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Murder by Any Name: An Elizabethan Spy Mystery
Murder by Any Name: An Elizabethan Spy Mystery | Suzanne M Wolfe
2 posts | 2 read
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.
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review
robinb
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Mehso-so

I did like certain aspects of this mystery set in Queen Elizabeth I‘s court such as the main character, Nicholas Holt, the younger brother of an earl, who owns a tavern and works undercover as a spy for the queen. But unfortunately, there were a couple of things that held me back from giving it a total thumbs up.
First, and the author alludes to this in her note at the end of the book, the language threw me as it was not conducive to the time 🔻

robinb period and distracted because of that. Yes, it may have been clearer in a more modern vernacular, but it just felt wrong. Second, there were stretches of explanations relating to the time period that were a bit boring and long-winded. And third, the romance triangle was murky and perplexing to me, and I felt it needed more explanation and clarity. 🔻 4mo
robinb The story itself was just OK but did produce a surprise villain. I might or might not give the next one a chance. 3.25/5⭐️ 4mo
40 likes2 comments
blurb
kristenmcquinn
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So much murder...