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Bob Lind wrote on 01/18/2011:

THE SHAKESPEARE CONSPIRACY: A Novel About the Greatest Literary Deception of All Time
by Ted Bacino
(Authorhouse, July 2010, $18.75 softcover)

In sixteenth century England, budding poet/playwright Christopher Marlowe got on the bad side of existing royalty, through his writings attacking religion and the ruling classes. Before he could be apprehended and sent to prison, he reportedly suffered fatal injuries in a knife fight, and was buried in an unmarked grave.

About the same time, the (then unknown) sometimes actor named William Shakespeare started releasing a long series of surprisingly polished plays and other literary works, which gave him instant fame and fortune. Those who knew him were amazed that the simple womanizer, who didn't seem very literate, could possibly have created such beautiful works, and Shakespeare himself seemed to barely understand what he had written. It wasn't long before it also became evident that the writing style - and sometimes the exact verbiage - seemed very much like that of the deceased Mr. Marlowe.

Author Bacino takes the known facts concerning Marlowe and Shakespeare, and adds his own conjecture as to how all that came to be. He creates a riveting historical mystery novel of conspiracies, deceptions spies and murder, built around a longtime gay relationship between Marlowe and his well-connected benefactor, Sir Thomas Walsingham, as well as other colorful characters of the period. Though essentially a sad story, there is significant wit in the telling of it, as the duo worked together to overcome daunting obstacles to their love. The book also includes fifty pages of notes as to the origin of the incidents told, and separating the fact from fiction. Well written and worth a look. Four stars out of four.

- Bob Lind, Echo Magazine