Nollaig Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 (edited) Synopsis from back cover: A modern serial killer - hunting an ancient secret. A woman is left to die as the rebuilt Globe theatre burns. Another woman is drowned like Ophelia, skirts swirling in the water. A professor has his throat slashed open on the steps of Washington's Capitol building. A deadly serial killer is on the loose, modelling his murders on Shakespeare's plays. But why is he killing? And how can he be stopped? A gripping, shocking page turner, The Shakespeare Secret masterfully combines modern murder and startling true revelations from the life of Shakespeare. It has been acclaimed as one of the most compulsively readable thrillers of recent years.Ceinwenn and I are starting reading this, so I've started this thread for random discussions about it. Everyone else is welcome to read/post thoughts/reviews etc, but I would ask that this not being a reading circle thread, use spoiler tags! (I will for example say, Spoiler in chapter X: '________' and that way anyone reading along will know whether they've covered that spoiler! This will eventually disolve into an ordinary post-reading discussion thread, which is the plan. Thanks, ramble and enjoy Edited February 21, 2009 by Nollaig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 My initial thoughts: A BOOK THAT STARTS IT'S READING PAGES ON PAGE 1!!! That's always a good sign. So far I'm finding it to be beautifully written and it immediately throws you into the action! I'm guessing this is going to be similar to The Rose Labyrinth and Dan Brown's books, with different subject matter. Plus, I adore Shakespeare! This book is also done with Acts, like a play. It's certainly looking promising! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceinwenn Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Ooh, Roxi! That does sound great! Really need to get off of here & start reading it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkle1106 Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I read this last year and really enjoyed it. As a reader with very basic Shakespeare knowledge, I found it really engrossing so I would imagine that anyone who already has a good understanding of Shakespeare would get even more out of it. A good story with lots of twists and turns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 Ahh that's good to hear! I know a good bit about a lot of his plays, but not nearly enough to know exact references! Another note about this book: Sir Henry Lee reminds me so much of Lord Henry Wotton in The Picture Of Dorian Gray! Although I can imagine Lee being played by Ian McKellen in a movie adaption... he's exactly that kind of British chap! What reminded me of Wotton however was this quote I just read regarding Lee's housekeepers: "You don't imagine that I keep my own house do you?"I began to laugh. "You live in another century, Sir Henry." "So does everyone who can afford it," he said airily, finishing off the cognac. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyf Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I must get hold of this book. Today I'm paying my weekly visit to the bookshop-but I've no idea of the chances of it being there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 A bell rang in my head when I saw this thread title. I HAVE THIS! It was lurking on one of my many TBR shelves! I've got my bookmark and I'm going to dive right on it. Dexter is officially on hold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 A bell rang in my head when I saw this thread title. I HAVE THIS! It was lurking on one of my many TBR shelves! I've got my bookmark and I'm going to dive right on it. Dexter is officially on hold! Oh DO!!! The more the merrier! I'm only 70 pages in, and I'm probably going to be going pretty slowly, you'll catch up in no time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceinwenn Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Definately do! I'm 102 pages in & it's just flying! I am intending to get off here very soon & pick it back up, where I shall happily remain until suppertime tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 I'm on paaaage... *checks* 146. R.e page 98 (this isn't a spoiler) I really like how the author sets out a proper train of thought, I mean anyone whose read a book like this knows a deciding factor for it's credibility is the author's ability to make the uncovering of the mystery seem believeable - like the characters could actually work these things out. I like how, (on 98, as an example you'll have just read) that the two characters work through about three legit possibilities before working out what the clue actually is. Makes it much more realistic. Did you add me on msn, Ceinwenn? I got no add Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I agree, I hate it when with a miniscule amount of pondering the hero heroine has the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Theres actually really bad reviews for this book on Amazon - mostly criticizing the lack of character development. There isn't much development, but at least they have consistent personalities - the heroine is a douche and her bodyguard sidekick is a Bond style mysterious agent guy with 'connections'. As I said to Ceinwenn, it's an action movie in book format - I'm totally loving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Sometimes I want to read literature, sometimes I want to read a book that has a good tale to tell, but not necessarily a 'brilliant' book. I am being tugged along by this one, and am happy to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Awesome! How far into it are you? I'm about halfway, but have a lot of college work this week so I'll be slowing right down now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Page 249 for those of a page number inclination! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Oh wow you're ahead of me! When did that happen?? I'll have to try do some reading tonight Up to about page 220: Anyone else think it'd be nice to have more, in-depth glimpses into Shakespeares time? The book started with a short one - I thought there would have been more than just one additional one by now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I think the number will increase as we proceed - at least I darned well hope so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 I had the same issue in another book I read recently that was similar - The Rose Labyrinth. Great book, but more similar events would have been nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrainFreeze Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I remember picking this up in WHSmiths a while back and then putting it back down as for some reason I was thinking it was a bit of a 'conspiracy theory' book. Now I'm wondering if I got it mixed up with something else (that's what you get for lazily viewing books with 2 small children in tow!). I do actually like conspiracy theory books, but I had a bit of an overload last year. So in short (finally!) I think I'll give this a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 Conspiracy Theory books - what a brilliant name! It is very much that sort of thing, it's only the third I've read, (I'm including Dan Brown's as one unit coz they're basically the same ) but I *love* these books! I want loads more - next on the list is The Reincarnationist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexiepiper Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Yay I got this yesterday, hopefully I'll manage to start it soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 Oh yay! Theres a good crowd reading it so I didn't read at all yesterday, and probably won't today either, just too busy with college work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrainFreeze Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Ah so I was right when I read the synopsis then! Will give it a go as it did look good at the time, and still sounds well worth a read now. I can't take the credit for calling them that, a friend of mine does and I picked it up from her. Does seem quite fitting though - and at Dan Brown's books being one unit! Have you read The Medici Secret at all? I do love these type of books, but I found The Medici Secret to be a total slog to be honest - and not a good one at that. The conclusion was obvious from about half way through the book, but then carried on dragging through until it's obvious conclusion. I've got another along that line on my TBR pile - The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud by Julia Navarro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 Ohh I'm going to look up both those titles all the same I really want loads more of these type books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrainFreeze Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Ohh I'm going to look up both those titles all the same I really want loads more of these type books In which case if I think of any more I'll let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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