Martyr

An Elizabethan Thriller

By: Rory Clements

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

The year is 1587. One of Queen Elizabeth's cousins is found murdered, her flesh marked with profane symbols. A plot to assassinate Sir Francis Drake, England's most famous sea warrior, is discovered. One man is charged with the desperate task of solving both cases: John Shakespeare.

Shadowed by his rival, the Queen's chief torturer, Shakespeare travels through an underworld of spies, sorcerers, whores, and theater people---including his younger brother, the struggling playwright Will---to piece together a complex conspiracy, the implications of which are almost too horrific to contemplate.

For a zealous and cunning killer is stalking England's streets. And as Shakespeare threatens to reveal the madman's identity, he and the beautiful woman he desires come ever closer to becoming the next martyrs to the cause.

©2008 Rory Clements (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Excellent.... The characters, action and period detail are all solid." ( Publishers Weekly Starred Review)

A good mystery set in Elizabethan times

An unusual setting, which I liked, and the reader sparked my imagination quite well ! Who murdered this highborn lady in such a ghastly way, and why? You will have to buy the book !!

Simon Vance is fantastic

If you like historical novels, then give this a try. The narration is great, and the story is a thriller. (the author takes much poetic license, with individuals and happenstance). I would love to see a sequel to this. I really did enjoy Williams brother John Shakespeare, who is an agent for Queen Elizabeth I. There is some really, nasty brutality, and the fact that people can be used like chattel, is not that far fetched, since those in power could be brutal, because they could be. You have to remember the year was 1588, and 99% of the population didn't even have a chamber pot *If you have a weak stomach, you may want pass on this. However I did enjoy the narration and story, and would recommend to friends.

not as good as expected

I understand the Elizabethan times were filled with torture. Did not enjoy vivid descriptions of the effects of the various devices.

Excellent Thriller/Mystery, Flawless Narration

Ordinarily, I am leery of historical settings but this novel was an absolute joy. The story moves fast, is filled with interesting and believable characters, and thrilling action. Our hero's playwright brother is mostly refreshingly absent and the Elizabethan setting serves as the perfect backdrop for this gritty spy novel.

John Shakespeare Rules!

I am a devotee of the Elizabethan period, and when I saw that one of my favorite narrator's Simon Vance, would be narrating, I had to have it.

Martyr is a novel where no one and nothing is black and white, but everyone is expected to be. Religions and politics war against each other as countries collide. England is threatened by the shadow of the Armada and against this backdrop, John Shakespeare is trying to solve a murder.

The author has done his research. You feel like you are in Elizabethan London and it's not very pretty. The characters are visceral, and at times profane. It's an adventure, and a race to save one of history's greatest heroes. Worth the credit!

Excellent!

I loved book one! The suspense, the characters and plots, all very riveting! I'm annoyed books 2, and 3 are not available here! Audible should warn us when they don't have the full series available!

exciting horrors

Well done, good research but never pedantic. Delightful protagonist. Hope to see him again.

Pretty Mediocre

Simon Vance is an excellent narrator but the story itself is nothing special. Not terrible, just not all that compelling. The whole Shakespeare connection is silly: Shakespeare's father (John) did have 8 children with Mary Arden, but none was named John. The Shakespeare connection is necessary (or sort of necessary) for part of the plot, but still silly. There are also some grating anachronisms of language which sit particularly badly along side the attempt at sounding like 16th century England. Character development is fairly black and white and the plot itself is nothing memorable.

An Pulse Quickening Adventure Not to Be Missed

The book stated slowly for me but after a few hours I was engrossed in the history of the period and the adventure of the story. Once you realize how hated and hunted the papists of old england where during this period the enjoyment of the plot increases significantly. The villans are well developed in their evilness and deeds. The book becomes fast paced as the plot unfolds and you will find yourself captivated. There is a touch of Victorian eroticism in the story and a love story too. The violence is not excessive. This is not one the novels that disappoints at it's conclusion. Sherlock Holmes would enjoy this adventure! The superior performance by Simon Vance willl confirm once again that he is one of the best if not the best.

Historic Spy Novel

Excellently narrated!
A wonderful spy novel set in Elizabethan England. Well written, entertaining, and educational as to the religious tensions of the time. I very much enjoyed listening to this book.