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Award-winning and bestselling author Celia Rees has broken her own rules with her new book. She vowed never use Elizabethan England as a setting and never to write about real historical figures. And so The Fool’s Girl opens in London 1601 with two characters just about to make the acquaintance of one William Shakespeare.

Whilst watching an open air performance of Twelfth Night (her favourite Shakespearean comedy), Celia found herself asking what happens next? What if the couples weren’t entirely satisfied with each other? What if the troublesome characters came back? The idea was born and so began the plan to tell the tale of Illyria after Twelfth Night ends.

Celia tells the story of Violetta, daughter of Viola. Violetta’s uncle has all but destroyed Illyria and taken control of what little is left of her beloved country. Meanwhile, the evil Malvolio has stolen Illyria’s sacred relic and sailed to England. Violetta and her aunt’s fool, Feste, have followed Malvolio in order to return the relic to its rightful place and to restore Violetta to her role as Duchess of Illyria. But to do so they need the help of a certain playwright.

The Fool’s Girl is full of danger, adventure and romance. With enemies at every turn, every friend possibly a traitor, it makes for a thrilling and suspensful read.