

Cons: Hmm...maybe I bit like the same stuff from the first book, like the clues are kinda the same.

Iffy: Nothing.

This book was a great ending to my before my b-day day, skiing was fun too :)

[Carolyn Arrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Book 2 in the The Shakespeare Mysteries trilogy. It the continuing story of the Letterford family. Treemont continues to undermine Mull's leadership of Letterford Publishing and is finally successful when he hires someone to provide evidence that the newly discovered Shakespeare manuscripts are forgeries. Once again Colophon and Julian team up to follow clues and find the real treasure that has been hinted at all along. Their treasure hunting takes them to Cambridge, Oxford, and the sewers of London. Case, Colophon' older brother, works behind the scenes finding out what Treemont and his accomplices are planning. Once again the author hints at more to come.

This story is similar to the previous novel and again there is a great deal of literary history which might not be of interest to the average 4th and 5th grade student. This novel was a bit more fast paced than Book 1.

[Bret · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt both while reading this book, and its predecessor (Secrets Of Shakespeare's Grave), that the author was trying too hard to copy author Dan Brown's formula, only with younger readers in mind. Several points that drowned it for me: the villain is always improbably one step ahead of the protagonists, until the very end; the clues are ridiculously complex and obscure, yet easily solved by the protagonists; the author throws in a unnecessary "Marlowe was Shakespeare" side bar; and the climactic denouement was unsatisfying, with justice *not* being served for any of the villains. Plus - the author felt the need to leave threads dangling for the inevitable sequel. Meh.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel which is at least AS good as the first in the series, if not better. The writing and pace have tightened up here, the plot is more tense, and the characters perhaps just a bit more carefully drawn. If it was a little far-fetched before, it's gotten further, but...well, really, when the book is so much fun, who cares?

If there's one thing more fun than a middle-grade novel all about Shakespeare's life, it's one about Shakespeare AND Marlowe. And this one is set almost entirely in England -- around Cambridge and London and Manchester -- always a bit of an exotic and old-world charm for me. Plus the danger! And the history! And the vocabulary!

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in a series and although I have not read the first novel, this one stood alone quite well. I particularly enjoyed the book since I once visited the many English sites in this narrative: the Bodleian Library (Oxford), the Tower of the Five Orders, and Cambridge. I'm not sure how a young audience will imagine these sites, but there is plenty of action to keep them reading regardless. A satisfying mystery.

[Stefani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've give 5 stars too this year!

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was better than the first book and I can't really find any faults in it. Excellent!

Again, we have Colophon & Case in the center of it all.

I love the insight of the publishing industry. One second you can be the best and biggest and the hit rock bottom the next.

Cannot praise it enough. Definitely a book that will be on my favorites of the year list. And a book I'll read to my children someday.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost thought the story would end and that would end the series, which I thought was strange for only two books. But, of course, there is the hint of more! I am enjoying this series. The characters are intelligent, resourceful, and respectable. Colophon and her brother, Case, care about each other but let in just enough cruelty to keep the sibling relationship real!

[Surani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in The Shakespeare Mysteries had me reading very late into the night, as usual!! I just love this tyoe of action/secret code/mystery books!! Reading the last few pages got me thinking ,'I hope he writes the next one soon!!' Heaps of exciting new adventures await the avid fan of Colophon and her cousin. Can't wait to read any new titles!!

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great sequel. More dramatic and scary. Love the different point of views. Wish Treemont's motive was explained more in depth but liked the Christopher Marlowe angle

[Molly Giddens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Hope there's a third in the future!

[C. Rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not as captivating as the first one. I enjoyed the climax and resolution, but the build-up to those points felt more frustrating than enjoyable.

[Katie]

Another brilliant installment. As much as I loved the first book, I might've loved this one even more.

I won't give too much of a summary of this book since it's a later book in a series, but this picks up a little while after the first book finishes. Colophon and her family thought they and the company were safe after they found the manuscripts, but there seems to be more to the story and more obstacles for them around the corner. This book follows the "what happens next" and all of the shenanigans that ensue.

As with the first book, the writing of this was fun and generally well-paced. The issue with throwing large paragraphs in that adults would get, but the target audience wouldn't was a lot less this time around. Also this book was a lot more suspenseful than the last and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Similar to the first book there were portions in the States and portions in England. This time around it was more heavily focused on England which I loved. Getting to go to both Cambridge and Oxford was delightful and the time spent in the Bodelian was wonderful and brought me back to my trip to England and experience in the library. Also sewers...I've been in one too, in a different city, but still I know that experience a bit.

The plot was a lot of fun and as I mentioned before, quite a bit suspenseful which was so much fun. I loved all the historical aspects and the tie ins to both Shakespeare and Marlowe. The plot of this book felt a lot stronger to the last in some ways and I loved it.

Finally, the characters. I loved being back with Colophon and Julian and I still love them and all of the crazy things they get up to. Case also really grew on me and I absolutely love to hate Treemont, the bad guy in all of this. Just delightful all round.

Overall, I had an absolutely wonderful time reading this and if there's another book in this series, I can't wait to read it and follow more adventures with this family.

TW/CW: Mild injury, poisoning.

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tower of the Five Orders brings us back on Colophon Letterford's adventure to find the real Letterford treasure. Honestly, I feel like the sequel improves on all of the things that I was conflicted about in the first one.

The characters are fun, and I liked their mother having more emphasis in the story. Case and Colophon's relationship is also expanded on, which I loved in contrast to the shallower version in the first book. There aren't really any added characters in the sequel, which gives us the chance to explore more with the pre-existing characters.

The plot's tension is significantly improved, partially because it has a more realistic tension. For most of the story, it doesn't try to argue that anyone is in any actual mortal danger with the tension stemming from the negative social repercussions the family faces. When it does, it actually feels like the characters are in danger and fills out the stakes.

I loved the increased Shakespeare mentions and focus, along with Marlowe's inclusion. I thought that it was nice and I'm a big fan of the way that Hicks fills out this world.

Hicks builds on the character and improves the tension of the plot while delivering a fun treasure hunt novel. My only issue, which frankly infuriated me that I didn't know this beforehand, is that the series seems to have been cancelled after this book, with the overarching mystery left completely unanswered. With this book released a decade ago, it seems like the third book isn't coming, which... honestly? Is pretty frustrating! I checked out some other reviews before starting this one, and not a single recent one mentioned that part. If a third book ever comes out, I'd love to get to check it out.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It was a glorious time. And it was short-lived."

Colophon and her cousin Julian are mystery solving again!

Someone is claiming the manuscripts they found in the first book are fakes, and they are searching for the proof they are real, following a set of clues left by one of their ancestors hundreds of years ago.

This book mixes adventure with problem solving and creative thinking, challenging the reader to learn with these characters as they set out to prove their family told the truth.

Definitely a fun, page turner, with several characters from book one not only reappearing, but given a chance to shine.

[Books Lucy King · Rating 4 out of 5]

The scheme was very similar to the first book. It would be better if changed a bit. However, I still enjoyed it a lot. I love Colophon + Julian duo. And Case was a cool help, as well. The treasure hunt was interesting, all the clues and places and I liked the end, even though, I would prefer a more epic finale. Not sure if this is the last in the series. The epilogue made it seem there could be more but I don´t see more books here. I would not complain if the author would continue the series, though :) just please don´t use the same scheme.

[Courtney Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful addition to The Shakespeare Mysteries series. I hope there is a third book in the series because you are undoubtedly left on a cliff hanger. I love Deron Hicks's writing style because he takes so much history into account and general knowledge in his writing. I think that this book would appeal to just about anyone in the 4th-8th grade reading category. I also love that the protagonist is a girl - girl power!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished the 2nd book of the “Secrets of Shakespeare’s Grave” series. Found it just as exciting as the first book. Really enjoyed Colophon, her cousin Julian, and her brother Case team up, even from afar, to try to solve another mystery of the Letterford family and its connection to the playwrights Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe from way back in 1593! Would love for another book to come out to continue the story!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second book of the series(?). If anything the read was a much faster one. It was a little irritating for me to get to a climatic cliff-hanger after a page and a half, but it moves the story along at a rate very suitable for the targeted audience. My only issue is the ending. Is this it? Will you be writing another one Deron R. Hicks? C'mon, don't leave us hanging!!!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incorporating one literature’s greatest mysteries from Shakespeare’s life and all the intrigue and questions surrounding his life and times, with a current fictional story—this was just a flat out brilliant book. Truly one of my favorites! It was written in 2013, so I hope there is more to come in this series. Highly recommend! Daron Hicks is just a flat out great author!

[Travelmaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one even better than Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave! Good pace, lots of fun words to think about (and the glossary in back is a wonderful idea). Donating to a 5th grade classroom and I can just see so many ways this can be incorporated.
Yes, I did read this in one day. Sat out in the backyard and read from start to finish without putting it down!

[Diego Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7
I liked this one a bit better than the first book in the series. There's a lot more Shakespeare, to begin with, and the story is somewhat paced a bit better. Of course there're the inevitable wild guesses and happy coincidences here and there, but that's to be expected.

[Lynn Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a used bookstore not realizing it’s a YA. I found it extremely fascinating! It’s a fun quick read but very informative about Shakespeare and all the theories and conspiracies concerning the author.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story!

[Kim Bahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the creativity of this book, especially the chapter titles. Shakespeare truly has many mysteries surrounding his life story. I now need to investigate more about Christopher Marlowe.