In the Company of Knaves: The Lost Years of William Shakespeare Book 3

London, winter of 1589.The city is alive with intrigue, and anticipation.The players of Lord Strange’s Men are rehearsing a daring new play, penned by one of their promising young actors, William Shakespeare. But excitement turns to disaster when the authorities shutter the theatre over a trivial offense, plunging Will into uncertainty and despair.Determined to press on, he begins crafting a grisly revenge tragedy—Titus Andronicus—hoping to sell it to another troupe. But before he can do so,his entire collection of playscripts is stolen. His reputation, his career—everything is at stake.To have any hope of retrieving the stolen works, Will must step beyond the candlelit world of the theater and intoLondon’s criminal underbelly. His unlikely ally?Edward ‘Cutting’ Ball, a notorious thief and conman with his own agenda. As their hunt takes them through back alleys, hidden taverns, and the grand halls of power, they uncover a tangled web oftheatrical rivalries, treachery, and courtly conspiracy—one that reaches all the way to Queen Elizabeth herself.With his future hanging in the balance, Will must navigate a world where a wrong word can mean the gallows, and the greatest performances happen off the stage.Will Shakespeare outwit the thieves—or become a pawn in a deadlier game?'Anthony R. Wildman crafts a powerful tale that will attract mystery and historical fiction readers as well as literary fans of well-crafted novels based on real people.' -Midwest Book Review'I loved it. One of the best historical books that I've read in a long time.' -Reedsy Discovery'A truly remarkable blend of historical fiction and speculative biography, this book is a must-read for history enthusiasts and lovers of literary drama alike' -International Review of BooksRead more