The Queen's Head

February 1587, and Mary, Queen of Scots h been executed.  A year later and the Spanish Armada is set to sail against England.  Spanish troops await in The Netherlands, preparing for the invasion.  Queen Elizabeth was not going to let that intimidate her.

Nicholas Bracewell and Will Fowler are members of a group of players that put on performances at The Queen's Head.  Shortly after the Armada has been defeated, Nick and Will meet up with Sam Ruff at another inn.  There, Will is engaged in a sword fight and killed.  As Will lies dying in Nick's arms he asks Nick to find the rogue who killed him.

A short time later, a young, pregnant woman appears at Nick's home.  She is the widow of Will; something that Nick was unaware of.  He also finds out that Will was a Roman Catholic.  Nick wonders what other secrets Will harboured.

Meantime, there are troubles within Nick's theatre group.  Three apprentices have ganged up on another, an actor doesn't like Sam being part of the group and a playwright has set out to cause trouble for them because his play was rejected.

On the eve of their play about the Armada, Nick is attacked by the same man who murdered Will, and an accomplice.  The only copy of the play is stolen.  Who is responsible; another theatrical group, or someone else?  Nick thinks the attack on him and the murder of Will are tied together.  Someone wants to damage his theatrical group.

Author Edward Marston gives the reader an excellent historical murder mystery with a surprising twist at the end.  The title itself presents a few subtleties in and of itself.  A very good read.