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A review by captainolyareads
A Tip for the Hangman by Allison Epstein
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
England, 1585.
In his last year at Cambridge, Christopher "Kit" Marlowe is offered an opportunity few people would pass up. Queen Elizabeth's spymaster has come with a proposition befitting Kit's reckless nature. Rumblings of a Catholic plot to put Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne has been growing louder, and no one on Her Majesty's side wants to be caught off-guard. They need an ear on the ground to keep them informed and Kit, with no money or prospects, has little reason to say no to the ask. Dispatched to Mary's chilly manor, he becomes an integral part of the household. Serving King and Country is harder than he thought, and when all is said and done, he's the only one surprised at the final outcome. Determined to put everything behind him, he uses the salary he earned through the spywork to set himself up in London and mount his first play. For five years, he lives the life he's always wanted; fame, a (slight) fortune, and a relationship with Tom, a former schoolmate. All good things have to come to an end, however, when he is inevitably sucked back into the world of espionage and treason. With the stakes getting higher and higher, it's more than just his life on the line now.
Sometimes a historical novel can read a little dry but aside from a few scenes, I thought this was a fun, intriguing novel that kept me hooked until its despondent end. There's so much to say about how good the writing is, how charming the characters, especially Kit, are. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Mary, Queen of Scots. Something that was a little frustrating about the novel, however, was how disjointed the two parts of the story felt. My interest waned as we progressed to a few years later. Second, I thought Marlowe was cavalier when it came to his relationship with Tom, given the time period and the punishment if caught.
After finishing this book, I immediately went and put the author's most recent novel on hold at the library. I'm looking forward to continuing with her work!
In his last year at Cambridge, Christopher "Kit" Marlowe is offered an opportunity few people would pass up. Queen Elizabeth's spymaster has come with a proposition befitting Kit's reckless nature. Rumblings of a Catholic plot to put Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne has been growing louder, and no one on Her Majesty's side wants to be caught off-guard. They need an ear on the ground to keep them informed and Kit, with no money or prospects, has little reason to say no to the ask. Dispatched to Mary's chilly manor, he becomes an integral part of the household. Serving King and Country is harder than he thought, and when all is said and done, he's the only one surprised at the final outcome. Determined to put everything behind him, he uses the salary he earned through the spywork to set himself up in London and mount his first play. For five years, he lives the life he's always wanted; fame, a (slight) fortune, and a relationship with Tom, a former schoolmate. All good things have to come to an end, however, when he is inevitably sucked back into the world of espionage and treason. With the stakes getting higher and higher, it's more than just his life on the line now.
Sometimes a historical novel can read a little dry but aside from a few scenes, I thought this was a fun, intriguing novel that kept me hooked until its despondent end. There's so much to say about how good the writing is, how charming the characters, especially Kit, are. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Mary, Queen of Scots. Something that was a little frustrating about the novel, however, was how disjointed the two parts of the story felt. My interest waned as we progressed to a few years later. Second, I thought Marlowe was cavalier when it came to his relationship with Tom, given the time period and the punishment if caught.
After finishing this book, I immediately went and put the author's most recent novel on hold at the library. I'm looking forward to continuing with her work!