The Slicing Edge of Death: Who Killed Christopher Marlowe?

In "The Slicing Edge of Death," author Judith Cook takes another look at the death of Christopher Marlowe, and in so doing, naturally, adds another segment into the death of this renowned Elizabethan playwright. Long one of England's perplexing mysteries, Marlowe's murder has brought more than a few theories as to the real reason for his death, much of it to do with one conspiracy or another.Officially, Marlowe's demise was ruled as "death by brawl" by the Queen's coroner in 1593. However, centuries later, the controversy--even confusion--continues. And historians and novelists have attempted to solve this historical conundrum. Judith Cook's version is well-written and documented, yet, as she maintains, her work is fiction. Still, the author's style of writing and her ability to keep the reader in tow are to her credit. Assembling a cast of real and imaginary characters, Cook takes us to this ultimate date (May 30) in a systematic, yet absorbing, manner. Thereader will not want to stray from its pages for long!"There was no reason why anyone, least of all William Bradley, should have known that 18 September 1589 was to be the lasts day of his life." Thus begins this "roman a clef"--a great narrative hook sure to snare even the most skeptic of readers. Thus, in chapter one we meet Christopher (Kit) Marlowe, playwright and poet extraordinaire, involved in one of his notorious street brawls. Marlowe's predilection for such behavior, as well as for his brilliant plays ("Tambourlaine," "The Jew of Malta," "Edward II," and "Dr. Faustus," principally) and poetry. A contemporary--and some say rival, of Shakespeare, Marlowe's short life was filled with not only his brilliance but his controversial--even for the Elizabethans!--lifestyle. In addition, the author downplays the "rivalry" between him and Shakespeare, which really is unimportant in this work. It is documented, too, that Marlowe had been in the employ of the Queen's secret service and had, indeed, worked on a number of cases involving the gathering of secret intelligence for the government.In this book, the author uses Marlowe as a man who enters--and often exits-- the lives of her other characters. It is through the eyes of these characters that we view much of Marlowe, although he, himself, certainly plays a large--and vital--role. The environment we are introduced to is that of the world of the players, the actors and producers of the theatre. During this time, of course, London is visited by the plague, intense court intrigue, and other subterfuge. All these elements combine to make "The Slicing Edge of Death" compelling reading, especially for those readers interested in history stories. Judith Cook has made her version quite readable, plausible, and satisfying....

It's hard to say if the hypothesis Judith Cook puts forward for the death of Shakespeare's contemporary Christopher Marlowe is true, but it's definitely plausible. Marlowe was a great playwrite -- if he hadn't died young, he may well have exceeded Shakespeare in the modern English-lauguage canon -- and his early, violent death was a blow to literature. If even half of what Cook posits as possible reasons and modes of his death are true, the man was an early model of James Bond, and it's very edifying to think this might be how the man died.