[David Thorne Mystery 01] • The de Vere Deception

Who really wrote Shakespeare’s works?

Five contemporary English scholars think it wasn’t William Shakesper of Stratford upon Avon. They believe all the plays and poems attributed to William Shakespeare, were actually written by Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, a contemporary of Shakespeare in the late sixteenth century.

De Vere was a Renaissance man. A favorite of the Elizabethan Court, he was well-connected, formally educated and travelled extensively throughout Europe.He composed love poetry and plays, was a champion jouster, and was totally conversant with the inner workings of the royal court. The five scholars find that William Shakespeare (or Shakesper), the man from Stratford, was a commoner, and had none of these attributes.

The scholars believe they have proof of the authenticity of their claims about de Vere, and that proof can found be in documents hidden in an ancient castle on the River Avon. They need an expert in stone construction to find the documents--and one who can keep the findings--and the information confidential.

Enter David Thorne, a disgraced architect, and now a private construction and insurance investigator living in Arizona. He has a reputation for being very knowledgeable about stone construction—and also a man who can keep his mouth shut. They hire Thorne to go to England find the documents.

Thorne is broke and work has dried up for him in Arizona. When offered an exceptionally good fee by the five men from England, he jumps at the chance. Little does he know he has entered into a dangerous contract. He is assaulted even before he leaves Arizona. Someone does not want him to take the job and find the documents.

The shadowy and mysterious figure controlling the thugs behind the assaults has a personal agenda for not wanting the documents found. This person will stop at nothing, including the murder of Thorne’s good friend.

If Thorne cannot reveal the identity of this person, he could be the next victim. His enemy has placed a contract on Thorne's life and the paid hirelings are closing in.