New Book Release: Murder by Misrule

The road to publishing a book can be a long one, and I am so very fortunate to work with so many wonderfully talented authors. I get so excited when I work on their novels with them that I want to shout about them to the world--but I can't. Not until they go on sale, anyway, and sometimes that seems to take forever! I'm like a kid on Christmas. Can't wait for it to get here. Murder by Misrule by Anna Castle is one of these books. I was privileged to work with Anna on a developmental edit and a copyedit, and I designed the cover too. From the moment I started reading it, I knew it was going to be a hit. I couldn't wait to share it with my fellow historical fiction lovers. And now I can! Woo hoo!

Please join me in congratulating Anna Castle on the release of her debut novel, Murder by Misrule, a Francis Bacon Mystery! You love the Tudors? History? Humor? Mystery? Bar fights and street brawls? Lust at first sight? Witty repartee? A handsome man with a well-turned leg in silk stockings? You're gonna love Murder by Misrule. Here's the book description:

Thomas Clarady, son of a privateer, is a law student at Gray’s Inn, seeking to climb the Elizabethan social ladder by any means necessary. When his tutor is murdered during the Queen’s Day pageant, he hires Francis Bacon to replace him. Francis is requested by his uncle, the Lord Treasurer, to investigate the murder. Eager to curry favor with his powerful relation, he agrees, even though he rarely leaves his chambers and mislikes anything that takes time away from reading. Far better to send Tom out to find the clues and talk to the witnesses.

At first, Francis suspects Catholic conspirators murdered the lawyer to keep him from exposing their plot, but other motives quickly emerge. Renowned beauty Lady Penelope Rich fears the scandal of being dragged into court. High-tempered Sir Avery Fogg will stop at nothing to achieve a judgeship. Other barristers contend hotly for the murdered man’s legal honors, fine chambers, and wealthy clients.

Francis and Tom embark on an investigation that reaches from Whitehall to the London streets. Francis does the thinking; Tom does the fencing. Barristers fall down stairs – or are they pushed? Tom falls in love with a key witness and then can’t find her anywhere. Everyone has something up his pinked and padded sleeve. Even the brilliant Francis Bacon is at a loss – and in danger – until he sees through the disguises of the season of Misrule.

Murder by Misrule was named a Kirkus Indie Books of the Month selection for July 2014 and is on sale now in ebook and print format from these retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. The book is also touring the blogosphere with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. You can also add it to your shelves on Goodreads, and be sure to stop by Anna's blog to say hello and check out all of her posts on historical writing and research.

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