The Point of Death

Master of Defense #1

by Peter Tonkin

London, 1594. The opening night of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. But it is not just the young lovers in the play who are star-crossed. Mercutio is found murdered in the middle of the play - but it is real, not stage, blood that flows from his body. Tom Musgrove, is hired by the theatre owners to solve the murder case as quickly and quietly as possible. The theatre has only just reopened after two years of plagues, and they can’t afford a scandal on their doorstep. As Tom plunges into the mean streets of Elizabethan London he soon realises he has jumped blindly into a web of murderous intrigue, which has already claimed the lives of Kit Marlowe and Francis Walsingham. As the shattered remnants of England’s first Secret Service split into two lethally opposed camps, the blood begins to flow from the stinking sewers of Southwark to the gilded halls of Westminster. Can Musgrove track down the murderer and solve the mystery? Or will he end up being the one hunted to The Point of Death? ‘The Point of Death’ is a thrilling Elizabethan murder mystery, full of intrigue and suspense. Praise for Peter “A welcome aura of old-fashioned expertise” - Publishers Weekly “A good thriller, recommended” - Library Journal ‘Tonkin is a superb storyteller who creates big, brash, swashbuckling adventures with taut suspense, fast-paced action and tough, resourceful characters.’ Booklist Peter Tonkin was born in Northern Ireland, and was raised in the UK, Holland, Germany, and the Persian Gulf. He has written thirty novels including ‘The Coffin Ship’.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, 16th Century, British Literature

249 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2001

About the author

Peter Tonkin's first novel, KILLER, was published in 1978. His work has included the acclaimed "Mariner" series that have been critically compared with the best of Alistair MacLean, Desmond Bagley and Hammond Innes.

More recently he has been working on a series of detective thrillers with an Elizabethan background. This series, "The Master of Defense", has been characterised as 'James Bond meets Sherlock Holmes meets William Shakespeare'. Each story is a classic 'whodunit' with all the clues presented to the reader exactly as they are presented to the hero, Tom Musgrave. The Kirkus Review described them as having 'Elizabethan detail, rousing action sequences, sound detection...everything a fan of historical mysteries could hope for."

Reviews

[Anwen]

Oh dear, This is a difficult one. Firstly I should point out that the two star rating is because I didn't like the book, not for any other reason. A mystery set in Elizabethan England, what felt like the entire supporting cast of any Elizabethan drama were killed off within the first couple of chapters. The language is rich and well-written, but hyper-realistic. Given that you are portraying Shakespeare it would need to be. The story just didn't grab me, though. I found it involved and convoluted - well, it was about ciphers - but it just didn't excite me. I think I will have to chalk this one up to experience and say that if you like realistic novels which mix fictional and historical characters, then this is for you! Unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

[Voirrey]

I really enjoyed this . I am sorry for the people who gave it low ratings because they found it difficult to read; I found it one of those un-put-downable books that really held my attention and it fully rewarded me with a tight, twisting, plot and fascinating characters.

The opening scenes set in a battle took a little concentration - but they not only helped us understand the background of the central character, and his relationship with other main characters, but these opening scenes have echoes throughout the book.

The sights and sounds of Elizabethan London seemed to me to be historically accurate - as did the historical figures who figure in the plot.

I certainly plan to read further books in the series.

[Denise]

During the opening performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in 1594 London, Mercutio is murdered on stage - which is as it should be, except for the fact that Julius Morton, the actor portraying him, doesn't get up once carried backstage. Looking into who might have wanted the man dead, Master of Defense Tom Musgrave soon discovers that, much like Kit Marlowe before him, Morton was involved in the shadowy world of the late Sir Francis Walsingham's intelligence service, and that there is an intrigue at work far greater than one actor's untimely demise.

Excellently written and very enjoyable Elizabethan murder mystery. Looking forward to more of Musgrave's exploits.

[Alice Pearson]

complex historical set in Elizabethan period.

A complex novel with many characters and threads twists and turns.
For those who love the details they are like jewels shining in the dark times portrayed.
The detail and numerous characters can get in the way of a he flow of the plots and sometimes it can frustrate the reader. The meticulous descriptions of London and its various quarters is amazing.
A challenging but overall enjoyable read.

[Elmira]

I only got 21% of the way through it. I found it difficult to picture a scene from the author's description, which made the book confusing and tough to wade through. I loved the plot in theory, but the execution of the writing left something to be desired.

[Dave]

Did not like it at all. The language was far too convoluted for me to enjoy. It was similar to struggling through one of Shakespear's plays. Read part of it and then gave up . One of the few books that I have not read to the end.

[Susan]

1587. It all starts with various events that occurred during the Siege of Nijmagen, with Tom Musgrave and Talbot Law. After various deaths Musgrave arrives back in England in 1594 and he becomes embroiled in a murder and his life is now in danger.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters.

[Gill]

A bit reliant on coincidence and some implausibility - especially the interpretation of Tudor inheritance law, but quite entertaining. The climax is drawn almost wholly from a famous play of the period!

[Peter Underwood]

Nicely constructed

Well plotted and researched but still paved and we'll able to carry the story forward.
Proof reading of the Kindle version was a bit patchy, but that probably only matters to an old sub-Editor.

[Peter Barrass]

I just can't get into this one. I went back to this book and found its pretty good, cool

[Vikas Datta]

Intriguing premise well brought out in this most atmospheric novel of a brilliant but dangerous age...