The field of the historical crime thriller was once an under-visited one, with only the occasional unusual entry making a mark. But how times have changed! Barely a week passes without an intriguing new entry appearing, featuring anachronistic sleuths from right across the spread of history. From ancient Rome (as in the novels of Lindsey Davis and Stephen Saylor) to the First World War (as in the railway detective sequence of Andrew Martin), there is an avalanche of new historical crime. Accordingly, it has become harder and harder for writers to produce something new. But that is precisely what Rory Clements has done, and Prince is proof that he is one of the most able practitioners in the genre. A year before this novel, Clements created something of a stir when he won the Ellis Peters Historical Crime Fiction Prize (named after one of the great talents in the genre) in the teeth of some serious opposition. This new entry is likely to enjoy a similar level of favourable attention, featuring (once again) his doughty protagonist John Shakespeare (no prizes for guessing who Clements' sleuth is related to).In Prince, John Shakespeare has his most challenging investigation. It’s the spring of 1595, and plague stalks the land, along with massive political unrest. Bomb attacks on the Dutch immigrant community will have a seismic effect on John’s turbulent life. There is a veritable cornucopia of elements to praise here, not least the vivid and idiomatic historical detail which is always integrated into the narrative, and never allowed to draw attention to itself in any conspicuous fashion. The plotting is as adroit as we have come to expect from Clements, and continues to surprise the reader at every turn. But perhaps the real pleasure of the book is the central character. John Shakespeare is one of the great historical sleuths, a multifaceted creation who is the perfect conduit to lead the reader through this baffling and dangerous period. --Barry Forshaw