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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I've been on a binge lately with reading medieval mysteries. I kept seeing the books by Margaret Frazer so finally settled on this book to try. The writing is very good. I liked the way the characters where portrayed, especially the closeness of the troupe of actors who spent pretty much twenty-four hours a day together. I also thought the descriptions of the area surrounding the chalk horse in White Horse Vale was wonderfully written. Life in England in 1435 was not easy, yet these actors really made the best of what was available to them and with the help of their patron and protector, Lord Lovell, seemed to thrive in their chosen life.
My problems with the book came about from the fact that it seemed to literally take forever for anything to happen. As a reader I was treated to at least four performances by the group, along with all the minute staging, script writing or revisions, and costumes so these portions of the novel were simply too slow moving for me. I had seen that Joliffe was the featured character in the novels (it mentions him in the title description) and yet there was just as much focus on Bassett, Rose, Gil, and Ellis. Not until over halfway into the novel did any crime take place which had Joliffe taking center stage to solve it. Perhaps this novel falls more into a study of characters and how they interact with each other than it does a mystery. Once the mysteries began to happen it was really quite simple to figure out who the villain was. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be trying any further novels in this series.
My problems with the book came about from the fact that it seemed to literally take forever for anything to happen. As a reader I was treated to at least four performances by the group, along with all the minute staging, script writing or revisions, and costumes so these portions of the novel were simply too slow moving for me. I had seen that Joliffe was the featured character in the novels (it mentions him in the title description) and yet there was just as much focus on Bassett, Rose, Gil, and Ellis. Not until over halfway into the novel did any crime take place which had Joliffe taking center stage to solve it. Perhaps this novel falls more into a study of characters and how they interact with each other than it does a mystery. Once the mysteries began to happen it was really quite simple to figure out who the villain was. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be trying any further novels in this series.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
9 reviews
11 of 15 people found the following review helpful
A Great Group of Players!
12 Jan 2007
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I read this book in less than 3 hours, because it held my interest completely and I just had to finish it. I read the previous three books about Joliffe and the players, but this is among the best by far. The interaction of the players is superb, with their easy friendship and good humored chiding. The new member of the troupe, Gil, can use some additional exposure -- and further development of what may be an interesting character.
I hate to give any part of the plot away, but consider reading the book because it is well written and beautifully researched. The crime and its solution are simply an added and well brought about bonus. A most for hystorical mysteries fans!
Enjoy!!!!
I hate to give any part of the plot away, but consider reading the book because it is well written and beautifully researched. The crime and its solution are simply an added and well brought about bonus. A most for hystorical mysteries fans!
Enjoy!!!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Simply too slow moving for me.
1 Feb 2012
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been on a binge lately with reading medieval mysteries. I kept seeing the books by Margaret Frazer so finally settled on this book to try. The writing is very good. I liked the way the characters where portrayed, especially the closeness of the troupe of actors who spent pretty much twenty-four hours a day together. I also thought the descriptions of the area surrounding the chalk horse in White Horse Vale was wonderfully written. Life in England in 1435 was not easy, yet these actors really made the best of what was available to them and with the help of their patron and protector, Lord Lovell, seemed to thrive in their chosen life.
My problems with the book came about from the fact that it seemed to literally take forever for anything to happen. As a reader I was treated to at least four performances by the group, along with all the minute staging, script writing or revisions, and costumes so these portions of the novel were simply too slow moving for me. I had seen that Joliffe was the featured character in the novels (it mentions him in the title description) and yet there was just as much focus on Bassett, Rose, Gil, and Ellis. Not until over halfway into the novel did any crime take place which had Joliffe taking center stage to solve it. Perhaps this novel falls more into a study of characters and how they interact with each other than it does a mystery. Once the mysteries began to happen it was really quite simple to figure out who the villain was. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be trying any further novels in this series.
My problems with the book came about from the fact that it seemed to literally take forever for anything to happen. As a reader I was treated to at least four performances by the group, along with all the minute staging, script writing or revisions, and costumes so these portions of the novel were simply too slow moving for me. I had seen that Joliffe was the featured character in the novels (it mentions him in the title description) and yet there was just as much focus on Bassett, Rose, Gil, and Ellis. Not until over halfway into the novel did any crime take place which had Joliffe taking center stage to solve it. Perhaps this novel falls more into a study of characters and how they interact with each other than it does a mystery. Once the mysteries began to happen it was really quite simple to figure out who the villain was. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be trying any further novels in this series.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Start with A Play of Issac!
9 April 2010
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The book A Play of Knaves is one of a series of historical mysteries that follow the player Joliffe as he ends up in a variety of situations that require some serious sleuthing to stay out of trouble.
While it is not difficult to follow and enjoy the mystery of A Play of Knaves without having read the rest of the series, some of the introspection of the main character seemed misplaced because I had not read earlier works and had not yet formed a connection of any sort with Joliffe. I still felt like I hadn't by the end of the book either. It is very apparent that there is an arc through the series following Joliffe and this was just one small part of it, but since I was reading a book somewhere in the middle it ended up being just confusing to have those themes thrown in.
The historical mystery on its own was a fun read. I don't know much about the period so I'm not sure what of it is accurate and what not, but the characters were lively and fun and the mystery was definitely interesting, though I wouldn't call it gripping by any means. The dialogue was definitely not accurate for the times, but that was probably a blessing considering the year. A lot of the circumstance and background for a band of traveling players in the 1400's ended up being pretty interesting. And, the humor of the book was at times laugh out loud funny as their performances were described, plus they often had license to poke fun at figures in society that the average person could not.
A Play of Knaves was a light and fun read but might I suggest starting with A Play of Issac? That might make things make a lot more sense and you can follow Joliffe the player from the very beginning.
While it is not difficult to follow and enjoy the mystery of A Play of Knaves without having read the rest of the series, some of the introspection of the main character seemed misplaced because I had not read earlier works and had not yet formed a connection of any sort with Joliffe. I still felt like I hadn't by the end of the book either. It is very apparent that there is an arc through the series following Joliffe and this was just one small part of it, but since I was reading a book somewhere in the middle it ended up being just confusing to have those themes thrown in.
The historical mystery on its own was a fun read. I don't know much about the period so I'm not sure what of it is accurate and what not, but the characters were lively and fun and the mystery was definitely interesting, though I wouldn't call it gripping by any means. The dialogue was definitely not accurate for the times, but that was probably a blessing considering the year. A lot of the circumstance and background for a band of traveling players in the 1400's ended up being pretty interesting. And, the humor of the book was at times laugh out loud funny as their performances were described, plus they often had license to poke fun at figures in society that the average person could not.
A Play of Knaves was a light and fun read but might I suggest starting with A Play of Issac? That might make things make a lot more sense and you can follow Joliffe the player from the very beginning.
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