Murder Mystery novel, Shakespeare, Bacon, troupe of actors. Did Shakespeare write the plays?

[Elizabeth]

This is what I remember: a group of actors staging a Shakespeare play, think in a country home. The thread running through the book (apart from the murder mystery)was about whether or not Shakespeare had written the plays. Been searching for years - read this possibly in the 1980s?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Mom Doth Murder Sleep?
Dave, a middle-aged, ex-New York City detective, calls on his seventy-five-year-old mother to help him find out if "murder will out" when one of the actors in the cast of a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth is found dead.

Failure To Appear?
Beaumont's teenaged daughter has run off and her tracks lead to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a case of murder.

Killer Dolphin?
The restored Dolphin Theater has a new hit play inspired by the discovery of an authentic Shakespearian glove, but when greed spreads throughout the cast, Inspector Alleyn of Scotland Yard is assigned to the case to solve a murder.

Sicken and So Die: A Charles Paris Mystery?
Simon Brett's oldest and most beloved character, Charles Paris, is back. Paris, the often out-of-work actor, has a good part for a change playing Sir Toby Belch in a summer festival production of "Twelfth Night." But when the director takes ill and then Paris' friend in the production is the apparent victim of intentional food poisoning meant for Paris, it's not long until the bodies start to turn up.

Light Thickens?
Peregrine, owner of the Dolphin Theatre, is putting on Macbeth, the play that, superstition says, always brings bad luck. So it is by chance that Chief Superintendent Alleyn is in the audience when the claymore swings and the dummy's head is very real.

Death in Verona?
Book-dealer/sleuth Matthew Coil, who has time for everyone's business but his own (The Manuscript Murders, etc.), has arrived in Verona. A London performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet had piqued his interest in the possibility of a real Capulet family--a subject of much scholarly debate--and Matthew plans to explore the idea in situ. In his hotel, after placing a small local newspaper ad, he's sought out by distinguished historian-bibliophile Aldo Agostini; elegant lawyer Ettore Vespucci; and the beautiful Marchesa Isabella Contini, whose companion is Agostini's arrogant son Paolo. All these VIPs, and others, seem to be involved in tracing the whereabouts of a mysterious journal relevant to the Capulets. It's when Agostini senior is found murdered that Matthew is convinced something of vast importance is at stake.

[Sue]

'A Winter's Tale' by Trisha Ashley?

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Not a Margery Allingham book, nor a Simon Brett. Death in Verona does not sound right either. Play takes place in a country house - England I think. Will check out Winter's Tale and let you know :-)

[Elizabeth]

No, not Winter's Tale either. But thanks!

[Tytti]

This sounds interesting, I hope you find the answer. I have to check those other books, too.

[Laina]

Hi Elizabeth,

Do you remember anything about the sleuth? For instance, male or female, age, and whether the were featured in other books? This might help to find your book!

[Elizabeth]

I think it was a male. Cannot remember if he was part of a troupe of actors or not. The fascinating thing to me was the Shakespeare/Bacon references and the research regarding who wrote the plays. An old controversy, I know, but it listed all sorts of clues in the writing.

[Elizabeth]

thank-you Laina. :-)

[Laina]

Hmmmm, OK, two more questions - was it definitely Francis Bacon as the alternative author (as opposed to Christopher Marlowe or others)?

And, do you recall which Shakespeare play was being performed?

:)

[Laina]

Possibly Hamlet, Revenge!? I'm not sure if alternative authorship is broached, but this looks very clever, I'm adding it to my to-read list myself!

[Elizabeth]

Had forgotten Michael Innes. I read all his books at one time. Will check this one out. Thanks!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

The Murders of Richard III possibly? It has all the things that Elizabeth mentions. Except that the house party is a "murder party". This was a really good story, btw, and if you haven't read it yet Elizabeth, I'd suggestion it.

[Elizabeth]

Came back for a look-see and found some messages I had not previously read (hanging head in shame). However, very grateful for all suggestions and help. Still looking. :-)

[Laina]

Hey, just wanted to update that I recently finished Hamlet, Revenge!, and it is not your book. There is indeed an amateur performance of Hamlet in a private home, but, there was no dispute about the authorship. Hope you find your book!

[Elizabeth]

I am still looking! Beginning to think I dreamed the whole thing up. One day.....

[Laina]

I'll keep an eye out! I read a lot of mysteries, so maybe I'll come across it.

[Elizabeth]

Thank-you, that's really kind.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Elizabeth, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Elizabeth]

Still looking after all these years !

[Kris]

Elizabeth, who is murdered? (Spoilers are okay - just give us a clear warning before revealing a spoiler.)

Who are the actors (e.g., professional travelling troupe, local amateur actors, university students, guests)?

What's the time period of the story? (You mentioned reading the book possibly in the 1980s.)

What's the genre or tone - mystery, Agatha Christie-like, thriller, crime, dark, cozy mystery, some romance, funny at times, etc.?

Are they staging a single Shakespearean drama or comedy?

Can you describe the hosts and guests? Their jobs/skill/interests, rich/poor, etc.?