A Play of Dux Moraud

As the author of this series, I of course enjoy reading praise of my books, but critical remarks frequently provide me with amusement of another kind. The review that forgives my "small faux pas" of having Joliffe at Lord Lovell's confrontation of the villains because no lord would have a "lowly servant" present at such a time tickles me, because would Lord Lovell really be fool enough to confront the villains alone, without -- in modern terms -- back-up? (He's not a gothic heroine, after all.) And for the sake of damage-control -- limiting who knows what about a nasty situation that could only get worse, the more widely it's known -- who better to have with him than the person who has clued him in to what has been going on? Besides,there were gradations of servants as well as of other ranks; Lord Lovell had used Joliffe as a specialist in the matter, rather than as a plain, all-purpose servant, so "lowly" doesn't seem quite appropriate anyway. Not to mention what Joliffe would say about being called "lowly"!

The story here is so ugly that we find ourselves ready to wring everybody's neck once we get an inkling of what may be happening in the household where the players come to exercise their craft. However, the storyline is magnificently developed by the author and the characters appear true to the period and their various personas. The lessons Bassett, the playmaster, imparts to Gil (the new troupe member) are priceless, particularly with the thoughts of his own beginnings with the company that they evoke in Joliffe. Not true to life is the ending, when Lord Lovell asks Joliffe to join him when confronting the family of evil doers. As a mere lowly player, no lord would ever involve him in such event! However, how else would Ms. Frazer let us know what happened? So... I forgive her for that small faux pas. Altogether a good story, but less of a mystery than her others and definitely a dark downer.

Margaret Frazer has created another first-rate mystery series. The historical period is beautifully created and meticulously researched. This author is one of the few who is capable of creating a truly complex mystery and a believable cast of characters. I enjoyed A PLAY FOR DUX MORAUD very much.

This is the second in a series of new mysteries by the author of the Dame Frevisse series set in 15th century England. Joliffe the actor appeared in a few of the previous series, and the new stories set with him as mystery solver are quite good. I look forward to getting to know him better.

Since they acquired Lord Lovell as their patron, players (actors) Basset, Joliffe, Elis,Rose and her son have a feeling of security that was missing in their lives and they intend to do everything in their power to please his so he will keep on supporting the troupe. After performing in his home for Michalmas, Lord Lovell asks them to journey to the manor home of his vassal Sir Edmund Sir Edmund's daughter is getting ready to wed a wealthy merchant but Lord Lovell is uneasy because her first betrothal ended when her bridegroom to be died quite suddenly. He wants the players, to see if there is any sense of wrong doing going on in Deneby Manor. When they arrive, they find a husband and wife barely talking to one another, a mother and the bride at each others throats and Sir Edmund's heir having "accidents". Joliffe discovers there is corruption in the Deneby finally that has led to one murder and very will might lead to others. Set in the same universe as Margaret Frazier's Dame Frevisse mysteries, A PLAY OF DUX MORAUD is a meticulously researched, well written historical mystery that brings to life a bygone era. The working of society as seen through the eyes of the players is entertaining and full of unexpected surprises that add drama and color to the storyline. Historical mystery fans will love this series. Harriet Klausner