From theNew York Timesbestselling co-author ofMad Honeycomes a new novel about two women, centuries apart—one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—whoare both forced to hide behind another name.Young playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. But seeing it performed is unlikely, in a theater world where the playing field isn’t level for women. AsMelina wonders if she dares risk failure again, her best friend takes the decision out of her handsand submitsthe playto a festival under a male pseudonym.In 1581, young Emilia Bassano isa ward of English aristocrats. Her lessons on languages,history, and writing have endowed her with a sharp wit and a gift for storytelling, but like most women of her day, sheis allowed no voice of her own.Forced to become a mistress to the Lord Chamberlain, who oversees all theater[CK(1] productions in England, Emilia sees firsthand how the words of playwrights can move an a
