Act III
Stratford-upon-Avon, Spring 1972
On the streets of Stratford four murders remain unsolved. For DC Toby Marlow there is only one potential killer: Oliver Lawrence. But nobody has seen Oliver for over fifteen years. They don’t even know what he looks like, they are chasing a shadow.
Oliver’s first act is complete. As Spring turns to summer, Act III is about to begin. Like Othello, he is poisoned by lies from the past. Revenge has consumed him…Now is the time to put out more lights!
What did I think?
Put Out The Light is book three in The Shakespeare Murders series and what a cracker it is. I am absolutely loving this series! I do think you need to have read book one, The Croaking Raven, to enjoy this one though as it explains the motivation behind the murders. I highly recommend book two, All Our Yesterdays, which is a prequel and further expands on the history of the characters.
This is a really clever crime novel in that both the reader and the police know who the murderer is; they just don't know what he looks like. Oliver Lawrence hasn't been seen in Stratford for so long that even people who once knew him fail to recognise him. This killer hides in plain sight as he picks off his victims one by one.
Revenge is a strong theme throughout the book as Oliver's victims aren't random. They are all people who he deems to have ruined the acting careers of both him and his father. Revenge is indeed a dish best served cold and Oliver is enjoying every morsel of his murder feast.
With quotes from Shakespeare's plays woven into the prose, Put Out The Light is a fantastic read for book lovers. Although I don't know Shakespeare's plays that well, I love how Guy Hale writes one of The Bard's plays into the method of Oliver's killings in each book; in this case it's Othello. I think if I was more familiar with Shakespeare I would pick up many more references so I might have to swot up before I read the next book.
Highly original and intelligent with lashings of humour, Put Out The Light is a fantastic instalment in this outstanding series. It's a magnificent crime caper for lovers of literature and one I would highly recommend.
I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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