What News on the Rialto?: The Lost Years of William Shakespeare

"I must know what the king of Spain is going to do before he knows it himself. And that, Shakespeare, is why you are going to Italy."

With these enigmatic words, Sir Francis Walsingham sends a young, unknown poet on a mission to Venice—a city of masks, secrets, and shadows. The poet is none other than William Shakespeare, tasked with a mission of espionage that could change the fate of England.

Accompanied by the high-spirited and illegitimate son of an English earl, young Will embarks on what seems a simple errand: find Walsingham’s agent in Venice and deliver secret instructions. But in the labyrinthine canals and gilded halls of the city, nothing is as it seems. Betrayal, passion, and danger lurk behind every corner, drawing Shakespeare into a deadly game of power and intrigue.

As the threads of conspiracy tighten, he discovers secrets with the potential to alter England’s future—and begins to find inspiration for plays that will shape the literary world for centuries. From the star-crossed lovers of Romeo and Juliet to the shipwrecks and sorcery of The Tempest, history and imagination blend in a rich tapestry of storytelling.

Perfect for fans of Shakespeare's work and lovers of historical fiction, this novel masterfully blends fact with fiction, offering a fresh and thrilling perspective on the enigmatic bard's early life.

'Weaving fiction with historical fact, Wildman’s captivating novel includes well-researched events that hint at the origins of the plays we all know and love, such as The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, and The Tempest, and he convincingly introduces well-recorded historical figures, including Walsingham and Marlowe. He presents us with a believable Europe of the period along with detailed knowledge of the social and political context of Venice, Padua, and the Vatican at the time.' - Historical Novel Society.

Anthony Wildman is a former business executive who has embarked on a new career as a writer and novelist. More information at my website www.anthonyrwildman.net .