Put Out The Light by Guy Hale readalong The Shakespeare Murders Book #3

One More to Die by Joy Ellis The Manuscript by Steven L. Wright

Put Out The Light by Guy Hale readalong The Shakespeare Murders Book #3

Act III Stratford-upon-Avon, spring 1972.

On the streets of Stratford, four murders remain unsolved. For DC Toby Marlowe, there is only one potential killer: Oliver Lawrence. But nobody has seen Oliver for over fifteen years. They don’t even know what he looks like; they are chasing a shadow.

Genre: Crime Fiction
Publisher: The Bullington Press

Oliver’s first act is complete. As spring turns to summer, Act I, III is about to begin. Like Othello, he is poisoned by lies from the past. Revenge has consumed him … Now is the time to put out more lights!

My Review

This is Act III in The Shakespeare Murders series and I assumed it would be the last one (it isn’t). It is now 1972 and we are back in the police station with DS Fred Williams and his partner young DC Toby Marlowe who we met in book one The Croaking Raven. Toby has always been convinced that Oliver Lawrence (assumed dead fifteen years ago though his body was never found) is the killer, using Hamlet as his theme.

In book three, it’s more Othello, with a bit of the Scottish play thrown in for good measure (for measure – see what I did there). I’m afraid I am not as familiar with Othello, as with Hamlet which I studied for A level and have seen umpteen times, but the murders revolve around lies and revenge. Oliver believes everyone has wronged him and he is determined to get his own back. Poor old Felix is getting a bit perturbed as he is implicated, but often doesn’t approve.

Told from the point of view of both Toby and Oliver, I found the police parts the funniest in a lot of ways, the banter, Fred’s unusual methods of policing, and his use of the skills of their friend Whomper and his psychic sisters. However, Olive and Felix bounce off each other endearingly in a very dark way, and provide some truly hilarious moments.

I’m loving this series and can’t wait to read book four, and yes there are a few still alive for Oliver to bump off next time. I wonder which play it will be based on? I hope it’s not Titus Andronicus or we’ll be in for real gore fest and I definitely won’t be eating any pies.

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of the #PutOutTheLight readalong.

About the Author

Guy Hale was born in Worcestershire, England. His first job was as a Professional Golfer. He also played Rugby and raced motorcycles until his mid-twenties. When this failed to kill him he started writing plays, mostly two handers which he performed in pubs and assorted venues with his mate, Andy.