Murder Most Foul

The Quill and Dagger #1

by Guy Jenkin

Murder Most Foul is a dark, witty and fast-paced novel, from one of Britain’s best-loved screenwriters. It’s 1593, Elizabeth I is Queen, and everyone is terrified of the worst outbreak of plague in a generation. Shakespeare has only written six plays and is lagging behind his friend Christopher Marlowe, London’s leading playwright. When Marlowe is stabbed to death in mysterious circumstances, rumors abound – but the one that won’t go away is that Shakespeare did it to remove his greatest rival. Will is determined to clear his name, and teams up with his old flame, Marlowe’s sister Ann, who has plenty of secrets of her own. In their search to solve the crime, Will and Ann uncover a dark world of treachery, murder, and corruption – which in turn provides Shakespeare with scenes and characters which will appear in his greatest plays. "An ingenious, funny and erudite thriller." —John O’Farrell, best-selling author of The Man Who Forgot His Wife and An Utterly Impartial History of Britain
"Funny, thrilling and full of wonderful easter eggs for Shakespearean theatre fans... a treat from start to finish."—David Greig, playwright and theatre director

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, London, Crime, Audiobook, Humor

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2025

Reviews

[Susannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not a fan of this, it started promising but went downhill and got worse as it went on. This is about the death of Christopher Marlowe and Shakespeare and Marlowe’s sister are trying to solve the mysteries surrounding this. Marlowe and Shakespeare are gifts to authors as not much is known about their lives so you can make things up to a large extent.

This book has some basis in the various theories surrounding Marlowe’s death, but generally it does not portray the period very well, women are constantly thinking about how oppressed they are the the patriarchy and towards the end the characters were thinking, speaking and acting like modern people with a thin veneer of Tudor times on top which is jarring and annoying. It was hard to stay interested and there were not many stakes in terms of Shakespeare as we know he is not going to die unless this is an alternate history which it isn’t. Racism and feminism are modern concepts, not much was done to try to understand how people may have thought, felt and expressed themselves in this period.

Also I think the treatment of Shakespeare was not great, the assertion that he did not know Latin which is bizarre because he had a classical education and some of his sources especially for plays like Titus Andronicus were not available in English at the time so he must have read them in Latin. Also that he did not like his wife, it is a bit depressing how prevalent this take is, I think Hamnet might be one of the few that shows the opposite.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Deptford shoutouts in this book
Even in Deptford, you can’t carry bodies far in daylight
Thought that was funny
Also apparently this guy wrote outnumbered

[Amber Saleemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this as part of my Crime Freaks Subscription Box!
This isn’t the kind of book I would usually pick up, but I ended up really enjoying it. I loved the blend of fact and fiction—it gave the story a unique edge while still feeling grounded. The characters were engaging and well-drawn, and the writing had a natural flow that made it easy to keep turning the pages. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, another mystery would pop up, keeping me hooked right to the end.

[Alicia Mesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The number of characters and plots exceeded my ability to understand let alone keep track of.
Will Shakespeare accidentally kills Chris Marlowe by passing him a cup filled with poison. The end.

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

It all felt very flat. I don't think the rapid POV swaps did much for the story, and I feel like there could have been more depth to it if we had only seen everything through Ann or Will's point of view. Every shred of tension only lasts a couple of pages or so before whatever danger there is dissipates.

[Maddy McGlynn]

A very enjoyable romp with Shakespeare and Co. through Elizabethan London.

Jenkins is a British film director and comedy writer with works including Outnumbered. In Murder Most Foul, Jenkin pits grisly crime against humour and an intriguing story.

Will (Shakespeare) is supported by an entertaining cast, including his fierce but forbidden love, Anne Marlowe; Lizzie, the tiny and resilient child; and various constables, villains and fellow playwrights. Their stories merge to create a tale of shifting alliances, betrayals and camaraderie.

The book authentically captures the dangerous London of Elizabeth I, with its spies, politics, plague and theatre scene.

This wasn’t quite laugh-out-loud comedy but instead had a more humorous tone that was maintained throughout, giving the book a fast pace and strong energy.

Thank you to @legendpress for sending me a copy of this book.

[t · Rating 4 out of 5]

an enjoyable elizabethan mystery although i did have gripes with the frequent perspective and time jumps (that attempted to up the anti but were just disjointing) and would’ve liked a bit more immersion into the period (stylistically, linguistically, affectively, inaccurately, sure i wouldn’t mind!). and also no one can convince me shakespeare and marlow didnt go at it…like at least occasionally!! where is that story…?

[I C · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4. The right mix between historic fiction, historic facts, and murder mystery vibes. Well paced, nice flow, and plenty of surprises.

[Stewart Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second historical fiction murder mystery type novel I’ve read over the last month or so and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This one is focused on the murder of Christopher Marlowe, London’s leading playwright, and the subsequent attempt by his peer and friend, William Shakespeare, and his sister, Ann Marlowe, to uncover the killer. I love Tudor England as a setting and this novel features a few sub plots and characters that have their own story to tell and reasons for doing what they do which adds to the intrigue of the 16th century.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even in Deptford, you can’t carry bodies far in daylight... [loc. 1402]

In which William Shakespeare is suspected of the murder of Christopher Marlowe, and makes common cause with Marlowe's sister Ann (formerly Will's lover) to find out who really killed Marlowe, and why. Well-researched, witty historical whodunnit with a credible denouement and some excellent dialogue (Jenkin is an award-winning scriptwriter) and lots of period detail. Also, set in my neck of the woods...

The premise sounded excellent, but didn't quite ring true for me. Perhaps there were too many viewpoint characters -- Will, Ann, Lizzie the Dutch orphan, Bella the spy, the mysterious Widow. Perhaps some of the attitudes were slightly too modern. Perhaps I was just vexed that Marlowe, throughout, was referred to as 'Chris' rather than 'Kit'.

I was drawn into the intricacies of the plot, with all its political layers, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) references to characters and plot elements from Shakespeare's plays. Will and Ann-without-an-e's relationship was poignant, because doomed. And Jenkin evoked 16th-century London in its stenchful, dangerous glory: an outbreak of plague, anti-immigrant sentiment, filthy streets, squalor.

Despite my reservations and criticisms, I did like it: more, in hindsight, than while I was reading! Jenkin's theory about Marlowe's murder makes a lot of sense, and his dialogue is cracking. I hope it's the first in a series.

An interesting fact I learnt from this novel: cormorants have green eyes!

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75!
A well research depiction of Shakespeare's time. Put the reader right onto the streets with the characters.
The book started out as highly engrossing for me but st 80% it found my attention waning. It seemed the books build up was better then the actual climax, for me.
Overall an interesting take on the murder of Christopher Marlow, I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of shakespeare and this period

[Susan Holmes-Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun. It has its issues, but it felt filmic in an enjoyable way. It’s a romp through Shakespeare’s world and it all works as long as you don’t look too deeply. But there are historical facts too that the writer has used in his own manner.

I liked the character of Ann and she felt real. Shakespeare does too and I liked the arc of how he was altered through the course of the novel into a writer with greater depth. However there were, for me, too many characters to try and remember and keep track of. Also, the constantly changing point of view was a bit dizzying. I don’t hate it, but it stole from the flow and was sometimes frustrating because I wanted more backstory and depth. The person whose backstory is the most vivid is Bella, and she, though a fabulous character, is just really a device to get things done and put things in place. Her dog is awesome though.

Also, I think the plot only really took off at a third of the way through the book. I wasn’t fully gripped until halfway through. That’s a real shame because once it motors, it really does.

What I did love was the sneakiness and darkness of the time and place the author creates. The paranoia and menace feels very real. Christopher Marlowe’s character is given the rock and roll treatment it so often is. And I don’t mind that at all. It’s interesting to me that the controversy around Marlowe seems to stop people accusing him of not writing his own work in the way Shakespeare often does. We’re happy with a punkish son of a shoemaker who loved sex and violence having written his work, but we doubt the less sexy and dangerous son of a glove maker’s intellect and ability. That’s just my ramblings though.

Fun book as long as you see it as a fun romp and nothing too profound.

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romp through the dirty, dangerous streets of Elizabethan London. It follows a young William Shakespeare as he tries to solve the murder of his friend and fellow playwright Christopher Marlowe, alongside Marlowe's sister Ann, who also happens to be a former flame of Shakespeare's.

The dialogue is sharp and pacy, if perhaps a little modern in places for the period. The story rattles along with Will and Ann discovering snippets of information all over the place, which doesn't always serve to help them in their quest. Will and Ann tumble from one dicey situation into another. Everywhere they turn, there is someone out to thwart them, divert them or kill them.

There are perhaps a few too many POV characters, which don't all feel necessary. A small irritant for me was Marlowe being referred to as Chris throughout, when his historical preferred nickname seemed to be Kit. But that's just a little thing.

The world-building is good, with the stinky, plague-infested, rabble-ridden streets of London springing to vivid life. There is danger at every turn, from the bubonic plague to violent gangs looking for Catholics, Dutch refugees, murderous playwrights, take your pick, really. It also shows rife corruption, where power and money make men think they can do anything and get away with it. Which, generally, it appears they can.

All in all, this was a quick, entertaining read.

[Valeria Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a whim in Paris, drawn in by my love of Shakespeare while browsing at Shakespeare and Company. I thought it would be a quick, light read. From the very beginning, I knew it wasn’t going to be entirely grounded in historical fact, but I still regret not reading the reviews beforehand.
As someone who adores the Shakespearean era, I was expecting a certain atmosphere and authenticity. Instead, I was met with a truly bizarre portrayal. For some reason, Will in this version of Shakespeare, doesn’t know Latin, a detail so historically off that it was pointed out multiple times within the book itself, as if drawing attention to its own inaccuracy.

The character of Ann and the so-called love story were painfully underdeveloped, and the ending felt incredibly rushed. Bella’s character added nothing to the plot and seemed completely unnecessary. And the twist at the end? Laughable at best.

Overall, this was a disappointing read that failed to capture either the spirit or the substance of the era it aimed to evoke.

[Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want great plot based on accurate historic records read G.J.Williams.

This book woukdve been better if it was NOT based on real people because there is a lot of inaccuracies and completely made up scenarios which are useful to the pace and plot of the book but utterly untrue in any sense to the real people depicted. This spoilt my enjoyment immensely.

If this was written about made up characters it would be a great story that romps along with pace and i couldn't put it down.

A number of Latin quotes are used, the characters ridicule the main characters for not understanding. Unfortunately that includes the reader as we're not let into the joke/digs etc. Frustrating when sometimes it seems very relevant to the story but impossible to know and kindle won't translate. I'm not Googling Latin every time its used to find out if its important/ funny etc

I've just found the post script.... which turns out to be the history! It explains what I'd and isn't true. LIVID!!!!! WTF hide this. I dropped it one star for hiding this.

[Dave Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder Most Foul" is a wonderfully imaginative work of historical fiction that transports readers to Elizabethan England in 1593, the year playwright Christopher Marlowe was mysteriously murdered. At the heart of the story is a young, impetuous William Shakespeare, whose relationship with Marlowe and his sister Ann provides a fascinating blend of literary history, intrigue, and clever speculation. Jenkin has great fun weaving real historical figures and events into a fictional narrative, exploring what might have happened behind the scenes during one of English literature’s most remarkable periods. I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of historical detail, mystery, and creative storytelling, particularly the interplay between two of the era’s greatest playwrights. It’s a terrific read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, and even more rewarding for Shakespeare enthusiasts who will appreciate the literary connections and playful reimagining of history. Highly recommended!

[Martin Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another idea about the death of Christopher Marlowe! The main protagonists ere are William Shakespeare and his lover, Ann Marlowe, the brother of Christopher Marlowe.

What the book is very good at is showing how dirty London was in the late 16th Century and how dangerous it was to live in. If the plague didn’t get you the mobs looking for catholics, or for foreigners, probably would.

The book speeds through the events that befall Will and Ann as they look for the truth about Christopher Marlowe’s death and who killed him. For me it was a bit too hectic, characters were constantly being introduced and shown to be good, bad or a bit of both.

Maybe the ending had the feeling of being overly positive given how dark of the rest of the book was. But for a debut novel…

[kikbim · Rating 3 out of 5]

William Shakespeare and Ann Marlowe investigate the murder of her brother Christopher.
This works as a Shakespeare in Love kind of romp, having young William the playwright, dash about a 1593 plague-stricken London as he romances a woman who is not Anne Hathaway and inserts bits and pieces from his real life into his works -- notably, there's a potion dealing friar and mention of poison poured into a victim's ear.
As a whodunnit, it's perhaps less striking, because reality surpasses fiction.

[Terri Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In all honesty, I was surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I have to admit that I went in to it with some reservations about the historical side of it with such well known characters. But I enjoyed the storyline and the adventure that the characters had throughout it, both the main ones and the side characters as well.

It was easy to follow through, the language and style of writing that the author has used. Nothing felt stuffy at all like some historical fiction books can be sometimes.

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy historical fiction and I'm a huge audiobook listener. I also enjoy audiobooks set in different eras. I thought this sounded like a really interesting mystery, and I had high hopes that both narrators would be very good. Unfortunately I've given up as the multiple POVs have confused me, and I'm not keen on the narrators either. Maybe it's would be better in print, rather than as an audiobook?
Thanks to NetGalley and W.F. Howse for my digital copy via the Netgalley Shelf app.

[Mythical Bookwrym · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a fun little romp through Elizabethan England, with enough detail to make you feel like you where in the dirty streets of London. The biggest problem with this book however, is how many characters you step into with each POV switch, and how often it seems to happen. You get no true feel for what the characters are like, what their motivations are, and it distracts from picking up on all the subtle clues about who the killer is.

[Jyothin Madari · Rating 3 out of 5]

"... this too was a kind of disguise, and he could see the city's septic heart beneath it, the hidden chambers where powerful men upheld religion and morality by day whispered, plotted and murdered in the dark. No rules applied to them. They could kill, torture or fuck whomever they wanted, for no other reason than they always had. Lord Ferdinando Strange could walk free because he was related to kings."

[Chai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this (audiobook edition) from my public library via Libby, and didn't even realise until I looked it up on Goodreads that it hasn't been released yet.

The story is intriguing but sometimes very much all over the place - sometimes this works to convey the chaos surrounding them, sometimes it doesn't.
I do appreciate the author not trying to force a perfect happy ending, I think the one we got works very well!

[Sushila Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although shortlisted for the Everyman Bollinger Wodehouse prize, this book was too dark for me to find it comic. Various different episodes were either heartbreaking or horrible. Or both. Also I was not often able to see how the Shakespeare character was supposed to have been inspired by events in the story. Just occasionally I could see the literary references, but not often. Mostly it was a case of alas, poor disinterred slimy skull, I don't know my Shakespeare well enough.

[Mary Pimbblet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good plot, but the constant changes in perspective in this meant I didn't end up really invested in any of the characters. I didn't really buy into the events as being the inspiration for a lot of Shakespeare's works, it just felt like a treasure hunt for references at times.
Its an interesting murder mystery, but I would have preferred to stick to one or two perspectives rather than the constant quick changes in this.

[Z B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction is not really my thing but a friend lent me this book and I was pleasantly surprised. It's not a serious, historically accurate book - it's more like a 1593 plot of Eastenders. However, if you fancy a good detective story and an entertaining plot with nods towards iconic Shakespeare plays, give it a go!

(It did make me a bit sad to see the Shakespeare character so disinterested and borderline disdainful towards his wife, Anne, but I guess that could just be a me thing...)

[Josh Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Most Foul is quite a courageous murder mystery book. It surrounds the murder of Christopher Marlow which is explored through overlapping perspectives and a storyline full of twists with satisfying links to history. The book brings 16th Century London to life with vivid descriptions of just how horrible it was. These descriptions are complimented by moments of humour and irony delivered by well developed characters. Overall a really exciting storyline written excellently!

[Richard Morrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

William Shakespeare and his friend Anne are trying to solve the murder of Anne’s brothers, Christopher Marlowe. This fictional account of the playwright’s death takes us through the plague-ridden streets of Elizabethan London. A mystery filled with dirt, grim and intrigue which was enjoyable and at times shocking.

[Benjamin Lunøe · Rating 1 out of 5]

A slog to get through. The plot is faintly ridiculous and the book fails to evoke the time it is supposed to be set in, as there are several anachronisms and the characters all talk and act like 21st century people. Furthermore, the character of Shakespeare himself is disappointingly lifeless. If you want historical fiction set in Tudor times, read the Shardlake series, not this.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

better than I anticipated. well presented plot, working out balancing tension, intriguing plot, humour and even a little bit of romance. i saw Faustus a long time ago, and am now tempted to read more Marlowe.