First published 1996
Nicholas Barber joins a band of traveling actors in fourteenth-century England after fleeing his monastery. The troupe arrives in a small town where a young woman has been murdered and a suspect awaits execution. The players face dwindling audiences and empty purses. Their leader decides to abandon their traditional religious performances and create something new. They begin investigating the murder, gathering details from townspeople and witnesses. The actors plan to stage this real crime as their next play, hoping fresh material will pack their audience and fill their coffers. Nicholas finds himself drawn deeper into the mystery as the troupe uncovers evidence that challenges the official story. The line between performance and reality blurs as the players discover that seeking truth through theater carries unexpected dangers. Their investigation threatens powerful people who prefer the official version of events to remain unquestioned.
Genres: drama, historical-fiction, mystery, crime
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: blurred-lines, fish-out-of-water
Setting: England
Period: 14th Century
240 pages · Hardcover · Wheeler Pub Inc