The Spy of Venice: A William Shakespeare novel

(Paperback)

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Description

When he's caught out by one ill-advised seduction too many, young William Shakespeare flees Stratford to seek his fortune.

Cast adrift in London, Will falls in with a band of players - but greater men have their eye on this talented young wordsmith. England's very survival hangs in the balance, and Will finds himself dispatched to Venice on a crucial embassy.

Dazzled by the city's masques - and its beauties - Will little realises the peril in which he finds himself. Catholic assassins would stop at nothing to end his mission on the point of their sharpened knives, and lurking in the shadows is a killer as clever as he is cruel.

Suspenseful, seductive and as sharp as an assassin's blade, The Spy of Venice introduces a major new literary talent.

Reviews

The Spy of Venice begins with a three page introduction that left me gasping . . . I'm anxious to read future books in this series! -- Impressions in Ink
The Spy of Venice is a playful and inventive debut. The dialogue is wonderful, and Will's banter with his fellow actors sparkles. -- Antonia Senior * The Times, Saturday *
This is a clever book. On the level of storytelling alone, this is a good yarn....I also had the distinct impression that Benet Brandreth had a ball whilst writing it. An excellent read. * Crime Squad *
It is historically accurate, building up a picture of a dirty and violent London, a sumptuously degenerate Venice and a Europe riddled with conflicts of religion, power and commerce. Ultimately The Spy of Venice is an amusing and fast-paced action thriller that will entertain a variety of readers. * Historical Novels Society *
Brandreth sets us up for a smashing sequel. * The Hindu *
For fans of Shakespeare, the book can be a joyous treasure hunt, a display of erudition, insightful and exciting. For others, it may simply be an action-packed novel * Dawn.com *
'Brandreth has used Shakespearean dramatic penchant to improve his already entertaining 'romp'. The Spy of Venice, is in a nutshell, an apt book to curl up with, especially to escape from our boring everyday life into the world of Elizabethan drama.' * The Free Press Journal *
Brandreth's Shakespearean expertise and storytelling skills are both put to good use in this playful, entertaining novel * BBC History Magazine *

Author Bio

Benet Brandreth is an expert on Shakespeare's language and times, the rhetoric coach to the Royal Shakespeare Company and others, and a writer and performer whose last one- man show was a five-star reviewed sell-out at the Edinburgh Fringe and on its London Transfer. On top of all that he is a leading IP barrister. The Spy of Venice is his debut novel.