Witch Hammer

Kit Marlowe was on his way to London with a new play, when came upon Lord Strange’s Players.  He knew them well and took shelter with them from the rain.  He is shocked to learn that most people have left London due to the plague.  Lord Strange decides that the troupe must go to Stratford.

Unfortunately, for Marlowe, one of the players, Edward Alleyn, has absconded with his newly revised play.  Unbeknownst to Marlowe, Alleyn has been arrested by Faunt, one of Walshingham’s men.  The play is also recovered.  Alleyn unknowingly misdirects Faunt, who is searching for Marlowe, to Oxford.

In Stratford, the troupe stays at Clopton Hall.  Marlowe is surprised by the daughter of the owner when she asks him to kill a man who is a rival to her father.

While in Stratford, Marlowe meets up with an aspiring poet and playwright, one William Shaxsper.  The night of the play, which was supposed to be staged at Clopton Hall, a doll in the likeness of Lord Strange is discovered with a thorn in it.  Strange collapses with pains in the area of the thorn. Witchcraft?  Reginald Scot, is sure that it is an attempt at such.

When Lord Clopton passes away shortly thereafter, his daughter, Joyce, comes with her retinue to the troupe in search of help because Lord Greville has laid claim to Clopton Hall.  Greville’s men aren’t far behind, and a minor skirmish ensues.  Sometime during the following night Ned Sledd, leader of the troupe is murdered in his sleep.  Who can they trust?

Author M. J. Trow has plenty of adventure awaiting Marlowe and the troupe.  The adventure includes treachery, murder and resolution.  A good quick read.