For the last six weeks I've been taking part in the Love Books Tours read along for The Croaking Raven by Guy Hale. Thank you to Kelly and the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review this darkly humorous and entertaining book.
About the book:
DC Toby Marlowe has just landed his dream posting but the quiet streets of Shakespeare's Stratford are about to suffer a reign of terror. A name from the past has returned, intent on revenge. A series of murders go unsolved but Toby realises that the killer seems to be following the plot of Hamlet.
Can Toby and his boss, DS Fred Williams, find the killer before all the actors at the RSC are dead?
The Croaking Raven doth bellow for revenge.
About the author:
Guy Hale was born in Worcestershire, England. His first job was as a Professional Golfer. He also played Rugby and raced motorcycles until his mid-twenties. When this failed to kill him he started writing plays, mostly two handers which he performed in pubs and assorted venues with his mate, Andy.
My Review:
The Croaking Raven by Guy Hale is a clever and darkly humorous tale set in 1970's Stratford-Upon-Avon. It draws upon the plays of William Shakespeare as DC Toby Marlowe and DS Fred Williams find themselves catapulted into the dark world of Hamlet, not on the stage but on the streets of the city, as a name from the past has returned, intent on revenge.
You don't need to be a fan of Shakespeare to enjoy this book. It is very much a story in its own right and is a rather enjoyable one at that! It's a smart, unique and often hilarious tale with plenty of twists and turns along the way that really do keep you guessing throughout, as Toby and his boss Fred set out to find the killer before it's too late.
I have to admit I wasn't sure quite what to expect when I started The Croaking Raven as it is very different to my usual type of read, but I soon found myself drawn into the story. I loved the setting of Stratford-Upon-Avon, a place I'm familiar with, and enjoyed the larger than life characters and its dark and humorous storyline.
Guy Hale has written a book that doesn't ever seem to take itself too seriously and is all the more entertaining because of it. With interesting characters and a storyline that keeps you engaged throughout, The Croaking Raven is a quirky 1970's police procedural that leaves you wanting more as the final page is turned, eager to find out what comes next.
The first of a series, The Croaking Raven by Guy Hale is a Hamlet inspired, darkly humorous novel that I would recommend.
The Croaking Raven by Guy Hale is available to purchase now:
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