In 1593, the brilliant and controversial young playwright Christopher Marlowe was stabbed to death in a Deptford lodging house. The circumstances were shady, the official account - a violent quarrel over the bill, or 'recknynge' - long regarded as dubious.

For the first time tracing Marlowe's shadowy political and intelligence dealings, Charles Nicholl uncovers critical new evidence about that fatal day. Also providing an enthralling revelation of the extraordinary underworld of Elizabethan crime and espionage, the 'secret theatre', Nicholl penetrates four centuries of obscurity to expose a complex and chilling story of entrapment and betrayal.

'A masterpiece of biographical investigation' Richard Holmes

About the Author
Charles Nicholl has written two travel books, The Fruit Palace and Borderlines; a study of Elizabethan alchemy, The Chemical Theatre, and a biography of the pamphleteer Thomas Nashe, A Cup of News. He has also written a reconstruction of Sir Walter Ralegh's search for El Dorado, The Creature in the Map, and Somebody Else, which won the 1998 Hawthornden Prize. His work has appeared in Granta, Rolling Stone and the Independent.

Reviews
An absorbing detective story with many twists and dark secrets. It is a passionate tale that haunts the imagination -- Michael Sheldon * Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year *
Remarkable...for the first time reveals the true mystery of his death... Extraordinary * The Times *
A book full of wit, scholarship and ingenuity... Extraordinary -- Colm Toibin * Irish Times *
A remarkable academic thriller, a brilliant recontruction -- Michael Coveney * Observer *
This book blows open the world of Elizabethan espionage, and presents the most comprehensive case yet for disbelieving the official inquest * Independent *



Book Information
ISBN 9780099437475
Author Charles Nicholl
Format Paperback
Page Count 608
Imprint Vintage
Publisher Vintage Publishing
Weight(grams) 439g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 33mm