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Murder Most Foul

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Murder Most Foul

By: Guy Jenkin
Narrated by: Claire Skinner, Hugh Dennis
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About this listen

Murder Most Foul is a dark, witty and fast-paced novel, from one of Britain’s best-loved screenwriters.

It’s 1593, Elizabeth I is Queen and everyone is terrified of the worst outbreak of plague in a generation. Shakespeare has only written six plays and is lagging behind his friend Christopher Marlowe, London’s leading playwright.

When Marlowe is stabbed to death in mysterious circumstances, rumours abound—but the one that won’t go away is that Shakespeare did it to remove his greatest rival. Will is determined to clear his name, and teams up with his old flame, Marlowe’s sister Ann, who has plenty of secrets of her own.

In their search to solve the crime, Will and Ann uncover a dark world of treachery, murder, and corruption—which in turn provides Shakespeare with scenes and characters which will appear in his greatest plays.

©2025 Guy Jenkin (P)2025 W. F. Howes Ltd Historical Historical Fiction Mystery Renaissance Crime Murder Witty
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Wonderful novel but you need a strong stomach. The world of Elizabethan London came to life and it was easy to see and smell and fear the city of those days. The characters are so well described by words and actions that it was as close to watching a film as a novel can be. Guy Jenkin writes beautifully and I hope to find more novels by him on Audible.

Excellent and enthralling

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I found it a bit difficult to concentrate at first but I think this was more to do with Trump's haphazard global destabilisation. When I got into it I loved it and the writing is very witty. I might read it having listened to the audio first time around.

Forefronting a previously unknown woman in a story of famous men!

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I absolutely loved this. It's witty, original and often startlingly tender. A great take on the relationship between Shakespeare and Marlowe, packed with historical detail, plus fabulously feisty women (and two equally loveable playwrights). And the two readers are abs brilliant.

Brilliant story, superbly read. Poignant, witty and packed with great historic detail.

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Guy Jenkin has written some of the funniest TV in programmes like Drop The Dead Donkey so I had high hopes for this and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s clever and funny. What more could you ask? I was rather worried the male narrator would spoil it but it turns out he’s a better reader than actor thankfully.

Witty and funny.

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I had no high expectations for a free book that was reviewed by 9 people, but Guy Jenkin has proved me wrong. Murder Most Foul, was entertaining, complicated, interesting and a joyful romp through the altogether disgusting Elizabethan life and times. I am so glad I didn’t live then and I really hope this author has many more books in him.

Absolutely brilliant

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