The Princess of Denmark

Nicholas Bracewell #16

by Edward Marston

Winter approaches and Westfield's Men are out of work. When their widowed patron decides to marry again, he chooses a Danish bride with vague associations to the royal family. Since the wedding will take place in Elsinore, the troupe is invited to perform as guests of King Christian IV. One of the plays they select is The Princess of Denmark---and it will prove a disastrous choice.
Westfield's Men soon find themselves embroiled in political intrigue and religious dissension. Their patron, who has only seen a miniature of his future bride, is less enthusiastic when he actually meets the lady, but he can hardly withdraw. Murder and mayhem dogs the company until they realize that they have a traitor in their ranks. It is left to Nicholas Bracewell to solve a murder, unmask the villain, and rescue Lord Westfield from his unsuitable princess of Denmark.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Tudor Period, British Literature, Crime

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

A pseudonym used by Keith Miles
AKA A.E. Marston

Keith Miles (born 1940) is an English author, who writes under his own name and also historical fiction and mystery novels under the pseudonym Edward Marston. He is known for his mysteries set in the world of Elizabethan theatre. He has also written a series of novels based on events in the Domesday Book, a series of The Railway Detective and a series of The Home Front Detective.


Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an Elizabethan adventure story it's good. Time and place are well done. But the mystery, just eh.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would love this book, but it took me forever to get up the motivation to finish it. Especially towards the end, it struck me as very contrived, almost as if the author just wanted to finish writing and threw together an ending. The writing itself wasn't bad and flowed pretty well, but I was pretty disappointed in this book.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the start of Marston's spirited 16th entry in his Elizabethan Theater series (after 2005's The Malevolent Comedy), book-holder Nicholas Bracewell and the Westfield Men sail for Denmark with their twice-widowed patron, Lord Westfield, who has been enticed into marriage with Sigbrit Olsen, an alleged beauty he has seen only in a miniature painting given him by his shady business agent, Rolfe Harling. After narrow escapes from storms and pirates, Bracewell and company arrive in remote Elsinore, where Harling is murdered in the castle basement and unknown ruffians assault veteran actor Owen Elias. Bracewell's sleuthing skills again prove up to the task as he begins to suspect a ruse after Westfield's comely fiancée avoids seeing her future husband for days preceding their wedding date. A coded message found inside a chess piece adds to the suspense.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review - I love the way that these books handle foreign countries. Marston seems to understand how plays work and that actions and mimes can convey just as much as words. I love how Nicholas also seems to understand how people work in a way that other characters in the novel don't. I can understand why the series finished here as it seems to close off the loose ends and the theatre company finally seems secure, but I do wish that there were more books in the series nevertheless.

Genre? - Historical / Crime / Mystery

Characters? - Nicholas Bracewell / Lawrence Firethorn / Lord Westfield / Sigbrit Olsen / George Dart / Owen Elias / Richard Honeydew / Margery Firethorn / Alexander Marwood / Will Dunmow / Isaac Dunmow / James Ingram

Setting? - London (England) & Elsinore (Denmark)

Series? - Nicholas Bracewell #16

Recommend? – Yes

Rating - 18/20

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read this series before, but I would now seek out the others. This is a good historical mystery, which also gives glimpses into the Elizabethan world quite well. It may not be entirely accurate but it is enjoyable! I particularly liked this one because the story is set between London and Elsinore in Denmark, which is the home of Kronborg Castle, the inspiration for Shakespeare's Hamlet. That fact ties in well to this series about a theatre company in early modern England. Nicholas Bracewell is a good character and I look forward to reading more about him in the earlier books. This made me think of the series Upstart Crow, especially when Nick was interacting with his theatre troupe. A fun read.

[Annette O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very enjoyable read thoroughly enjoyed it

[Alanna Call · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 | the back synopsis on the book itself was quite different from the actual story…which was distracting as I was anticipating things that never actually happened. - more of a long revenge plot + Denmark | English crown “stuff”, as well as some insight into the struggles of the danish immigrants in England.

The book was easy to read - and a good palette cleanser. There was a security in knowing Nicholas could literally do no wrong so all the stress and anxiety in situations were alleviated as soon as you read his name! Knight in shining armor aka seasoned maritime bookholder 🤣.

I am sure I will pick up another Bracewell mystery at some point!

PS | the newer covers are much better!!

[Robert Hepple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 2006, 'The Princess of Denmark' is the final book in the Nicholas Bracewell series of Elizabethan mystery novels set around a London-based acting troupe. This volume features a muddled storyline worked around three concurrent weak plots, as usual relying more on the eccentric characterisations than the storyline. Nonetheless, an enjoyable if rather quick read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little romp.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

So hard to believe this is the end of the series. I think I like this series best of all that Marston has written. Some questions are left unanswered at the end though.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll read just about anything "Danish" but this period murder mystery was just too improbable (the period part, not the murder mystery part).

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Nick Bracewell and Lord Westfield's men

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This newest Elizabethan theater mystery is, I think, one of his best. Lord Westfield, the patron of Westfield’s Men, is about to marry for the third time. His chosen bride (although he has seen no more than a picture of her), is Sigbrit Langberg, and “almost” Danish princess. Lord Westfield invites his theater troupe to accompany him to Denmark and put on a play to honor his bride at the wedding. Many things go wrong on the way – they are attacked by pirates, and have to change their planned itinerary – and Nicholas Bracewell begins to suspect that things are not as they have been told to be. As usual, Bracewell comes to the rescue and saves the marriage from taking place.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the series characters, I thought the book was overwritten. Enough already with the perils--storm AND pirates? Villains missing again and again? Too much around the castle hi-jinks, too. Seems like a good snip or two would have been useful. And the deus ex machina at the end--I think not.
Good period detail, though, and nice texture. I'm assured that others in this series are better written. Hope so.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this mostly because it was set between Elizabethan England and Denmark. Two of my interests. Book was a mystery that spent less time on the main mystery and most time on a 'side' mystery. Written fairly well, but not sure how authentic it was to the timeperiod.

[Cheri Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it wasn't for the holiday season I would have read this book in about 3 to 4 days.....this is an excellent read, and sadly the last in the series......so far. "The Return Of Nicholas Bracewell & Westfield's Men", we could only hope.

[Cece · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last of the series-I enjoyed the ones I could get from the library, but am not driven to search used book outlets for the others....

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice historical fiction set in Elizabethan England.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

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