Amazon.com Book Description (ISBN 0312200358, Hardcover)
In late December 1200 A.D. a merchant arrives at the tavern near the Guildhall of the Fools' Guild with a message for one of the jesters. The message is brief: "Orsino is dead."
Fifteen years before, the jester, using the name of Feste, secretly interceded on the Guild's behalf in a dynastic crisis in the Duchy of Orsino, thus spoiling the plans of Saladin's agent, Malvolio. These events, recorded centuries later somewhat differently in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, led to Malovino's humiliation and his oath of revenge. Now, with the unexpected death of the Duke of Orsino, Feste suspects murder and sees the hand of Malvolio behind it.
With the backing of the Guild, Feste secretly returns to Orsino disguised as a merchant, to find out what really happened to the Duke and to ferret out Malvolio. But fifteen years is a long time and Malvolio could be disguised as anyone. Only one thing is certain: Feste must uncover and foil the plot before he is found out by Malvolio, who has been planning his revenge on Feste for a very long time.
