Following the events recounted in Sleep of Death, Nick Revill, is now a junior member of the acting troupe The Chamberlain's Men and in February 1601 finds himself caught up in dangerous political intrigue. Queen Elizabeth is in her 68th year and with no child or appointed successor there is widespread unrest and speculation about the situation. Supporters of her former favourite Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, commissioned a special performance of Shakespeare's Richard II, a play notable for its theme of the over-throwing and murder of an anointed king. The play was performed on the 7th February 1601 and on the morning of 8th February, Essex and his supporters attempted a revolt that was quickly quelled.Using this historical context Gooden weaves a playful, often bawdy, tale in which poor Nick is up to his neck in plots and counter-plots as he is recruited as an informant by the Queen's Secretary, Sir Robert Cecil. Nick is such a likeable character and his narration is full of wit and references to Shakespeare's works. Aside from his career as a writer and promoter of historical fiction as one of The Medieval Murderers, Gooden writes non-fiction on the English language and that familiarity serves him well in these novels giving an authentic favour to the dialogue. Overall, it was a very light and enjoyable read.
