The Queen's Cipher

by David Taylor

‘The truth is so hard to tell, it sometimes needs fiction to make it plausible.’

Award-winning investigative reporter David Taylor blends fact and fiction, suspense and satire into a vividly imagined novel in which an Oxford don uncovers a conspiracy of silence over the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays. The ingenious codes and ciphers of a medieval German monk disappear after his death only for one of his number codes to surface in an Elizabethan spy’s eye-witness account of what the Virgin Queen was doing behind closed doors.

Centuries later, research fellow Freddie Brett deciphers this long-forgotten report in Lambeth Palace Library and finds himself following a trail that leads him to the very book that established the Stratford actor’s credentials as a playwright and to a shadowy scientific brotherhood that treated drama as a form of mass communication. In unravelling this mystery Brett encounters not only academic opposition but an unseen enemy who will stop at nothing to possess the personal testimony of the man behind Shakespeare. As he races across Europe in search of such a prize, Brett’s life is in danger. But he was to know the full story. Even if it kills him!

The Queen’s Cipher is an extraordinary book; a highly entertaining detective story that challenges conventional history.

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2014

About the author

David Taylor was educated at the Royal Grammar School Newcastle and at University College London where he read history and was president of the students’ union. He has won national and international awards for print, radio and television journalism. His book Web of Corruption was published by Granada. He wrote for the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph, reported for Panorama and World in Action, presented BBC2 series on defence and civil nuclear power, edited Radio 4’s current affairs programme File on 4 and BBC2’s Brass Tacks and On The Line, produced several series of Great Railway Journeys and of the Wainwright and Fred Dibnah programmes and was head of BBC Features before forming an independent production company called Triple Echo which has won scores of awards, mainly for adventure broadcasting. His book Web of Corruption was published by Granada.

Reviews

[Hilary Shearing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benefited enormously from having previously read D.T's, "Shakespeare's Silent Partner". The authorship question is complex and involves many personalities. Puts the spotlight on the different academic positions that surround this compelling subject, and confirms the extraordinary levels of intrigue within the Elizabethan court and society. Really enjoyed it

[Nancy McPherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful novelization of part of Elizabethan history. Two men, both scholars, one a priest sent to foment Catholic rebellion against Elizabeth and the other recruited by Walsingham to ferret out rebellion, end up friends in the aftermath of it all.

[Coralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting take on Shakespearean authorship whilst leading us through a double mystery and a love story of sorts. The lead character is quirky and impossible and it all makes for a very enjoyable story.