• Features
  • New books
  • Topics
    • Writing historical fiction
    • History on your screen
    • Authors’ favourite books
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • TV, Film and Theatre
    • Classics
  • Advertising in Historia
  • About
  • Contact
  • Get our newsletter

Historia Magazine

The magazine of the Historical Writers Association

  • Features
  • New books
  • Topics
    • Writing historical fiction
    • History on your screen
    • Authors’ favourite books
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • TV, Film and Theatre
    • Classics
  • Advertising in Historia
  • About
  • Contact
  • Get our newsletter

A Mask of Shadows by Oscar de Muriel

6 April 2017 By Editor

1889. The Scottish Play is coming home.

But before the darling couple of London theatre, Henry Irving & Ellen Terry, take their acclaimed Macbeth to the Edinburgh stage terror treads the boards.

A grisly message found smeared across the cobbles in blood, foretelling someone’s demise.

As the bloody prophecies continue to appear Edinburgh’s own beloved pair – Detective ‘Nine-Nails’ McGray & Inspector Ian Frey – enter the scene. Frey scoffs at this blatant publicity stunt, while McGray is convinced of supernatural affairs.

As they scrutinise the key players, they discover that Terry, Irving, and his peculiar, preoccupied assistant (one Bram Stoker) all have reasons to kill, or be killed…

But one thing is clear. By occult curse or human hand, death will take bow the night the curtain rises.

oscardemuriel.com

Share this article:Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on google
Google
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

Filed Under: New books

Search

What’s new in historia

Sign up for our monthly email newsletter:

Follow us on social media:

Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook

New books by HWA members

Hadrian’s Eagles by Damion Hunter

22 October 2026

A Knightly Betrayal by Jill Bray

22 October 2026

Catherine by Essie Fox

22 October 2026

See more new releases

Showcase

Editor’s picks

Review: Wuthering Heights – the film – and Catherine by Essie Fox

23 February 2026

Historical books to look out for in 2026

1 January 2026

King Harold Godwinson’s death – did the Bayeux Tapestry embroider the truth?

7 August 2025

Popular topics

13th century 14th century 16th century 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century 1920s 1930s Ancient Rome Anglo-Saxons author interview awards biography book review Catherine Hokin ebook France historical action historical crime historical fiction historical mystery historical thriller history HWA HWA Crown Awards HWA Debut Crown Award London Matthew Harffy medieval new release paperback research review Scotland Second World War short stories spies the writing life Tudors Vikings women's history writer's life writing tips WWII

The Historical Writers’ Association

Historia Magazine is published by the Historical Writers’ Association. We are authors, publishers and agents of historical writing, both fiction and non-fiction. For information about membership and profiles of our member authors, please visit our website.

Read more about Historia.

Find out about advertising and promotional opportunities. Read our contributor guidelines.

Recent Additions

  • Hadrian’s Eagles by Damion Hunter
  • A Knightly Betrayal by Jill Bray
  • Catherine by Essie Fox

Search Historia

Contact us

If you would like to contact the editor of Historia, please email editor@historiamag.com

ISSN 2515-2254

Copyright © 2014–2026 The Historical Writers Association