US Release Date: April 7, 2009
Rebecca Lopez enjoys a life of privilege in Elizabeth's England -- yet she guards secrets she dares not reveal. The beautiful, tempestuous daughter of the queen's own physician, Rebecca is also a converso -- a Jew who practices her prohibited religion clandestinely -- helping others of her banned faith escape persecution and death. And her insatiable hunger for excitement often takes her to the bustling streets of London in male garb to experience the kind of adventure available only to men. But one such outing is leading her into a dangerous viper's nest built of intrigue and foul murder in the company of a dashing young actor who inflames her romantic passions, even as he escorts her toward peril, a charming and fearless would-be playwright who calls himself Will Shakespeare.

Greetings! I'm a Faye Kellerman fan and can give you some insight into this title. It's actually been out for at least a decade. The book is probably best known because of Kellerman's lawsuit against Tom Stoppard for copying the plot in his script "Shakespeare in Love." Kellerman didn't win her suit, but there are strong parallels.
ReplyDeleteThis is a departure from her usual fare; her other novels center on an Orthodox Jewish woman and her cop husband who solve crimes. Kellerman actually gives some insight into religious Jewish communities, though as I'm Protestant, I'm not the final authority on the authenticity.
Bottom line: regardess of when it was originally published, I do recommend this book!
Regards,
Jennifer
AKA "Miss Elodie"
http://elodies-diary.blogspot.com/
PS to previous comment- the original was published in 1989.
ReplyDeleteI read this book too years ago. I enjoyed it immensely.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read it, but it looks great! I love the title and cover! Can't wait for your review. :o)
ReplyDeleteOh and I FINALLY posted my blog award today. Sorry it took so long. Life has gotten in the way of my blogging time.
:o)
I also love this cover and it sounds like a great book with it's own little history according to Jennifer P. That always adds a little bit of excitement. I will be looking forward to your review!
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah! Glad to see that those of you that have read it liked it. And for those of you that haven't, I can't wait to read your reviews!
ReplyDeleteI read The Quality of Mercy years ago, too. And I remember that I absolutely loved it. I am very sorry that she never has written any other historical novels. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary mysteries, so I haven't tried any of her other books.
ReplyDeleteCarey
Is this the same Faye Kellerman who writes mystery, suspense/thrillers? I've read lots of them. If it is I had no idea she wrote historical. Will have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteYes, Amy--you should read this book--it's very well-written. In fact, I found Shakespeare in Love rather an anemic film, when compared to this book.
ReplyDeleteI should read this...I love the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus books. :)
ReplyDeleteYet another for my list!
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