Review | The Assassin of Verona, a fun Shakespeare-as-a-spy caper
Benet Brandreth’s second book starring the Bard is a fast-paced tale of tantalising intrigues
The Assassin of Verona
by Benet Brandreth
Zaffre
Shakespeare set three plays in Verona: the titular Two Gentlemen of ..., The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet. This last echoes in the tale of star-crossed lovers, the pleasingly feisty Aemilia and Valentine, who has “importuned [her] with love in an honourable fashion”. Their illicit union becomes even riskier with the arrival of inquisitor Father Thornhill, a “beast [...] in priest’s robes”.
Shakespeare is also jousting with the pontiff. Picking up where part one left off, his possession of vital documents naming undercover Catholic spies in England endangers him and his two brothers-in-arms, Hemminges and Oldcastle. There are twists, disguises, pledges to bloody vengeance and plenty of fair Shakespearing: “You may play the knight, but you will never play a mouse.” Brandreth keeps the pace high and an eyebrow nicely arched.