A Fine Madness: Sunday Times 'Historical Fiction Book of the Month'

In the book "The Death of Kit Marlowe," Alan Judd explores the life and mysterious death of Christopher Marlowe, the Elizabethan George Smiley, and Francis Walsingham, the chief spymaster. Kit Marlowe, a young Cambridge undergraduate with literary genius, is relentless in his pursuit of intelligence for the Crown. When he is killed outside an inn in Deptford, his mysterious death becomes the subject of rumors and suspicion. Years later, Thomas Phelippes, a former colleague of Marlowe, is imprisoned in the Tower and is visited by an emissary of the new king, who asks him to furnish details about his murdered friends life and death. The book is virtuosic, gripping, and meticulously researched, and it delves into one of the most fascinating unresolved mysteries of all time.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Alan Judd, a masterful storyteller with an intricate knowledge of his subject, delves into the secret world of Christopher Marlowe and Francis Walsingham in his novel "The Death of Kit Marlowe." Judd's expertise in the field makes this literary treat a unique experience.

The streets and taverns of Elizabethan England are filled with danger and dissent, as the Queens chief spymaster, Francis Walsingham, and his team of agents strive to maintain vigilance against Catholic plots and the ever-present threat of invasion. Among them is Kit Marlowe, a young Cambridge undergraduate with humble origins, controversial beliefs, and literary genius. Marlowe is relentless in his pursuit of intelligence for the Crown, and his mysterious death outside an inn in Deptford becomes the subject of rumors and suspicion that are never satisfactorily resolved.

Years later, Thomas Phelippes, a former colleague of Marlowe and a man once much valued by Walsingham, finds himself imprisoned in the Tower. When he is visited by an emissary of the new king, it becomes clear that his long fall from favor may be reversed if he can furnish his monarch with every detail he is able to recall about his murdered friends life and death. But just what fascinates King James about the famously mercurial playwright-spy, and does Phelippes know enough to secure his own redemption?

"The Death of Kit Marlowe" is a virtuosic, gripping, and meticulously researched novel that showcases Alan Judd's exceptional writing skills. The novel delves into the lives of these literary giants and explores the complexities of their relationships, the political intrigue of the Elizabethan era, and the pursuit of justice. Judd's portrayal of Marlowe and Walsingham is nuanced and compelling, and his attention to detail is impeccable.

This remarkable novel about a literary genius whose short-life was filled with danger, controversy, and literary brilliance is a must-read for anyone who appreciates fine literature and historical fiction. Alan Judd's "The Death of Kit Marlowe" is a testament to his talent as a storyteller and his ability to transport readers to another time and place.

Weight: 214g
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471180248