Intriguing, immersive, and masterfully wrought…
In the heart of Elizabethan London, a stolen play threatens to unravel Shakespeare’s career—and his life—in the third installment of Wildman’s The Lost Years of William Shakespeare series. It’s the winter of 1589. Shakespeare’s career is thrown into chaos when Lord Strange’s Men are shut down over a minor infraction. Forced to write Titus Andronicus for a rival company, Shakespeare’s plans quickly collapse when the manuscript—and the company’s entire collection of plays—are stolen. Desperate, Shakespeare enlists the help of the resourceful Edward ‘Cutting’ Ball. Their search leads them deep into a deadly web of theatrical rivalries and political machinations that reach the court of Queen Elizabeth I herself.
Wildman crafts a nuanced portrait of Shakespeare as a man torn between ambition and self-doubt—a relatable figure grappling with the weight of his time. Edward, a morally ambiguous yet charismatic character, serves as a fascinating counterpoint to Shakespeare’s idealism. The dynamic between these two men—one a playwright, the other a thief—adds layers of tension and complexity to the plot. Wildman excels at weaving historical context into the narrative without overwhelming the reader. The political intrigues of Elizabeth I’s court and the cutthroat world of rival theater companies are seamlessly integrated into the story. The stakes are high, not just for Shakespeare, but for the people and institutions that orbit his world. Wildman’s prose is both elegant and accessible, capturing the cadence of Elizabethan English while remaining compelling for modern readers. Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of ambition run deep throughout the novel. Wildman captures Shakespeare’s internal struggle to reconcile creative integrity with the harsh realities of survival in a ruthless, competitive world—an enduring conflict that still resonates today.
A thrilling blend of historical intrigue, personal ambition, and theatrical rivalry. Lovers of Shakespeare, historical fiction, and compelling, character-driven stories won’t want to miss this one.
Pub date January 28, 2025
Plutus Publishing
ASIN B0DMZHG789
Price $6.99 Kindle edition
