Murder Most Foul

By: Guy Jenkin

Narrated by: Claire Skinner, Hugh Dennis

Murder Most Foul is a dark, witty and fast-paced novel, from one of Britain’s best-loved screenwriters.

It’s 1593, Elizabeth I is Queen and everyone is terrified of the worst outbreak of plague in a generation. Shakespeare has only written six plays and is lagging behind his friend Christopher Marlowe, London’s leading playwright.

When Marlowe is stabbed to death in mysterious circumstances, rumours abound—but the one that won’t go away is that Shakespeare did it to remove his greatest rival. Will is determined to clear his name, and teams up with his old flame, Marlowe’s sister Ann, who has plenty of secrets of her own.

In their search to solve the crime, Will and Ann uncover a dark world of treachery, murder, and corruption—which in turn provides Shakespeare with scenes and characters which will appear in his greatest plays.

©2025 Guy Jenkin (P)2025 W. F. Howes Ltd

Well researched and entertaining

I've always been fascinated with Christopher Marlowe and his unusual life and death. The author has concocted an interesting account. The pedant in me has only one complaint. Throughout the novel, Christopher Marlowe is referred to as Chris. Yet everything I've heard and read about him refers to him as Kit. I found that discrepancy a bit distracting. Overall, a clever historical fiction mystery....