The Point of Death

Master of Defense #1

by Peter Tonkin

The first book in The Master of Defence series, featuring Elizabethan sleuth Tom Musgrave London, 1594. It's the opening night of Romeo and Juliet and Mercutio is murdered in the middle of the play - but it's real blood that flows. Master of Defence Tom Musgrave is hired by the theatre owners to solve the case as quickly and quietly as possible. The theatres have only just reopened after two years of plague, and there are fortunes as well as lives at risk. But as Tom plunges into the mean streets of London in that threatening, thunderous Summer, he swiftly finds himself hunted as well as hunter - for he has jumped blindly into a cat's cradle of murderous intrigue that has already claimed Marlowe and Walsingham. As the shattered remnants of England's first Secret Service split into two lethally opposed camps, the blood begins to flow everywhere from the stinking stews of Southwark to the gilded halls of Westminster. And it will require all Musgrave's skill to cut his way to the dark heart of the truth and walk away again.

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

416 pages, Hardcover

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 · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 · Rating 1 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Vikas Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

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