A Play of Dux Moraud

Joliffe the Player #2

by Margaret Frazer

Performing at the wedding of Sir Edmund Deneby's daughter, the player Joliffe has another task to perform—as a spy. As he uncovers the secrets of the Denebys' sordid history, it becomes clear that this wedding celebration is destined to end in tragedy.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Medieval, Fiction, British Literature

275 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 2, 2005

About the author

Margaret Frazer is a pen name used at first by Mary Monica Pulver Kuhfeld and Gail Lynn Frazer writing in tandem for a series of historical medieval mysteries featuring Dame Frevisse. After the sixth novel, the works are written by Gail Frazer alone, and the name has subsequently been used exclusively by her. A second series of novels by Ms Frazer set in the same time and place feature the player/minstrel Joliffe.

See also: Monica Ferris, Mary Monica Pulver

Series:
* Sister Frevisse
* Joliffe

Reviews

[Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Play of Dux Moraud by Margaret Frazer is the second book in the Joliffe the Player Series, a Dame Frevisse spin-off.

"Another wonderful entry in the author's long series of medieval mysteries ... As always, the author provides a treasure trove of historical detail ... In less assured hands, this detail might be intrusive; here, it simply adds to the ambiance..." - The Romance Reader's Connection

The second book is set a few months after The Play of Isaac. It is the autumn of 1434, and the end-of-harvest reckoning during Michaelmas has been less than plentiful. Fortunately, Joliffe and his fellow players are surviving and thriving under the patronage of Lord Lovell. His grace is sending them to perform at Deneby Manor as a gift for the marriage of Sir Edmund Deneby's daughter, Mariena.

But Joliffe has been engaged to play two roles - that of a player and that of a spy. Deneby's daughter was betrothed once before, to a healthy man who fell ill and died before they married, and Lord Lovell fears a similar fate befalling Mariena's newly intended. And as Joliffe uncovers the secrets of the Denebys' sordid history, it becomes clear that this is a wedding celebration destined to end in tragedy...

Maybe not the biggest mystery to unravel this time, but Frazer turns up the heat in this second story. Absorbing as always. But, oh, that sad ending. I need to read a few Joliffes now to stay on par with the Dame Frevisse timeline.

Themes: Oxfordshire, 1434, ill-fated marriage, lust, it does not end well.

4.5 Stars

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Play of Dux Moraud
Joliffe the Player #2
By Margaret Frazer
Reviewed January 2024



Joliffe and his fellow players are now Lord Lovell’s Company with all the benefits that entails. As a wedding gift to Sir Edmund Deneby, one of his knights, the company is sent to Deneby’s manor to perform at the wedding of Sir Edmund's daughter. This, however, is only part of the reason Lord Lovell is sending them.

Because Joliffe was so good at uncovering what was going on in Master Penteney’s household in the previous book (A Play of Isaac), Lovell wants Joliffe to be his spy.

There’s something wrong in the Deneby household, but Lovell can’t put his finger on what it is. The bride-to-be was previously betrothed to another suiter who died unexpectedly. There was no obvious evidence of the death being anything but natural; however, Lord Lovell suspects something isn’t quite right and tasks Joliffe to make some discreet inquiries and see if, indeed, there’s more to the young man's death than meets the eye.

As the players perform and entertain, Joliffe starts sniffing around and discovers that the Deneby household is a place of licentious behavior from the top down. There doesn’t appear to be anything that resembles discretion, as even the kitchen maids brag about tossing a coin over who will seduce Joliffe (and any other handsome face that walks their way). The daughter, Mariena, and the son, Will, both are hiding something but are unwilling to say what that might be. Lady Benedicta is reputed to have had an affair with the father of Mariena’s intended groom. And Sir Edmund? There turns out to be an even darker secret hiding there…

Among the joys of reading Frazer’s books is her ability to weave historical detail into a well told tale. In this story, we learn a lot about how a player trained, how props were used, and the kinds of plays that were popular. Add to that a tale of lust, greed, and hatred, and you have another pleasurable volume in the Joliffe the Player series.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prospects have become brighter for Joliffe and his fellow players since Lord Lovell became their patron at the end of the previous novel. Now, a few months later, Lord Lovell decides to send the troupe to perform during the wedding celebrations for the daughter of Sir Edmund Deneby, one of his underlings. Not only does Lovell hold the players’ abilities in high regard, but he has been impressed by Joliffe’s investigative abilities. The prospective bride had been recently betrothed to another young man who died suddenly. Although he cannot point to anything specific to indicate the death was unnatural, the lord is uneasy about it and wants Joliffe to snoop around. In the previous book, the mystery involved a family of essentially good people. Even the murderer was someone who acted out of desperation. Here, there is something rotten at the core of the household, made so by a person driven by petty lust, petty greed, and petty hatred. Licentiousness is blatant—two kitchen maids toss a coin to determine which one will bed Joliffe. At the end, Lord and Lady Lovell arrive for the wedding and witness two tragic deaths—both act competently and with compassion in the aftermath.

As well as his investigative abilities, Joliffe is the troupe’s playwright, reworking traditional material for the group. (He also acts the female parts). I thought this was a fascinating aspect of these novels, and gives one an idea what Shakespeare might have been doing 150 years later. Here Joliffe is trying to adapt the play Dux Moraud which has parallels to the situation at Deneby manor. Even knowing the sin that lies at the heart of Dux Moraud, Joliffe still has to fit the pieces together to determine who did what dastardly deed—yes, more than just a murder takes place. Really well done, complex mystery. I intend to continue reading the series.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good times for Joliffe's group of players. They have been adopted by Lord Lovell, and under his patronage, things are looking up. But it comes at a price - he sends them off as a wedding gift to an underling, but with a secret mission. The bride's previous fiance died mysteriously. Lord Lovell wants to make sure it doesn't happen again. This book is darker than the first, with nasty little secrets at every turn and a much more adult feel. It also has a more dramatic and tragic ending.

I liked the first book better, partly because the second was darker, and partly because I figured out how the title works. I don't want to give away too much, but let's just say that it's a strong hint about what's going on in the book. So the "dramatic revelations" in the second book were not a surprise at all. Some nasty characters in that one too. I think I will read the next one, as I got the first four from the library book sale, and see if that one is closer to the first or the second. I liked Joliffe well enough, so I'm willing to give it another try.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been quite a long time since I read one of Margaret Frazer's books. I had put the Joliffe player books on my "to read" list and could never find them at my library, finally giving up on the search. Then I got a couple gift certificates on amazon and decided to buy a few used paperbacks at not too great a cost to finally read these things. Over the years the kindle book prices went from 4, then 5 and now 8 dollars. Too much! Now for the writing...I will have to look over my reviews of other books. I did not recall awkward phrasing, choppy sentences, editing errors, etc. It took a while for me to adjust to the pace and her slow method of revealing detail, but eventually I adjusted my brain. I will go into the next couple of books while I am in this la-la land. Oh well. And then, this subject was very unpleasant, but I won't write any spoilers.

[Renee Wallace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, if I wanted to read a titillating seduction scene between a hooker and a Player, this would be the book! However, I really wanted to read a historical mystery. The departure to "sex everywhere" in this book came as quite a surprise; I can only hope Frazer has gotten it out of her system now. The "mystery" was easily figured out, before the book was halfway read. I suppose if one is intent on bringing all the old legends back to life, this may be included; I found it not at all to my taste. It looked like a foray into soft porn.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series - historical details of English life in the 1400s, and a fast moving mystery.  Steamier sex in this # 2 in the Joliffe The Player series, but not anything too graphic.  Great lead in to Shakespeare and his times.  The title could be considered a spoiler, as I figured out the plot when I looked up details of "Dux Moraud" but didn't spoil it for me.

[Matthew Mitchell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lewd and disappointing. The author knows how to tell a story well but this one included overt descriptions of illicit sex. I understand that she was mirroring the subject of the play within the play (Duke of Moraud), but it could have been handled much better. I am very disappointed because I was looking forward to reading the rest in this series by a talented mystery author, but I am now done with these and will have to warn others away. Not recommended.

[Richard Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearly a 5-star read for me. Call it 4.5?

This novel is exactly what it's supposed to be: a clever mystery with interesting characters, set in a well-constructed historical setting. I enjoyed it.

The pace is somewhere between measured and brisk, and that works. There's space for more story than just the mystery, more character development and world-building, because it's not rushing like an action thriller, but it's not slowed down enough to feel plodding. Steady progress, interesting scenes, decent movement all the way through. It feels just about right for pacing.

I like the main character, Joliffe, who is believable in his role as an actor who is pushed to investigate sketchy situations on the sly. He's not an expert in investigation or analysis, but he's sharp and persistent and sneaky enough to get to the heart of mysteries like this one. (Their benefactor, Lord Lovell, needs him to look into the unexplained death of a young man who was going to marry the daughter of a man who owes him homage. The daughter is about to marry a second man, and Lord Lovell thinks something is wrong.)

I don't love the constant sniping between some of the characters, but I sort of get it. Unrelated people in a troupe, forced into company around the clock, probably get a bit annoyed with each other. That's a bit of reality I don't care for. At least it isn't every page.

I've now read three books by this author (collaborators) and they were similar in one thing: when I have several books going, I'm always glad to pick this one up. I have books that languish with a bookmark stuck on page 40, but not this series.

Recommended. This is book 2, but I don't think it matters too much how you read them.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joliffe and his company are dispatched by their patron Lord Lovell to investigate a suspicious death. In addition to being an actor, Joliffe plays the lute and is the company’s playwright. Mostly he reworks existing plays to fit the resources of his small company. Throughout the story he is trying to come up with an ending for “Dux (Duke) Moraud,” which was a real play, although we have only a fragment – which consists of the speeches of one character. It is as if all we knew of “Othello” were the speeches of Iago – although the theme of Dux Moraud” seems to more resemble “Pericles.” The plot of the murder mystery is dark and tragic, but not very mysterious. The real interest of the story is the author’s vivid evocation of the rigorous life of the band of 15th century travelling players.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Frazer immerses her readers in the Middle Ages so completely that their moral code and sensibilities somehow become your own.

I am really taken with learning about the hardships of the period and the necessity of just focusing on living. It is a harsh reality for all but the privileges few to just put one foot ahead of the other and trust providence that you will see tomorrow.

Ms. Frazer’s troop of itinerant musicians have life lessons for all of us. . . And, I am relishing reading about their adventures and their approach to life.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery about preventing a murder rather than solving one, though an earlier death is involved. The story is well plotted, though I figured out the connection with the title a bit early. Joliffe's character deepens and the players' interaction never exceed their historical limitations of station. A vipers nest is what our company wanders into and they are lucky to escape with their patronage intact.

[Mary Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters develop, the details are real and charming, the plot a little thin but small price to pay for the thoughtfulness of it all.
(Day 2, post reading reflection)
The BEST part was this demonstration of the necessity of speaking the truth, the courage it takes to do that and despite the pain of it, the “rightness” that speaking the truth brings about. It took me two days of reflection to realize that’s what this story is really about, every detail.

[karabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

As usual, I really enjoyed reading this! The author always lets me escape from the problems of today and remember that some problems have always existed. I love visiting the British country side as well as the characters.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

wow! and ouch!

More violence, hatred and a kind of horror in this than I can enjoy. But Frazer is a good author who I believe knows the period she writes about and the way lives were lived then. Well done.

[Vicki Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for interesting characters and good use of history. Two and a half stars for almost total lack of mystery.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird topic but very interesting. The author does a great job of drawing you into the story and giving strange twist.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well plotted with the usual sloppy writing.

[Linda Finlayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The consequences of sin are far and unpleasantly reaching.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series by Margaret Frazer about the player Joliffe and the acting troupe to which he belongs, and how they go about solving murders in medieval England. (This troupe of players is introduced in Frazer's other series, the Dame Frevisse books) I quite liked the first book in the series, A Play of Isaac, so I was ready for more. And I like the series, on the whole, but with some few reservations.

Good things: the characterizations are good to a point, the milieu convincing, the stories interesting. Each story is based on a play performed by the troop, which seems to have some historical justification.

Not-as-good things: Dux Moraud turns out to have a lot of incestuous overtones, which I don't much care for. Sir Edmund and his family don't work for me. After laboriously pointing out that Sir Edmund's character will be reflected in the attitudes of his household and community, we find a normal community and household presided over by a cold man and his cold wife, a child that could be psychopathic and a child who is normal. Normal child seems to fit in with the gang, but Dad, Mom and Other Child definitely inhabit their own weird world. How is it that all these mentally ill people are in positions of authority, meaning they're not outcasts or homeless or even unsuccessful?

Having said all this, I will probably continue to read the Joliffe series.

[Sumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Play of Dux Moraud is the second book in the Joliffe series.

The small troupe of players gets a new member, Gil, taken on at the request of their new patron, Lord Lovell. They also learn the primary reason he became their patron as he sends them to the manor of Deneby, one of Lord Lovell's landholders. Lord Lovell has an uneasy feeling about the upcoming marriage of Sir Edmund's daughter. Her previous fiancee had died suddenly before the marriage could take place and he wonders if the same fate might befall the new one.

On the surface everything seems to be well and good but as Joliffe digs deeper all sorts of sordid details come to light.

As always, the author points just the right amount of daily life detail into the book to keep me from skipping straight to the end of the book. I read not so much to discover who did what to who, I read because I'm interested in the characters.

I find all the members of the troupe to be interesting and likeable individuals. This second book also sets the relationship between the players and their patron. He feels the troupe to be talented entertainers but their primary importance to him lies in their abilities as detectives operating on his behalf.

[Jill Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1434, Joliffe, an actor with a small troupe of traveling players is just growing accustomed to having the patronage of the great Lord Lovell. They must do his bidding, of course, including performing at the manor house of a knight whose daughter is about to be married, expanding their band of players to include Gil (a young man destined for the stage, according to Lovell), and adapting to luxurious new clothing and other accoutrements befitting the players of a Lord. Lord Lovell has ulterior motives in sending the players as a wedding gift to the Deneby household; he wants Joliffe (who has previously proven to have more than acting wits about him) to do some minor sleuthing into the mysterious death of the bride Mariena's prior betrothed. Lovell suspects that Amyas--the latest bridegroom--might also be in danger. The players have the advantage of being able to talk with both the gentry they serve and a house full of servants. It soon becomes clear the first bridegroom was probably murdered, and there is much more than meets the eye to the Deneby household. The players perform several times, but their actual gift is the play of Dux Moraud about a cuckholded lord. Does life imitate fiction? It is up to Joliffe to figure it out.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This second in Frazer's series of Joliffe mysteries deals with a disturbing situation and does so pretty well, although there's an erotic scene that may put off some readers. The sometimes-coarse expressions of sexuality that seem to pervade the book turn out to be important clues to the plot and it all comes together (albeit disturbingly--can't say more without giving it away) in the end. Frazer writes it well and recognizes immorality as the evil influence it is, but some readers just won't want to deal with that. Apparently Joliffe is going to have to deal with things more directly than Sister Frevisse, his predecessor in Frazer's other (excellent) series, would ever have had to do--but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The rest of the series will tell the tale (so to speak).

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's astonishing to me that the same author can write one series about a middle-aged nun who finds her greatest satisfaction in prayer and who struggles with her own impatience and tendency to judge harshly...and then turn around and write about a completely worldly young traveling actor with an eye for the ladies. What versatility!

I enjoyed the traveling players, the training of their new apprentice, and the lore of medieval life that appears in this book. (Did you know that manors built with defense in mind had one step on an internal staircase higher than the others, to trip invaders?) The mystery was sufficiently puzzling, but when the only way Joliffe can confirm his suspicions is to have Lord Lovell confront the evildoers and provoke a confession, it seems a weak ending.

[Mike McAdam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book series, and this book in particular, is a lot of fun! (If you can get past a dreadful title... if I was browsing in a bookstore I wouldn't pick this up in a million years... thank god for a recommendation from a friend). A group of actors have to do some sleuthing on the side (no spoilers here - that is all you are getting plot-wise) in a crazy, convoluted situation. Very satisfying, quick read. Fun to watch it all unravel with a satisfying ending. :)

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's lot to like about this book - the world of the players remains compelling and the details of how performances are put together - but it is very hard to get past the portrayal of a victim of abuse as so unsympathetic, without being able to explore what might have made her so. I understand the need to reflect on medieval mores, but part of that must involve throwing light on the perspective of the victims, which I think is failed here to a great extent.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this intense tale of lust and (presumed)incest because watching Joliffe solve the case was a real pleasure. What a wonderfully realized character he is! And I love the whole group of players and their relationships -- and all the business about putting on a play. Writing, learning lines, changing who does which role -- it does of course give you insight into Shakespeare and everyone who wrote WHILE also being part of a group of players. Of course I am in love with Joliffe --

[Beth Tedford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series. I was raised in a theater family so it is great to read something so well researched & written.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guessed part of the solution, but I didn't mind. This is a smoother book than the first in the series, and Joliffe is coming to life.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joliffe #2