This is the latest in a mystery series about Francis Bacon In Let Slip the Dogs, we see the return of many main characters from the series, once again solving a murder in which both personal and political secrets are at stake. This is one of the better Elizabethan mysteries series

I really like this novel. It is set at the court of Queen Elisabeth I of England and filled with real historical figures who are depicted true to their real personality. You might think that that narrows down the search for the murderer but the fact that we know a certain person died of old age does not mean he or she was innocent does it?

Sir Francis Bacon, who is a real historical figure and one of the best legal minds of his times, and his two young sidekicks try to solve the murder of the man found dead in an orchard but in the meantime they all fall in love. Trumpet and Tom have to blind-side her new husband and Sir Francis has to keep his homosexual affair hidden because the queen loathes scandals. But they are not the only couples. Thus creating very humorous scenes where every haystack and shed is "occupied" when the lovers seeks a quite place. The fact that one of the leading roles is gay is something my gay friend will appreciate. He always complains that in mean stream novels hardly any homosexual people take the lead.

The fact that the story is so well researched historically (I am reading the biography of Sir Walter Ralegh at the moment as well) offers us glimpses iof court life. The wigs of the queen, the hard working lives of the ladies-in-waiting, the fact that the queen could order nobles to marry each other etc.

This is book 5 in a series and I had not read the prior ones but that is not a problem. However it was such a joy to read it I ordered the first one in the series as well. And that one is FREE.

I made the assumption that this book would be "just okay" for me, as I'm not one to include much historical fiction on my reading list. I'm happy to say I was wrong. I really enjoyed the book, and I read it out of turn from the rest of the series.

I'm always drawn in by character, and was well versed enough in history to recognize the historic figures and to feel like they were authentic in portrayal. The story was fun. Trumpet and Clarady work well together, and Francis Bacon comes across as a solid lead to anchor a potential televised murder mystery series.

A well done book. I received a free copy for review through NetGalley.