The Merry Devils (Nicholas Bracewell #2) by Edward Marston

The Merry Devils (Nicholas Bracewell #2) Reviews

• 
  Bill

  This was a lot of fun, sort of 30's style screwball comedy juxtaposed with an historical mystery. Marston manages multiple plots, a convincing early modern milieu, and an ensemble that becomes more and more captivating as I move through this series. I think I'll take up the next volume and read.
• 
  LJ

  First Sentence: London was the capital city of noise, a vibrant, volatile place, surging with life and clamorous with purpose.
  
  Lord Westfield’s Men, an Elizabethan acting company, is presenting a new play, “The Merry Devils.” Contrary to the stage direction of book-holder, Nicholas Bracewell, a third “devil” appears when the scene only calls for two. Upon the second presentation, Bracewell decides to have there be three devils, but only two appear. The third is found dead under the stage. Threats increase and Nicholas must find who is behind it before anyone else dies.
  
  Marston is one of the best at crafting time and place. He takes us from the workings of the theater, to the streets, to the properties of nobles to Bethlehem Hospital, otherwise known as Bedlam.
  
  This was a time when Christianity and superstition were intertwined and strict Puritanism was on the rise. The cadence and syntax of the dialogue reflect the period while delightful metaphors and humor exemplify the characters.
  
  The cast of characters is interesting and appealing. Marston has provided enough of Bracewell’s background to bring him to life but has, intentionally to us and the other characters, left much in the shade. The members of the company reflect the egos, insecurities and conflicts one would expect without be stereotypes. All the characters have dimension and substance.
  
  I did appreciate the character of Dr. John Mordrake, based on Dr. John Dee, mathematician, scientist, occultist and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He seems to be the subject of numerous books these days.
  
  Although there was a very good, twisty plot and a dramatic ending, it did feel overly contrived. However, that did not diminish my enjoyment or my anticipation of Marston’s next Elizabethan Theater book.
  
  THE MERRY DEVILS (Hist Mys-Nicholas Bracewell-England-Elizabethan) - G+
  Marston, Edward – 2nd in series
  St. Martin’s Press, ©1989, US Hardcover – ISBN: 0312038631
  
  
  
• 
  Gerry

  Nicholas Bracewell puts on a performance of 'The Merry Devils' by Lord Westfield's Players but while the audience are enjoying an amusing production, a third imp, rather than the two that were expected, appears on the stage. It is a horrifying moment but the leading actor covers it up for the audience so that they are unaware that anything has gone wrong.
  
  However, there are unsettling after effects of the action and at a later production only one devil appears ... the other lying dead beneath the stage. And so it goes on, as Bracewell tries to discover who is behind the actions that threaten to ruin his productions and possibly disband his players.
  
  It is felt that it is another performing company that is behind the actions and when he investigates he finds himself arrested and imprisoned. Dangers abound and there is even a visit to Bedlam, the London madhouse, before Bracewell, with help from firends and members of the cast, sorts things out.
  
  The Elizabethan theatre atmosphere is captured very well but the storyline leaves me a little confused so although I am a fan of Edward Marston, this one does not quite do it for me.
• 
  Monique

  "But we survived... The devil came and went but we live to boast of our ordeal."
  
  
  This time, I definitely give the book a solid three stars, unlike the last book where I was wavering more on two. This book feels much more settled, the introduction was so much better and the plot was stronger and less random tangents that lead to nothing (well, apart from the characters Isaac and Ralph who, to be honest, were just another Roger- poor and unfortunate characters that really had no need to be written). I really enjoyed the chaos of theatre wrapped up in devils, witchcraft, temptation and superstitions- a good mix of exciting topics and events. The female characters improved as well (thank God!!!), Isobel and Grace were much more likeable than the female in the first book and I really enjoyed their presence whereas before I rolled my eyes and cringed. I definitely enjoyed Isobel exulting revenge on her father and turning the tables so she held power over him, that was satisfying. The unravelling of the plot was good, but just like the last book it all fell through very quickly in the last 50 pages, I just wish it was spread out a bit better? So much happened at the end but the pacing kept it exciting so I can't really complain for it being brushed up so quickly. Francis got what he deserved, I don't care if it was violent, he's a rich, spoilt, stuck up asshole. Good riddance. David almost played a hero's role, bless him, I'm glad he got a happy ending. I've also grown to like Lawrence Firethorn and Nicholas's characters more.
  
• 
  Robert Hepple

  First published in 1989, 'The Merry Devils' is the 2nd in the series of mysteries set against the background of a theatre company in Elizabethan London. The book title is that of a contentious play being staged by the company, and drives the various plots and sub-plots. The plot and connected sub-plots ae daft as a brush, but fun when combined with the eccentric characters that make up the regulars in this series.
• 
  Vicki Carlson

  After reading the first two books of this series, I find much to recommend them. The characters are colorful and fun to spend time with. London is as much a character as any of the people. The behind-the-scene information about how plays are staged is as interesting as the mystery.
  
  There are a lot of sub-plots which can be overwhelming, but in the end it all works out. It’s a fun, historical mystery that kept me entertained throughout.
• 
  Michelle Robbins

  Another great read in the second of the Nicholas Bracewell mysteries. Calamity after calamity befell the Westfield men but they still went on with the show. Full of humour and suspense im looking forward to what the third book has to offer.
• 
  Sammi

  An enjoyable historical mystery, full of interesting characters, vivid settings and unexpected plot twists. 4.5 / 5
• 
  Annette O'grady

  the ending was quite surprising but very enjoyable lots of twist and turns
• 
  Karen

  An entertaining read.
• 
  Sally

  I think he whips out a book a week! Useful for reading in small doses as the plots are so simple
• 
  Bigbear Woolliscroft

  One of Marston's Elizabethan novels, this deals with another case of the rivalry between different theatre troops.
• 
  Jacm

  Another nice little mystery set amidst the world of the Elizabethan theatre. Just enough twists and turns along the way to keep it interesting.
• 
  Rebecca Cresswell

  This wasn't bad to be honest, a light read with okay characters. Only gets 3 stars because the plot was quite simple and it didn't quite *feel* Elizabethan
• 
  Lyndsey Gollogly

  Again we meet the Westfield players I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first but again it feel a bit rushed at the end! A decent read all the same with a crime solving book master. On to book 3!
• 
  Linda

  I liked many of the characters. I didn't care for the story as a whole. Parts I liked. Parts I detested.
  Just came up with a very *** conclusion.
• 
  Maria Thermann

  Having just discovered author Edward Marston's delightful series of murder mysteries set in Elizabethan times, I can't wait to read another Nicholas Bracewell adventure. Witty, insightful and full of wonderful red herrings, this novel deals with the creation of a new play, The Merry Devils, to be performed by Lord Westfield's men, a group of actors and playwrights working the various theatres located on the edge of the City of London.
  
  They perform at taverns and inns, and on the stages of newly created theatres like The Rose in Southwark, London. It's been a very long time indeed since I last read a book where I didn't guess the ending half-way through the novel, so full marks to Edward Marston for keeping me on my detective toes right until the very end.
  
  Plot:
  
  When the play is staged for the very first time, two little devils are supposed to appear through trap doors fitted into the stage. Meant to astonish and frighten the Queen's Head audience, they are nonetheless entirely harmless. However, when the smoke clears on stage and two cute stage hands in blood red costumes start capering about, an unexpected third devil appears out of the trap door and is so realistic that everyone believes Satan himself has come to see the performance - including the actors who have no idea who the mysterious stranger in his satanic outfit is. Notoriously superstitious, the majority of the actors believe this was the Devil himself, passing judgement on their acting.
  
  The lead actor holds the performance together, but all other players are quaking in their boots and it takes all of Nicholas' art of persuasion to coax them into performing the play for a second time - their lord and patron Lord Westfield has commanded a repeat performance...demanding the third devil appear just as before!
  
  But where did that satanic apparition come from? Nobody could have known what was planned, for scripts are are guarded jealously by theatre companies and only the Westfield Men should have known that two devils would jump out of the trap doors. When Nicholas investigates below the stage, he discovers that the counter lead weight fitted to the trap door has been cut. Why would a supernatural being have to resort to such tactics, he asks?
  
  Puritans agog in the audience decide it is time this disgusting blasphemy is put to an end. They rally forces to have all theatres closed for good and all plays forbidden henceforth. Yet another peril the Westfield Men have to deal with, as if terrified landlords, coy maidens and fanatical Christians weren't enough.
  
  However, before it comes to any cultural calamities that would threaten the existence of the players and The Rose, Edward Marston puts his players into even greater jeopardy, with more and more mishaps occurring on and off stage that eventually culminate in a corpse.
  
  Nicholas Bracewell, the guardian of the script and stage manager of Lord Westfield's merry group of actors, begins to slowly piece together who is out to ruin their livelihoods and the reputation of Lord Westfield into the bargain.
  
  Throw in a love-sick playwright, sneak in a mysterious stranger incarcerated in a cell at Bedlam's horrific lunatic asylum, conjure up an ambitious and ruthless aristocratic nephew with a new manor to furnish and a county to impress and add a good dose of humour and you have a first rate historical mystery at your hands. The catty exchanges between the lead actors are truly a joy and one suspects that Mr Marston has had first-hand experience of the species!
  
  Highly recommended Elizabethan fun, with all the stinkiness and cut-throats the streets of 1589's London can muster.
  
• 
  Helen

  This is my favorite Edward Marston book. It is a fast-paced mystery full of excellent Elizabethan theater detail. I had the privilege of meeting Marston in London a couple of years ago and listening to him speak about his books.
  
  As a mystery, this has much to recommend. There is the possibility of the supernatural, always a good addition to anything from this period and among actors. Plus, any student of Shakespeare will delight in learning more about the period and the theater of his time. This takes the visuals presented in Shakespeare in Love and delivers all the backstage and onstage drama of a not-quite-so-famous theater company. Marston's regulars are in fine form.
• 
  JodiP

  This is the second in the series. I liked the overall mystery; it wasn't obvious who was causing such havoc in the company's productions. As before, Marston does a good job of evoking the time period and sharing details. However, I think Nicholas Bracewell could use some fleshing out. There are only hints, the biggest of which are that he is secretive, which isn't that helpful.
  
  There was also a very puzzling plot twist, when Ralph Willoughby immolates himself at the end. It made no sense, and there wasn't that big a reaction from the audience. I'll read the next in the series, and perhaps check out other of his series.
• 
  Donna

  This second book in the Nicholas Bracewell series is less satisfying than the first. While the theater scenes again are wonderful, the style of the writing is a bit "jumpy." While all of the story lines get wrapped up in the final pages, there is too much (for me) jumping back and forth between them.
  
  Here we have the sub-plot of the clash between the Puritans and those who enjoy theater as well as the use of magic and the appearance of devils. By about 1650 the Puritans will have shut down nearly all the theaters in London, so this story is just the first shot across the bow.
• 
  Wayne Farmer

  I was surprised to find that this book in the series didn't actually involve a murder as such, nonetheless it was still an intriguing mystery and worth a read. I particularly liked the insight into how superstitious people were in Elizabethan times. However the book lost a star because i felt the ending, where all the mysteries are pretty much revealed all at once, seemed a bit rushed. It was almost as if the author had been given a set number of pages for his book and found he suddenly had to reveal all the answers before he ran out of space.