Francis Bacon is charged with investigating the murder of a fellow barrister at Gray’s Inn. He recruits his unwanted protégé Thomas Clarady to do the tiresome legwork. The son of a privateer, Clarady will do anything to climb the Elizabethan social ladder. Bacon’s powerful uncle Lord Burghley suspects Catholic conspirators of the crime, but other motives quickly emerge. Rival barristers contend … contend for the murdered man’s legal honors and wealthy clients. Highly-placed courtiers are implicated as the investigation reaches from Whitehall to the London streets. Bacon does the thinking; Clarady does the fencing. Everyone has something up his pinked and padded sleeve. Even the brilliant Francis Bacon is at a loss — and in danger — until he sees through the disguises of the season of Misrule.
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Excellent read
I just couldn’t get into the characters or the story.
I recommend it. Of 3 started about the same time, this will keep me to this author for awhile.
I enjoy British historical fiction mysteries. This book kept me guessing. I was disappointed with the ending between Clara and Tom, but I am a happy ever after kind of gal. The author did a satisfactory explanation .
I also enjoyed the surprises scattered throughout the storyline.
Historically interesting, as well as excellent as a mystery. VERY highly recommended.
“Murder by Misrule” earns 5+/5 Royal Nods…Clever and Engaging!
History meets mystery…it was a fortuitous accident that I happened upon Anna Castle’s Francis Bacon series. I greatly enjoy having history tweaked into a fictional mystery adding an air of realism, and going back to sixteenth century England was absolutely entertaining. I loved being enveloped by the vivid description of the environment, the clothing, the people, the language, and offering an interesting investigative style…no crime scene photos, DNA, or computers to rely on. I agree with one interpretation that the series is much like the Nero Wolfe franchise in that Bacon is not the active character being left behind to use his deductive reasoning to solve murders. I was prepared to have the fictional Thomas Clarady, delightfully the son of a privateer, as the active one in the partnership using his street-wise attitude to track down evidence, interrogate witness and suspects, and report back to Bacon. Anna’s Sir Francis Bacon has fallen out of favor with Queen Elizabeth I, which often can mean more than an angry “tweet.” It can figuratively or, sadly, literally mean a death sentence. So Bacon finds solving murders as a way to regain status among those at court. It is the season of Misrule (a fascinating topic to explore) and a barrister (lawyer to you and me) ends up dead (Karma in the age of Elizabeth I?), and the different suspects and motives made this a real page-turning read. I suggest first-timers read the “Historical Notes” as a prelude; it was helpful for context. I highly recommend this book, and I’m moving on to the other novels as well as short stories written in the age of Bacon.
meh
Francis Bacon has been banished from Queen Elizabeth’s court. To restore himself to favor, he agrees to help his uncle identify the murderer wreaking havoc on the barristers at Gray’s Inn. But even with the help of his riotous young law students, Tom, Stephen, Trumpet, and Ben, this mystery might prove more than a match for the brilliant Mr. Bacon.
Anna Castle is adept at creating the atmosphere of Elizabethan society. Both historical characters and fictional characters come alive in the bedrooms and common rooms of Gray’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court to which barristers and those studying Law must belong. I particularly enjoyed Thomas Clarady, the son of a privateer who gained access to Bacon as his tutor when his father shrewdly offered to pay Bacon’s debts. Tom spends his time drinking wine, brawling in the streets, and crafting verses to sing beneath his beloved’s window–but when inductive logic is required, his wits are quicker than many might suppose. The “Misrule” in the title refers to the season of joyful pranks just prior to Christmas where the Lord of Misrule prepares festivities for the holiday.
I began this book in a friend’s car, listening to about a quarter of the audio version while we were carpooling home from a weekend retreat. After that, I had to resort to reading the rest on Kindle on my own. The prose has a literary luster to it, and Anna Castle’s turns of phrase and figures of speech frequently make one laugh aloud, or at least smirk quietly into one’s imaginary ruff. For exmple, Tom thinks of Law French as: “a deranged, unreadable mishmash of Old French and Latin with the odd lump of English bobbing up like uncooked fat in a sour stew.”
One drawback of this book is that the mystery itself left something to be desired. Also, a few of the attitudes of the characters toward the end of the book seemed to relect modern sensibilities more than the sensibilities of the time. But despite this, the atmosphere, characterization, and prose was a feast for the eyes and the ears. This is my first Francis Bacon mystery, but I have also enjoyed Anna Castle’s Professor and Mrs. Moriarty series.
I didn’t know much about this time period, so I found it very interesting. Good character development. I’d be interesting in reading other books in this series. Could’ve done without the sex scene though, it was unnecessary.
Being a retired science teacher, I thought this was an authentic depiction of the laws, scenery, and language of the time. Hard to put down!
The author paints great historical word pictures that bring the reader right into scene. Her characters are believable, oftentimes witty, and adventurous to a fault. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mystery.g
It kept me entertained from beginning to end. Just when you think you figured it out, another twist appears. Highly recommend.
Great turn on some historical people and times.
The authors knowledge of language and history make this book a stand-out. Many of the characters were real, some of the events as well
This twisted murder tale comes alive in well- constructed plots, memorable characters and captivating language. The entire astmosphere is refreshingly authentic..
One of the most enjoyable and satisfying books I’ve read in a long time because it was so well written. Enjoy!
Could not finish it too boring
I enjoyed this mystery and it was ovious the author had researched the terminolgy and events of the time. There was humor, developed characters and a delightful story!
Interesting but not exactly my cup of tea.
wonderful opening salvo into the world of Elizabethan espionage and intrigue
Interesting, but slow paced
The historical detail was so much fun! I felt the book captured elements of life (sights, smells, etc) across social strata that normally get overlooked in historical fiction.