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Shakespeare & Smythe #2
The Slaying of the Shrew
Will Shakespeare, Symington "Tuck" Smythe, and their band of thespian associates are contracted to provide entertainment at a rural estate as part of a large wedding pageant.
When the headstrong bride turns up dead, and overheard conversations contain conspiratorial plots against the families involved, Will and Tuck must once again pull double duty as thespians and sleuths to solve the case of The Slaying of the Shrew .
When the headstrong bride turns up dead, and overheard conversations contain conspiratorial plots against the families involved, Will and Tuck must once again pull double duty as thespians and sleuths to solve the case of The Slaying of the Shrew .
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
1 person is currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Simon Hawke
89 books238 followersAlso published as J.D. Masters.
He was born Nicholas Valentin Yermakov, but began writing as Simon Hawke in 1984 and later changed his legal name to Hawke. He has also written near future adventure novels under the penname "J. D. Masters" and mystery novels.
He was born Nicholas Valentin Yermakov, but began writing as Simon Hawke in 1984 and later changed his legal name to Hawke. He has also written near future adventure novels under the penname "J. D. Masters" and mystery novels.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 11, 2011
I liked this book better than "Mystery of Errors" because the mystery is so much harder to figure out.
But at the same time I was dissapointed that the only thing used from Shakespeare's "The Taming Of The Shrew" was the name Catherine. I was hoping to see more that play's plot line in the story. Instead you will find element's from the great tragedies such as: "Romeo & Juliet," "Hamlet," And even "Macbeth."
Even with the afore mentioned hints you still won't figure out who dunnit until the shocking end.
This a tale of Murder and deception that The Bard can only wish he had written.
But at the same time I was dissapointed that the only thing used from Shakespeare's "The Taming Of The Shrew" was the name Catherine. I was hoping to see more that play's plot line in the story. Instead you will find element's from the great tragedies such as: "Romeo & Juliet," "Hamlet," And even "Macbeth."
Even with the afore mentioned hints you still won't figure out who dunnit until the shocking end.
This a tale of Murder and deception that The Bard can only wish he had written.
August 21, 2013
The second funny installment of Simon Hawke's Shakespeare series. Action packed, silly, and entertaining. Fun to spot all the allusions and quotes from Shakespeare's plays.
April 10, 2022
I read these things for the immersion in history ... and bloodshed.
Tuck is back and events conspire to give his friend Will ideas for plays - which he will eventually get around to writing but at the moment he's stuck. The Queen's Men have to entertain at the wedding of a social climber's daughter, Catherine. Catherine is rather forthright, in our modern view, but a shrew to the Elizabethans. And her sister Blanche is a wee bit on the slutty side but is more subtle and viewed with more favor. There were nice twists in the plot and, again, it wasn't a stressful read. It was all I could do to stretch out the reading over 3 days as these are easily gobbled up.
Tuck is back and events conspire to give his friend Will ideas for plays - which he will eventually get around to writing but at the moment he's stuck. The Queen's Men have to entertain at the wedding of a social climber's daughter, Catherine. Catherine is rather forthright, in our modern view, but a shrew to the Elizabethans. And her sister Blanche is a wee bit on the slutty side but is more subtle and viewed with more favor. There were nice twists in the plot and, again, it wasn't a stressful read. It was all I could do to stretch out the reading over 3 days as these are easily gobbled up.
April 1, 2025
I am admittedly a Shakespeare junkie. But, I found this book cleverly plotted, witty and rich in detail about theBards London was a beginning to end delight.The poet as half of a buddy detective duo played out delightfully. Great read.
February 9, 2018
It was a bit of a slow start, but thoroughly entertaining nonetheless!
March 8, 2018
3.5 stars
Read
April 15, 2020An excellent read!
October 6, 2020
Great historical mystery.
March 4, 2025
I'm a fan of all things Shakespeare and enjoyed the references to lines in plays, but overall this just didn't grab me as I'd hoped it would.
June 14, 2013
Disclaimer: It's pretty light on history, but what's there (except for Shakespeare's actual actions for purposes of story) seems accurate.
Imagine the royal court of the Elizabethan Era (Shakespeare’s, not our current one] and all of the hangers-on in Elizabeth’s entourage. In The Slaying of the Shrew, Simon Hawke has a character describe the royal procession as Elizabeth’s sycophantic pilot fish (p. 133). I love this type of verbal imagery, much like the very complimentary comment that Will Shakespeare (yes, THAT Will Shakespeare) makes with regard to a character who states that he is very plain of speech and wit. Shakespeare looks out at a gaggle of nobility and wealth and states that “even a plain bird stands out among all this plumage.” (p. 175)
If you enjoy that type of wordplay, you’ll enjoy these Shakespearean mysteries (not “written” by Shakespeare, although that isn’t unusual according to some scholars) where Shakespeare hasn’t yet penned (or, perhaps, pretended to pen) his famous plays and solves mysteries that leap from a twisted premise from those plays. Of course, speaking of personalities sometimes credited with being Shakespeare (apparently competing with himself), Christopher Marlowe always seems to be in the background of these mysteries and Shakespeare even claims to be Marlowe when it looks like he is going to be in trouble.
In this novel, there is indeed a “shrew” (modern translation: forthright, independent and intelligent woman) named Catherine who has threatened society’s status quo and dampened her allegedly “slutty” sister’s happiness by refusing to marry the most obliging suitors simply because she didn’t love them and valued her happiness and future above her father’s ambition. Unlike some, she opts to do something to advance the revolution and she creates an elaborate plot against her father’s will which, of course, doesn’t work out as she expected it to end. In the Department of Coincidences, Catharine’s (Should we just admit she is the model for “Kate?”) best friend is Elizabeth Darcie (Wonder where Hawk came up with that name?), the heart’s desire of Shakespeare’s friend, Symington-Smythe (aka Tuck). And, in a further brief I will file with the Department of Coincidences, the Queen’s Players have been engaged to perform a play as part of several day’s festivities at the country manor where the wedding is to take place. Indeed, the players are to dress up as Roman Senators and greet the wedding party at their barge as they portray Caesar and Cleopatra.
As a result of these coincidences, Tuck’s love for Elizabeth, Catharine’s love for another, and Catharine’s advice to Elizabeth all tangle together in a most tender trap. I think Shakespeare himself would enjoy the comedic aspects that surround this engaging little mystery—engaging enough that the solution is by no means telegraphed except in part. It’s one of those where you say, “I knew it!” just before you have to say, “But I didn’t know THAT!”
Now, I know you’re going to be shocked when you discover that there is at least one funeral in this murder mystery. It’s like gambling in Rick’s Café from Casablanca; I know you were shocked, but here are your winnings. The funeral features a line reminiscent of a recurring verse in the biblical book of Daniel. Hawke writes, “The musicians who had been engaged to play for the wedding now played for the funeral instead, offering up sweet and solemn tunes which they played upon lutes, recorders, citterns, sackbuts, harps, and psalteries, coaxing more than a few tears from the guests…” (p. 142) [The italics are mine and offer the echo of Daniel, though the list of instruments serves a far different purpose.]
Speaking of Rick’s Café, you’ll probably also be shocked to discover that both Shakespeare’s and Smythe’s lives are in danger in the course of this story. Of course, since the series continues with Much Ado About Murder, you probably also know that, for a modern novelist, Hawke is no George R. R. Martin when it comes to dealing with his protagonists. I don’t know about you, but there’s a place for both of them on my bookshelves.
Imagine the royal court of the Elizabethan Era (Shakespeare’s, not our current one] and all of the hangers-on in Elizabeth’s entourage. In The Slaying of the Shrew, Simon Hawke has a character describe the royal procession as Elizabeth’s sycophantic pilot fish (p. 133). I love this type of verbal imagery, much like the very complimentary comment that Will Shakespeare (yes, THAT Will Shakespeare) makes with regard to a character who states that he is very plain of speech and wit. Shakespeare looks out at a gaggle of nobility and wealth and states that “even a plain bird stands out among all this plumage.” (p. 175)
If you enjoy that type of wordplay, you’ll enjoy these Shakespearean mysteries (not “written” by Shakespeare, although that isn’t unusual according to some scholars) where Shakespeare hasn’t yet penned (or, perhaps, pretended to pen) his famous plays and solves mysteries that leap from a twisted premise from those plays. Of course, speaking of personalities sometimes credited with being Shakespeare (apparently competing with himself), Christopher Marlowe always seems to be in the background of these mysteries and Shakespeare even claims to be Marlowe when it looks like he is going to be in trouble.
In this novel, there is indeed a “shrew” (modern translation: forthright, independent and intelligent woman) named Catherine who has threatened society’s status quo and dampened her allegedly “slutty” sister’s happiness by refusing to marry the most obliging suitors simply because she didn’t love them and valued her happiness and future above her father’s ambition. Unlike some, she opts to do something to advance the revolution and she creates an elaborate plot against her father’s will which, of course, doesn’t work out as she expected it to end. In the Department of Coincidences, Catharine’s (Should we just admit she is the model for “Kate?”) best friend is Elizabeth Darcie (Wonder where Hawk came up with that name?), the heart’s desire of Shakespeare’s friend, Symington-Smythe (aka Tuck). And, in a further brief I will file with the Department of Coincidences, the Queen’s Players have been engaged to perform a play as part of several day’s festivities at the country manor where the wedding is to take place. Indeed, the players are to dress up as Roman Senators and greet the wedding party at their barge as they portray Caesar and Cleopatra.
As a result of these coincidences, Tuck’s love for Elizabeth, Catharine’s love for another, and Catharine’s advice to Elizabeth all tangle together in a most tender trap. I think Shakespeare himself would enjoy the comedic aspects that surround this engaging little mystery—engaging enough that the solution is by no means telegraphed except in part. It’s one of those where you say, “I knew it!” just before you have to say, “But I didn’t know THAT!”
Now, I know you’re going to be shocked when you discover that there is at least one funeral in this murder mystery. It’s like gambling in Rick’s Café from Casablanca; I know you were shocked, but here are your winnings. The funeral features a line reminiscent of a recurring verse in the biblical book of Daniel. Hawke writes, “The musicians who had been engaged to play for the wedding now played for the funeral instead, offering up sweet and solemn tunes which they played upon lutes, recorders, citterns, sackbuts, harps, and psalteries, coaxing more than a few tears from the guests…” (p. 142) [The italics are mine and offer the echo of Daniel, though the list of instruments serves a far different purpose.]
Speaking of Rick’s Café, you’ll probably also be shocked to discover that both Shakespeare’s and Smythe’s lives are in danger in the course of this story. Of course, since the series continues with Much Ado About Murder, you probably also know that, for a modern novelist, Hawke is no George R. R. Martin when it comes to dealing with his protagonists. I don’t know about you, but there’s a place for both of them on my bookshelves.
August 4, 2016
Author Simon Hawke (or whatever name he goes by these days...I guess the IRS knows) strikes another (sort of) 'historical' light mystery with bodies aplenty by the end. Smythe's character seems a bit too prolix at times for a nineteen year old even in those days, in odd contrast to the young witty Shakespeare who clearly is absorbing all styles of language and pronouncements around him like a sponge, filing them away for later use.
Actually this sub-text I found most entertaining of all. Hawke seems to have had huge fun displaying his own homage to Shakespeare's play plots, word play and eventual characters. He even boldly dares some audacious use of ironic futurism (if there is such a phrase) : when Shakespeare declares with disgust to Smythe "You have about as much chance to gain that girl as I have of immortality". Droll. Throughout, the game of spot the allusion becomes a large part of this work's entertainment.
There are times when the 'twases' and 'tweres' are a bit much but the situation is secure, the events conveyed with little or no anachronism and while the plot sags just a tad mid-point, the overall puzzle remains a darn good one...with promising future developments.
I hope this series continues and fully intend to check out the rest and order them up at our library.
Actually this sub-text I found most entertaining of all. Hawke seems to have had huge fun displaying his own homage to Shakespeare's play plots, word play and eventual characters. He even boldly dares some audacious use of ironic futurism (if there is such a phrase) : when Shakespeare declares with disgust to Smythe "You have about as much chance to gain that girl as I have of immortality". Droll. Throughout, the game of spot the allusion becomes a large part of this work's entertainment.
There are times when the 'twases' and 'tweres' are a bit much but the situation is secure, the events conveyed with little or no anachronism and while the plot sags just a tad mid-point, the overall puzzle remains a darn good one...with promising future developments.
I hope this series continues and fully intend to check out the rest and order them up at our library.
October 7, 2008
I surprised myself by enjoying the first book in this series. In the spirit of Shakespeare in Love, Hawke has mixed historical intrigue with a dash of humor. Unfortunately, in the second outing, the historical facts overshadow the mystery. I had the distinct impression that Hawke was at times just proudly spouting out the newest facts he had researched. No one likes a showoff. (Even if we are all prone to being one.) However, in the last section of the book, Hawke does manage end with a good dose of appropriate adventure. In this story, Shakespeare and his friend Tuck Smythe have been invited with their company of players to perform at the wedding of a noble's daughter. However, when the wedding barge arrives, the bride is found dead. Soon Tuck, with the reluctant help of Shakespeare, is investigating the many noblemen present at the ceremony. Meanwhile, there is progress in the romance between Elizabeth (who appeared in the previous novel) and Smythe. Overall, I approve, but I wish that Hawke could balance his history and mystery better.
June 22, 2010
The boys (Shakespeare and Smythe) and the Queens Men go on tour. This is an opportunity for Shakespeare to try out his first new play before an audience of potentional patrons. And he has the chance to impress the players as well. The first stop, a newly rich merchant whose daughter is marrying "up." But all falls apart on the wedding day.
There is some skillful writing here. Just when you think you know were the story line is going, there is a right turn. Once again, it's great fun in Elizebethian England.
There is some skillful writing here. Just when you think you know were the story line is going, there is a right turn. Once again, it's great fun in Elizebethian England.
July 4, 2012
What a fun series and a quick read. This book is in my opinion even better than the first in the series. The author uses very good diction, a mix of modern and Shakespearean language, with a healthy influx of Shakespeare's original phrases. While this is not a scholarly work on The Bard and his times, there is plenty to learn through this meditation on Shakespeare's character as well as by being immersed in his London and its environs. The author's knowledge of Shakespeare and his works clearly shines through and other than an aspect or two, it appears to me that he is spot on.
January 29, 2016
I knew i read the first book in this series but couldn't remember why i never read them all. Then i got to this book and remembered. I'm not finished yet ,but I want to punch Elizabeth in the head (And I'm a woman!) I hope the writer gets further into why she'd put such a spoiled, rude, condescending and mean girl as her "idol" 'cause I don't get it!
It does get better...Mostly because Sir William shows up and there's the mystery of the Irishman.
It does get better...Mostly because Sir William shows up and there's the mystery of the Irishman.
November 14, 2017
Another fun Elizabethan murder mystery in the Shakespeare and Smythe series. I liked this a bit better than Mystery of Errors (#1) - some of the "rough edges" in the series seem to be smoothed off. Like it's predecessor, this book it built around a fairly improbably murder inspired by Shakespeare's works. Very readable and pretty decent history without being dry.
July 6, 2013
Sadly the book took several days to get into, there was far too much exposition by Smythe and not nearly enough action. The middle part was rather a bit of a slog, but suddenly at about two/thirds of the way the action kicked in and Smythe stopped thinking and started doing. The last third of the book moved rapidly and the end was perfectly wonderful in it's satire and literary allusions.
May 23, 2013
Very clever use of quotes from the plays, creating source material from events that happen around Shakespeare (as a young man just come to London) and his friends. I quite enjoyed it. It's the second book in a series and I'm waiting for the first one to arrive at my local library (I put in a request for it).
July 31, 2014
I had to force myself to finish this book. However, once I was actually forcing myself to read it, it was a quick read. I can see why some people would enjoy the little story, but it's simple and way too cute for my taste. There is absolutely no character development. I think I'm going to leave this book club. This is the second book in a row that is not to my liking at all.
September 24, 2010
One of four (so far) clever whodunnits set in Shakespeare's Elizabethan London, starring the unlikely pair of investigators, John Smythe (would-be actor) and Shakespeare himself (playwright and part-time sleuth).
July 16, 2012
The fur was flying and the bodies were dropping by the end of this Shakespeare and Smythe mystery. I like how certain scenes and/or dialogue mimick the actual works of Shakespeare. Not that these books are just the plays and sonnets pasted together though.
August 26, 2014
Enjoyable read, though with Shakespeare playing a somewhat lesser role in this one (and never getting his new play performed!). I like the idea of peeking to see what real life experiences might have fed Shakespeare's genius.
January 27, 2011
I give it only two stars because it seemed to be heavier or the nomenclature of clothes and weapons than on plot.
January 3, 2012
Admittedly, that's the guilty pleasure sort of "I really liked it."
April 9, 2011
Thoroughly enjoyed it--humorous and somewhat intelligent. A fun light read.
November 21, 2013
Simon Hawke is fun - no matter which universe
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews