The Book of Air and Shadows: A Novel by Michael Gruber

After a bookstore fire, letters are discovered written by Richard Bracegirdle, an anti-papist who claims to have spied on William Shakespeare. Also found are some encrypted pages that seem to be the clue to finding a lost play by Shakespeare. The story follows a bookstore employee and an IP lawyer and their families as they hunt for the treasure and encounter Russian and Jewish gangsters also in on the hunt. The plot contains many twists and turns and surprises. It is a very well-written story with lots of ideas. I really enjoyed the unfolding of the mystery as well as being intrigued by the characters even though not many were really likeable. The ending left a little to be desired, I had a couple of unresolved questions but it is still highly recommended.