Shakespeare’s Champion (#2)
From Charlaine Harris, the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author behind HBO’s hit series True Blood and NBC’s Midnight, Texas, the second installment in a mystery series that pulls no punches…
When Lily Bard agrees to open the gym for her sometime-boyfriend, it’s a sign of something she’s rejected for years—connection. Trust. The beginnings of being part of a community. And when she finds the corpse of a murdered bodybuilder waiting for her, it’s a sign she doesn’t know nearly as much about the home she’s chosen as she thought.
Shakespeare, Arkansas has seen three unsolved, seemingly unconnected murders in two months, and the town is tense with suspicion and rage. Lily’s contact on the police force develops an ulterior agenda. An anonymous white supremacist group is papering cars and threatening worse to come. And there’s a new man in town, someone whose face reminds Lily of the darkest time in her past…
Shakespeare needs answers, and Lily can’t rest until she has them. But there’s no telling how deep the rot spreads. And if she can’t trust anyone, she’ll be facing it down alone.
Reviews
“Wheels within wheels in a suspense story packed with nasty characters, a few good guys, some graphic sex, and more exercise and karate lore than you ever wanted to know. Lily’s stubborn, moody, gutsy persona holds it all together, and most readers will be with her to the finish.”Kirkus, Starred Review
“As good and, in some ways, better than its predecessor, SHAKESPEARE’S CHAMPION embodies a first-rate mystery, but this time also includes a special relationship drama about two wounded soldiers who heal each other through their love for one another. Charlaine Harris’ newest entry deserves top ten consideration.”Midwest Book Review
“Full of surprises, this second fast-paced and gripping Lily Bard adventure showcases the amateur sleuth’s strength, determination, and martial arts prowess […] An engaging puzzler that's propelled smoothly along by Lily’s easy no-frills narration.”Publishers Weekly
“We love the heroine of this compelling mystery […] Lily is too cool.”Seventeen
“Precise storytelling and original characterizations make SHAKESPEARE’S CHAMPION, Charlaine Harris’ second Lily Bard mystery, surpass last year’s debut.”Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
“Lily Bard gives as good as she gets. The reading is fast and the actions faster, proving that women really are the better half.”Mostly Murder
“Harris does an excellent job with the Lily Bard character, neatly blending the vulnerability of someone who’s endured a truly horrific experience with the courage needed to continue. The supporting characters also captivate the reader […] Harris delivers murder with a distinct edge and an amateur sleuth training to move mountains while she cleans up the town. Lily’s on her way to becoming a contender.”Mystery News
“A most terrific second mystery in the Lily bard series […] oh, how I love them! Lily Bard is Kinsey and V.I. multiplied by 10.”Tulsa World
“SHAKESPEARE’S CHAMPION is a good cosy, small town mystery, but with the complex characters it’s also something more.”Book Chick City
“I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries and/or tough female characters. Charlaine Harris’ characters are wonderful. They are quixotic combinations of practicality, spotenaity, weaknesses and strengths […] The plot was well drawn and, I must admit, the final chapter of the book was a surprise. If you enjoyed the first one, you will love the second one.”
Awards & Accolades
#8 MWA Bestseller List
Mostly Murder: “Year's Best”