Book Synopsis

Shakespeare is a woman--three women, in fact, who hire a footloose actor as the face of their writing. When they become suspects in a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth, their secret identity is suddenly at risk--along with the queen's life--in this imaginative historical novel for fans of Hamnet and The Tower.

Everyone knows of William Shakespeare, the rakish former actor and famous playwright. But few know the three women writing every word of his plays: Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, a frustrated poet; Emelia Bassano, a court musician with a passion for complex stories; and Jane Daggett, a seamstress with an impressive ability to spin fantastic plots. Frustrated by the patriarchal restrictions of their sixteenth-century society, they come together to write anonymously.

Soon the three women come under the scrutiny of one of the Queen's spies, who notices their surreptitious meetings and odd behavior and suspects they are involved in an ongoing plot to kill the Queen. To help guard their secret as they face inquisition, they hire an actor named Will Shakespeare to be the face of their endeavor and divert attention.

As the plague deepens its grip on London and the Queen's man traces their every move, the women are forced to choose between admitting what they've done and betraying each other to the Crown or hiding the truth at risk of endangering the Queen herself.

The Shakespeare Secret is a thrilling feminist tale of perseverance, justice, and freedom where friendship and trust are put to the test, for fans of Tracy Chevalier and Charlie Lovett.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Shakespeare Secret
"Compelling, witty, and sprinkled with lines from the Bard of Avon's work and sharp social commentary . . . An enjoyable historical what-if for Anglophiles and Shakespeare lovers."
--Shelf Awareness

"A well-played take on a long-standing literary mystery."
--Publishers Weekly

"Rich period detail, unforgettable characters, and a satisfying ending make for memorable and delightful reading."
--Library Journal

"A clever reimagining of the Bard's beginnings . . . A recommended read."
--Historical Novel Society, Editor's Choice

"A truly unique, extraordinary, and memorable work of deftly crafted historical fiction."
--Midwest Book Review

"Historical fiction at its BEST! In The Shakespeare Secret, DJ Nix takes one of the world's great literary mysteries and plays a delicious game of 'what if?'"
--Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author of A Touch of Steele

"Lady Whistledown, step aside! In The Shakespeare Secret, D.J. Nix delivers a gripping, emotionally rich tale of three courageous women who defy a ruthless patriarchy to create timeless art--and a secret sisterhood that will captivate and inspire. Set against the richly drawn backdrop of Elizabethan England, this novel explores the hidden brilliance of women forced into silence, yet determined to leave their mark. A story of ambition, resilience, and the enduring power of words, The Shakespeare Secret invites readers to reconsider who truly shaped the canon we revere. Thoughtful, thrilling, and beautifully written, it's a celebration of the creative spirit--and those brave enough to protect it."
--May McGoldrick, USA Today bestselling author of The Dreamer

About the Author

D. J. Nix has called Austin home since 1998 with his wife and three children, where he fully embraces the city motto of "keep Austin weird." He is a member of Regency Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of Central Texas, female-centered organizations that have taken him under their wing and shared their collective wisdom. He broke into traditional publishing in 2020 writing historical romance for Entangled Publishing under the pseudonym Sawyer North.