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Lionel Ward
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The Shakespeare Thief: An Elliott Todd Mystery (The Elliot Todd Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Lionel Ward (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 93 ratings
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Bookworm Elliot Todd realises his dream of running a bookshop in a small provincial town. Though he has yet to find his soulmate, he is for the most part contented. Then, one day, events take a dramatic turn. The death of the ‘Shakespeare expert’ Harry Nielsen, following a talk at the bookshop, marks the beginning of a tangled web of intrigue leading to a thrilling conclusion.
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    The Elliot Todd Mysteries
  2. Print length
    263 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 23, 2017
  5. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  6. File size
    671 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

'A real page-turner. A murder mystery, with Shakespearean echoes, set in the world of books. What more could a reader ask for?' Tim Pears, author of In Place of Fallen Leaves, In a land of Plenty and The Horseman.


'The Shakespeare Thief is an extremely enjoyable book with lively characters and a rollicking plot.' Alexander Waugh. Author of Shakespeare in Court.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B075WF9YQY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Onyx Publishing; 2nd edition (September 23, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 23, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 671 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 263 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 93 ratings

About the author

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Lionel Ward

Lionel Ward

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I am writing a series of crime books based around a bookshop owner inspired by own time as a manager of a bookshop for 30 years. The first two, The Shakespeare Thief and Roman Holiday, are now available and I am busy writing the third. Central to the story are the characters of Elliot the bookshop owner, his main employee, Esther, the subject of his unrequited love, the eccentric but loyal Aggie, his interfering mother Elizabeth, his history mad friend Cameron. They are written, I hope, with warmth and humour and contain many a literary allusion.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
93 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • A. Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quaint and quirky cosy mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2024
    A clever weaving of Shakespearean references into a contemporary mystery. Set primarily in a quaint English bookshop, the story takes on a classic "whodunit" vibe with a literary twist, anchored by a missing Shakespeare expert, Harry Nielsen. The book captures readers with its blend of crime and intellectual curiosity, and subtle nods to Shakespearean plays are sprinkled throughout, particularly in dialogue and the unfolding plot.

    Character development is nuanced, especially with the protagonist, Elliot Todd, whose bookshop and personal life become increasingly intertwined with the crime investigation. The dynamic between the sharp-witted employees and the seemingly eccentric locals deepens the sense of mystery. While the plot moves deliberately, with attention to detail in setting and atmosphere, clever twists and surprises keep readers engaged.

    The novel’s strength lies in its intellectual charm and immersive setting rather than high-paced action. Without giving away spoilers, the book’s resolution is satisfying and fits within the Shakespearean framework of misunderstandings and hidden identities. It’s a delightful read for fans of literary mysteries, rich with wordplay, intrigue, and enough plot twists to keep readers guessing until the end.
    Helpful
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  • Sid Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining and very British
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    What could be more quaintly cozy than a murder mystery set in a British bookstore, or, excuse me, bookshop? With both the killer and the killed Shakespeare scholars? Peppered with quotes from the Bard, the story bristles with wicked wit and is steamed in London fog. Baseball fans from across the pond may be both bewildered and intrigued by cricket wickets and overs but everyone loves a good Hamlet meets Macbeth on the Thames murder mystery. Much ado about plenty. .
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Libby Dodd
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good fun
    Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2024
    Nicely done with all the trappings of a proper British mystery, complete with universaries.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Miles James
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting murder mystery, enjoyable read!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024
    Interesting murder mystery, enjoyable read!
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  • Debbie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful cosy mystery set around in a university town's bookshop
    Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2017
    Delightful cosy mystery set around in a university town's bookshop
    A cracking combination of elements that add up to a fun and compelling read: a cosy bookshop setting seen from the bookseller's side of the counter (the narrator is the bookseller), a love interest bubbling under as the bookseller yearns for his assistant Esther, who declares herself unobtainable due to being recently widowed; the bookseller's lively elderly mother; lashings of Shakespeare, in the form of a stolen First Folio, a clash of professors, and a student production; plentiful outings to the town's university; lots of other playful literary references too; and a twisty, turny mystery stuffed with classic red herrings.

    Another winner for me was the reference to Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey - one of my favourite fictional pairings that also kicks off with the hero falling for the apparently out-of-reach Vane. Bookseller Lionel Ward is just as much a confirmed bachelor as Wimsey at the outset, but a gentler, more vulnerable, less assured and rather sweet character that is engaging from the start.

    I'm hoping that this book heralds a series in which the romantic angle will continue to run parallel with the mystery. A very satisfying read
    One person found this helpful
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  • HSNPUBLISHING
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Shakespeare Thief
    Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2024
    In "The Shakespeare Thief," book enthusiast Elliot Todd finally gets to run a bookshop in a quaint town. His quiet life gets a shake-up with the mysterious death of "Shakespeare expert" Harry Nielsen. This cozy mystery unfolds, with a romance with his assistant Esther and his lively elderly mom adding to the fun. It's sprinkled with Shakespearean vibes, literary references that might go over some heads (like mine), and a twisty mystery—making it a satisfying read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Aigula
    5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Miss Marple
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024
    I thoroughly enjoyed this unique whodunnit. The title made me a little skeptical, but as I browsed through it, I decided to give it a shot, and I’m glad I did. The story included literature, music, history, sports (cricket), and discussions about Shakespeare and his work, which made reading a learning experience. Being a junk whodunnit reader, this was a pleasant change. In addition to being a who dunnit, it was also a love story of sorts. I hope there is a book 2; I’d be interested to see what develops between Elliott and Esther.
    There were two quotes in the book that struck a chord with me,
    “At what point, I wondered, do your parents stop being invincible and became vulnerable and mortal?’
    “Beginning a new book that you’ve been looking forward to reading is a particular kind of joy.
    Agan, I hope the story continues.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Hunter Hatch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2024
    If you like mystery, you will like this. Buy it and read now, you'll like it. And I really expect you too, because this writer is a really good writer! I hope this helps, and make sure to get at least to page 30, you need to give it time!
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Does he get together with esther
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the story and many references to Shakespeare.
    Report
  • Debbie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful cosy mystery set around in a university town's bookshop
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2017
    A cracking combination of elements that add up to a fun and compelling read: a cosy bookshop setting seen from the bookseller's side of the counter (the narrator is the bookseller), a love interest bubbling under as the bookseller yearns for his assistant Esther, who declares herself unobtainable due to being recently widowed; the bookseller's lively elderly mother; lashings of Shakespeare, in the form of a stolen First Folio, a clash of professors, and a student production; plentiful outings to the town's university; lots of other playful literary references too; and a twisty, turny mystery stuffed with classic red herrings.

    Another winner for me was the reference to Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey - one of my favourite fictional pairings that also kicks off with the hero falling for the apparently out-of-reach Vane. Bookseller Elliot Todd is just as much a confirmed bachelor as Wimsey at the outset, but a gentler, more vulnerable, less assured and rather sweet character that is engaging from the start.

    I'm hoping that this book heralds a series in which the romantic angle will continue to run parallel with the mystery. A very satisfying read.
    Report

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