The Croaking Raven draws DC Toby Marlowe and DS Fred Williams into the dark world of Hamlet, not on the stage but on the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon. Oliver Lawrence has returned and he’s looking for revenge.

I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review

The Croaking Raven weaves Shakespearean drama along with British crime drama in the vein of Midsomer Murders. I’m not a massive fan of Shakespeare if I’m honest, but the way this novel is written and plays out makes for a fantastic, fun, and interesting twist.

When an up and coming actor threatens the old guard, he suddenly finds himself frozen out from treading the boards in Stratford, the home of the Bard himself. The company conspires to ruin his career and remove him from the stage once and for all. Thinking he is long gone, a mysterious spate of murders following the narrative of Shakespearean works, it seems a ghost has come home to roost.

I found the concept of this book fascinating. The way the two components are woven together are brilliant, and despite the fact that the reader knows the identity of the killer from the beginning, it made for a real page turner. It was deliciously dark, and yet wonderfully fun as well and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My rating: