The Croaking Raven
Shakespeare Murders Book 1
ISBN 9781738444809
eISBN 9781738444816
ASIN B0DVCCS231
I picked up this volume for a few reasons. First over the last several years I have become a big fan of mystery books coming out of England, Ireland and Scotland. I have read most volumes from the likes of J.D. Kirk, Alex Smith, K.T. Galloway, and J.E. Mayhew and am always willing to give another author a try. Second my kids and I are huge fans of Shakespeare and we attend the Stratford Festival in Ontario often and typically go to all the Bards plays each year. Third I have been reading some other Shakespeare based fiction lately like Ted Neill’s Post Apocalyptic Space Shakespeare Series and the Shakespearean Shorts from Pettyfeather Publishing. And finally it was highlighted in a Kindle blast of books on sale I might be interested in. About the author on his site we are informed:
“Guy Hale was born in Worcestershire, England. His first job was as a Professional Golfer. He also played Rugby and raced motorcycles until his mid-twenties. When this failed to kill him he started writing plays, mostly two handers which he performed in pubs and assorted venues with his mate, Andy.”
This was such a good story I am planning on reading everything in print from Guy Hale. My friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I love I try and read everything they have in print. But I am getting ahead of myself, back to the volume at hand.
The description of this volume is:
“The Croaking Raven draws DC Toby Marlowe and DS Fred Williams into the dark world of Hamlet, not on the stage but on the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon. Oliver Lawrence has returned and he’s looking for revenge.
‘Dexter meets Shakespeare in this dark and twisted tale of revenge.’ Christie J. Newport”
I really was not sure what to expect when I began, and for the first several chapters was uncertain. Then once I was hooked I could just not put the book down, I read way to late on a work night and when I awoke at 3am I just picked it up and finished the final few chapters, I could not even wait till daybreak. My sleep was much like “It faded on the crowing of the cock.”. This story is a 1970s Stratford-upon-Avon police procedural
As the bard penned “All the world's a stage” and in this volume all of Stratford and environs becomes a killing ground. In this act we have one main entrance and several exits, 4 in body bags. And as indicated it is just the first act. Oliver Lawrence has returned to Stratford after a 15 years absence, he is not there to grace the stage, at least not yet, but he is there for revenge. And his revenge will not be an amuse-bouche, in this offering alone it is a four course meal, and by the end of the series it might be a full banquet. But these events were not originally the idea of Oliver, in fact he received a letter from Felix Richards, indicating that his downfall hand been planned, plotted and executed, and his father’s year’s earlier leading to his death was perpetrated by the same people. We are informed at the beginning of the volume in a chapter titled ‘Return of the Prince’, that:
“Oliver Lawrence lay on his bed. In the distance he could hear the sounds of Casablanca. The call to midday prayer had begun and the voice of the Muezzin floated from the top of a nearby minaret, borne on the warm winds of the Sahara as they headed for the north west coast of Morocco.
Oliver was a long way from home. Fifteen long years away. Forced from a great future by a web of jealousy and lies, a bitter crop that had been planted by those he trusted most. They had nearly destroyed him and he had run. Run until he could not hear their lies or their taunting. Run until he had found a place to shelter, recover, and plan his revenge.”
And soon after his return the plan is underway. Oliver soon discovers that not only does he have revenge on his heart and mind, he is rather good at it and fate seems to be on his side. He also discovers he rather enjoys it. He started off with a plan and list guided by Felix but soon he realized this is a much bigger endeavour and the list needs to grow. And just maybe grow and grow.
The story begins on DC Toby Marlowe’s first day assigned to the Stratford force, and though a fan of stage and screen he is a decent officer. He is partnered with DS Fred Williams who is anything but orthodox. He really reminds me of Bob Hood from the works of J.D. Kirk. Marlow is brash, ignores the rules, and crosses the line, but he has an excellent clear rate, and conviction rate, and he really does care about the job. And he has some surprising knowledge and catches us from time to time.
The characters are excellent, the plot surprising and fresh. And the book leaves you desperate for the next instalment! A great read I can easily recommend. And I look forward to the other three in the series.
Books by Guy Hale
Comeback Trail Series:
1. Killing Me Softly (2022)
2. Blood on the Tracks (2022)
3. All The World's A Stage (2023)
…
Shakespeare Murders Series:
1. The Croaking Raven (2024)
2. All Our Yesterdays (2025)
3. Put Out the Light (2025)
4. Sleep No More (2025)
…
Other Posts Related to Shakespeare:
Reviews of Stratford Shakespeare Productions:
The Tempest - Stratford Festival 2019
Richard III – 2022
Hamlet – 2022
King Lear – 2023
Goblin MacBeth - 2023
Romeo & Juliette – 2024
Cymbeline – 2024
Twelfth Night – 2024
Reviews of Shakespeare Movies:
Cymbeline – 2014
Books by Ted Neill:
Post Apocalyptic Space Shakespeare Series:
Twelfth Night
As You Like It
A Mid Summers’s Night Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
…
Shakespearean Shorts from Pettyfeather Publishing:
Guy Hale's Shakespeare Murders Series:
2. All Our Yesterdays
3. Put Out the Light
4. Sleep No More
…
