The Croaking Raven

By Guy Hale

What it’s about?

DC Toby Marlowe has just landed his dream posting but the quiet streets of Shakespeare’s Stratford are about to suffer a reign of terror. A name from the past

has returned, intent on revenge. A series of murders go unsolved but Toby realises that the killer seems to be following the plot of Hamlet.


Can Toby and his boss, DS Fred Williams, find the killer before all the actors at the RSC are dead?


The Croaking Raven doth bellow for revenge.

What I think:

This is a quirky murder mystery that despite all the murder, some of which is quite brutal, is filled with humour and plenty of Shakespeare.

Unusually, we see the story from both sides, the murderer and the police.

Set in 1970s Stratford Upon Avon, the police are old school, relying on local knowledge and the odd tip off over a pint. Things have been fairly quiet on the crime front and a murder is just what they need. New DC Toby Marlowe is learning the Stratford ways from DS Fred Williams, known for his off the books investigation methods.

The theatre community is tight- knit and pretentious. When a veteran actor is found dead, the secrets start spilling out.

There is a lot of dark humour in this book. Murders are planned and discussed over tea and biscuits and revenge is plotted.

There’s loads of very clever Shakespeare references – but don’t worry if you are not a scholar!

The Croaking Raven is witty, fun and fast-paced. The story is perfectly set for a sequel.

Thank you to Guy Hale for the signed copy of The Croaking Raven and to Love Books Tours for inviting me to be a part of this readalong.