"The Book of Air and Shadows" by Michael Gruber

Amazon

I know, I know. this book comes out of left field. I hadn't even said that I owned this book, much less that I was thinking about reading it. I must confess however, that after I had read the first chapter or so (a habit I must confess to, whenever I acquire a new book), I was immediately hooked. This book definitely grabbed me and would not let go.



Synopsis
This book opens in an antique bookstore introducing the main characters of the story, and setting down the foundation of the world we will be inhabiting. An ancient manuscript is found hidden within the end covers of a younger book. This manuscript tells the incredible story of a man set to spy upon William Shakespeare and find evidence of his Catholicism. In the course of his investigation the spy entices Shakespeare into creating a new play that will 'entice the king' into giving in to the papacy and expelling the protestants from the land. The spy takes the play and hides it, discovering that Shakespeare, papist or not (and he doubts that he is) is a good man. This story is about the recovery of that play, and the multiple societies trying to acquire it at the expense of the person who found the hidden manuscript.

Review
Like I said in my preamble, this book grabs ahold and does not let go. The writing is excellent. The plot is something I have not read previously (though, I am aware of many such books with a similar topic). Other reviewers have complained about the author's preoccupation with sex, but I must admit, I think these reviewers to have been prudish. There is no description of sex acts, and nearly always when the topic is brought up it is to further develop one of the main characters. I think that the previous reviewers are toting a moralistic line without thinking of the topic that this book conveys. The sex is by all means not gratuitous but does press topic. There are twists, turns, double and triple crosses, and not much is as it seems in this book. Definitely worthy of your time. In addition, there is a bit of the history of cryptography contained in this book. Enough to get me interested in a topic I have had no interest in, in the past. 4.5/5 (lost .5 a point because the 'puzzles' were not difficult. I would have much preferred it had it been difficult for me to figure things out)

Next up? I'm currently about 1/4 of the way through 'The Monster of Florence' a true crime novel by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezzi. So far it's been a quick read, and a very interesting one. Another new experience for me, being that I don't typically read nonfiction.