THE TWELFTH NIGHT MURDER is the third book in Anne Rutherford's Restoration Mystery Series. As I haven't (yet) read the two preceding books but, I can assure readers that this is a stand-alone book. All the necessary elements of the story are contained between the covers of this single book. It does drop some intriguing hints about what has come before, however.

The novel is set in Restoration London. Charles II is newly returned to the throne and most Londoners are kicking up their heels after being governed by Cromwell for so many years. Females are just starting to appear on the stage, although it is not exactly sanctioned by the King just yet.

The New Globe Theatre is being managed by a woman, Suzanne Thornton, who is herself an actress. The theater, because of its roots, specializes in presenting plays by Shakespeare. Anne Rutherford shows us her own affection for Shakespeare in the crafting of this character.

Suzanne could be one of Shakespeare's heroines herself with all her quirks and adventures. Because of her unconventional lifestyle, has more freedom than most women and pretty much does what she wants. She dresses in men's clothes occasionally, keeps her own unpredictable hours, and even dabbles in sleuthing when the local constable comes asking for assistance. This is the third case that she has helped him solve.

The corpse of a young man, clothed in a dress, washes up on the banks of the Thames. It is assumed that he is an actor, but no one can identify him. Suzanne embarks on her investigation and it leads her not only to the underbelly of London but to high society as well before she identifies the boy and his murderer.

THE TWELFTH NIGHT MURDER is excellent historical fiction. Rutherford causes the reader to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of this period, but even more, the attitudes and prejudices. But like Shakespeare, Rutherford mixes her tragedy with comedy. Suzanne and her friends are the story within the story just like Shakespeare's play within the play. Add to this all the cross-dressing going on and even Suzanne's two persistent suitors...well you get the idea. Just read THE TWELFTH NIGHT MURDER. It's really good.