Books written by Philip Gooden

The Pale Companion

So there I was wandering, slightly mopish, inthese sunlit grounds, book in hand, and thinking ofMaster W.S.'s Hamlet, who also wanders aboutthe chambers and groundsof a greatpalace, ... A woman was approaching across the sward.
The First Murder: A Historical Mystery

But his words are not heeded and as the play is performed in many guises throughout the ages, bad luck seems to strike those involved in its production. Does the story of man's first murder somehow infect all who re-enact it?
The Deadliest Sin

So when a group of pilgrims are forced to seek shelter at an inn, their host suggests that the guests should tell their tales. He dares them to tell their stories of sin, so that it might emerge which one is the best. That is, the worst.
The Medieval Murderers: Sword of Shame

Barker drops his voice to church-like tones. \ . . a certain person was interested.' Letting go of the sword, Lascelles recovers his senses. He smiles at the smug Wallis Barker, whose head unfortunately is still attached to his body.
The Word at War: World War Two in 100 Phrases

Something had to be done, though, and the first response was the mass distribution of the Anderson shelter, named after John Anderson who was briefly Home Secretary (1939–40). The shelter, designed by William Paterson, ...
The Salisbury Manuscript

printed, Adler's Ointment: Suitable for all Types of. While Tom was wondering about the application of Adler's Ointment, Helen unfastened the lid. Inside was a mass of items individually wrapped in brown paper.
May We Borrow Your Language?: How English Steals Words From All Over the World

None of the Germanic tribes whose incursions into the Roman empire contributed to its eventual downfall has enjoyed a good ... British insularity used to be encapsulated in the outraged cry, 'I'm not eating any of that foreign muck!
The Story of English

The Story of English is a fascinating tale of linguistic, social and cultural transformation, and one that is accessibly and authoritatively told by an author in perfect command of his material.
Idiomantics: The Weird and Wonderful World of Popular Phrases

The ideal gift for word buffs and in fact, anyone who enjoys a good yarn, this playful book looks at 12 groups of idioms around the world, looking at subjects such as fun and games, gastronomic delights and the daily grind.
Ely Testament

Third in the highly-acclaimed nineteenth-century 'Cathedral' mystery series When Mr Lye, an elderly partner at Tom Ansell's law firm, drops dead at his desk, Tom is dispatched to Ely to search for Mr Lye's will at Phoenix House, the home of ...
Faux Pas: A No-nonsense Guide to Words and Phrases

" "Faux Pas offers insight into hundreds of these phrases that readers will (or might not) want to use in writing or conversation once they know their correct meanings and usage.
The Pale Companion

Third in the entertaining adventures of Shakespearean actor and sleuth, Nick Revill It is midsummer in the year 1601.
The Pale Companion: No 3

The third Shakespearean murder mystery in the Nick Revill series, set during the reign of the formidable Elizabeth I. Praise for Philip Gooden: 'Another clever criminal plunge into history' Guardian 'The witty narrative, laced with puns and ...
Mask of Night: Book 5 in the Nick Revill series

The house was in Grove Street, off the High. It was a fine house and belonged to the wool merchant husband of the woman called Maria, the one whom Jack had been seeing – or seeing to, perhaps. Our playing comrade had been looking ...
Name Dropping: Darwinian Struggles, Oedipal Feelings, and Kafkaesque Ordeals---An A to Z Guide to the Use of Names in Everyday...

Examines words derived from real people who are famous--or infamous--enough to give their stamp to a movement, a way of thinking or acting, a style, or even a mood, including...
Name Dropping?: A No-nonsense Guide to the Use of Names in Everyday Language

Name Dropping? is an essential guide to the better known or more intriguing of these terms from figures in politics, sport, and the arts.
Idiomantics: The Weird and Wonderful World of Popular Phrases

The ideal gift for word buffs and in fact, anyone who enjoys a good yarn, this playful book looks at 12 groups of idioms around the world, looking at subjects such as fun and games, gastronomic delights and the daily grind.
Sleep of Death: Book 1 in the Nick Revill series

Praise for Philip Gooden: 'Another clever criminal plunge into history' Guardian 'The witty narrative, laced with puns and word play so popular in this period, makes this an enjoyable racy tale' Sunday Telegraph 'The book has much in common ...
Death of Kings: Book 2 in the Nick Revill series

Praise for Philip Gooden: 'Highly entertaining' Sunday Times 'The witty narrative, laced with puns and word play so popular in this period, makes this an enjoyable racy tale' Sunday Telegraph 'The book has much in common with the film ...
The Mask of Night: Fifth Nick Revill

When the Black Death strikes London, all the theatres are closed down by order of the Privy Council.