Description:

Francis Bacon is charged with investigating the murder of a fellow barrister at Gray's Inn. He recruits his unwanted protégé Thomas Clarady to do the tiresome legwork. The son of a privateer, Clarady will do anything to climb the Elizabethan social ladder. Bacon's powerful uncle Lord Burghley suspects Catholic conspirators of the crime, but other motives quickly emerge. Rival barristers contend for the murdered man's legal honors and wealthy clients. Highly-placed courtiers are implicated as the investigation reaches from Whitehall to the London streets. Bacon does the thinking; Clarady does the fencing. Everyone has something up his pinked and padded sleeve. Even the brilliant Francis Bacon is at a loss — and in danger — until he sees through the disguises of the season of Misrule.

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Review

Murder by Misrule was chosen as Kirkus Reviews' Best Indie Books of 2014!*

Murder by Misrule** has been awarded an Indie B.R.A.G. medallion!

"Castle's characters brim with zest and real feeling... Though the plot keeps the pages turning, the characters, major and minor, and the well-wrought historical details will make readers want to linger in the 16th century. A laugh-out loud mystery that will delight fans of the genre." 
-- Kirkus, starred review

"Murder by Misrule is a delightful debut with characters that leap off the page, especially the brilliant if unwilling detective Francis Bacon and his street smart man Tom Clarady. Elizabeth Tudor rules, but Anna Castle triumphs."
-- Karen Harper, NY Times best-selling author of The Queen's Governess
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"Well-researched... Murder by Misrule is also enormously entertaining; a mystery shot through with a series of misadventures, misunderstandings, and mendacity worthy of a Shakespearian comedy."
-- M. Louisa Locke, author of the Victorian San Francisco Mystery Series.

"Historical mystery readers take note: Murder by Misrule is a wonderful example of Elizabethan times brought to life...a blend of Sherlock Holmes and history."
--- D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review. *

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From the Author

This series of historical mysteries features the philosopher-statesman Francis Bacon as a sleuth and spymaster. Like his spiritual descendent Nero Wolfe, Francis prefers the comfort of his chambers. He sends his assistant, privateer's son Thomas Clarady, out to gather information. Tom loves the work. He meets all manner of interesting people, like Sir Walter Raleigh and Christopher Marlowe, not to mention the beauteous women who pop up everywhere he goes.

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