Silent Court

by M. J. Trow Book 2 in the Kit Marlowe Mysteries series.

First published 2012

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3.6(119)

November, 1583. Desperate not to let the Netherlands fall into the hands of Catholic Spain, the Queen's spymaster orders Cambridge scholar and novice spy Christopher Marlowe to go there to assist its beleaguered leader, William the Silent. However, travelling in disguise as part of a troupe of Egyptian players, Marlowe encounters trouble even before he leaves England.

When the players make a detour to perform at the home of Dr John Dee, one of their tricks ends in tragedy - and an arrest for murder . . .

Marlowe's mission links English intelligence to the Dutch Revolt, where the survival of Protestant resistance affects Elizabeth's security without allowing her to declare open war on Spain. Travelling with performers gives him useful cover but exposes him to people whose loyalties are difficult to verify. The death at Dee's house turns departure into a murder inquiry before the larger espionage mission has even begun.