The Spy of Venice

A William Shakespeare Novel

By: Benet Brandreth

Narrated by: Luke Lampard

Suspenseful, seductive and as sharp as an assassin's blade - a historical thriller with a swashbuckling twist and a hero like you've never seen him before.

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 points of their sharpened knives, and lurking in the shadows is a killer as clever as he is cruel.

©2016 Benet Brandreth (P)2017 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.

Critic reviews

"The Spy of Venice is a playful and inventive debut. The dialogue is wonderful, and Will's banter with his fellow actors sparkles." (The Times)
"Entertaining and ebullient.... The author knows his Shakespeare backwards, rejoices in its wordplay, loves his allusions and has a good time with his characters." (The Daily Mail)
"A Venetian romp that takes Shakespeare as its lusty hero." (The Daily Telegraph)

A great treat for Shakespeare lovers

I'm not sure if people who are not already Shakespeare fans would get as much out of this as those who already are. But for this Shakespeare reader, it was hilarious. The author has done a good job combining lines from a variety of Shakespeare's plays into a well spun, this is how it could have been, story.

Fascinating story from beginning to end

Very good book! Completely recommended, It's based on "real" facts yet with a slight Venetian creative Spice. Amazing could not stop reading!