Rebecca Lopez enjoys a life of privilege in Elizabeth's England -- yet she guards secrets she dares not reveal. The beautiful, tempestuous daugh... read full description
reviews
Jul 22, 2010
Barbra
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I have read a lot of Faye Kellerman's books and as I like historical fiction thought this would be a good read but I couldn't get into this book at all. I was quite disappointed. Others might find it enjoyable but it was not for me.
Back Cover Blurb:
1593: Elizabethan London seethes with political and religious intrigue, while across the sea thousands perish in the flames of the Spanish Inquisition. On the surface Roderigo Lopez, the Queen's physician, is a loyal subject of the C More...
Back Cover Blurb:
1593: Elizabethan London seethes with political and religious intrigue, while across the sea thousands perish in the flames of the Spanish Inquisition. On the surface Roderigo Lopez, the Queen's physician, is a loyal subject of the C More...
Feb 02, 2012
Bridgette
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Reading books such as Quality of Mercy make me glad that history has left certain mysteries unsolved. Centuries of creative speculation have created some incredibly enjoyable literary works both on paper and the screen.
Many of history’s mysteries revolve around the foremost playwright of the English language—William Shakespeare. Scholars have speculated for ages about who the dark lady of his sonnets were. They have also debated on whom he based his play “The Merchant of Venice,” for w More...
Many of history’s mysteries revolve around the foremost playwright of the English language—William Shakespeare. Scholars have speculated for ages about who the dark lady of his sonnets were. They have also debated on whom he based his play “The Merchant of Venice,” for w More...
Jan 26, 2010
Donna
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Couldn't make it through this one. Sorry. The premise of Shakespeare being a detective was unbelievable. The sprinkling of Elizabethan English and historical details, events and objects that seemed to be sprinkled in at random seemed contrived. I wanted to learn more about the plight of the Jews in Europe during Shakespeare's day, but got distracted by the loose morality and Kellerman's nauseating portrayal of Queen Elizabeth. I care about any of the characters, either, and I just couldn't s
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Jan 23, 2009
Lisa
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This is an outstanding (and surprising) historical novel set in Elizabethan England, but focusing on the atrocities against Jews during the Spanish Inquisition. Faye Kellerman is mostly known for her fun but formulaic police procedurals. But you should read The Quality of Mercy for it's own merits. Kellerman has cleverly woven in a number of subplots, which I won't reveal as doing so would spoil the fun. Let's just say you're going to recognize all the players on the stage of this mini-epic.
Aug 20, 2009
Sylvia
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This book reminded me of the topic of the life and persecution of Jews in Renaissance Europe. I appreciated the reminder. As historical fiction it was ok, taking a few thin facts and weaving a somewhat implausible story around them. As a mystery it was weak, and as an imgined character portrait of William Shakespeare it fell completely flat. Too many bosums bursting from corsets, and not nearly enough interleaving of the insights and biting humor from The Bard.
Jan 20, 2011
Gina
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Sep 19, 2009
Tracy
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Everything Faye Kellerman writes is amazing - I don't know how her husband garners all the fame. Even though his books are great, her's are even better.
This one is a definite departure from her standard detective mystery. As a Shakespeare lover and a fan of mysteries and histories, I felt it was a happy marriage of ideas. I can only hope she write more like this. It's definitely a book I will keep close and read again!
This one is a definite departure from her standard detective mystery. As a Shakespeare lover and a fan of mysteries and histories, I felt it was a happy marriage of ideas. I can only hope she write more like this. It's definitely a book I will keep close and read again!
Sep 06, 2009
Pat
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Another great read...takes place during the Inquisition. A story of the conversos (Jews forced to keep their religion hidden in order to survive) being smuggled out of Spain and hiding in Britain. It's historical fiction with a well-known doctor of the times (Lopez) and William Shakespeare.
Jul 02, 2011
Bill
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Shakespeare's relationship with a young Jewish woman plunge them into a world of murder and political intrigue. Excellent read.
Kellerman is best known for her Decker/Lazarus novels but her historical fiction is very good. Try Straight Into Darkness set in Germany between the world wars.
Kellerman is best known for her Decker/Lazarus novels but her historical fiction is very good. Try Straight Into Darkness set in Germany between the world wars.
Sep 03, 2010
Koji
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A mytery set in Elizabethan England, with Shakespeare as one of the main characters - it seemed like an appropriate book to read while travelling in England, but the two plot lines were never integrated, and the book was too rambling to be interesting.
Jul 30, 2011
Elizabethan escapade that packs in as much bawdiness and cruelty as possible along with adventure on the high seas, cross dressing, and Shakespeare as sleuth! Plus exploration of the life of Jews in Spain and England at the time.
Sep 16, 2011
Devorah
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Pulls no punches about the cruelty of the Inquisition or the grimness of Elizabethan London. Rebecca is an admirable heroine, and everyone will fall for this Will Shakespeare. I found this book thought-provoking and enjoyable.
Jul 14, 2009
Kristi
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I like her depiction of Will Shakespeare and the story brings to light how the Jews have been persecuted in Europe for centuries. I thought it was educational without being dull.
Apr 17, 2011
Gail
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This book is a departure from Faye Kellerman's usual Peter Decker mysteries. VERY engaging about the time when people had to declare as Christians or be persecuted.
Apr 13, 2011
Anita
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I couldn't decide between two stars and one. I was expecting to read a mystery, and often I felt as though I was in the middle of a soap opera. The whole mystery part of this book was sorely lacking. I think maybe Kellerman tried to do just a little too much with this book. There were just too many plot lines, and none of the plot lines received sufficient attention. This book might have been better if the author had chosen to stick to one genre instead of a combination of mystery, historical fi
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Dec 11, 2009
All characters are described through their emo- tions. Maybe it was the times they lived in; nothing is left to the imagination. It's a plot based book.
Apr 06, 2010
Debi
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This is my favorite book of all time. I rarely re-read a book - but I think I've read this one at least a dozen times.
Nov 20, 2010
Debra
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Usually finish what I start, but not this one. Couldn't make it past page 100. Just did not capture any interest at all -- characters, story, writing style, etc.
Feb 13, 2010
Alex
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Too much sex, torture and romance to my taste. It makes the reader turn into a voyeur and is not a book that betters you, but rather that lowers you, in my opinion. And one weird historical detail: I´m surprised that a servant would know about the 11 day difference in the calendars.
Apr 20, 2009
Judkatty
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you like Shakespear? you like historical fiction? you like romance and mystery? read this book!
Feb 05, 2009
Kati
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Fabulous - I don't normally read historical novels but this was really wonderful!
Jul 12, 2007
Karen
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Not Faye Kellerman's best but a fun read - set in Elizabethan England - revolves around Wil Shakespeare and Rebecca Lopez, daughter of Queen Elizabeth's own physician. Shakespeare is searching for the murderer of his mentor. Rebecca Lopez and family are Spanish Jews, posing as Anglicans who practice their faith in secret and smuggle Jews out of Spain. The book revolves around Wil's search, Lopez's efforts to smuggle Jews to freedom, and Wil and Rebecca's romance with various twists and turns.
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Apr 13, 2008
Yvonne
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This is the only book I have read by Fay Kellerman, and I wonder where she found the time to research it. Doesn't she write at least one big fat modern mystery per year? Check out this deviation from her norm if you find yourself interested in what life might have been like for Jews in Elizabethan England, or if you ever daydreamed about meeting Shakespeare.
Dec 29, 2008
Corinne
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Mar 23, 2008
Gretchen
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This is a terrific read especially for those who wonder about Shakespeare--suppose the Merchant of Venice was based on a true story and you might get this novel--I could not put it down and have recommendedit to many.
Oct 06, 2007
Jamie
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This is my favorite book of all times! Romance, intrique, action, religion, torture, Shakespeare--all woven into the background of Elizabethan England and the Inquisitions. Beautifully written and well-researched.
Jan 06, 2009
Sue
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After the Phillipa Gregory books, this was such a disappointment. I read the first few chapters, and then quit.
Jun 15, 2010
Lisa
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This is one of my favorite books. I love the premise of William Shakespeare having a clandestine relationship with a Jewish woman.
