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An Elizabethan Spy Mystery #1
A Murder By Any Name
When a brutal murder threatens the sanctity of the Elizabethan court, it’s up to a hot-tempered spy to save the day.
The court of Elizabeth I is no stranger to plotting and intrigue, but the royal retinue is thrown into chaos when the Queen’s youngest and sweetest lady-in-waiting is murdered, her body left on the high altar of the Chapel Royal in Whitehall Palace. Solving the murder will require the cunning and savvy possessed by only one man. Enter Nicholas Holt, younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell—spy, rake, and owner of the infamous Black Sheep tavern in the seedy district of Bankside. Nick quickly learns that working for the Queen is a mixed blessing. Elizabeth—salty-tongued, vain, and fiercely intelligent—can, with a glance, either reward Nick with a purse of gold or have his head forcibly removed.
When a second lady-in-waiting is slain at Whitehall, the court once again reels with shock and dismay. On the trail of a diabolical killer, Nick and his faithful sidekick—an enormous Irish Wolfhound named Hector—are treading on treacherous ground, and only the killer’s head on a platter can keep them in the Queen’s good graces.
The court of Elizabeth I is no stranger to plotting and intrigue, but the royal retinue is thrown into chaos when the Queen’s youngest and sweetest lady-in-waiting is murdered, her body left on the high altar of the Chapel Royal in Whitehall Palace. Solving the murder will require the cunning and savvy possessed by only one man. Enter Nicholas Holt, younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell—spy, rake, and owner of the infamous Black Sheep tavern in the seedy district of Bankside. Nick quickly learns that working for the Queen is a mixed blessing. Elizabeth—salty-tongued, vain, and fiercely intelligent—can, with a glance, either reward Nick with a purse of gold or have his head forcibly removed.
When a second lady-in-waiting is slain at Whitehall, the court once again reels with shock and dismay. On the trail of a diabolical killer, Nick and his faithful sidekick—an enormous Irish Wolfhound named Hector—are treading on treacherous ground, and only the killer’s head on a platter can keep them in the Queen’s good graces.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2018
63 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne M. Wolfe
9 books100 followersSuzanne M. Wolfe grew up in Manchester, England and read English Literature at Oxford University, where she co-founded the Oxford C.S. Lewis Society. She served as Writer in Residence at Seattle Pacific University and taught literature and creative writing there for nearly two decades. Wolfe is the author of three novels: A Murder by Any Name (Crooked Lane), The Confessions of X (HarperCollins/Nelson, 2016, winner of the Christianity Today Book of the Year Award), and Unveiling (Paraclete Press, 2018, winner of the Award of Merit from the Christianity Today Book of the Year Awards). Thirty years ago, she and her husband, Gregory Wolfe, co-founded Image, a journal of the arts and faith. She and her husband are the parents of four grown children. They live in Richmond Beach, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
February 11, 2019
An intriguing Elizabethan mystery.
Queen Elizabeth I’s court often centers on intrigue and gossip, but everyone is thrown for a loop when her youngest lady-in-waiting is found murdered.
Nick Holt, younger brother to an earl, also known as a spy and quite savvy is hired to work for the Queen in order to solve the murder; however, working for her is not easy. She is demanding, intelligent, and both generous and impetuous with those in and out of favor.
Another lady-in-waiting is murdered, and the court is in dire straits. Nick, along with his Irish Wolfhound, Hector, whom I must say steals the show at times (LOVE him), are working tirelessly to solve the murder for the good and safety of all, but especially to stay on the right side of the Queen.
Suzanne Wolfe writes flawlessly with intrigue and candor about this time in history. The details are beautifully laid out, and there’s an exceptional sense of time and place referencing 16th century England. Nick Holt is a wonderfully-drawn main character, full of charm and dedication to solving the crimes. There is plenty of mystery and tension to keep the reader guessing, and there is much to love in this terrific start to a new series. Overall, the writing inside this gem of a mystery is as glorious as the cover.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Queen Elizabeth I’s court often centers on intrigue and gossip, but everyone is thrown for a loop when her youngest lady-in-waiting is found murdered.
Nick Holt, younger brother to an earl, also known as a spy and quite savvy is hired to work for the Queen in order to solve the murder; however, working for her is not easy. She is demanding, intelligent, and both generous and impetuous with those in and out of favor.
Another lady-in-waiting is murdered, and the court is in dire straits. Nick, along with his Irish Wolfhound, Hector, whom I must say steals the show at times (LOVE him), are working tirelessly to solve the murder for the good and safety of all, but especially to stay on the right side of the Queen.
Suzanne Wolfe writes flawlessly with intrigue and candor about this time in history. The details are beautifully laid out, and there’s an exceptional sense of time and place referencing 16th century England. Nick Holt is a wonderfully-drawn main character, full of charm and dedication to solving the crimes. There is plenty of mystery and tension to keep the reader guessing, and there is much to love in this terrific start to a new series. Overall, the writing inside this gem of a mystery is as glorious as the cover.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
January 27, 2025
Actual rating : 4.7 rounded up to 5
A good start to a historical mystery series.
Well thought out mix of fictional and historical characters, where it was impossible for me to find out the culprit of the murders, which was surprising although logical.
___ Here THE PLOT IN A NUTSHELL ___ England, under the reign of Elizabeth I.
As it has been since the beginning of time, the court of a kingdom is a place full of intrigue (political and amorous), populated by people in power and people in submission, shrewd spies, some of whom are unsuspected, and naive and innocent people who are transformed into in victims.
When the lifeless body of a Lady in Waiting for the Queen is found on an altar, it is immediately clear that it is a murder, aimed at undermining the authority of the "virgin queen".
It will be up to the young and handsome Nicholas Holt, the queen's unsuspected secret agent, to discover the killer before he strikes again.
His faithful dog Hector, his two Jewish doctor friends and his sensual friend who is the director of a brothel will be ready to help him.
________****__________
Reading this book was like reading two books.
Let me explain: there are only 336 pages ( Kindle Edition ) in which the author tells us in the 3rd person a murder mystery and during the story, she presents not only the main character, but also a series of characters who are his best friends and other characters who they are his acquaintances.
--> Why do I say that I feel like I've read 2 books?
Because unlike other books I have read, the author not only describes the appearance and soul of the character, but also takes the reader into scenes of life spent in the past and which then led to the deep bond that Nick has with them.
Mrs. Wolfe tells about characters past events in a way full of details and sensations, making it so engaging that instead of being perceived by the reader as a digression, it helps him to empathize with all the characters who participate in the story, without exception.
I felt like I was reading the story in the current book and simultaneously other stories in a prequel book.
___CHARACTERS__
The author's cunning was also this:
if for each character introduced, the writer had immediately told me about his/her past, I admit that it would have bored me a little, because each story lasts many pages.
Instead the author gives a first look at the character through quick scenes with witty and lively dialogue between Nick and the others, then continues with the mystery and investigation.
Initially the reader knows the character's name, his role and through dialogues can decide whether he/she is good, villain, with a nice way of being or not.
Later in the story, at the second appearance of the character of the moment (who is no longer a total stranger to the reader, indeed the reader at this point is curious to know more), through Nicholas' memories, we discover his/her origins, as he/her entered into Nick's life, their past connection and how it all connects to the present.
Through the past of Nick's friends and enemies, we get to know Nick even better, his feelings, his fears and hopes, the motivations of his actions and his "non-actions".
All this allowed me to become attached to the characters and to fully enter their world as if I had been reading this series for some time and which leads me to already be certain that I want to read other adventures in the books to follow (for now there is only one book # 2, but I think the writer is writing book #3).
In any case it should be underlined that the book is READABLE AS A STANDALONE.
Nothing remains pending, although more romantic readers will perhaps want to read issue 2 to see if Nick's love life will take a more stable turn (I certainly want to know!)
As I have already said, in addition to the imaginary characters, real historical figures appear and participate in the story to a minimal extent such as:
- Queen Elizabeth I
- Cecil Walsingham spy (politician and diplomat and espionage master)
- Kit Marlowe (playwright and spy)
- Geoffrey Chaucer (writer, poet, bureaucrat and diplomat)
- a young actor named William Shakespeare
As in every fiction, the author took some liberties, including the invention of a court jester that Elizabeth never had, but who here in the book was a character that I liked and hope to find again in the book # 2.
---> In the final author's historical notes you will find what was true and what was invented.
__ SETTING OF THE STORY__ again Mrs. Suzanne M. Wolfe did a good job.
The descriptions of the streets, the taverns, the rooms and the atmosphere are vivid and very detailed, so much so that it is easy to see in the mind the images of the scenes that are taking place and it is easy to breathe the smells and live as if it were live, the sensations that the descriptions inspire in us.
___ MYSTERY ___ at the end of the book perhaps you will realize that the mystery was not that complicated and that the explanation is logical and perhaps could have been predictable, but the clues and the behavior of the suspects mislead the investigations and the reader's suspicions, so the revealing the culprit was something I didn't expect.
__ SUITABLE FOR :
There aren't bloody scenes or any description of a sex scene, therefore suitable reading for everyone aged 14 and over.
I sincerely hope that the writer can publish many more books in this series, I will definitely read them!
Thank you for reading my opinion, I hope I was able to explain myself as best as possible even though English is not my native language.
A good start to a historical mystery series.
Well thought out mix of fictional and historical characters, where it was impossible for me to find out the culprit of the murders, which was surprising although logical.
___ Here THE PLOT IN A NUTSHELL ___ England, under the reign of Elizabeth I.
As it has been since the beginning of time, the court of a kingdom is a place full of intrigue (political and amorous), populated by people in power and people in submission, shrewd spies, some of whom are unsuspected, and naive and innocent people who are transformed into in victims.
When the lifeless body of a Lady in Waiting for the Queen is found on an altar, it is immediately clear that it is a murder, aimed at undermining the authority of the "virgin queen".
It will be up to the young and handsome Nicholas Holt, the queen's unsuspected secret agent, to discover the killer before he strikes again.
His faithful dog Hector, his two Jewish doctor friends and his sensual friend who is the director of a brothel will be ready to help him.
________****__________
Reading this book was like reading two books.
Let me explain: there are only 336 pages ( Kindle Edition ) in which the author tells us in the 3rd person a murder mystery and during the story, she presents not only the main character, but also a series of characters who are his best friends and other characters who they are his acquaintances.
--> Why do I say that I feel like I've read 2 books?
Because unlike other books I have read, the author not only describes the appearance and soul of the character, but also takes the reader into scenes of life spent in the past and which then led to the deep bond that Nick has with them.
Mrs. Wolfe tells about characters past events in a way full of details and sensations, making it so engaging that instead of being perceived by the reader as a digression, it helps him to empathize with all the characters who participate in the story, without exception.
I felt like I was reading the story in the current book and simultaneously other stories in a prequel book.
___CHARACTERS__
The author's cunning was also this:
if for each character introduced, the writer had immediately told me about his/her past, I admit that it would have bored me a little, because each story lasts many pages.
Instead the author gives a first look at the character through quick scenes with witty and lively dialogue between Nick and the others, then continues with the mystery and investigation.
Initially the reader knows the character's name, his role and through dialogues can decide whether he/she is good, villain, with a nice way of being or not.
Later in the story, at the second appearance of the character of the moment (who is no longer a total stranger to the reader, indeed the reader at this point is curious to know more), through Nicholas' memories, we discover his/her origins, as he/her entered into Nick's life, their past connection and how it all connects to the present.
Through the past of Nick's friends and enemies, we get to know Nick even better, his feelings, his fears and hopes, the motivations of his actions and his "non-actions".
All this allowed me to become attached to the characters and to fully enter their world as if I had been reading this series for some time and which leads me to already be certain that I want to read other adventures in the books to follow (for now there is only one book # 2, but I think the writer is writing book #3).
In any case it should be underlined that the book is READABLE AS A STANDALONE.
Nothing remains pending, although more romantic readers will perhaps want to read issue 2 to see if Nick's love life will take a more stable turn (I certainly want to know!)
As I have already said, in addition to the imaginary characters, real historical figures appear and participate in the story to a minimal extent such as:
- Queen Elizabeth I
- Cecil Walsingham spy (politician and diplomat and espionage master)
- Kit Marlowe (playwright and spy)
- Geoffrey Chaucer (writer, poet, bureaucrat and diplomat)
- a young actor named William Shakespeare
As in every fiction, the author took some liberties, including the invention of a court jester that Elizabeth never had, but who here in the book was a character that I liked and hope to find again in the book # 2.
---> In the final author's historical notes you will find what was true and what was invented.
__ SETTING OF THE STORY__ again Mrs. Suzanne M. Wolfe did a good job.
The descriptions of the streets, the taverns, the rooms and the atmosphere are vivid and very detailed, so much so that it is easy to see in the mind the images of the scenes that are taking place and it is easy to breathe the smells and live as if it were live, the sensations that the descriptions inspire in us.
___ MYSTERY ___ at the end of the book perhaps you will realize that the mystery was not that complicated and that the explanation is logical and perhaps could have been predictable, but the clues and the behavior of the suspects mislead the investigations and the reader's suspicions, so the revealing the culprit was something I didn't expect.
__ SUITABLE FOR :
There aren't bloody scenes or any description of a sex scene, therefore suitable reading for everyone aged 14 and over.
I sincerely hope that the writer can publish many more books in this series, I will definitely read them!
Thank you for reading my opinion, I hope I was able to explain myself as best as possible even though English is not my native language.
September 13, 2018
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Suzanne M. Wolfe, and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Suzanne M. Wolfe takes the reader into the darker sides of the Elizabethan Court with this murder mystery, using a great deal of detail to bring out the unique flavour of the time. Queen Elizabeth has been reigning over England for close to three decades and has earned the favour of many, both within her Court and in the general public. When the youngest of the ladies-in-waiting is murdered, the Court is abuzz with gossip and Her Majesty is enraged. Found on the high alter of a church, the killer must surely have been seeking to make a statement like no other. Elizabeth turns to the one man she feels is up for the task of locating the killer and bringing them to justice, Nicholas Holt. A spy in his own right, Holt will be able to use his deceptive ways to lure information out of many in order to quickly bring the case to a close. With his connections to Court and possessing a seedy background, Holt will stop at nothing to bring the killer before Elizabeth. However, this might be a more difficult task than first thought, as Her Majesty is far from regal in its traditional form and seeks immediate answers. When a second lady-in-waiting is slain, Holt knows that he is running out of time. If he cannot produce the killer soon, it will be his head on a platter before Elizabeth. Working every angle, Holt travels to ascertain not only clues but motive, remaining as covert as possible. Wolfe delivers an interesting mystery that is sure to pique the attention of some who enjoy their murder mysteries in a historic setting.
This is my first experience with Wolfe and her writing, which left me eager to see what sentiments came as I read this piece. She has a wonderful attention to detail and brings out that 16th century flavour in her story without leaving the reader too bogged down in references or phrasing. That being said, my mind could not grasp the entirety of the story, as I sought something a bit quicker and that would pull me in. Her character development is decent, as Nicholas Holt is painted to be a wonderfully dedicated man, even if he has a background that might be anything but pure. Using a handful of supporting characters, including Elizabeth I, proved useful, not only to advance the story, but also to add strength to the setting. While the story is one of mystery with a peppering of espionage, Wolfe dutifully uses some of the historical goings-on of the time to add to the potential motive. With England standing as a Protestant stronghold, might the Catholics have perpetrated this to poke at Elizabeth? Could the anti-Semitic sentiments of the time be the basis for these murders? All this, keenly woven into a narrative that flows with ease and keeps the reader guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical angle, even if the story did not pull me in as much as I would have liked. Wolfe is to be commended for her attention to detail, which will surely appease many of those who seek to read this book.
Kudos, Madam Wolfe, on an interesting tale. I trust that many will enjoy this piece, for it certainly has much to offer the curious reader.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Suzanne M. Wolfe takes the reader into the darker sides of the Elizabethan Court with this murder mystery, using a great deal of detail to bring out the unique flavour of the time. Queen Elizabeth has been reigning over England for close to three decades and has earned the favour of many, both within her Court and in the general public. When the youngest of the ladies-in-waiting is murdered, the Court is abuzz with gossip and Her Majesty is enraged. Found on the high alter of a church, the killer must surely have been seeking to make a statement like no other. Elizabeth turns to the one man she feels is up for the task of locating the killer and bringing them to justice, Nicholas Holt. A spy in his own right, Holt will be able to use his deceptive ways to lure information out of many in order to quickly bring the case to a close. With his connections to Court and possessing a seedy background, Holt will stop at nothing to bring the killer before Elizabeth. However, this might be a more difficult task than first thought, as Her Majesty is far from regal in its traditional form and seeks immediate answers. When a second lady-in-waiting is slain, Holt knows that he is running out of time. If he cannot produce the killer soon, it will be his head on a platter before Elizabeth. Working every angle, Holt travels to ascertain not only clues but motive, remaining as covert as possible. Wolfe delivers an interesting mystery that is sure to pique the attention of some who enjoy their murder mysteries in a historic setting.
This is my first experience with Wolfe and her writing, which left me eager to see what sentiments came as I read this piece. She has a wonderful attention to detail and brings out that 16th century flavour in her story without leaving the reader too bogged down in references or phrasing. That being said, my mind could not grasp the entirety of the story, as I sought something a bit quicker and that would pull me in. Her character development is decent, as Nicholas Holt is painted to be a wonderfully dedicated man, even if he has a background that might be anything but pure. Using a handful of supporting characters, including Elizabeth I, proved useful, not only to advance the story, but also to add strength to the setting. While the story is one of mystery with a peppering of espionage, Wolfe dutifully uses some of the historical goings-on of the time to add to the potential motive. With England standing as a Protestant stronghold, might the Catholics have perpetrated this to poke at Elizabeth? Could the anti-Semitic sentiments of the time be the basis for these murders? All this, keenly woven into a narrative that flows with ease and keeps the reader guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical angle, even if the story did not pull me in as much as I would have liked. Wolfe is to be commended for her attention to detail, which will surely appease many of those who seek to read this book.
Kudos, Madam Wolfe, on an interesting tale. I trust that many will enjoy this piece, for it certainly has much to offer the curious reader.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
June 22, 2018
Filled with splendidly rich historical details, A MURDER BY ANY NAME takes readers on a twisty journey through the glittering royal court and the dank, shadowy alleys of Elizabethan London. Wolfe’s descriptions are unparalleled, immersing the reader in the time period as they join her wily protagonist on his quest to catch a cold-hearted killer.
December 17, 2018
If you've been following this blog for a while then you probably know that I'm a huge Elizabeth I fan, so when I saw A Murder By Any Name by Suzanne M. Wolfe listed on Amazon a while ago I immediately added it to my wishlist. And when the chance came up to read it you can be sure that I jumped on that right quick!
I was a tad hesitant when starting it because I am such a huge Elizabeth I admirer and this was my first time reading Suzanne's writing, but after the first few lines, I was immediately sucked in.
"God's bollocks, girl! I'm freezing my tits off!" I mean, how can you not be drawn in by this first line? It's classic EI snark and vulgarity and I love it!
Suzanne's description captures EI perfectly...
"If the nights were the province of men, the days were ruled by women, with Elizabeth Regina the sun that shone above them all, a source of light as well as blistering heat that seared and shriviled any who were foolish enough to incur her wrath."
A Murder By Any Name takes place late in EI's reign. A young lady in waiting has been murdered and Nick Holt, a spy and brother of an Early, has been asked by EI to investigate. I absolutely adored Nick! And his loyal partner, his dog Hector, the Irish Wolfhound that stole my heart.
I don't want to give too much away because if you're like me then you like going in as fresh as possible. Trust me when I say that you will want to pick this up! Suzanne's superb writing and the masterful mystery will keep you turning the pages until the killer is revealed.
I thorough enjoyed every minute reading A Murder By Any Name and cannot wait for the next book in the series!
I was a tad hesitant when starting it because I am such a huge Elizabeth I admirer and this was my first time reading Suzanne's writing, but after the first few lines, I was immediately sucked in.
"God's bollocks, girl! I'm freezing my tits off!" I mean, how can you not be drawn in by this first line? It's classic EI snark and vulgarity and I love it!
Suzanne's description captures EI perfectly...
"If the nights were the province of men, the days were ruled by women, with Elizabeth Regina the sun that shone above them all, a source of light as well as blistering heat that seared and shriviled any who were foolish enough to incur her wrath."
A Murder By Any Name takes place late in EI's reign. A young lady in waiting has been murdered and Nick Holt, a spy and brother of an Early, has been asked by EI to investigate. I absolutely adored Nick! And his loyal partner, his dog Hector, the Irish Wolfhound that stole my heart.
I don't want to give too much away because if you're like me then you like going in as fresh as possible. Trust me when I say that you will want to pick this up! Suzanne's superb writing and the masterful mystery will keep you turning the pages until the killer is revealed.
I thorough enjoyed every minute reading A Murder By Any Name and cannot wait for the next book in the series!
October 7, 2018
”When her father told her she had been chosen to wait on the Queen, she had been overjoyed, envisioning a monarch who surrounded herself with poets and musicians, a court which echoes to the sweet notes of madrigrals and the honeyed words of the sonnets.”
London, Elizabethan court, 1585.
The book starts with a prologue. Cecily is a young girl and she has just discovered the pleasure of the court, dancing with men during the great ball. She receives an anonymous letter from someone who asks her to go to the chapel at midnight. She finds the death instead.
The morning after her death, she is found in a strange position, on the altar of the chapel, whit a stiletto injury an no much blood. The Queen decides to call Nicholas Holt, her spy on the continent, to investigate about this murder. Just as he starts his jobs rumors spread about the Jews involvement in the case, even if there aren’t proofs. Nick calls Eli, a Jewish physician who helps him in examining the corps. Nick finds a friend in this man, who has a intelligent and strong sister.
With the help of trustworthy people the spy is trying to find the assassin, who can be anyone in the court. He thinks that the murder will kill again, because his intentions are to destabilize the Queen figure and power. The court is never a safe place, but the assassin is creating panic.
As in the Agatha Christie’s best books another victim is found at the middle of the novel. This time is Mary, Cecily friend. Her dead is different, and Nick thinks she was killed by a different person. But he is not so sure.
The spy continues to investigate with more passion and frustration, until he finds the truth.
”If the nights were the province of men, the days were ruled by women, with Elizabeth Regina the sun that shone above them all.”
The numerous actors on the stage of this book are real or not, but have a important impact in the story anyway. Nickolas is the main character, a spy who worked on the Continent and now is at the court. The Queen, Elizabeth, is a big figure: she is primary in the history in general, and in this story in particular. She is described as a great woman with red hairs and a lot of jewelry, who rules on a court full of bad spirits and reigns in a dangerous country.
The author did a great job with historical research and historical accuracy, making sure that the reader could find truth behind the fiction. The places and the characters are well described and the reader can feel and understand the dangers and the beauty of this time.
”A man was a fool to underestimate Elizabeth just because she was a woman. Plenty had made that mistake and had paid for it their heads on Tower Green.”
The court is the palace, ”that labyrinth of corridors echoing with footfalls and whispers and suspicions”, a place in which the murder is not a demon, but a man of flesh and blood. As such, his motivations must be understood by Nick.
There is a curious character, who helps Nick, and he is Codpiece. He is the dwarf of the court, inserted by the author even if Elizabeth didn’t have a figure as him in real history. He is a “spy in disguise”: as for the women, also the dwarfs are considered stupid people or animated furnishings. But they have eyes to see and ears to listen and understand the little and big things happen in every single day of this dangerous court. ”Generally people saw only what they wanted to see, a two-headed sheep, a Fool, or a monster”.
Even if the mystery isn’t great, the history accuracy and the characters’ system are constructed very well. Nick has a lot of different ideas about his time and his country, and he works for the best of humanity. The religious belief is an important topic in this time. The pope of Rome is against Elizabeth and catholic people are arrested and incriminated because of their treason to the crown.
Bigotry is also an interesting part of this novel: when there is a murder or a catastrophe, people are ready to accuse without proof those who seem different, as the Jews.
I appreciate the interest in the victims. Writers and their characters rarely remember the victims, their wishes and their interests. In this book the prologue is a window to Cecily’s soul, and a good start to the intrigues in the court.
Full of interesting characters and historical facts, this book is a good mystery at the court of Elizabeth, a place in which Shakespeare walks and thinks of his future plays.
*I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
London, Elizabethan court, 1585.
The book starts with a prologue. Cecily is a young girl and she has just discovered the pleasure of the court, dancing with men during the great ball. She receives an anonymous letter from someone who asks her to go to the chapel at midnight. She finds the death instead.
The morning after her death, she is found in a strange position, on the altar of the chapel, whit a stiletto injury an no much blood. The Queen decides to call Nicholas Holt, her spy on the continent, to investigate about this murder. Just as he starts his jobs rumors spread about the Jews involvement in the case, even if there aren’t proofs. Nick calls Eli, a Jewish physician who helps him in examining the corps. Nick finds a friend in this man, who has a intelligent and strong sister.
With the help of trustworthy people the spy is trying to find the assassin, who can be anyone in the court. He thinks that the murder will kill again, because his intentions are to destabilize the Queen figure and power. The court is never a safe place, but the assassin is creating panic.
As in the Agatha Christie’s best books another victim is found at the middle of the novel. This time is Mary, Cecily friend. Her dead is different, and Nick thinks she was killed by a different person. But he is not so sure.
The spy continues to investigate with more passion and frustration, until he finds the truth.
”If the nights were the province of men, the days were ruled by women, with Elizabeth Regina the sun that shone above them all.”
The numerous actors on the stage of this book are real or not, but have a important impact in the story anyway. Nickolas is the main character, a spy who worked on the Continent and now is at the court. The Queen, Elizabeth, is a big figure: she is primary in the history in general, and in this story in particular. She is described as a great woman with red hairs and a lot of jewelry, who rules on a court full of bad spirits and reigns in a dangerous country.
The author did a great job with historical research and historical accuracy, making sure that the reader could find truth behind the fiction. The places and the characters are well described and the reader can feel and understand the dangers and the beauty of this time.
”A man was a fool to underestimate Elizabeth just because she was a woman. Plenty had made that mistake and had paid for it their heads on Tower Green.”
The court is the palace, ”that labyrinth of corridors echoing with footfalls and whispers and suspicions”, a place in which the murder is not a demon, but a man of flesh and blood. As such, his motivations must be understood by Nick.
There is a curious character, who helps Nick, and he is Codpiece. He is the dwarf of the court, inserted by the author even if Elizabeth didn’t have a figure as him in real history. He is a “spy in disguise”: as for the women, also the dwarfs are considered stupid people or animated furnishings. But they have eyes to see and ears to listen and understand the little and big things happen in every single day of this dangerous court. ”Generally people saw only what they wanted to see, a two-headed sheep, a Fool, or a monster”.
Even if the mystery isn’t great, the history accuracy and the characters’ system are constructed very well. Nick has a lot of different ideas about his time and his country, and he works for the best of humanity. The religious belief is an important topic in this time. The pope of Rome is against Elizabeth and catholic people are arrested and incriminated because of their treason to the crown.
Bigotry is also an interesting part of this novel: when there is a murder or a catastrophe, people are ready to accuse without proof those who seem different, as the Jews.
I appreciate the interest in the victims. Writers and their characters rarely remember the victims, their wishes and their interests. In this book the prologue is a window to Cecily’s soul, and a good start to the intrigues in the court.
Full of interesting characters and historical facts, this book is a good mystery at the court of Elizabeth, a place in which Shakespeare walks and thinks of his future plays.
*I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
December 24, 2019
Welp, I guessed wrong on the killer but I was correct in that it was a woman, not a man as thought. The clues were there, and I only missed two key pieces of evidence. Mostly because I wasn't paying attention. Ah well. Still, this was an enjoyable read all around, and I thoroughly liked how the dog Hector came to be a key part at the end of the story as well.
Nikolas is an intriguing character, and I'm quite pleased at having book two. However, sadly, it's at home and I'm elsewhere for the next few days, so it will have to wait.
Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with smart characters, interesting mysteries, and a hint of a side plot that I hope gets explored in the continuation of this series.
Nikolas is an intriguing character, and I'm quite pleased at having book two. However, sadly, it's at home and I'm elsewhere for the next few days, so it will have to wait.
Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with smart characters, interesting mysteries, and a hint of a side plot that I hope gets explored in the continuation of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital galley of this novel.
I had the oddest sensation as I was reading this book that I was already familiar with the cast of characters. I have tried to find a previous book by Suzanne M. Wolfe which uses these same characters but was not able to find anything. All the material I saw says this is the first book in a new series, but I did spend most of my time reading the book trying to figure out why I was remembering the main characters so well.
This historical mystery is set during the reign of Elizabeth I in the Palace of Whitehall and other locations in London. Sixteen year old Lady Cecily Carew is the newest lady-in-waiting to the queen and her days are filled with learning what her position entails. Privately Cecily has her head in the clouds dreaming of meeting a man to fall in love with. When the Queen learns of what happened to Cecily she calls on Nicholas Holt, owner of The Black Sheep tavern and spy for the crown, to investigate. With the help of Kate, the owner of a brothel and Eli, a Jewish doctor and his twin sister, Rivkah, the trail takes Nick through dangerous places to find the guilty.
The mentions of genuine historical people and events are what the author used to help place the reader in the time setting for this novel. It works well if you are already familiar with events from this time period. I found this novel to be just an okay reading experience.
I had the oddest sensation as I was reading this book that I was already familiar with the cast of characters. I have tried to find a previous book by Suzanne M. Wolfe which uses these same characters but was not able to find anything. All the material I saw says this is the first book in a new series, but I did spend most of my time reading the book trying to figure out why I was remembering the main characters so well.
This historical mystery is set during the reign of Elizabeth I in the Palace of Whitehall and other locations in London. Sixteen year old Lady Cecily Carew is the newest lady-in-waiting to the queen and her days are filled with learning what her position entails. Privately Cecily has her head in the clouds dreaming of meeting a man to fall in love with. When the Queen learns of what happened to Cecily she calls on Nicholas Holt, owner of The Black Sheep tavern and spy for the crown, to investigate. With the help of Kate, the owner of a brothel and Eli, a Jewish doctor and his twin sister, Rivkah, the trail takes Nick through dangerous places to find the guilty.
The mentions of genuine historical people and events are what the author used to help place the reader in the time setting for this novel. It works well if you are already familiar with events from this time period. I found this novel to be just an okay reading experience.
November 13, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"...a fast-paced and entertaining read. It held my attention throughout, even though I figured out who the killer was quite early on. I’ve read too many mysteries to be surprised by very much, and this plot was really pretty standard. However, the historical details and character development were really well done...looking forward to reading more books in this series, and I can happily recommend this one."
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"...a fast-paced and entertaining read. It held my attention throughout, even though I figured out who the killer was quite early on. I’ve read too many mysteries to be surprised by very much, and this plot was really pretty standard. However, the historical details and character development were really well done...looking forward to reading more books in this series, and I can happily recommend this one."
February 20, 2024
A most entertaining reading about the intrigue and conspiracies of Elizabethan England. It's a wonder humanity survived such squalor and lack of morality. A call by her majesty sends, Nickolas, a rather uncouth second son to court to assist with a particular vicious murder. The harder he seeks for clues the faster they disappear. It's a twisted journey to the truth and totally unexpected.
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December 11, 2018
Many thanks to Amy Bruno at “Passages of the Past” for sending me a copy of this novel for review! This was really a fun read, and while I had some minor nit-picking to do, I was ultimately entertained and transported to Elizabethan England. What more can you ask when reading a historical fiction novel?
First of all, I have to say, this author knows how to set a scene. She’s clearly done impeccable research into the sights, sounds, smells, customs, language, and oddities of late-16th-century England, and I couldn’t be happier about that. It’s such a pleasure to read scenes set in a gritty, long-ago world, in which I feel completely enveloped. I could so clearly picture those Elizabethan London streets, smell the ale in the Tudor taphouses, and hear the loud, bawdy conversations taking place in the background of every public setting. At court, I could *see* Queen Elizabeth, and feel like I was there. That is a true talent in any writer – and it comes off exceptionally impressively in a historical novel. I really did love this element of the book. A+ for terrific research, Ms. Wolfe!
The novel primarily follows main character, Nicholas, a spy for Elizabeth’s court under her spymaster Walsingham. When one of the queen’s ladies in waiting is murdered and bizarrely laid out in the palace chapel, it’s Nick who’s called in to investigate the crime and find the murderer. Nicholas is a genuinely likeable character (and he has a dog companion named Hector – what’s not to love?). He’s kind, professional, respected by the queen… a true Elizabethan hero. Maybe he’s a little one-dimensional, but he works nicely for this main role.
There are several suspects as we go through this mystery, and when yet another lady in waiting is brutally murdered in the wine cellar, the tension and urgency amps up. How many murderers are there? What’s the motive? Will Nicholas find the suspect and bring him or her to justice before even more victims pop up??
Overall, I have to say, the drama fizzled for me by the end (hence the 3 star review). It could have been much, much more twisted than it was, and the motive could have been SO much stronger. But at the end of the day, this was a pretty good Elizabethan spy novel, and it left me interested enough to read more by this author in the future. I’ll be interested to see if Nicholas finds love (yes, there’s a slight hint of a romance element), and how some of the other supporting characters evolve as the series progresses.
In general, I recommend it! It’s nothing overly complex or thought-provoking, but a perfectly entertaining historical fiction mystery.
First of all, I have to say, this author knows how to set a scene. She’s clearly done impeccable research into the sights, sounds, smells, customs, language, and oddities of late-16th-century England, and I couldn’t be happier about that. It’s such a pleasure to read scenes set in a gritty, long-ago world, in which I feel completely enveloped. I could so clearly picture those Elizabethan London streets, smell the ale in the Tudor taphouses, and hear the loud, bawdy conversations taking place in the background of every public setting. At court, I could *see* Queen Elizabeth, and feel like I was there. That is a true talent in any writer – and it comes off exceptionally impressively in a historical novel. I really did love this element of the book. A+ for terrific research, Ms. Wolfe!
The novel primarily follows main character, Nicholas, a spy for Elizabeth’s court under her spymaster Walsingham. When one of the queen’s ladies in waiting is murdered and bizarrely laid out in the palace chapel, it’s Nick who’s called in to investigate the crime and find the murderer. Nicholas is a genuinely likeable character (and he has a dog companion named Hector – what’s not to love?). He’s kind, professional, respected by the queen… a true Elizabethan hero. Maybe he’s a little one-dimensional, but he works nicely for this main role.
There are several suspects as we go through this mystery, and when yet another lady in waiting is brutally murdered in the wine cellar, the tension and urgency amps up. How many murderers are there? What’s the motive? Will Nicholas find the suspect and bring him or her to justice before even more victims pop up??
Overall, I have to say, the drama fizzled for me by the end (hence the 3 star review). It could have been much, much more twisted than it was, and the motive could have been SO much stronger. But at the end of the day, this was a pretty good Elizabethan spy novel, and it left me interested enough to read more by this author in the future. I’ll be interested to see if Nicholas finds love (yes, there’s a slight hint of a romance element), and how some of the other supporting characters evolve as the series progresses.
In general, I recommend it! It’s nothing overly complex or thought-provoking, but a perfectly entertaining historical fiction mystery.
January 11, 2019
I must admit that I enjoy books that take place in Elizabethan times. I haven’t read one in a bit so I was quite happy to find myself again walking the halls with this great queen. In A Murder by Any Name we find Elizabeth sitting comfortably on her throne but as she always did, dealing with threats to her rule from various factions. The plot that drives the story is all fiction as are most of the main players so anyone reading the tale can just read the book for the story. This is not a tale that involves historical events but rather a story that has a couple of historical personages within.
The newest of Elizabeth’s ladies in waiting is found murdered and the Queen calls in one her favorites to solve the crime. Nicholas Holt is one of her spies but he also has skills she respects. She instructs him to find out who has committed the murder before riots start blaming the wrong people for it.
As Nicholas starts digging another one of Elizabeth’s ladies is murdered and things get even more tense in London as people blame either the Jews or or the Catholics for the murders. Elizabeth tells him he’d better figure out whodunit or there will be hell to pay. Will he and his trusty hound be able to find the killer?
I don’t know if writing that I enjoyed this book is the correct thing to say for it is a murder mystery. It’s kind of rude to enjoy murder. But I did find the book to be a good read. The plot was intriguing, the characters quirky and engaging and the story moved right along. Elizabeth was more of an ancillary player to the fictional characters and that was actually a good thing in a way. She is such a known quantity that it was nice to be in her world but not have her be the center of it.
The book also delved into some of the social issues of the time which mirror some of the social issues of today. Interesting that – as they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same. I found Ms. Wolfe’s writing style to be easy to read and one that brought Elizabeth’s court alive. From life in the castle to the denizens of the seedier parts of town, all were brought vividly alive as I read. I will look forward to further adventures from Nicholas and his large, furry sidekick.
The newest of Elizabeth’s ladies in waiting is found murdered and the Queen calls in one her favorites to solve the crime. Nicholas Holt is one of her spies but he also has skills she respects. She instructs him to find out who has committed the murder before riots start blaming the wrong people for it.
As Nicholas starts digging another one of Elizabeth’s ladies is murdered and things get even more tense in London as people blame either the Jews or or the Catholics for the murders. Elizabeth tells him he’d better figure out whodunit or there will be hell to pay. Will he and his trusty hound be able to find the killer?
I don’t know if writing that I enjoyed this book is the correct thing to say for it is a murder mystery. It’s kind of rude to enjoy murder. But I did find the book to be a good read. The plot was intriguing, the characters quirky and engaging and the story moved right along. Elizabeth was more of an ancillary player to the fictional characters and that was actually a good thing in a way. She is such a known quantity that it was nice to be in her world but not have her be the center of it.
The book also delved into some of the social issues of the time which mirror some of the social issues of today. Interesting that – as they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same. I found Ms. Wolfe’s writing style to be easy to read and one that brought Elizabeth’s court alive. From life in the castle to the denizens of the seedier parts of town, all were brought vividly alive as I read. I will look forward to further adventures from Nicholas and his large, furry sidekick.
August 28, 2018
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In this series debut, Nicholas Holt, the younger son of a fictional nobleman, is a soldier as well as a spy for William Cecil. He is home in London to report on his mission from the Continent when he is instead assigned to investigate the brutal murder of Queen Elizabeth’s youngest, most innocent lady in waiting, right in the heart of the court. The murder is disturbing, not only because it strikes at a young and innocent girl, but because the body was posed in the chapel in a gruesome imitation of prayer. When a second lady in waiting is murdered shortly after the first, the stakes get even higher for Nick, whose loyalty as a member of a recusant family might be in question if he cannot discover the identity of the murderer. The political overtones imply that someone is striking now at Elizabeth herself, implying that her reign is illegitimate and that Catholics should be ruling England. Nick relies on the help of his friends - Spanish Jewish doctors Eli and his beautiful twin sister Rivkah, his childhood friend John, and his faithful and well trained wolfhound Hector - to hone in on a cold-blooded killer who won’t stop until forced to by the Queen’s executioner.
A Murder by Any Name was a fast-paced and entertaining read. It held my attention throughout, even though I totally figured out who the killer was quite early on. I’ve read too many mysteries to be surprised by very much, and this plot was really pretty standard. However, the historical details and character development were really well done and more than made up for any lack of surprise for me. Wolfe’s attention to detail was such that I could practically smell the stench of the Thames - or Elizabeth’s breath from her black and rotting teeth! Gnarly. The atmosphere she created was rich and full of emotion, enhanced by the physical details surrounding the characters. The brittle cold, icy water, foggy riverbanks, echoing chambers or chapels, all contributed encompassing the feelings of fear and paranoia that pervaded society at the time. So often, the Jewish communities were the scapegoats for anything that went wrong, as Eli and Rivkah had painful reason to know. Skillfully, Wolfe crafted a protagonist who was sympathetic as well as empathetic while retaining historical accuracy, a tremendous balancing act in itself. Nick Holt was a product of his time, but he was not hardened or indifferent to the suffering of those beneath him on the social scale. I thought Wolfe did a fantastic job of weaving feminism into her story while still being accurate to the social mores of the time. I thought that was excellent. Nick was a wonderful, sensitive, believable character, and I wish there were more period pieces with men like him in them as opposed to sexist men who are written like barbarians simply because the author seems to think that is how it was back in the day, or maybe because an author is himself a sexist. Instead, A Murder by Any Name is the best of what happens when women write a well-researched historical fiction. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series, and I can happily recommend this one.
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In this series debut, Nicholas Holt, the younger son of a fictional nobleman, is a soldier as well as a spy for William Cecil. He is home in London to report on his mission from the Continent when he is instead assigned to investigate the brutal murder of Queen Elizabeth’s youngest, most innocent lady in waiting, right in the heart of the court. The murder is disturbing, not only because it strikes at a young and innocent girl, but because the body was posed in the chapel in a gruesome imitation of prayer. When a second lady in waiting is murdered shortly after the first, the stakes get even higher for Nick, whose loyalty as a member of a recusant family might be in question if he cannot discover the identity of the murderer. The political overtones imply that someone is striking now at Elizabeth herself, implying that her reign is illegitimate and that Catholics should be ruling England. Nick relies on the help of his friends - Spanish Jewish doctors Eli and his beautiful twin sister Rivkah, his childhood friend John, and his faithful and well trained wolfhound Hector - to hone in on a cold-blooded killer who won’t stop until forced to by the Queen’s executioner.
A Murder by Any Name was a fast-paced and entertaining read. It held my attention throughout, even though I totally figured out who the killer was quite early on. I’ve read too many mysteries to be surprised by very much, and this plot was really pretty standard. However, the historical details and character development were really well done and more than made up for any lack of surprise for me. Wolfe’s attention to detail was such that I could practically smell the stench of the Thames - or Elizabeth’s breath from her black and rotting teeth! Gnarly. The atmosphere she created was rich and full of emotion, enhanced by the physical details surrounding the characters. The brittle cold, icy water, foggy riverbanks, echoing chambers or chapels, all contributed encompassing the feelings of fear and paranoia that pervaded society at the time. So often, the Jewish communities were the scapegoats for anything that went wrong, as Eli and Rivkah had painful reason to know. Skillfully, Wolfe crafted a protagonist who was sympathetic as well as empathetic while retaining historical accuracy, a tremendous balancing act in itself. Nick Holt was a product of his time, but he was not hardened or indifferent to the suffering of those beneath him on the social scale. I thought Wolfe did a fantastic job of weaving feminism into her story while still being accurate to the social mores of the time. I thought that was excellent. Nick was a wonderful, sensitive, believable character, and I wish there were more period pieces with men like him in them as opposed to sexist men who are written like barbarians simply because the author seems to think that is how it was back in the day, or maybe because an author is himself a sexist. Instead, A Murder by Any Name is the best of what happens when women write a well-researched historical fiction. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series, and I can happily recommend this one.
October 21, 2018
• Title: A Murder by Any Name
• Author: Suzanne M. Wolfe
• Series: An Elizabethan Spy Mystery #1
• Pages: 336
• Genre: Historical Mystery
• Rating Out of 5 Stars: 4
“God’s bullocks, girl! I’m freezing my tits off!”
My Thoughts:
I was hooked from the opening line of the book. Wolfe dives right into the dark undercurrents of the royal court. Murder, conspiracy, intrigue, danger; This book has it all.
With a rich array of well-developed characters, you don’t get lost trying to remember the cast. The settings help draw the reader into the story in further. I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth of a read this was. Our detective Nicholas Holt makes for a fantastic lead. He handles the situations perfectly and follows the clues to solve the murders in a believable manner. There were a couple of predictable villains and causes for actions but I was not disappointed in how they were executed. A story set in this time can easily have creative licenses taken with it but Wolfe did a wonderful job keeping true to the period.
If you are a fan of mysteries or history this is well worth the read.
*E-ARC kindly provided by NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review
• Author: Suzanne M. Wolfe
• Series: An Elizabethan Spy Mystery #1
• Pages: 336
• Genre: Historical Mystery
• Rating Out of 5 Stars: 4
“God’s bullocks, girl! I’m freezing my tits off!”
My Thoughts:
I was hooked from the opening line of the book. Wolfe dives right into the dark undercurrents of the royal court. Murder, conspiracy, intrigue, danger; This book has it all.
With a rich array of well-developed characters, you don’t get lost trying to remember the cast. The settings help draw the reader into the story in further. I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth of a read this was. Our detective Nicholas Holt makes for a fantastic lead. He handles the situations perfectly and follows the clues to solve the murders in a believable manner. There were a couple of predictable villains and causes for actions but I was not disappointed in how they were executed. A story set in this time can easily have creative licenses taken with it but Wolfe did a wonderful job keeping true to the period.
If you are a fan of mysteries or history this is well worth the read.
*E-ARC kindly provided by NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review
February 17, 2023
I enjoyed this book. A solid, well-plotted murder mystery with plenty of twists and turns, great characters and a nice combining of fact and fiction for an interesting historical fiction mystery.
I really liked the character of Nick. He was complicated and multi-layered and very likable. Building the story around him as the investigator of the murder of Queen Elizabeth I's lady-in-waiting was a good choice.
The supporting characters, including Queen Elizabeth, her Fool, William Shakespeare and even Kit Marlowe (who makes brief appearances) really added to the enjoyment of the story and filled out the feel of the world the events were taking place in.
This was a brutal time where many people lived miserable lives of poverty, abuse and want and that is really presented as part of this story. It's a bit depressing, but it is how things were at this time, so it felt appropriate for the reader to fully experience how the characters lives would have been and worked for the plot.
I would read future books in this series because I really liked Nick, but I need to read something a bit more upbeat in the meantime.
I really liked the character of Nick. He was complicated and multi-layered and very likable. Building the story around him as the investigator of the murder of Queen Elizabeth I's lady-in-waiting was a good choice.
The supporting characters, including Queen Elizabeth, her Fool, William Shakespeare and even Kit Marlowe (who makes brief appearances) really added to the enjoyment of the story and filled out the feel of the world the events were taking place in.
This was a brutal time where many people lived miserable lives of poverty, abuse and want and that is really presented as part of this story. It's a bit depressing, but it is how things were at this time, so it felt appropriate for the reader to fully experience how the characters lives would have been and worked for the plot.
I would read future books in this series because I really liked Nick, but I need to read something a bit more upbeat in the meantime.
October 31, 2020
A Murder by Any Name is set in 1585, a time when England was providing arms and support to the Dutch in their fight against Spain, the King of Spain had already begun building his great armada and the English government was ever alert to plots against the life of Queen Elizabeth I. The story begins with the murder of Elizabeth’s newest Lady in Waiting, Lady Cecily Carew. She has been found on the altar of the Chapel Royal at Westminster, lain out like a funeral effigy. This murder seems to strike at heart of Elizabeth’s court, and those whose greatest duty is to protect Elizabeth fear that she is the ultimate target.
Nicholas Holt, the younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell, is called on to investigate. Nick has been reluctantly drawn into Sir Francis Walsingham’s intelligence network to protect his family whose loyalty is suspect because of their adherence to Catholicism. When a second Lady in Waiting is murdered, uncovering the identity of the murderer and bringing him to justice become a matter of urgency.
Nick Holt is an immediately likeable character who walks easily through all levels of society. He is the owner of a Bankside tavern, the Black Sheep, run by his boyhood friend and former manservant John Stockton and John’s wife Maggie. He has also developed close friendships with Kat, a brothel owner who has experienced some of the worst that can be done by men to women, and with Jewish physicians Eli and Rivkah, refugees from persecution in Spain, who quietly try to alleviate the pains of those around them. Nick’s closest companion is a massive Irish wolfhound, Hector, a wonderful creature who even this confirmed cat person came to love.
Nick displays a compassion for those less fortunate that is not common in those of his class and time but is plausible given his experience of life. Intelligent and observant, the friendships he has made and those he has brushed shoulders with have brought him an awareness of the ‘the misery around him … the great gulf between the haves and the much more numerous have-nots.’
Suzanne M Wolfe does not shy away from the harshness of life in 16th century England – extreme poverty and great wealth side by side, exploitation and cruelty, the willingness of the mob to seek scapegoats in those forced to live on the margins of society. The Elizabethan world is vividly created in a matter of sentences.
Two blocks from the bridge, they began to hear the rumbling of carts, the shouts of drovers and stall owners selling their wares, the fretful bleating of sheep and mournful lowing of cattle, the hum and buzz of a multitude of voices gossiping, haggling, berating children or husbands, giving orders, calling out to friends—the deafening, intoxicating, hubbub of the busiest road in London. (pp.70-71)
and
London Bridge was quiet, the shops having taken in their wares and put up their shutters, only the faint creaking of cart wheels and the muffled clink-clink of a horse’s harness breaking the silence. A carter, a gray shape hunched over the reins, with a piece of sacking cowling his head and shoulders, raised a hand in greeting. (p.241)
As the novel progresses, it becomes an absolute page-turner. The dialogue has a slight modern touch but this works well as it brings an immediacy and sense of reality to the story. This thoroughly enjoyable novel is the first of Suzanne M Wolfe’s Elizabethan Spy Mystery series.
However. I almost didn’t get beyond the first chapter. Wolfe does with this novel what is common to murder mysteries, a very personable character, usually a woman, is introduced and within a few pages the reader comes to care about about her. Then she is murdered. I just hate it – as a reader I feel betrayed (perhaps I do allow myself to get a bit too involved in what I read). What lifts A Murder by Any Name above so many other murder mysteries is that Lady Cecily Carew is not simply a device to set an investigation running. We never lose sight of the woman who has been murdered, and we see the ragged hole her death has created in the lives of those who cared for her. Nick Holt is not just solving a mystery, he is seeking justice for the dead. The whole novel is underpinned by a deep sense of humanity and compassion – I absolutely recommend it.
More reviews can be found at https://catherinemeyrick.com/category...
Nicholas Holt, the younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell, is called on to investigate. Nick has been reluctantly drawn into Sir Francis Walsingham’s intelligence network to protect his family whose loyalty is suspect because of their adherence to Catholicism. When a second Lady in Waiting is murdered, uncovering the identity of the murderer and bringing him to justice become a matter of urgency.
Nick Holt is an immediately likeable character who walks easily through all levels of society. He is the owner of a Bankside tavern, the Black Sheep, run by his boyhood friend and former manservant John Stockton and John’s wife Maggie. He has also developed close friendships with Kat, a brothel owner who has experienced some of the worst that can be done by men to women, and with Jewish physicians Eli and Rivkah, refugees from persecution in Spain, who quietly try to alleviate the pains of those around them. Nick’s closest companion is a massive Irish wolfhound, Hector, a wonderful creature who even this confirmed cat person came to love.
Nick displays a compassion for those less fortunate that is not common in those of his class and time but is plausible given his experience of life. Intelligent and observant, the friendships he has made and those he has brushed shoulders with have brought him an awareness of the ‘the misery around him … the great gulf between the haves and the much more numerous have-nots.’
Suzanne M Wolfe does not shy away from the harshness of life in 16th century England – extreme poverty and great wealth side by side, exploitation and cruelty, the willingness of the mob to seek scapegoats in those forced to live on the margins of society. The Elizabethan world is vividly created in a matter of sentences.
Two blocks from the bridge, they began to hear the rumbling of carts, the shouts of drovers and stall owners selling their wares, the fretful bleating of sheep and mournful lowing of cattle, the hum and buzz of a multitude of voices gossiping, haggling, berating children or husbands, giving orders, calling out to friends—the deafening, intoxicating, hubbub of the busiest road in London. (pp.70-71)
and
London Bridge was quiet, the shops having taken in their wares and put up their shutters, only the faint creaking of cart wheels and the muffled clink-clink of a horse’s harness breaking the silence. A carter, a gray shape hunched over the reins, with a piece of sacking cowling his head and shoulders, raised a hand in greeting. (p.241)
As the novel progresses, it becomes an absolute page-turner. The dialogue has a slight modern touch but this works well as it brings an immediacy and sense of reality to the story. This thoroughly enjoyable novel is the first of Suzanne M Wolfe’s Elizabethan Spy Mystery series.
However. I almost didn’t get beyond the first chapter. Wolfe does with this novel what is common to murder mysteries, a very personable character, usually a woman, is introduced and within a few pages the reader comes to care about about her. Then she is murdered. I just hate it – as a reader I feel betrayed (perhaps I do allow myself to get a bit too involved in what I read). What lifts A Murder by Any Name above so many other murder mysteries is that Lady Cecily Carew is not simply a device to set an investigation running. We never lose sight of the woman who has been murdered, and we see the ragged hole her death has created in the lives of those who cared for her. Nick Holt is not just solving a mystery, he is seeking justice for the dead. The whole novel is underpinned by a deep sense of humanity and compassion – I absolutely recommend it.
More reviews can be found at https://catherinemeyrick.com/category...
April 3, 2024
Quite an enjoyable read with good historical details and a cunning mystery. I hope there are more!
July 6, 2020
I enjoyed this so much, as fellow English teachers will undoubtedly do. It’s just so fun: a foul-mouthed Gloriana, foppish courtiers and simpering ladies, court intrigue with a magnificent nod to the Walsingham spy system. I really felt as if this book was written just for me. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series.
December 9, 2025
"A Murder by any Name" - written by Suzanne M Wolfe and published in 2018 by Crooked Lane Books, The Quick Brown Fox & Company. Love the time period, an aging Elizabeth in the 1570s avoids several assassination attempts and tries to calm the London populace - of course religion, as usual, plays a huge part in anything going on. Enter Lord Nicholas Holt who is secretly spying for the Queen and is put in charge of solving murders of ladies from Elizabeth's Court. The plot was fine, but I was annoyed by: constant info dumps on London history and environs which took me away from the story, an overall flippant writing approach, and, on every page, the use of "Nick" for our detective which just seemed so out of place. Petty grievances perhaps, but they affected my enjoyment of an otherwise pretty good novel.
December 10, 2019
I love historical fiction. In particular, I’ll always be happy to read any story that takes place in Tudor and Elizabethan times. I also love mysteries. So I LOVE it when I find a historical fiction mystery in this time period. When I saw this book, I placed it near the top of my To-Be-Read list immediately. I’m so glad I did.
Nicholas Holt is the younger son of a minor noble in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. In order to prove his family’s loyalty, he acts as a reluctant spy for Robert Cecil. As part of his cover, Nick runs The Black Sheep tavern in a seedy part of London alongside his childhood friend John and John’s wife, Maggie. Nick also has a loyal partner in the form of a gigantic Wolfhound named Hector.
When two of her young ladies-in-waiting are murdered, the Queen charges Nick with finding the killer. Armed with a long list of suspects and a short list of clues, Nick finds himself hitting a series of dead ends. Queen Elizabeth is feeling personally threatened by the murders and her patience is running out. Nick needs to move fast.
I found Nick to be a very empathetic man. He is good friends with a pair of Jewish doctors (the twins Eli and Rivkah), finds solace in the arms of a street-savvy former prostitute (Kat) and moves easily amongst the higher and lower levels of society. Nick often expresses worries about small beggar children and the often-overlooked servants that keep the castles running smoothly.
As the story continued, I felt that there were A LOT of characters being introduced and I was a bit worried about having to keep track of them all. My fears were unfounded though – Wolfe does a great job of reminding you how characters are related to each other and to the story. The descriptions of the people and places really brought everything to life. Some well-known historical characters, like Elizabeth, Cecil, and Shakespeare, only play minor parts (although the descriptions of Queen Elizabeth are exactly how I always picture her – vain, steely, cunning and always in control), which is fine by me. Wolfe’s original characters are incredibly believable and likeable.
The story of the murder investigation itself was almost secondary to me – I was having too much fun meeting all the characters. I did figure out who the murderer was pretty early on so it wasn’t much of a surprise when the killer was revealed, but the journey of how Nick arrived at the solution was satisfying.
(This review also appears on my blog, https://www.bookfrolic.com/book-revie...)
Nicholas Holt is the younger son of a minor noble in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. In order to prove his family’s loyalty, he acts as a reluctant spy for Robert Cecil. As part of his cover, Nick runs The Black Sheep tavern in a seedy part of London alongside his childhood friend John and John’s wife, Maggie. Nick also has a loyal partner in the form of a gigantic Wolfhound named Hector.
When two of her young ladies-in-waiting are murdered, the Queen charges Nick with finding the killer. Armed with a long list of suspects and a short list of clues, Nick finds himself hitting a series of dead ends. Queen Elizabeth is feeling personally threatened by the murders and her patience is running out. Nick needs to move fast.
I found Nick to be a very empathetic man. He is good friends with a pair of Jewish doctors (the twins Eli and Rivkah), finds solace in the arms of a street-savvy former prostitute (Kat) and moves easily amongst the higher and lower levels of society. Nick often expresses worries about small beggar children and the often-overlooked servants that keep the castles running smoothly.
As the story continued, I felt that there were A LOT of characters being introduced and I was a bit worried about having to keep track of them all. My fears were unfounded though – Wolfe does a great job of reminding you how characters are related to each other and to the story. The descriptions of the people and places really brought everything to life. Some well-known historical characters, like Elizabeth, Cecil, and Shakespeare, only play minor parts (although the descriptions of Queen Elizabeth are exactly how I always picture her – vain, steely, cunning and always in control), which is fine by me. Wolfe’s original characters are incredibly believable and likeable.
The story of the murder investigation itself was almost secondary to me – I was having too much fun meeting all the characters. I did figure out who the murderer was pretty early on so it wasn’t much of a surprise when the killer was revealed, but the journey of how Nick arrived at the solution was satisfying.
(This review also appears on my blog, https://www.bookfrolic.com/book-revie...)
September 20, 2018
The Honorable Nicholas Holt is called in by Queen Elizabeth I when the body of her newest lady-in-waiting is found murdered and posed on the altar of the Chapel Royal in Whitehall Palace. Nick is a spy, a rake, the owner of a bar in a seedy part of London, and the younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell. He has mostly been working in Europe after being blackmailed into spying for the queen by Sir Robert Cecil because of his family's Catholic past.
Nick, along with his friend John and his wolfhound Hector, find a variety of clues but no real leads. When a second lady-in-waiting is also found murdered, Elizabeth gives Nick a deadline to solve the crimes.
As Nick interviews people from those of the highest rank to a lowly Cinder who builds the fires in the State rooms, we get a wonderful picture of London and court life in the time of Elizabeth I. We also learn about political tensions of the time as the Puritans are gaining power and Elizabeth is insecure on her throne. We also see the prejudice that exists regarding Jews since two of Nick's best friends are Jewish doctors Eli and Rivkah who are twins who escaped from Spain and are living in London. As Eli says, "We are ever history's scapegoats."
I enjoyed the mystery and the historical setting. I liked the combination of real and fictional characters. Both Will Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe are friends and hang out at Nick's tavern where they argue about plays and Shakespeare tries out dialog that will someday be part of his plays.
Nick was an interesting, well-rounded character. I look forward to reading more of his adventures.
Nick, along with his friend John and his wolfhound Hector, find a variety of clues but no real leads. When a second lady-in-waiting is also found murdered, Elizabeth gives Nick a deadline to solve the crimes.
As Nick interviews people from those of the highest rank to a lowly Cinder who builds the fires in the State rooms, we get a wonderful picture of London and court life in the time of Elizabeth I. We also learn about political tensions of the time as the Puritans are gaining power and Elizabeth is insecure on her throne. We also see the prejudice that exists regarding Jews since two of Nick's best friends are Jewish doctors Eli and Rivkah who are twins who escaped from Spain and are living in London. As Eli says, "We are ever history's scapegoats."
I enjoyed the mystery and the historical setting. I liked the combination of real and fictional characters. Both Will Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe are friends and hang out at Nick's tavern where they argue about plays and Shakespeare tries out dialog that will someday be part of his plays.
Nick was an interesting, well-rounded character. I look forward to reading more of his adventures.
August 9, 2018
What happens when you pair a wastrel – a smart one, because he owns a tavern in Elizabethan England – and Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth I’s spymaster? You get a lot of court intrigue bookended by the slaying of court women, in A Murder by Any Name, first in a new series by Suzanne Wolfe. Nicholas Holt is our tavern-owner, an indolent man-about-town who conceals his work as a spy. Walsingham knows how to use people, and Nicholas is no exception; he’s tasked to discover who murdered first one lady-in-waiting, and then another. It isn’t easy, as nothing in Elizabeth’s court was easy. But young Master Holt is persistent, and intelligent, and brave. Not to mention shrewd and cunning, something he has in common with Her Gracious Majesty. Luckily, she recognizes a kindred soul when she sees one, and though she may threaten, the outcome is not hugely in doubt.
The setting is exquisitely realized, a London that fans of historical mysteries should recognize. The characters who populate the pages are well drawn and intriguing. One of the best -- Hector, Holt’s gigantic Irish Wolfhound. It will be fun to read about his further adventures, in forthcoming books.
Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of the book, in exchange for this review.
The setting is exquisitely realized, a London that fans of historical mysteries should recognize. The characters who populate the pages are well drawn and intriguing. One of the best -- Hector, Holt’s gigantic Irish Wolfhound. It will be fun to read about his further adventures, in forthcoming books.
Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of the book, in exchange for this review.
October 18, 2018
A Murder By Any Name
An Elizabethan Spy Mystery
by Suzanne M. Wolfe
Crooked Lane Books
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 19 Oct 2018
I am reviewing a copy of A Murder by any Name through Crooked Lane Books and Nethalley:
In the Elizabethean court a brutal murder threatens sanctity and a hot tempered spy is the one who must save the day.
The court of Elizabeth 1 is no stranger to plotting and intrigue but the royal retinue is thrown into chaos when the queens youngest and sweetest lady in waiting is murdered, her body is left on the high altar of the Chapel Royal in Whitehall Palace. Nicholas Holt the younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell is spy, take and owner of Black Sheep Tavern in the seedy district of Bankside. Nick learns quickly working for the queen is full of mixed blessings.
Quick tempered Queen Elizabeth can either reward Nick with Gold or have him be headed!
After a second lady in waiting is slain at Whiteall, the court is one again reeling with both shock and dismay on the trail of a horrific murderer nick and his Irish Wolfhound, Hector are treading on treacherous ground, and only the killer’s head on a platter can keep them in the Queen's God graces.
I give A Murder By Any Name five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
August 6, 2018
I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. A Murder by Any Name is the first title I've read by Suzanne Wolfe - it certainly won't be the last. Set during the later part of reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the story features the Honorable Nicholas Holt who owns a tavern in one of the seamier parts of London. Recruited (blackmailed) into working for Elizabeth's spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham, Nick is known as a rogue and spends time traveling the continent. Called to the court following the death of Cecily, a young lady-in-waiting to the queen Nick quickly finds himself tasked with finding her murderer to bring calm back the court. The book is extremely well written and gives the reader a glimpse into Elizabethan London - the good and the bad. Populated by interesting secondary characters, the reader is kept guessing on who did it and the reason for the murder right up until the big reveal. Nick is intriguing and I can't wait to see where his relationships go in future titles. I will be impatiently waiting for the next title in what appears to be a new series.
September 6, 2021
Well written and engrossing. The Elizabethan setting was well done, well described, but the note in the back about the liberties that the author took were important to understanding the times and the people in them - Queen Elizabeth and William Shakespeare, among others.
I thought that Cecily would be the main character, and one I enjoyed, but no. We found out shortly enough that she was the murder victim.
I did not guess whodunit. I'm not entirely sure why Nick thought that was the right person, but there was a confession, so I suppose that answered that.
What happened after the second arrest was funny.
It was interesting to me to read the parts of the story that took place in the Tower of London, having been there. I could easily imagine what took place there.
This book was not as clean as my usual reading, which is why I wouldn't recommend it carte blanche. If I would recommend it, it's a 4-star book, and a 5-star book is one I'd reread.
Some of the setting reminded me of J. E. Sandoval's "Ki Kalendeen" series, and perhaps readers of this might enjoy that as well.
Favorite quotes:
"A monster is a beast and thus has no conscience. It takes a man to do unspeakable things while knowing they are evil. He can even suffer remorse and still go on."
"Then it is not remorse, for he would stop."
"Ah, my innocent friend, have you never regretted a sin you could not stop committing?"
"Life's too short."
"Then why make it shorter?"
"Eli had told him that the human mind could only interpret events according to the experience of the viewer, that anything outside that experience was altered and made to fit accordingly. And the amazing thing, he said, was that it was done in complete innocence with no thought of deception. 'We can tell ourselves anything and believe it.'" I've known people like this, who have insisted on something despite all evidence to the contrary.
"Any death, even the justified death of an enemy, was so much ashes in the mouth."
I thought that Cecily would be the main character, and one I enjoyed, but no. We found out shortly enough that she was the murder victim.
I did not guess whodunit. I'm not entirely sure why Nick thought that was the right person, but there was a confession, so I suppose that answered that.
What happened after the second arrest was funny.
It was interesting to me to read the parts of the story that took place in the Tower of London, having been there. I could easily imagine what took place there.
This book was not as clean as my usual reading, which is why I wouldn't recommend it carte blanche. If I would recommend it, it's a 4-star book, and a 5-star book is one I'd reread.
Some of the setting reminded me of J. E. Sandoval's "Ki Kalendeen" series, and perhaps readers of this might enjoy that as well.
Favorite quotes:
"A monster is a beast and thus has no conscience. It takes a man to do unspeakable things while knowing they are evil. He can even suffer remorse and still go on."
"Then it is not remorse, for he would stop."
"Ah, my innocent friend, have you never regretted a sin you could not stop committing?"
"Life's too short."
"Then why make it shorter?"
"Eli had told him that the human mind could only interpret events according to the experience of the viewer, that anything outside that experience was altered and made to fit accordingly. And the amazing thing, he said, was that it was done in complete innocence with no thought of deception. 'We can tell ourselves anything and believe it.'" I've known people like this, who have insisted on something despite all evidence to the contrary.
"Any death, even the justified death of an enemy, was so much ashes in the mouth."
December 22, 2018
Historical mysteries are always a blast. Plus that cover is so pretty! I could not deny it.
The story follows Nick who is a spy, rake, and owner of the tavern. He is put on the assignment to find the murderer of two ladies who serve the Queen. The Queen demands he finds this murderer before the Christmas festivities and before the court freaks out.
I liked Nick even though he is a rake. Hector was cute. I honestly liked how Nick wasn't a super genius like so many of these detectives are. He needed help and even got some assistance from the Queen. He listened to her advice and thoughts to help find the murderer.
The story was fun and I enjoyed seeing everything come to fruition. I was really unsure who the murderer was. I had my theories but I was completely wrong. Kuddos to the author! I was in awe when the truth came out! So good, so unexpected. The ending was good. I loved the scene with Nick and the Queen at the end. It was done well.
There were some more modern terms used that bugged me a little bit, but overall, this was well written. I was hooked from page one and got this done within a couple of sittings (darn work getting in the way).
In the end, I really enjoyed this story. The story was written well even with a few more modern terms and words used. The characters were intriguing and the mystery was done well! I want to read more by this author. I hope there will be more books in this series. I liked Nick and Hector. I'll give this 4 stars.
The story follows Nick who is a spy, rake, and owner of the tavern. He is put on the assignment to find the murderer of two ladies who serve the Queen. The Queen demands he finds this murderer before the Christmas festivities and before the court freaks out.
I liked Nick even though he is a rake. Hector was cute. I honestly liked how Nick wasn't a super genius like so many of these detectives are. He needed help and even got some assistance from the Queen. He listened to her advice and thoughts to help find the murderer.
The story was fun and I enjoyed seeing everything come to fruition. I was really unsure who the murderer was. I had my theories but I was completely wrong. Kuddos to the author! I was in awe when the truth came out! So good, so unexpected. The ending was good. I loved the scene with Nick and the Queen at the end. It was done well.
There were some more modern terms used that bugged me a little bit, but overall, this was well written. I was hooked from page one and got this done within a couple of sittings (darn work getting in the way).
In the end, I really enjoyed this story. The story was written well even with a few more modern terms and words used. The characters were intriguing and the mystery was done well! I want to read more by this author. I hope there will be more books in this series. I liked Nick and Hector. I'll give this 4 stars.
November 26, 2020
I loved everything about this book. Starting with the cover…which I admit is THE thing that caught my attention in the first place, to the colorful 16th century language of not only the court royals but the common folk as well. The main character, Nick Holt, is extremely likable. What makes his likability so unusual is that, although he is of noble blood and is a spy for Queen Elizabeth, he also has a compassionate nature and can make even the lowest servant feel at ease. And although he himself has shady dealings as a tavern owner who frequently visits women of less-than-stellar reputations, he’s not a complete rake.
Of course, I can’t speak of characters without mentioning Nick’s sidekick and true star of the show, Hector, Nick’s Irish Wolfhound. I always love when authors not only include animals in their stories (after all, they are so much a part of our world) but give them real personality and a human connection that pet owners can truly relate to.
The murder of a young noblewoman is at the heart of this story, and I’ll admit I was stumped the whole way through the story, trying to figure out who the culprit was. Ms. Wolfe does an amazing job at weaving an intriguing story that keeps you guessing and mixing it with historical tidbits and facts that don’t feel like a historical information dump.
Well researched and artistically written, it will be interesting to see where Nick and Hector go from here, as this is the first book in Suzanne M. Wolfe’s Elizabethan Spy Mystery Series.
Of course, I can’t speak of characters without mentioning Nick’s sidekick and true star of the show, Hector, Nick’s Irish Wolfhound. I always love when authors not only include animals in their stories (after all, they are so much a part of our world) but give them real personality and a human connection that pet owners can truly relate to.
The murder of a young noblewoman is at the heart of this story, and I’ll admit I was stumped the whole way through the story, trying to figure out who the culprit was. Ms. Wolfe does an amazing job at weaving an intriguing story that keeps you guessing and mixing it with historical tidbits and facts that don’t feel like a historical information dump.
Well researched and artistically written, it will be interesting to see where Nick and Hector go from here, as this is the first book in Suzanne M. Wolfe’s Elizabethan Spy Mystery Series.
January 4, 2019
One of Queen Elizabeth's ladies-in-waiting has been murdered and set on display. With the murderer throwing the palace into chaos, Queen Elizabeth brings in one of her famous spies, Nicholas Holt to quickly find the killer. However, the public feels that the Jews are to blame and when another murder follows, suspicions and fear quickly arise.
As a lover of all things Tudor, I couldn't resist a murder mystery set in Queen Elizabeth's court. I immediately enjoyed the way that Queen Elizabeth is portrayed by Suzanne M. Wolfe. This Elizabeth is authentic, using salty speech and acute intelligence, glamorous in style, but still very wary of threats surrounding her. Nicholas Holt and his companion, Hector the wolfhound are an amazing spy duo. Nick's skill set allows the reader into the many different sections of England. Nick is friends with Eli and Rivkah, Jewish doctors, setting the tone for the religious turmoil at the time and interviews many servants in Whitehall, exposing the many people and tasks they do to keep the castle running. Overall, this mystery kept me on my toes and included in-depth historical detail of the later parts of Queen Elizabeth's reign.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
As a lover of all things Tudor, I couldn't resist a murder mystery set in Queen Elizabeth's court. I immediately enjoyed the way that Queen Elizabeth is portrayed by Suzanne M. Wolfe. This Elizabeth is authentic, using salty speech and acute intelligence, glamorous in style, but still very wary of threats surrounding her. Nicholas Holt and his companion, Hector the wolfhound are an amazing spy duo. Nick's skill set allows the reader into the many different sections of England. Nick is friends with Eli and Rivkah, Jewish doctors, setting the tone for the religious turmoil at the time and interviews many servants in Whitehall, exposing the many people and tasks they do to keep the castle running. Overall, this mystery kept me on my toes and included in-depth historical detail of the later parts of Queen Elizabeth's reign.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
January 20, 2019
More at www.amysbooketlist.blogspot.com
It’s not secret here on ABL that I love historical fiction. Especially historical that is thoroughly researched and accurate. As far as I know, AMBAM fits the bill. This book was filled with historical facts, pertinent information, and a whole lot of mystery.
As this was the beginning of a series, the author spent some time world building with lots of character insight. I like the main character, Nick, a lot, but I had some trouble relating to him at times. I admired his courage and intelligence, but couldn’t understand how he felt about the two main love interests in the story. Let’s be clear though, the point of this book is not romance, as the chief motivator for almost all the action is catching the killer. In trying to do an accurate and thorough review, I thought I should mention my confusion, but in no way was the focal story affected by it.
At times, I also felt that Nick tended to veer off into tangential thoughts, which took me out of the story for a minute. His contemplations usually contained fascinating or relevant information, though not always necessary for the story.
My favorite character was probably, as usual, the dog. Hector was hysterical and very well trained. It was fun imagining him in each of the situations, and I was very impressed that the author always explained where he was so that the reader didn’t lose track of him.
The pace AMBAM was really good, perfect for this type of historical fiction. I felt like I could see and hear almost everything that happened, which is quite impressive, because I have obviously never been to Elizabethan England.
* Special thanks to Suzanne Wolfe, Crooked Lane Books, and HF Virtual Book Tours for providing a copy of A Murder by Any Name in exchange for an honest review.
It’s not secret here on ABL that I love historical fiction. Especially historical that is thoroughly researched and accurate. As far as I know, AMBAM fits the bill. This book was filled with historical facts, pertinent information, and a whole lot of mystery.
As this was the beginning of a series, the author spent some time world building with lots of character insight. I like the main character, Nick, a lot, but I had some trouble relating to him at times. I admired his courage and intelligence, but couldn’t understand how he felt about the two main love interests in the story. Let’s be clear though, the point of this book is not romance, as the chief motivator for almost all the action is catching the killer. In trying to do an accurate and thorough review, I thought I should mention my confusion, but in no way was the focal story affected by it.
At times, I also felt that Nick tended to veer off into tangential thoughts, which took me out of the story for a minute. His contemplations usually contained fascinating or relevant information, though not always necessary for the story.
My favorite character was probably, as usual, the dog. Hector was hysterical and very well trained. It was fun imagining him in each of the situations, and I was very impressed that the author always explained where he was so that the reader didn’t lose track of him.
The pace AMBAM was really good, perfect for this type of historical fiction. I felt like I could see and hear almost everything that happened, which is quite impressive, because I have obviously never been to Elizabethan England.
* Special thanks to Suzanne Wolfe, Crooked Lane Books, and HF Virtual Book Tours for providing a copy of A Murder by Any Name in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2020
I’m kicking myself for not picking this book up sooner. I read the whole thing in an evening and I loved it. I was simply not expecting to be so drawn in by a combination spy story/murder mystery set in 1585 in London, with Gloriana Regina herself as a prominent character. As a Tudor history nerd, I loved Wolfe’s ability to so clearly evoke the period. Her descriptions of the city’s various areas and the differences between the City proper (on the north side of the Thames) and Southwark were fabulous. I’m always in favour of throwing Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare into historical fiction set in this period, so I was thrilled when they appeared as friends of the main character. Wolfe does a wonderful job of helping the reader to grasp how politically and religiously turbulent the period was and the consequent dangers for The Honourable Nicholas Holt and his friends and family. I’m very excited to read the next book in the series.
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