Lord Westfield's Men, the most successful troupe in London and a prime target for jealousy and resentment, are plagued by a series of practical jokes. But when one of their actors is murdered, the humour turns distinctly sour. Appalling events continue: Lawrence Firethorn, actor-manager, is stalked by a mysterious lady; the sole copy of 'The Malevolent Comedy'- the company's new play - is stolen, their leading apprentice is abducted and there is an attempt on the life of Lord Westfield, their patron. It's soon clear that someone more vicious than a practical jokester is trying to destroy the troupe and that Nicholas Bracewell, the resourceful book holder, has an almighty struggle to save his beloved company from certain demise.
Saul Hibbert's brilliant new play, The Malevolent Comedy, gets a wonderful reception but the spectators do not realise that one of the actors has been murdered during the performance. Every time the play is staged, more tragedies follow. Is the play or the playwright jinxed? Nicholas Bracewell has to fight tooth and nail to save the theatre company, a struggle that involves a duel with Saul Hibbert and some startling revelations.
