Death by Disputation

Francis Bacon Mystery #2

by Anna Castle

Thomas Clarady is recruited to spy on a group of radical Puritans at Cambridge University. Francis Bacon is his spymaster; his tutor in both tradecraft and religious politics. Their commission gets off to a deadly start when Tom finds his chief informant hanging from the roof beams. Now he must catch a murderer as well as a seditioner. His first suspect is volatile poet Christopher Marlowe, who keeps turning up in the wrong places.


Dogged by unreliable assistants, chased by three lusty women, and harangued daily by the exacting Bacon, Tom risks his very soul to catch the villains and win his reward.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Cozy, Amazon

364 pages, Paperback

First published December 21, 2014

About the author

Anna Castle writes the Francis Bacon mysteries and the Professor & Mrs. Moriarty mysteries. She has earned a series of degrees -- BA in the Classics, MS in Computer Science, and a Ph.D in Linguistics -- and has had a corresponding series of careers -- waitressing, software engineering, grammar-writing, assistant professor, and archivist. Writing fiction combines her lifelong love of stories and learning. She physically resides in Austin, Texas and mentally counts herself a queen of infinite space.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t normally go for the series, but this just came up as a freebie and I didn’t remember hating the first one, so sure why not. Historical mysteries are usually a good twofer, because even if the mystery leaves you indifferent, there’s still a historical aspect to enjoy. I suppose that was the case here. The young Clarady (with his long legs and blond curls no one can shut up about) going undercover at school to solve a Protestant conspiracy and, while he’s at it, solve a murder, is decent enough, but what really interested me was the descriptions of the quotidian life in 1587, whether it be scholarly or that of politics. Francis is once again the more of a man behind the curtain, appearing primarily through his instructive letters to Clarady, but he seems to enjoy playing the mastermind, although he does have stronger personal ambitions, being the nephew of a man who has the ear of the queen and all that. Right around the middle juncture of the narrative Trumpet returns and she’s always a delight, drag or not. The novel is still mostly (not entirely, but mostly) a boys only club, including some well known figures, like Christopher Marlowe, and the boys are mostly gay in all meanings of the word, but less time is dedicated to sartorial and amorous pursuits, especially as some of the time Clarady is trying to assimilate with the Puritans, meaning brown drab clothing and courting a young lady named Abstinence, among other things. So the novel is pretty light in tone, despite the seriousness of themes, and makes for a quick read. And a pretty entertaining one too. And what more can you expect from a kindle freebie really.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is #2 in the Francis Bacon historical mystery series set during the reign of Elizabeth I. A 3.5 star read for me although I still rated it 3 stars. The first half moved along at a much slower pace then book #1 Murder by Misrule plus Francis Bacon has a back seat through most of the book. Then one of my favorite secondary characters showed up and the pace picked up! Even though the murder happens in the very beginning of the first chapter, the investigation into this murder took a back seat for most of the book. Tom Clarady has been recruited to investigate radical Puritans at Cambridge College. He's a charming young man who loves the ladies and it's easy to like him. Christopher Marlowe is also featured and his character has some of the best dialogue! I think this is a series that will be best read in order. The author's descriptions of life in England during the late 16th century are very detailed and the dialogue is witty and realistic. It's almost like a movie or Shakespeare play running through my mind. Really looking forward to reading #3 The Widows Guild as it looks like Francis Bacon will have a more important story line. Plus that favorite secondary character will be featured! No spoilers!

[Pamela Shropshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2, like the rest of the Francis Bacon series, set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Whereas in book 1 Tom was looking for Catholic conspirators, in this one he is now trying to find radical Protestants who are disturbing the status quo and causing dissension in the Church of England. In addition, Tom is investigating the murder of the bursar of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge.

One curious aspect of at least these first two books: Tom is more the main protagonist than Bacon for whom the series is named. I suppose it’s because Bacon is a well-known historical figure. Regardless, I am enjoying this series a lot.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turbulent times in Elizabethan England when the Protestant Reformation continues to battle with Catholicism, Spain is threatening a sea invasion, and Queen Elizabeth must constantly prove she can hold her throne. Sir Francis Bacon is one of her brilliant intelligencers and for this second entry in Anna Castle’s well-researched historical mystery series, he has sent his charming and observant staff person, Thomas Clarady to Cambridge to nose out a Puritan radical plotting treason of a religious nature.

This is the second book in the series, but I took a chance that I could jump in at this point when I came across Death by Disputation on sale and it caught my eye. I found that there were obvious connections to a previous book, particularly with the character relationships of Clarady, Bacon, and Trumpet, but the situation, setting, and mystery made it easily standalone, too.

Death by Disputation opens with Tom settled in a Cambridge college as a divinity student. He’s there to spy and report back to Sir Francis about the more radical Puritans in his midst. The first scene is one of murder- Tom’s contact in Cambridge to be exact. He is convinced the killer is most likely his target, but he doesn’t rule out other motives for his tutor’s death that was staged to look like a suicide. The famous or rather infamous senior and playwright, Kit Marlowe was present and had a relationship with the deceased. Kit is more than he seems and bright enough to figure out Tom is as well. They mutually suspect each other and are antagonistic, but Tom is thorough in his investigation even while appreciating the delights of the headmaster’s wife on the side.
Tom’s already been a student at Gray’s Inn of London pursuing the law, but he discovers quickly that playing the role of an extremely devout divinity student and living the role 24/7 is hard on him. His friends back in London and even Sir Francis who receives Tom’s written reports grow concerned he’s buying into the Puritan message. The danger escalates as he burrows deeper into his role and into the group of very devout Puritans of the school and the local area trying to make inroads and figure out who is stirring them up for his own drastic cause.

I was thrilled to start a series set during the time of Elizabethan England and right in the heart of Cambridge university with brief scenes back in London with Sir Francis and Tom’s friends. I could tell the author really did her homework drawing the setting, but also the activities and dialogue of her characters. So many little interesting details that wove through the plot.
Now, this did start slow for me and the author didn’t shy away from bringing out the philosophy and religious thinking- the scholarly pursuits Tom was engaged in, but the pace picked up when the backdrop, characters, and plot got settled in. The suspense, particularly after the half-way point, grew and was taunt with expectation by the time the climax arrived.

Joel Froomkin is a familiar narrator for me. I appreciate his talent for different voices and catching the tone and rhythm of a book so well.

All in all, I was left well-satisfied with the story and want to go back for book one and proceed through the series. Not only is the series historically and culturally rich, but inclusive of LGBT characters. Tom was the main character in this story, but since the series is called Sir Francis Bacon, I’m guessing he has a larger role in other installments. Those who enjoy late Tudor era historical mysteries with cerebral as well as action plotting should definitely give this series great consideration.

My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About Jan 9th, 2025.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book in 2015 and it has been a good one.

Author Anna Castle has been so kind to provide me a digital copy of Death by Disputation (digital 2014) [ Kindle Edition ASIN: B00RC56VCW] which is the second book in her new Francis Bacon Murder Mystery Series.

The Delivery

The 303 pages are divided into 48 consecutively numbered chapters followed by Historical Notes.



With the second book in a series you have two different kind of readers. There are the ones who know the first book and there are the ones who do not know the first book.

In case you missed Murder by Misrule let met tell you that it is possible to read and enjoy Death by Disputation without knowing the first book. But you will definitely miss the character development and other impacts.

With Death by Disputation Thomas "Tom" Clarady, the young man who does the legwork for Francis Bacon change from Gray’s Inn to Cambridge University in order to work undercover. But the story takes an unforeseen turn with the death of the chief informant. Suddenly Tom's official tasks are doubled.



Not to forget all the impacts of social interaction including ladies who want to bed Tom - you will learn something about the use of onion juice and tar - young women he admires and more.

His only connection to the "normal" world are the letters he exchange with Francis Bacon on a daily base. He is clearly missing his companions Allen Trumpington, Ben Whitt and Stephen Delabere.

It is most impressive to read how the world of religious zealots takes it toll. Does Tom Clarady remain the a good-hearted mischief-maker as we got to know him from his adventures described in Murder by Misrule?



All persons, places, sounds, smells clearly show the effort of a well done research. This is an extraordinary depiction of the Elizabethan England.

One of the many highlights is the appearance of Christopher Marlowe who plays a not unimportant role.

The whole story is carried by an unerring use of the English language which sounds to me very Elizabethan. Do you know a "tickle-brained pignut" is?



The plot keeps the pages turning. I promise you will keep guessing until near the end.Even at times where the action is not fast paced you will be highly entertained with ongoing misunderstandings, misadventures, absorbing and accurate historical details and witty humor. Sometimes laugh and cry follow each other.

And even I, who is definitely not a fan of romance appreciated the romantic dash which complements this gorgeous piece of historical mystery.

Finally there is something which is not directly part of the story but part of the book.

Do not unterestimate the Historical Notes which are on the one hand enlightening and helpful and on the other hand are like a bait to discover Elizabethan England

The Inevitable

This highly entertaining opus is a gorgeous piece of historical mystery.

Accurate historical details, page turning plot, bodacious, lovable and believable characters, gorgeous depictions and bewitching use of language will transfer you through time and space back to Elizabethan England and does not bring you back before you read

....... "I am ready to serve, my lord, as always."

THE END

Reiws has also been posted at Amazon.
Furthermore you find the review plus additional information over at my blog by following THIS LINK

[Amber Foxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Francis Bacon mystery series is a strong as the first. At times bawdy and rowdy, at times thought-provoking, it centers around outgoing and adventurous Thomas Clarady, student and first-time spy, but the scholarly Bacon plays a key role as Tom’s spymaster. The contrast in their characters and lifestyles gives depth and texture to the story. Castle weaves religious-political intrigue, murder mystery, and Tom’s colorful friendships and love life into a tightly-paced plot. The murder mystery and the spy story mix, and though the latter often takes the upper hand, the author keeps track of all the threads. Christopher Marlowe, who is portrayed with quite a flair, plays a role in both plot lines.

The writing is never pedantic, yet each scene is crafted with well-chosen historical details that gives the reader a full sense of the times—the smells, the sounds, the clothes and furnishings, and the beliefs and customs of Elizabethan England. Some historical novelists feel the need to dump all of their research into a book, smothering the story. Castle knows better. She has such a grasp of the times she can use settings, props and costumes as needed, to reveal and enhance characters and events, but never clutter the story. And speaking of costumes, there is a Shakespearian feel to various layers of disguises employed by some of the characters.

One particular scene I found fascinating and revealing was the Rogation Day event. It illustrates the contrast between the Anglicans and the Puritans and the tensions between them. While the issue of religious fanaticism in politics is serious, and the insights Tom gains into how it feels to be a member of such a zealous community are also serious, there are comic touches such as the conflict between two young ladies of opposing views, and Tom’s delightful response to it. I’m sure my neighbors heard me laugh. The balance between comedy and food for thought is just right—and suited to a story told primarily in Tom’s point of view.

The final chapter, amusingly, shows Tom from Bacon’s point of view, so different from how Tom experiences himself. At first the ending seemed a bit dry as the conclusion of such a vivid and juicy book, but then it struck me a sort of “after the ecstasy, the laundry” realism, as Francis Bacon gets on with getting on in the world.

Note: I recommend reading the series in order, starting with Murder by Misrule.

[Reyna Favis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well-written mystery with plenty of interesting and likable characters. The author did a wonderful job with her research and used the knowledge convincingly, without ever making the detailed descriptions of the era a distraction from the story-- all of that blended right in and kept me in the story, moving through the murder investigation with the characters. I downloaded this book during Bookbub promotion.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Death by Disputation" which I won through Goodreads/First Reads is set at Corpus Christie College at Cambridge University where spymaster Francis Bacon has recruited Thomas Clarady to hunt for religious subversion among the Puritan community. Living as an ordinary paying student in his chief informant's chambers he returns early from a sermon at Great St. Andrews to find Barty Leed's body hanging from the rafters and Christopher (Kit) Marlowe a hot-tempered poet and the victim's lover woozy. With few clues and a list of suspects Tom begins hunting not only for a seditionist but a murderer.

Anna Castle sets the scene in the English unrest of 1587 as the Queen struggles for national unity amid brewing religious-political tension after the execution of Catholic Mary Stuart and as King Philip's Spanish armada prepares to sail. In a plot that vibrates with mystery, murder, secrets and a dash of romance, Tom Clarady is dealt a poor hand when looking for the murderer; his only clues a pink silk garter under the victim's bed; an odd shaped noose knot; drugged wine; and a missing key to Leed's desk. Tension and suspense doubles when Tom not only joins a Puritan community in Babraham. but when he continually clashes with Kit Marlowe who seems to be undermining the investigation.

With cryptic biblical passages and lists filling Tom's reports to the spymaster Francis Bacon becomes concerned that his chief spy is becoming indoctrinated by the non-conformists that he's been commissioned to investigate. Troubled Francis begins seeking other avenues for information in his hunt for the truth while Tom's friend Lady Alice Trumpington takes matters into her own hands, eliciting aid from Kit Marlow and his friend Nashe. The momentum of the plot never slows as the plot twists and turns, finally blending the outcome of both enquiries into a startling climax.

All the characters are well-developed and unforgettable with all their flaws and faults. Good-looking, patient, ambitious and resourceful Thomas Clarady hates dogmatic, self-righteous people but seems to succumb to the lure of Puritan ideals. Flirtatious, he finds women easily won over by his charming smile, including the headmaster's wife and the Puritan rector's daughter. Christopher (Kit) Marlowe with a worldly air and sharp laugh is moody, smart and often contentious. Only after a night in the gaol does he and Tom reach an understanding and bury their animosity. Lady Alice Trumpington a master of disguise is impulsive, clever and spirited, in love but unable to marry the wily Thomas Clarady. And at the heart of this fluid, well-written story is Francis Bacon the spymaster, an expert in tradecraft and religious politics who's too young to move to a higher position in government. He's highly intelligent, astute and very arrogant. All these characters and many more infuse this riveting historically-based drama with power and passionate fervour.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Death by Disputation" and plan to read more of the Francis Bacon mysteries.

[Mal Warwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no lack of religious conflict in today’s world. Hindus against Muslims. Sunni vs. Shia. Christians and Jews squaring off against Muslims. But it’s hard to find anything today to surpass the sheer complexity of the festering three-way collision of incompatible faiths in sixteenth-century England. Then, barely half a century after Henry VIII pulled the Church of England out of Rome’s orbit, the established Protestant church battled several varieties of more extreme Protestants as well as the remnants of the large and wealthy Catholic population that for so long had ruled over the land.

This contentious scene is the backdrop for the second entry in Anna Castle’s beautifully crafted Francis Bacon mystery series. The novel, a murder mystery that broadens into a suspenseful, high-stakes spy story, revolves around this religious conflict as it plays itself out in the shadow of England’s approaching rendezvous with the Spanish Armada.

A cast of characters that fits the history

Francis Bacon

In March 1687, when Death by Disputation opens, Francis Bacon (1561-1626) is an aspiring young lawyer at Gray’s Inn in London. He had been the youngest barrister ever to be admitted to the bar, and he continued to show great promise. Later, he would rise to the pinnacle of power under James I. But then Elizabeth I reigned. Bacon worked in the shadow of his powerful uncle, Lord Burghley (1520-98), Elizabeth’s Lord High Treasurer.

Thomas Clarady

Bacon himself plays a major role in the novel, his uncle a minor one. But the focus is on an even younger man, the fictional Thomas Clarady. Clarady is the son of a wealthy ship captain—a pirate, no doubt—and through connections of his own had gained admittance to the prestigious Gray’s Inn to study the law. But, acting on behalf of Lord Burghley, Bacon has pressed Clarady into service as a spy and dispatched him to the University of Cambridge, where agitation by Puritans threatens to disrupt the peace. Clarady’s assignment is to identify the ringleader. But his plans go awry after only “six short weeks as an intelligencer.” A suspect, one of his tutors, turns up dead, a victim of murder.

Christopher Marlowe

Another of Clarady’s tutors, Christopher Marlowe (1564-93), has witnessed the murder. Marlowe, too, would gain great distinction during the few more years of his life. As a poet and playwright and an inspiration for his contemporary, William Shakespeare, he would come to be regarded as one of the leading intellectual lights of the era. But in 1587 he is in his sixth year as a student, just months away from receiving his Master’s degree. And Marlowe is a disreputable sort, widely disliked at Cambridge’s Corpus Christi College.

Clarady doesn’t like or trust him. Marlowe even joins his short list of murder suspects. However, he does respect the man’s talent. “Marlowe was the most brilliant poet Tom—and probably all of Cambridge University and possibly the whole world—had ever known.” In fact, Marlowe may even have already been writing Tamburlaine in 1587, the play that captivated Shakespeare and established his reputation for brilliance.

And several others

Much of the story unfolds in correspondence between Clarady and Bacon, who write to each other on a daily basis. But there are, of course, other characters as well. The headmaster of Corpus Christi, Dr. William Eggerly, and his randy young wife, Margaret, whom Clarady beds every Thursday afternoon. Brothers Steadfast and Diligence Wingfield, Puritans who are students at the college, and their father, Bible-thumping Pastor Wingfield. John Barrow, a popular junior teaching Fellow. And Clarady’s chums at Gray’s Inn, the brilliant Benjamin Whitt and Alan Trumpington, known as Trumpet, son of an earl. Every one of these characters rings true to the times.

Respecting history

The author’s fidelity to the historical record is exceptional. The details she weaves into her story cast light on life in the Elizabethan Era in ways a reader can almost taste. The food people eat and what they drink. The clothes they wear. The manner of their speech. And the range of concerns that reflect the issues and conditions of the time.

Religious conflict

In 1587, English society was torn apart over religious disputes. Henry VIII’s Church of England held the allegiance of most of the population, but substantial numbers remained faithful to the Church or Rome, and others were flocking to the more extreme Protestant sects. The largest of these were the Calvinists, called Puritans or “precisians” in England at the time, although they thought of themselves as “the godly community.” The name Puritan emerged because of the sect’s professed desire to “purify” the Church and eliminate all traces of Catholicism. And they were anything but subtle about it, as Castle adroitly demonstrates in the novel. Clarady “did not want these fault-finding, fun-hating, hair-splitting Puritans controlling his church or his country.” Which was why Francis Bacon had dispatched him to the college—and why he had interrupted his education at Gray’s Inn to accept the assignment.

In fact, the dangers for England were substantial. As Castle’s story opens, “all of Catholic Europe is in a furious boil over the execution of Mary Stuart last month,” as Lord Burghley tells his nephew. “I have here a letter from a reliable Venetian merchant warning me that King Philip’s armada will sail for either Ireland or England in either June or July. Over two hundred ships carrying more than 36,000 Spanish men-at-arms.” The Spanish fleet was the sixteenth-century equivalent of what Britain’s Royal Navy would later become. Spain was then by far the world’s most powerful military power. And as history records, the Armada did in fact sail for England the following year after delays in port.

In Death by Disputation, Burghley sums up the dilemma for Elizabeth and her advisers. “With the King Catholic pounding at my front door, I cannot afford a Protestant rebellion in my back garden.”

University life

Castle paints an intriguing picture of the University of Cambridge that bears little resemblance to the world-class institution it has since become. Today, Cambridge is ranked among the top five teaching and research universities in the world. It consists of thirty-one semi-autonomous constituent colleges and more than 150 academic departments. But in 1587, it was anything but prestigious. At the handful of colleges that then comprised the university, most students studied the classics, the Bible, philosophy, rhetoric, and mathematics in preparation for positions in the clergy. Others pursued courses in medicine or law. Fellows and students alike were obsessed with theology, reflecting the religious conflict roiling the land.

Cambridge then was the realm of the young. Students enrolled as early as age fourteen, and “the only men in the college over thirty were the headmaster and the chaplain.” Poorer students, such as the sons of clergymen, subsisted on scholarships from wealthy nobles and gentry. Fellows earned their living from shares of their college’s profits, which were rarely lucrative.

About the author

Anna Castle describes herself as “a writer of crime fiction.” To date, she has written seven novels in the Francis Bacon Mystery Series, four Professor and Mrs. Moriarty Mysteries, and two Lost Hat, Texas Mysteries. The biography on her author website discloses that she holds “three degrees: a BA in the Classics (majoring in the Iliad); a MS in Computer Science (good for making money); and a PhD in Linguistics (the natural aptitude thing).” She is “a Texan, a tree-hugger, a bookworm, a dog person, a Trekkie, a history buff, a knitter, and a gardener.”

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the series. Set in England, 1587. A fun Elizabethan murder mystery romp. Bacon, although the titular series star, plays second fiddle to protagonist Thomas Clarady, his mentee, now embedded at Cambridge to complete some required studies before he returns to complete law degree at Gray's Inn under Bacon's supervision. While the first book dealt with Papist threats to Queen Elizabeth I, this one looks at challenges from the other end of the religious spectrum. Thomas is undercover with a group of Puritan extremists. Trumpet fears he might be joining them the way he now spouts Bible verses! Can a terror plot be uncovered before more die? Womderful use of Christopher Marlowe as a supporting character.

[Fiona Hewlett-parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are easy to read, but capture a great sense of what life was like in Tudor England. This one had an interesting plot, and was a quick, satisfying read.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first requirement that should be noted for a complete enjoyment of Death by Disputation isn't a familiarity with Book One of the Francis Bacon series (though that certainly will evolve for new readers who enjoy this book) and it isn't even an affinity for the historical mystery genre (although that certainly does help).

It's a willingness to become immersed in a period saga that includes not just attention to historical setting, but details that add historical notes and capture the dialogue and language of the era - something that may frustrate those without such an affinity, but which will delight historical mystery enthusiasts looking for genuine research and attention to well-done, realistic settings which goes a cut above your usual historical mystery genre production.

One of the elements that makes Death by Disputation a 'cut above' lies in its tongue-in-cheek humor and its observational style. A good writer will describe Cambridge, for example. A superior writer will simply immerse the reader in the essence that is Cambridge.

The Elizabethan phrases sprinkled throughout demonstrate an attention to detail that is simply exquisite ("…for a mercy…"): it's as though Anna Castle has conducted her research via time machine, personally visiting the era and capturing its sights, smells, and nuances.

But this isn't about historical fiction: it's about a mystery. Here, too, Castle's style shines, delicately eliciting a series of emotional responses from her readers as she weaves a complex web of scenarios and firmly centers them in Elizabethan culture and times. Again: it's as though she lived there - and that's the hallmark of good, solid research rather than off-the-cuff mystery writing.

As events progress and Tom uncovers more and more clues to a mystery, his involvement with his mentor Francis Bacon reflects a host of petty criminal activities with major implications for 16th century Cambridge culture. From social interactions and romance to succinct, staccato portraits of simple perception, Death by Disputation is not so much a pick for those who want a quick, action-packed saga as it is a delight for historical mystery fans who want as much attention to historical detail as to mystery.

It's here that Anna Castle's strength simply shines - more so, even, than in the first book of her series.

[Janice Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recruited as a spy, Tom tries to ferret out traitors to the crown and solve a murder--two tasks which may or may not be related. The task is dangerous enough without his own friends putting him in more danger. While some of the details are fictitious, this is an exciting close-up view of actual people and events, about the time of the Spanish Armada. History comes alive.

[Cathy A. Maples · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good historical read.

I like her characters.
Nice to have historical accuracy and get a different look at the times. Also like little tidbits of living there and then.

[Jo Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Thomas meets Kit Marlowe at Cambridge to help seek out a Murderer. Well written and fast paced.

[Chazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francis Bacon is spymaster for the court of Queen Elizabeth I under the court's chief advisor, Bacon's uncle. Word has come about religious zealots becoming more active at Cambridge and something needs to be done. Bacon enlists the willing help of Thomas Clarady to go undercover and relay information of the brewing rebellion.

Thomas isn't there long when his tutor is found dead, hanging from a beam in their quarters. Suicide is the initial decision, but that can't be as the dead man was the informant to the court of the radical activity. Now there are two things for Thomas to investigate...rebellion and murder.

Thomas has come to Cambridge under the guise of becoming a man of the church. To further convince the group he is trying to infiltrate, he takes on the manners and dress of the Puritans (radical group), which is a complete reversal of his normal self. Can he pull it off?

I enjoyed reading of characters from the first book, but was missing some of them as they weren't part of this plot. There were new characters to fill in some of the blanks, Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Nash. There was also the humour and bantering that was in the first book.

There were clues and characters that kept me guessing and trying to solve the puzzle before the end. It moved along at a good pace and there were parts that made you a little anxious that something really terrible would happen.

There is a third book in the series and I think I will have to read it to see what further happens with some of the characters.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good continuation of the series. Francis Bacon hs sent Tom to Cambridge, where he wanted to get a degree, to nose out the 'Puritan' seditionists who are threatening the Queen's status as head of the church. Right off the bat he finds a murdered man and also finds Christopher Marlowe in the room with the body. He makes friends with a family of Puritans and pretends to be converted, going to church, quoting the Bible, etc., to such an extent that his friends back in London are afraid he really HAS been converted and become anxious for the 'old Tom'. Between trying to find the mastermind behind the seditionists and trying to solve the murder, Tom gets himself in a lot of hot water. Eventually his friend Trumpet comes to 'rescue' him, and hooks up with Christopher Marlowe. Crooked masters in the college also figure in the plot. Very enjoyable, even though I read it in bits and pieces while doing a lot of other stuff - it still held my interest all the way through.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well-written and well-characterized 16th century tale. Again, young Tom Clarady is in Oxford College working for Francis Bacon as a spy. As rumors of a huge armada from Spain are being heard of, Clarady is working to find an extremist Puritan who seeks to overthrow the Church of England and replace it with a more staid and reformed church.

Clarady wakens to find his Latin tutor hanged and dead in the sleeping quarters, looking to be a suicide. But all is not as it seems, and while he tries to find out what happened, Bacon leans on him harder to dig up the mastermind behind the radical Puritans. Tom goes deeper undercover than ever, and his friends begin to worry about his growing religious zealotry.

Clarady is an enjoyable, talented young man and his love interest Lady Alice Trumpington is a delightful girl both sweet and strong willed, intelligent and ladylike, but willing to dress in all sorts of disguises (as readers of the first book well know).

[HAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Francis Bacon series. Murder by Misrule was great and this was just as entertaining. The writing reflects the times of 1500s England and expressions in both language and actions will be coarse by today's standards for sweet and clean cozies. Trumpet was an interesting character and Tom, the narrator of this story and a student of Bacon, moves from an eager helper for his mentor towards a harried but determined investigator.
I give 5 stars to books that are kept on my kindle or I know I want to read again. The historical level doesn't reach the details found in Ellis Peters' The Cadfael Chronicles but it still transports you back to a time where life was gritty and the human spirit was a lot like today - evil and a bit of good. I can recommend this for young and older adults who love to be dropped into a different time in history.

[Michele Bernstein-goldsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable book of fiction with historical accuracy and excellent reference to the religious and political wrangling of the mid 1500’s. A spy novel set in Cambridge under the watchful eye of Elizabeth the Queen who had just successfully yanked the crown from her cousin Mary. Our Hero Tom Clarady an engaging law student is sent as an intelligencer, to Corpus Christy College to train as a Clergyman, however his role is to out some Puritan agitators thought to be planning a new Reformation. Almost all the characters have a historical personage with the exception of Tom. Although it’s the second book in the Francis Bacon series his role is more of a Greek chorus in this book. As I haven’t read book number one I can say that this second volume stands alone nicely.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly dull... I had a very difficult time finishing this one. The plot was thin and underdeveloped along with the characters. Additionally, the use of actual historical figures such as Sir Francis Bacon during a period as historically important as the Reformation, and taking it completely out of context, really ended up frustrating me. The dialogue and humor are more consistent with the Victorian era and don't make sense in this story at all, and the repeated attempts at bawdy humor simply fell flat. Just wasn't for me. ***This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.***

[Michael R. Zuelke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As in the first book in the Francis bacon series, Death by Disputation held my interest and kept me guessing. I particularly enjoy the historical settings and ways of daily living that add the right amount of spice to the narrative. Anna Castle's mixing of real historical people and her fictional ones are well blended - people like Tom and Lady Alice could just have existed in real life. The attention to details of daily life adds to the "realness" of this novel. Perhaps a short introduction to the Elizabethan Period would help readers unfamiliar with the landscape of religious and civil politics.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tom Clarady has been sent to Cambridge by Francis Bacon to uncover a heretic/religious zealot at the college. While there he happens upon a murder and is prompted to investigate for the famous spy-master.

Tom is a fun character to read but the book often lapses into a historical blow by blow of what everyone was wearing or doing or the objects they were surrounded by.
This is very much a novel about Tom. Francis Bacon is only used in passing, and writes the occasional letter to Tom.

Altogether a quite enjoyable quickstep into Elizabethan university life. Probably not what I had in mind from the synopsis but held my interest nonetheless

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun murder mystery set in 16th century England at Corpus Christi College. It incorporated real-life historical figures, including Francis Bacon and Christopher Marlowe. I adored Marlowe. His fictional persona lined up neatly with his real biography. Our protagonist was a spy working on behalf of Bacon trying to uncover a seditious Puritan plot. Although this was the second in the series, it stood well on its own. However, I intend to find the first book as well as check into sequels.

[David Pyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

As it was in the novel, “Murder by Misrule” (by the same author), once again historical characters are mixed with fictional characters, for a truly engaging enterprise.

Thomas Clarady dominates this narrative and Trumpet plays a much more significant role. Bacon’s role, though still crucial, is somewhat minimized. Though fictional, this shines a new light for me on the conflict among the Puritan/Protestant, Church of England and Catholic Churches in 16th Century England.

I hope to read the rest of the series at some point.

[Kidlitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as the first, if not better because Christopher Marlowe makes an early entrance and brings his brilliance, glamor and downright cussedness to the mix of Francis Bacon's spymaster, Trumpet's necessary meddling and Ben's wise support. Tom Clarady plays the lead as a newly minted Cambridge student playing both sides of the Puritan and Anglican conflict whose enterprise to find out who is playing who in that most deadly game. He does well enough but of course needs the help of all concerned to make it out alive. Good stuff!

[Alan Lampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not really sure why this is a Francis Bacon Mystery book; he doesn't even make an on-page appearance until the midway point. He sends a few letters earlier in the book, but he's a minor character in this one. Thomas Clarady does all the work. He's now at Cambridge University seeking out radical Puritans and a murderer. He does a good job of it, but there could have been more danger for him to go through than what he did. Still, you get a good sense of the time. Anna did great research and it shows.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kind of Historical Mistery

Set in Cambridge as it was in Elizabethan times. Miss Castles second book in the Francis Bacon mystery series is even more attractive and arresting than was the first .
Murder , mystery and religious nonconformists , dishonest university authorities , a very merry wife , what a blend of characters!
Ms Castle deserves admiration for her writing ability and for her knowledge of the period and politics which form the basis for this novel.

[Morris-Ken Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book better than the first

I loved the characters in this book better than in the first one of the series. This book gave me a better understanding of the characters because there were not as many like in the first one. I do enjoy the mystery and the characters that I am familiar with. I have read many with the spies of old England. I really can see FB in the description the writer had given.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read -- a famous university, a spy, a group of religious non-conformists, and murder. The second book in the series featuring a few real historical people: Francis Bacon, William Cecil (Lord Burghley), Christopher "Kit" Marlowe and interesting fictional ones: Thomas Clarady, Lady Alice, headmanter Eggerly and his wife Margaret, and Pastor Wingfield and his family, and Bartholomew Leeds.

No graphic sex or violence