The world of Shakespeare and his theatre sparkles with life in this fast-paced historical novel. Thomas loves everything about the players and dreams of joining them if he ever has the chance. Having met Mr Shakespeare while studying at school in Stratford, it is to him and London that he runs when he has to flee his home. But behind the glamour and style of the theatre, Thomas finds darker intrigue and danger. A thrilling story full of theatrical flourish.
Thomas is desperate to join 'the players', he'll do anything to watch them perform, even skip school and risk a caning. But when Thomas' rule breaking gets him in trouble with more than just his school master, he has to flee his home and make his way to London. Here he meets his hero, Shakespeare, and his players. But behind the excitement of the theatres is a grimy world of deception, poison and treason. Will Thomas manage to uncover the plot in time? And will he manage to save Shakespeare from a fate worse than death?
Barbara Mitchelhill was born in Rochdale and trained as a teacher. While she was teaching, she began writing for BBC children's TV and went on to write for educational publishers, before writing novels for children. She makes school visits all over the country, and enjoys appearing at literary festivals and talking to teachers and librarians, some as far away as the Caribbean. Her hobbies include reading, theatre, music, gardening and walking her border terrier, Ella. She lives in Staffordshire and has two grown-up daughters and four grandchildren.
