The latest "Elizabethan theater Mystery featuring Nicholas Bracewell" by Edward Marston comes with no surprises and certainly nothing new in plot or character development. It's Marston, tried and true.
The author, who doesn't write under any known pseudonyms, is well respected in the genre and, in addition to the Bracewell series, writes the Domesday Book episodes, equally engrossing and well researched. Like his UK colleague Paul Doherty (who does write under a number of other names), his historical takes are absorbing!
In "The Malevolent Comedy" we find Marston's stable (and staple) formula: the nasty landlord, his equally nasty wife, the tempestuous Lawrence Firethorn (great actor that he is), Edmund Hoode (once again, "losing his Muse"), Barnaby Gill (the obnoxious gay clown), Richard Honeydew (the sweet young boy who plays the lead female roles), the trademark kidnappings (of course), etc., and, because it's a murder mystery, at least one body (usually a member of the cast). And, naturally, Lord Westfield's Men (their company)in their intense rivalry with Banbury's Men is on the verge of losing (a) their reputation, (b) their license, (c) their theatre, etc. Yes, you've read this in all the Nicholas Bracewell stories.
Still, despite the fact that not much is new in this book, this series is well worth the read. I haven't missed a one and recommend this one heartily. I wish Mr. Marston would give us something new, but until he does I'll continue to read the series.