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Nicholas Bracewell #7
The Roaring Boy
Dame Fortune has abandoned Lord Westfield's men to calamity...
One member of the popular London acting troupe has died. Their present production is a failure. Then an anonymous playwright hands company mainstay Nicholas Bracewell a chance for salvation: a new script that exposes a tragic miscarriage of justice in a murder case.
News of the impending production of The Roaring Boy swiftly reaches high places. Long before rehearsals begin, the company is menaced by enemies who target both script and players for destruction. For The Roaring Boy establishes the innocence of the two people executed for the crime and points a bold finger at the real murderer. Not even Lord Westfield, the company's powerful patron, can save the troupe from the mortal danger that now encompasses them...
One member of the popular London acting troupe has died. Their present production is a failure. Then an anonymous playwright hands company mainstay Nicholas Bracewell a chance for salvation: a new script that exposes a tragic miscarriage of justice in a murder case.
News of the impending production of The Roaring Boy swiftly reaches high places. Long before rehearsals begin, the company is menaced by enemies who target both script and players for destruction. For The Roaring Boy establishes the innocence of the two people executed for the crime and points a bold finger at the real murderer. Not even Lord Westfield, the company's powerful patron, can save the troupe from the mortal danger that now encompasses them...
317 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
20 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Edward Marston
227 books467 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston
Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.
Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 4, 2013
Edward Marston's "The Roaring Boy" is part of his series set in the late 1500s in Elizabeth I's England. His hero (and now mine) is Nicholas Bracewell, a book holder (prompter and general factotum) for Lord Westfield's Men, one of the best respected troupes of players in London. During their production of 'The Corrupt Bargain', one of the key actors and a mainstay of their troupe, dies on stage. The players must forego the book, act around the dead man until he can be removed, and ignore the words so carefully penned by their playwright Edmund Hoode. Hoode is disraught--the improvised play is better than his writing, and he falls into a deep depression. Simon Chaloner approaches the players in a pub and presents them with an extraordinary opportunity. He gives them a play written by and anonymous author that will be a sensation because it will reveal a dastardly murder and a larger plot, possibly involving treason, that has had tongues wagging. Bracewell shows Hoode that the amateur's writing could use a professional hand, and the playwright seizes his salvation and the greatest work of his career as a lifeline.
Bracewell and Lawrence Firethorn, the leader of Westfield's Men, meet again with Chaloner and his fiancee, the beautiful Emilia Brinklow, who is the sister of the murdered man and subject of the play, Thomas Brinklow. Emilia lives in the amazing house and laboratory that her brother designed, built, and used for his scientific experiments and manufactures that were revolutionizing architecture, maritime life, and many aspects of Elizabethan society. The laboratory and Brinklow's amazing collection of inventions--not to mention his papers including a potentially compromising letter--were destroyed when he was murdered. His wife and her lover were wrongly sentenced to death for his murder, and all had connections with Sir Godfrey Avenell, the Master of the Armoury. The Brinklow's house is near Greenwich Palace, Queen Elizabeth's favourite residence and home of a tiltyard where a major jousting tournament is to take place. The wealthy armourer is backing Sir John Tarker with support and heavy financial backing. Tarker's men assault Bracewell in an atttempt to get Westfield's Men out of the business of rewriting and performing the anonymous author's play, now named "The Roaring Boy". Clearly, Tarker and Avenell are in league and have motives for wanting all matters related to Thomas Brinklow (not just the man himself) dead and buried. Tarker is fingered but not named in the play that the watchful Men now struggle to complete and get past the censor. Meanwhile, the nefarious musician and sometimes spy Orlando Reeve attempts to learn more for Tarker about the secrets the play might reveal.
Tarker observes a rehearsal of the play, recognizes himself as "the Stranger", and disrupts the play with brawling spectators. Playwright Hoode is arrested for libel, and the players visit him in prison, hoping to secure his release before he dies from the jail's foul conditions. Simon and Emilia's servants, meanwhile, struggle to protect her. But Simon Chaloner decides to strike against Tarker on his own. Bracewell comforts Emilia in Chaloner's absence while other players seek and find the actual murderers of Thomas Brinklow. Another tragedy occurs, but the capture of the pair of murderers reveals the larger, devious plot endangering England and Elizabeth's reign. Bracewell becomes suspicious of Emilia's servants whilst becoming more infatuated with her.
It is not a letter but a small dagger that seems to be the key to Thomas Brinklow's knowledge of the plot and the reason for his murder. The players put their heads together after pursuing different threads related to the murders, misdirections, materials Brinklow used in his experiments that also seem of interest to Armourer Avenell, and the dastardly plot. Hoode is released from prison, and "The Roaring Boy" debuts officially, the schemers are unmasked,the anonymous playwright is quietly revealed and acknowledged,and the Queen's realm is saved. None of this happens simply, but the skill of the author surely equals that of the anonymous playwright, each producing a grand romp of a mystery in "The Roaring Boy".
Bracewell and Lawrence Firethorn, the leader of Westfield's Men, meet again with Chaloner and his fiancee, the beautiful Emilia Brinklow, who is the sister of the murdered man and subject of the play, Thomas Brinklow. Emilia lives in the amazing house and laboratory that her brother designed, built, and used for his scientific experiments and manufactures that were revolutionizing architecture, maritime life, and many aspects of Elizabethan society. The laboratory and Brinklow's amazing collection of inventions--not to mention his papers including a potentially compromising letter--were destroyed when he was murdered. His wife and her lover were wrongly sentenced to death for his murder, and all had connections with Sir Godfrey Avenell, the Master of the Armoury. The Brinklow's house is near Greenwich Palace, Queen Elizabeth's favourite residence and home of a tiltyard where a major jousting tournament is to take place. The wealthy armourer is backing Sir John Tarker with support and heavy financial backing. Tarker's men assault Bracewell in an atttempt to get Westfield's Men out of the business of rewriting and performing the anonymous author's play, now named "The Roaring Boy". Clearly, Tarker and Avenell are in league and have motives for wanting all matters related to Thomas Brinklow (not just the man himself) dead and buried. Tarker is fingered but not named in the play that the watchful Men now struggle to complete and get past the censor. Meanwhile, the nefarious musician and sometimes spy Orlando Reeve attempts to learn more for Tarker about the secrets the play might reveal.
Tarker observes a rehearsal of the play, recognizes himself as "the Stranger", and disrupts the play with brawling spectators. Playwright Hoode is arrested for libel, and the players visit him in prison, hoping to secure his release before he dies from the jail's foul conditions. Simon and Emilia's servants, meanwhile, struggle to protect her. But Simon Chaloner decides to strike against Tarker on his own. Bracewell comforts Emilia in Chaloner's absence while other players seek and find the actual murderers of Thomas Brinklow. Another tragedy occurs, but the capture of the pair of murderers reveals the larger, devious plot endangering England and Elizabeth's reign. Bracewell becomes suspicious of Emilia's servants whilst becoming more infatuated with her.
It is not a letter but a small dagger that seems to be the key to Thomas Brinklow's knowledge of the plot and the reason for his murder. The players put their heads together after pursuing different threads related to the murders, misdirections, materials Brinklow used in his experiments that also seem of interest to Armourer Avenell, and the dastardly plot. Hoode is released from prison, and "The Roaring Boy" debuts officially, the schemers are unmasked,the anonymous playwright is quietly revealed and acknowledged,and the Queen's realm is saved. None of this happens simply, but the skill of the author surely equals that of the anonymous playwright, each producing a grand romp of a mystery in "The Roaring Boy".
August 25, 2020
"Murder, Mayhem and Treachery in Elizabethan Times”
This master of the Historical Mystery genre does not fail to captivate and delight readers as he offers up the theatrical trials of one acting company, Westfield’s Men. With a large cast of characters in the actual company—readers may find it difficult at first to sort out the protagonists. Imagine the sensation when one of company unexpectedly dies onstage! From thence the novel proves a descent into a maelstrom of evil and conflicting selfish motivation.
Stylistically the novel consists of a few protracted chapters, which weave multiple plot lines (thereby leaving readers dangling)—all interspersed with archaic Jousting vocabulary. Students of the Elizabethan Era may rejoice at the unexpected bonus of enlarging their knowledge while enjoying the devious twisted strands of fascinating plotting.
Many are the pitfalls for an acting company—even one protected by a patron of the arts. The novel includes a chilling depiction of the horrors of Marshalsea, a prison for those accused of libel. But one mystery permeates: who is the true author of the maligned play, which threatens to reveal more than murder and arson? Even the prolonged denouement contains literary surprises. So take a seat behind the groundlings and be prepared to be deliciously shocked!
August 23, 2020
This master of the Historical Mystery genre does not fail to captivate and delight readers as he offers up the theatrical trials of one acting company, Westfield’s Men. With a large cast of characters in the actual company—readers may find it difficult at first to sort out the protagonists. Imagine the sensation when one of company unexpectedly dies onstage! From thence the novel proves a descent into a maelstrom of evil and conflicting selfish motivation.
Stylistically the novel consists of a few protracted chapters, which weave multiple plot lines (thereby leaving readers dangling)—all interspersed with archaic Jousting vocabulary. Students of the Elizabethan Era may rejoice at the unexpected bonus of enlarging their knowledge while enjoying the devious twisted strands of fascinating plotting.
Many are the pitfalls for an acting company—even one protected by a patron of the arts. The novel includes a chilling depiction of the horrors of Marshalsea, a prison for those accused of libel. But one mystery permeates: who is the true author of the maligned play, which threatens to reveal more than murder and arson? Even the prolonged denouement contains literary surprises. So take a seat behind the groundlings and be prepared to be deliciously shocked!
August 23, 2020
December 16, 2025
Clever plot, good storyline, interesting characters, some good descriptive writing, but on rare occasions I felt the language was too 21c.
Liked the descriptions of the London area settings.
Liked this writing:-
"He was a small, ageing, restless man with hollow cheek and haunted eyes. A few last strands of greasy hair still remained, not knowing whether to cling to the lost cause of his mottled skull or to fling themselves into the void after their fellows.!"
Liked the descriptions of the London area settings.
Liked this writing:-
"He was a small, ageing, restless man with hollow cheek and haunted eyes. A few last strands of greasy hair still remained, not knowing whether to cling to the lost cause of his mottled skull or to fling themselves into the void after their fellows.!"
April 29, 2019
Mildly interesting crime fiction, set in a world of 1590s London theatre in which it seems Shakespeare never existed - except in the pale imitations here. Characters are based mostly on Lord Chancellor's Men figures, and much of the plot is lifted wholesale from plays of the period, in particular Measure for Measure and Arden of Faversham, though I recognised other elements.
The author writes under a pseudonym based on an actual playwright of the period. The plots and characters might also be kindly called a "homage". The writing is flabby and padded with extra verbosity, presumably to reach a negotiated length. I won't be seeking out any more.
The author writes under a pseudonym based on an actual playwright of the period. The plots and characters might also be kindly called a "homage". The writing is flabby and padded with extra verbosity, presumably to reach a negotiated length. I won't be seeking out any more.
December 8, 2017
First published in 1995, The Roaring Boy is the seventh in a series of Elizabethan murder mysteries. The stories are set against the background of a London-based company of performers called 'Westerfield's Men' after their sponsor. In this adventure, the story is based around a contentious play called 'The Roaring Boy' written to highlight a recent miscarriage of justice. As is often the case with Marston's stories, the plot is sometimes a little obvious but is compensated for by the cracking pace at which it develops. Very enjoyable.
July 21, 2017
A relatively interesting whodunit with some good twists at the end, but this time the book seemed to lack a bit of the real-life historical background that usually brings these stories to life. There was an interesting real life historical character in Richard Topcliffe, the notorious Elizabethan torturer (who did indeed actually investigate a notorious play), but it felt a bit levered into the story.
Overall not a bad read, but not the best of the series.
Overall not a bad read, but not the best of the series.
October 18, 2017
An excellent series, and this one did not disappoint. A great plot, which pulled me along at pace, painting a great picture of life in the Elizabethan theatre. The whodunnit element is entertaining and kept me guessing. A very enjoyable read.
March 13, 2019
a very interesting read and very enjoyable with lots of twist and turns
August 9, 2020
excellent cosy crime
December 12, 2018
This is a set of Historical Fiction mysteries set in Elizabethan times.
An Author new to me & I enjoyed the story & the characters. The setting is well devised & the historical bits are good & definitely add to the book but it's not in the same league as CJ Sansom & Co.
These are shorter & lighter toned than the other Elizabethan historical faction stories I've read.
Nonetheless a nice lighthearted read for fans of Sansom & Parris et al
An Author new to me & I enjoyed the story & the characters. The setting is well devised & the historical bits are good & definitely add to the book but it's not in the same league as CJ Sansom & Co.
These are shorter & lighter toned than the other Elizabethan historical faction stories I've read.
Nonetheless a nice lighthearted read for fans of Sansom & Parris et al
April 3, 2021
A good read, at the beginning it took a few pages to get in to the story. But it was worth the effort to remain with it and by the end a great tale of intrigue and suspense. I’d recommend a reading of this novel.
February 15, 2019
Another mystery from the acting company which mixes Elizabethan history and an interesting mystery with great twists and turns. Recommended.
April 18, 2019
I nearly didn't bother to continue once I'd read the first chapter. So glad I did! Really enjoyed the plot and resolution. Can't wait to read another in the series.
June 12, 2019
The best, and last, of the five I found in a charity shop. Have moved them swiftly on
July 29, 2020
Very good story, well told. Twist at the end means I won't want to read again though, knowing that.
August 10, 2021
Entertaining read, not challenging. Like the telly you watch when you want something good without having to think too much.
January 10, 2024
Not the best in the series for me. It took me a bit to get into and didn't really grip me.
October 22, 2024
Another fantastic installation of this interesting and unique crime series. The historical fiction is entertaining and there are plenty of twists and turns leaving the reader hooked.
November 17, 2024
I love the feel of these books that evoke the Elizabeth's theatre mood in london
June 10, 2025
DNF didn’t feel like it was going anywhere
July 25, 2025
Slowly working my way through the series. Great escapism.
June 10, 2015
Nicholas Bracewell, the book holder of a very successful acting troupe, Lord Westfield’s Men in Elizabethan England. Formulaic (and I mean that in the most positive sense of the word, a reader knows what they’re going to get and is more than satisfied with the process and outcome) and utterly charming and clever, filled with rich language and wonderful humour and well as clever plotting, these novels just get better and better.
The book opens when one of Westfield’s Men shuffles off this mortal coil in an untimely fashion, leaving the troupe despondent and the playwright and share holder, Edmund Hoode, questioning his livelihood and blaming himself for the tragedy. Considering leaving the profession at which he excels (which is not unusual for Edmund), it’s not until the basis for a new play, The Roaring Boy, is placed in his hands by the mysterious Simon Chaloner, he reconsiders. It’s a manuscript based on the salacious and true events of a murder and the execution of the perpetrators, but which shockingly claims they were wrongly convicted and hints as to the real villains. Edmund, Nicholas and the rest of Westfield’s Men know they have something dangerous and wonderful in their hands, something worth honing into a performance piece that will not only shine a light on a dreadful wrong, but once again make them the toast of London.
But there are those who will do anything to prevent the play Edmund writes being performed, including murder. After all, they’ve already killed to protect their identity and what they’re really hiding, what’s a few more bodies?
Bringing late Elizabethan London and the grit, grime and calumny of the playhouses to life, Marston excels in this tale of tales, truth, falsehood, varlets and heroes. The dialogue is absolutely cracking, the characters possessed of depths and idiosyncrasies that make them leap off the page, and the plot is marvellous.
Loving this series and so will anyone who likes historical fiction, crime and just well-written stories.
The book opens when one of Westfield’s Men shuffles off this mortal coil in an untimely fashion, leaving the troupe despondent and the playwright and share holder, Edmund Hoode, questioning his livelihood and blaming himself for the tragedy. Considering leaving the profession at which he excels (which is not unusual for Edmund), it’s not until the basis for a new play, The Roaring Boy, is placed in his hands by the mysterious Simon Chaloner, he reconsiders. It’s a manuscript based on the salacious and true events of a murder and the execution of the perpetrators, but which shockingly claims they were wrongly convicted and hints as to the real villains. Edmund, Nicholas and the rest of Westfield’s Men know they have something dangerous and wonderful in their hands, something worth honing into a performance piece that will not only shine a light on a dreadful wrong, but once again make them the toast of London.
But there are those who will do anything to prevent the play Edmund writes being performed, including murder. After all, they’ve already killed to protect their identity and what they’re really hiding, what’s a few more bodies?
Bringing late Elizabethan London and the grit, grime and calumny of the playhouses to life, Marston excels in this tale of tales, truth, falsehood, varlets and heroes. The dialogue is absolutely cracking, the characters possessed of depths and idiosyncrasies that make them leap off the page, and the plot is marvellous.
Loving this series and so will anyone who likes historical fiction, crime and just well-written stories.
November 7, 2013
Westfield's Men are struggling. Their playwright, Edwin Hoode, hasn't written a really good play in ages, and Lawrence Firethorn has a toothache he can't get rid of. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a great idea for a play appears in the form of an anonymous donation of plot and character. The story is topical, being based on a notorious recent murder in Greenwich. Unfortunately, it also brings criminal charges against the acting troupe in the form of Edwin Hoode who is thrown into prison under threat of torture if he can't produce the name of the original writer. Since no one knows who it is, he lies waiting in prison while the rest of the troupe go to Greenwich, confront the family of the murder victim, cut through the knotty problem and uncover real treason in the person of the Master Armourer.
Really interesting book. Very pro-woman, although there is a kind of ishy bit at the very end, a part that has minimal bearing on the murder mystery itself.
Really interesting book. Very pro-woman, although there is a kind of ishy bit at the very end, a part that has minimal bearing on the murder mystery itself.
January 9, 2014
The seventh book in the series of the Bracewell mysteries and Marston still has it! I love revisiting Lord Westfield's Men, each character has really come to life throughout the series and I enjoy each mystery very much. I was sad to that Anne and Nicholas did not reunite in this book and really hope she reappears at some point. I'm looking forward to getting my teeth into number eight now.
December 15, 2011
Bracewell receives a play about a notorious murder. Steel swords and incest, interesting and good action.
April 8, 2015
Marston spins a good mystery yarn around a company of actors in Elizabethan London
December 30, 2015
Nice easy read
April 11, 2017
Review - I really loved this book, probably my favourite in the series so far, much better than the previous one in the series The Silent Woman. I thought that the wider connection with the court was well-explored and linked to what was happening in the wider world. I also liked the element of danger to the company as a whole rather than just a couple of people in the story.
Genre? - Historical / Mystery / Crime
Characters? - Nicholas Bracewell / Lawrence Firethorn / Edmund Hoode / George Dart / Barnaby Gill / Emilia Brinklow / Simon Chaloner / Thomas Brinklow / Valentine / Agnes
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - Nicholas Bracewell #7
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 19/20
Genre? - Historical / Mystery / Crime
Characters? - Nicholas Bracewell / Lawrence Firethorn / Edmund Hoode / George Dart / Barnaby Gill / Emilia Brinklow / Simon Chaloner / Thomas Brinklow / Valentine / Agnes
Setting? - London (England)
Series? - Nicholas Bracewell #7
Recommend? – Yes
Rating - 19/20
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews