Cue for Treason

Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Trease is a children’s historical novel published in 1940. Set in Elizabethan England at the end of the 16th century, it follows the adventures of Peter, forced to run away from his Cumberland home. Peter becomes a boy-actor, traveling to London with another runaway, Kit. They uncover a conspiracy against the Queen that takes them on a series of escapades up and down the country.

Trease wrote over 100 books and is best known for his children’s historical fiction. He wrote Cue for Treason in World War II and didn’t know if he would live to see it published, and all initial printing stock was destroyed in the Blitz. It went on to be one of Trease’s most successful works, remaining in print since publication.

Trease was born in Nottingham, England, in 1909. Although his grandfather was a historian and Trease had an interest in history, he gave up his Oxford degree after a year for reasons of principle, moving to London and becoming a social worker. He first published for children in 1937. His children’s books are known for their progressive themes of fairness and equality as well as for their historical detail.