Prophecy

Giordano Bruno #2

by S.J. Parris

The No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling series

The second book in S. J. Parris’s bestselling, critically acclaimed series following Giordano Bruno, set at the time of Queen Elizabeth I Autumn, 1583. Under Elizabeth’s rule, loyalty is bought with blood…

An astrological phenomenon heralds the dawn of a new age and Queen Elizabeth’s throne is in peril. As Mary Stuart’s supporters scheme to usurp the rightful monarch, a young maid of honour is murdered, occult symbols carved into her flesh.

The Queen’s spymaster, Francis Walsingham, calls on maverick agent Giordano Bruno to infiltrate the plotters and secure the evidence that will condemn them to death.

Bruno is cunning, but so are his enemies. His identity could be exposed at any moment. The proof he seeks is within his grasp. But the young woman’s murder could point to an even more sinister truth…

Perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Hilary Mantel

Praise for S. J. Parris

‘A delicious blend of history and thriller’ The Times

‘An omnipresent sense of danger’ Daily Mail

‘Colourful characters, fast-moving plots and a world where one false step in religion or politics can mean a grisly death’ Sunday Times

‘Pacy, intricate, and thrilling’ Observer

‘Vivid, sprawling … Well-crafted, exuberant’ Financial Times

‘Impossible to resist’ Daily Telegraph

‘Twists and turns like a corkscrew of venomous snakes’ Stuart MacBride

‘It has everything – intrigue, mystery and excellent history’ Kate Mosse

‘The period is incredibly vivid and the story utterly gripping’ Conn Iggulden

‘A brilliantly unusual glimpse at the intrigues surrounding Queen Elizabeth I’ Andrew Taylor

“Rich in both historical detail and ingenious twists’ Sam Bourne (bestselling author of The Righteous Men)

Perfect for fans of A D Swanston, Paul Walker and E.M. Powell.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Crime, Historical Mystery, Thriller

425 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Pseudonym for author Stephanie Merritt

S.J. Parris began reviewing books for national newspapers while she was reading English literature at Queens' College, Cambridge. After graduating, she went on to become Deputy Literary Editor of The Observer in 1999. She continues to work as a feature writer and critic for the Guardian and the Observer and from 2007-2008 she curated and produced the Talks and Debates program on issues in contemporary arts and politics at London's Soho Theatre. She has appeared as a panelist on various Radio Four shows and on BBC2's Newsnight Review, and is a regular chair and presenter at the Hay Festival and the National Theatre. She has been a judge for the Costa Biography Award, the Orange New Writing Award and the Perrier Comedy Award. She lives in the south of England with her son.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parris returns with another great mystery using her cast of historical characters, led by the most unlikely amateur sleuth, an excommunicated former monk hiding from the Inquisition. The year is 1583 and there is much talk of the Great Conjunction, Saturn and Jupiter aligning, a once-a-millennium event that could herald in much change in the Elizabethan Court. Preparations are also being made surrounding Queen Elizabeth’s 25th anniversary of ascension to the English Throne. The ongoing plot to remove her and bring Catholicism back to England is afoot. The murders of two maids within the Court bring questions to the forefront and our sleuth, Bruno, out and on the lookout for whomever it may be that is behind these murders and plotting the ultimate coup, assassination of Elizabeth. While Bruno is still in England at the behest of the French Crown, his secret work for Sir Francis Walsingham will keep him well protected, but also a target as a traitor to the Catholic cause. While Bruno seeks a killer, he is also trying to get his hands on a most sought-after book that was long ago banned and might help mortals explain their true place in the spiritual world. Filled with great excitement and much history, Parris has done well to keep the reader interested until the very end. Recommended to those who enjoy Elizabethan mysteries, as well as the reader who found pleasure in the opening novel of the series and wishes to forge ahead.

While the book takes a while to get started, the dedicated reader is prized with an exciting second half of the novel. Parris has a clear and detailed style of writing that keeps the reader learning with every page turn. Giordano Bruno is again a wonderful protagonist, dabbling in all things celestial while proving to be the most unique historical sleuth. He continues to fight against the presumption that he is a supporter of the Catholic cause, but is equally not interested in the Protestant side of the debate (having been vilified and sought for punishment by both sides). His passions are clear, both in the academic and physical senses, though he struggles to make sense of everything throughout this second novel. As Parris sets some of the needed groundwork for the series, she creates a wonderful character who is not afraid of stirring up trouble for everyone. Other characters fill the narrative with their own points of view and keep the mystery strong while educating the reader with points of historical fancy. The story was quite well-paced, yet still a bit too detailed for my liking. Rich with history and religious clashes, as well as the politics that arises in both instances, there emerges something that is dense at times and overwhelming for some readers. With chapters of a decent length and a plot that evolves throughout, Parris does well with this second novel, as readers are still getting used to Giordano Bruno’s position in England. I am excited to see where things go from here, as the time period begs for more tales that mix religion and criminal activity.

Kudos, Madam Parris, for a great continuation to the series. I will have to focus in order not to miss anything, but am up for the challenge.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Barbara K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t overly impressed with the first Giordano Bruno mystery, Heresy, but a number of people convinced me that the series got better. They weren’t wrong. This second book is stronger than the first.

The year 1583 marks the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth I’s time as England’s queen. There might not be a 26th year if the plans are successful to replace her with Mary Stuart, former queen of France, and then of Scotland, who is also in the Tudor line of succession.

As it happens, the powerful planets Jupiter and Saturn are in conjunction in 1583, a once-in-a-thousand years event. Those behind the Mary Stuart plot use this to confuse their intentions.

Giordano Bruno, again working as a spy in the employ of Sir Francis Walsingham, must sort all of this out as he dodges the attempts of multiple parties to do away with him and his investigative efforts. The ending seemed a bit contrived, but overall it was an enjoyable reading experience. Parris will never replace C. J. Sansom as the premier author of Tudor mysteries for me, but as a “mystery set in a notable historical period” assignment for my IRL crime fiction book club, it was a good choice.

[Annet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable series, about the heretic, ex-monk Bruno serving Elizabeth in discovering plots against her reign.
I saw this one coming, the plot, for some time in the book, but no matter, the story is just very entertaining, very easily readable and enjoyable, about the times of Elizabeth and the complots involving Mary in Schotland, good atmopsheric descriptions of those times. I like this series.

[Mike Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was a real cracker of a read. Unfortunately, book 2 in the series. I wish I had read book 1 to find out why Giordano Bruno leaves a monastery in Italy. Is ex-communicated and hunted by the Inquisition and ends up in England as one of Walsinghams spies.

A similar character to CJ Ransom’s Shardlake. Except he is younger, Italian and not a barrister. Great story of court intrigue around Elizabeth and Mary Stuart and the threat of a Spanish invasion.

Murders, chases, occult works - like a John Connolly novel. Loved it. And has led me to read another Shardlake to remain in England in the 1580’s👍

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

“If the universe is infinite, as I believe, then it must surely contain an infinite number of possibilities that we have not yet imagined or attempted to harness...”
Second in a series of historical novels based on the real life Giordano Bruno. This is fiction and the series is based on his time in Britain. Set in 1583 it is pretty much a detective/mystery novel and this novel is based on a real life plot against Elizabeth I by supporters of Mary Queen of Scots. Bruno is aiding Walsingham and Philip Sidney and is resident at the home of the French ambassador, nominally there representing Henri of France. Bruno, having been accused of heresy in Italy had a bit of a nomadic life.
The real life Bruno was an interesting figure. He was a mystic, cosmologist, philosopher and much else. He took a Copernican view and argued the universe was infinite and that the stars were distant suns with planets. He annoyed the Church by denying hell, the trinity, the divinity of Christ, Mary’s virginity and transubstantiation. He came quite close to atheism and inevitably they burnt him for it eventually. His case is seen as a landmark in the struggle for freedom of thought.
The plot has lots of twists and turns with plenty of spies, murders, plots, assassination plans, coded letters, all the tropes. I was waiting for the point where Bruno was knocked on the head/taken captive and sure enough… It was fairly routine stuff. There were interesting aspects to this and most of the characters are historical, including John Dee, but this was quite predictable.

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, historical fiction thriller that takes place during the rule of Queen Elizabeth and in her court. If you are a fan of this era and know a bit about the whispers of occult and astrology that occurred during her reign, you are really going to enjoy this story of conspiracy and mystery. This is probably one of my favorite time periods to read about since it truly was an age of discovery and that these ideas were often described as heresy and treason. Yet, in the world of the ruling class, they were quietly relied upon. When there is a murder of the queen's ladies, Elizabeth calls in her astrologer and a former monk named Bruno to help solve the murders. Bruno first appears as an investigator and spy for the French King Henri in Parris' first book, Heresy. The story also touches upon the rivalry and conspiracy of Queens Mary and Elizabeth.

The second half of the book really moves the plot forward and will have you guessing about who is behind the murderous plot and the loyalty of Queen Elizabeth to her trusted companions which may prove to not be in her best interest. I think my favorite part of the whole story is the word play and dialogue of Bruno which is so much fun to read. There is at times an overwhelming amount of historical detail which I find fascinating, but might bog down other readers. The ending caught me completely by surprise and I will now have to go back and read Heresy since I enjoyed this one so much.

[Jake Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I've read this book I can say that I should have read Heresy first, so, if you are looking into reading this, don't listen to those people who say you can read this one first and be all right. Bruno alludes to things that have happened in the first book and, while there are no spoilers that I can see, there is always that fear that those will appear.

That being said, this is a fantastic read. I loved the history, the intrigue, the suspense, and the writing. Elizabethan London comes alive in a more accessible way. With a plot that is reminiscent of Dan Brown, S.J. Parris takes the reader on a thrilling adventure into the dark underpinings of the politics in that era. Bruno is a likeable and believable hero who, while he seems bull-headed and does some stupid things at times, has the intellect to get through his predicaments. I liked that he was more of an intellectual hero than an action hero, but he could handle himself in a skirmish if he needed to.

The writing is far better than Dan Brown's so that is where the comparison stops. No offense to Dan Brown, but S.J. Parris has more of a knack for capturing beautiful imagery that is lacking in Dan Brown novels. She gives just enough details of a character's looks to let the reader fill in the missing pieces. Sometimes that is nice. It puts a little more trust in the reader that they can think for themselves and allows their minds to conjure up the face with the little tidbit that has been given. That is huge to me simply because this used to bug me. I used to be the kind of reader that liked to be told exactly what a character looked like. Now, I prefer to just have small details, preferably those things that make them stand out.

Speaking of characters, there are a lot of players in this book. At first I got a little confused about who was whom. She probably could have repeated some distinct markings of each character just so that I, as the reader, could get them more firmly wrapped in my brain, but I found that I figured it out well enough so that, by the end, I knew who was whom.

Parris does not get overly descriptive throughout most of the story. She has a nice balance of painting a nice picture for you while letting your imagination work the rest of it. The dialogue seems a little too modern and that might be my only complaint about the book. Sometimes Bruno uses phrases that are pretty modern, but it didn't bug me enough to distract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

The plot is fast-paced enough that I didn't lose interest. She had me from the get-go. Her writing, in the immediate and thrilling present tense, is impeccable. I love how most books are going to the present tense lately to show an immediacy that you lose when you write in the past tense if it used correctly. I was actually left guessing until just maybe a couple pages before she revealed the real culprit behind everything. That, my friends, is a huge compliment to Parris and her ability to divert.

That being said, I think I have gushed on about this book for long enough, I will let you get on with your lives. I would recommend this to anyone who loves literature, history, and/or Dan Brown. I gave it 4.5 out of 5 Saturn Symbols.

[Iset · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some ways, Prophecy reminded me of the traditional “lad lit” genre: a male maverick secret agent, a competent fighter, attractive to women, off on some daring adventure of derring-do. Like any classic hero of “lad lit”, Giordano Bruno has a whiff of Mary Sue about him: associated with the big names of the time and naturally indispensable to the security of the realm. What’s delightful about Prophecy is that it knows what it is full well, and Stephanie Merritt (real name of author S. J. Parris) writes Bruno’s character with a definite dose of tongue-in-cheek, averting the danger of these novels taking themselves far too seriously.

The spin on this classic genre is that Merritt takes it and throws it straight into Elizabethan England, making it less historical fiction and more historical thriller. The historical detail is crafted with attentiveness, but it’s really the mystery thriller that drives the plot. Prophecy is thick with plot twists, mysteries, and stings-in-the-tale. Cliff-hangers abound, luring one as a reader into the “just one more chapter” fallacy – I say fallacy because inevitably the next chapter finishes on a cliff-hanger too! Although, I must admit, I did guess the big twist at the end when I reached the halfway mark of the book.

Interestingly, Giordano Bruno was a real life historical figure, an Italian monk whose theories about theology, philosophy, and the structure of the universe eventually led to his being burnt as a heretic by the Roman Inquisition. Bruno was indeed in Elizabethan England between 1583 – 1585 CE, and was associated with many of the figures the novel has him associating with, but historically it is not known if he ever had contact with John Dee, and it is theorised but not proven if he really did spy for Walsingham. Naturally Merritt has played up the heroic and exciting elements and theories to create a “better story”, even though I maintain that the real history itself is the most exciting, and needs no embellishing or alteration.

Prophecy is compelling in that page-turner way; not exactly high literature, a tad fanciful at times, but action-packed and an engrossing historical thriller.

7 out of 10

[Kinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the tales and troubles of Giordano Bruno, a defrocked monk, who travels to Elizabethan England. In this second book of the series, Giordano continues his work for Sir Francis Waltsingham as the threat to Queen Elizabeth's reign grows. Plots against her are thickening, rebels are amassing and, in the midst, two young maids in the court are murdered. It's a very enjoyable listen and serves as a perfect replacement for the Matthew Shardlake novels.

[Rob Adey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of fun and ridiculous (ex)monk detective/grisly murder business. It's a lot like the Shardlake book I read (and, I guess sensibly, the publishers have branded them almost identically so that before I read either I'd assumed they were all the same series), but while the Shardlake one is also ridiculous, it's ridiculous in a simultaneously more spectacular and more elegant way. I might read another Shardlake, I probably don't need to read another of these.

[Ana Goulart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depois de ter lido o primeiro volume da série, Heresia, de que gostei muito, estava com algumas expectativas em relação a este segundo livro. Confesso que fiquei um pouco desiludida, não o considero tão bom como o anterior. A intriga arrasta-se por demasiado tempo e a solução dos crimes surge de forma um tanto abrupta. Apesar disso, é uma leitura agradável que dá conta do ambiente socio-político da época.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prophecy tells of a shadowy and dangerous web of plots and subplots in Elizabethan England.

I skipped to the second in a series of historical thrillers set in the Renaissance featuring Giordano Bruno, an Italian monk excommunicated for heresy. You do not need to have read the first, Heresy, to enjoy Prophecy by S.J. Parris.
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By the time Prophecy starts, Bruno has already been excommunicated and is now in Elizabethan England working as a spy in the midst of the secret enclaves of Papists. Rumors of a plot to overthrow, even murder, Queen Elizabeth and install the Catholic Mary Stuart are brewing. Who are these plotters? The French, the Spanish, the Scots, even dissatisfied Englishmen all have their separate schemes. No one in court is to be trusted, especially since one the Queen's own ladies-in-waiting is found murdered, her death staged to look like a blatant threat to the Queen's life.

It is clear from the first page on that Parris's research into Elizabethan life and political intrigues is impeccable. Every character is tainted with suspicion, their motivations revealed in a labyrinth of allegiances and ambition. Who I thought might have been responsible for the murder changed as I journeyed deeper and deeper into Bruno's world - and ultimately did not turn out to be the killer(s) when unmasked in the end.

Bruno's character, as the outsider in Court, is the most compelling and mysterious of all, despite the fact that the narrative is told in first person. His story - how he got to be an ex-monk, what drove him from the church, and the dubious past that may or may not involve murder - was told in the first book, Heresy. In Prophecy, he is more an observer, his personality muted and kept in the background. Reading Prophecy has driven me to pick up Heresy just to find out in more detail the tantalizing bits of back story I gleaned.

Besides knowing more about Bruno, I also felt that the black magic and supernatural elements so provocative in the first chapter (excerpt below) could have been more pronounced and central to the plot, instead of being merely suggestive. And there seems to be a thin thread from the first book, Heresy, regarding Bruno's search for a very rare and ancient manuscript by Egyptian sage Hermes Trismegistus, which stoked my curiosity (as elusive, mythical books often do). Ms. Parris - I would love it if you wrote more about this in the next installment!

"Without warning, all the candles in the room's corners flicker and feint, as if a sudden gust has entered, but the air remains still. At the same moment, the hairs on my arms prickle and stand erect and I shudder; a cold breath descends on us, though outside the day is close. I chance a sideways glance at Doctor Dee; he stands unmoving as marble, his hands clasped as if in prayer, the knuckles of both thumbs pressed anxiously to his lips-or what can be seen of them through his ash-grey beard, which he wears in a point down to his chest in imitation of Merlin, whose heir Dee secretly considers himself. The cunning man, Ned Kelley, kneels on the floor in front of the table of practice with his back to us, eyes fixed on the pale, transclucent crystal about the size of a goose egg mounted in fixings of brass and standing upon a square of red silk. The wooden shutters of the study windows have been closed; this business must be conducted in the shadow and candlelight."

[Susana · Rating 4 out of 5]

(review in english below)

Se disser que chegaram a sair-me da boca alguns palavrões quando era obrigada a interromper a leitura, é fácil perceber porque dei 4 estrelas a este livro!...

Tão bom ou melhor que o primeiro da série (Heresia), Profecia apresenta-nos um Giordano Bruno muito humano, cheio de dúvidas (sobre si mesmo e os que o rodeiam) e que se vê envolvido em situações que tanto nos fazem sorrir (nem sempre com a boca...) como temer por ele.

A narrativa na 1ª pessoa e no presente ajuda a agarrar-nos à história, e as descrições dos ambientes, das cenas e dos personagens são muito vívidas.

Infelizmente, não me parece que haja intenções de publicar em Portugal os outros dois livros que a autora já escreveu nesta série (Sacrilege e Treachery)...

If I tell you I muttered some f-words when I was forced to put down this book, it's easy to see why I gave it 4 stars!...

Just as good or even better that the first book in this series (Heresy), Profecy presents us a very human Giordano Bruno, full of doubts (about himself and those around him) and involved in situations that make us smile (sometimes only in your mind) or fear for him.

The first person and present tense narrative keeps us clinging to the story, and the ambience, scene and character descriptions are quite vivid.

Unfortunately, I don't think books 3 and 4 (Sacrilege and Treachery) will be published in Portugal...

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Bruno is becoming more and more and more elitist and arrogant. And more private in his very soul and self-identity. He is now his own favorite counsel and trusting entity.

This series becomes 50% historic scenario description rather than just the plot or character depth expansions. And always a lady or two of questionable flirting and alliance factors is added to lure Bruno. And fails every time.

If you know more about Mary Queen of Scots and Duke of Guise plots than you ever wanted to know, then don't read this book. It's detail of all the pro-Catholic groupings for plotting to remove Elizabeth I are done well but for some of us are so endlessly repetitive that they inspire a loss of interest. We know the outcomes.

Regardless, this has too much prophecy woo-woo aspects of "the science" for me, on top of it. Bruno is a wide thinker and an admirable person all around, as well. But come on! Dee's connection with him alone makes so much of this "meeting" and entry to the very inner circles- way beyond my ability to digest it properly as possible. Even for fiction.

I liked the earlier Bruno and #1 much better as an intriguing read. This one after Abigail's outcome- I was too mad at Bruno to enjoy. That's the truth. It was his fault. He's got too much of a swelled head to protect the plebs or throwaways now.

I'll read more, but these are probably going to be speed reading fodder when nothing of greater depth is available easily. #3 is already on the way though. Well, I see it is rated as better than this one on many reviews. Hope so. And I could use less drawing and quartering too.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROPHECY by S.J. Parris
Well Written and Impeccably Researched


Prophecy
by S.J. Parris
Book Two in Series, first book: Heresy
Format: Hardcover
Print Length: 384 pages
Publisher: Doubleday (May 3, 2011)
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 5 KB
Print Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Doubleday (May 3, 2011)
Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
Requested ARC from Publisher




Description (Amazon)

S. J. Parris returns with the next Giordano Bruno mystery, set inside Queen Elizabeth’s palace and steeped in period atmospherics and the strange workings of the occult.
It is the year of the Great Conjunction, when the two most powerful planets, Jupiter and Saturn, align—an astrologi­cal phenomenon that occurs once every thousand years and heralds the death of one age and the dawn of another. The streets of London are abuzz with predictions of horrific events to come, possibly even the death of Queen Elizabeth.

When several of the queen’s maids of honor are found dead, rumors of black magic abound. Elizabeth calls upon her personal astrologer, John Dee, and Giordano Bruno to solve the crimes. While Dee turns to a mysterious medium claiming knowledge of the murders, Bruno fears that some­thing far more sinister is at work. But even as the climate of fear at the palace intensifies, the queen refuses to believe that the killer could be someone within her own court.

Bruno must play a dangerous game: can he allow the plot to progress far enough to give the queen the proof she needs without putting her, England, or his own life in danger?

In this utterly gripping and gorgeously written novel, S. J. Parris has proven herself the new master of the historical thriller.

The Long

Set during the reformation and the renaissance, during the twenty-fifth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I Astrology, prophecy, necromancy, divination all play a part in this gripping thriller. However, the part they play is not a magical. There are no swords in the stone or Merlin, no vampires or other supernatural beings. While at first it seems that scrying the future and casting astrological charts, speaking with spirits or visions will play a magical part in the story instead it turns out they are being used frighten and alarm both the Queen and her subjects through murder, and fomenting fear of the end of days. In other words, there's a lot of the occult but nothing magical.

I justify including it in my "paranormal" blog, because it presents another view of the paranormal, much of it is about paranormal events. It reminds us that there was a time where having a vision could get you executed and that nearly anything can be used as an instrument of power and manipulation.

This was an important period in human history. The Catholic Church had ruled Europe for more than a millennium and saw its power over nations and monarchies waning as monarchs saw an alternative to papal whims. Catholic monarchs also saw this as a threat to their divine right to rule, destabilizing their power. These to movements gave even ordinary people ideas. The Reformation as well as the Renaissance, loosened the hold of the Church and sowed the seeds of freedom of religion and expression that we enjoy in many countries today. While this was accomplished in many ways, some violent (execution) and some peaceful (printing the Bible in English), both movements are responsible for a great deal of how we think and what we "know."

The main character, not exactly a protagonist, Giordano Bruno , is a former Dominincan monk who discovered that his questions could not be answered by he Church and so the inquisition came after him. Defrocked and excommunicated he escaped to France where he came under the patronage of the King who sent him to stay with the French Ambassador to England to save him from the attention of the Catholic extremists gathering around the Duke of Guise. On the verge of developing an holistic philosophy of understanding the role of humanity, Bruno comes under the attention of Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth's Principal Secretary who in reality employed an extensive intelligence network. I can't remember how many books in which he has been featured. John Dee, the Queen's astrologer, plays an important part in the plot.

Bruno seems an unlikely intelligence agent and such is the most useful type. He has a photographic memory, natural or developed through a mnemonic system he created, he is quick witted and able to operate without much direction. Additionally, his residence at the French Embassy and former profession allow him access and credence as a sympathizer with those who would usurp Elizabeth in favor of Mary Stuart.

Through a complicated plot, we follow Bruno as he thwarts seduction, uncovers treason and murder and prevents an invasion. There are many twists and turns involving actual historic figures. There's a little light romance but nothing erotic. The only icky-slimy things herein are the banks of the Thames. While it is a mystery/thriller and therefore more or less predictable in its outcome it is mostly, well, thrilling. Is the ambassador's wife headed for the block, who is murdering the Queen's maids and why?

I got a bit antsy in the last quarter of the book which I think could have been tightened up a trifle. At times I wanted to get past the folderol and skip to the end. The historical research and detail is outstanding right down to the shoes! I am a big fan of historical accuracy and nothing stood out of place or time to me. Parris must have spent a years poring over musty books in dusty libraries. I was impressed. If you have read Fiona Buckley or Kathy Lynn Emerson's books this is a literary step up from their two series. The research and writing are better and the stakes and outcome more serious. If you like historic thrillers and being immersed into the period then I highly recommend this book. If you just enjoy thrillers and spy-novels you could think of this as early Mission Impossible. If you like British history, or any of the above it's a must read!

And, The Short
Highly Recommended to Must Read
Reading time 2 days
Read 4/19 and 4/20
Second in series but stands on its own

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally well written Tudor period murder mystery. Italian heretic, Giordano Bruno, is a guest in the French Embassador's residence during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He is recruited by spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham to uncover a suspected conspiracy based around Mary Queen of Scots. The author has researched this period and real historic events so well - interweaving the fictional Bruno story in a clever and believable way. Giordano Bruno, by the way, is also a real historical character, but Parris weaves her own imagined story during his 'lost' years in London. A superb and clever whodunnit - recommended.

[Andreea Daia · Rating 4 out of 5]

******Full Disclosure**** This was an ARC copy, that was received through the GoodReads Advance program. I am grateful for the chance to have read this novel, which I might not have purchased otherwise.
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I'm writing this as I still have about 30 pages to go, and, if my opinion changes, I'll update my review once I finish the novel.

First and foremost, this is not a bad thriller - it has suspense, mystery, tension, and the possible suspect keeps changing over and over (even if in the first half of the book, we along with the main character are convinced that know exactly who the murderer is).

The problem I see with this novel, its own undoing, is that the main character is named "Giordano Bruno" which may suggest to some that this is a historical book (in the sense that it is based on serious historical investigation). I'm not persuaded that this is the case: other than the names, there is little evidence that anything described in the book could have happened. In fact you can find more historical details on the Wikipedia page than in this novel.

However, if you look at it as thriller and not as historical fiction, I think this is a good story. Bruno, Walsingham (the queen's head of intelligence), and Castelnau are all characters alive with many (sometimes antagonistic) feelings and fueled by real ambitions. I did find Walsingham and even Castelnau sometimes overly affectionate - they both look at Bruno as a son and are warmhearted. I thought that this was maybe too much coming from the master of spies, although the author does offer a justification for it, in the death of Walsingham's daughter.

The occult layer of this novel is always present even if it is left undeveloped. Treating the Great Conjunction as a bad omen made me laugh (as it would made laugh anyone who did study a little bit of astrology), but I do understand that this was the view at the time (and for some people possibly even today). There is no Jupiter conjunction (with any planet, Saturn included) that foretells ill-fated events. The other occult details are again very vague, in spite of the fact that for some characters they represent their main motivation.

Stylistically, the writing is most often simple. The descriptions are quite good, and you can see that the author did her research concerning the life during that era. There were times when the description came at very bad-chosen moments (when Bruno runs for his life, I cared little of what is the color of the clouds) but I would say that these were exceptions.

[Athan Tolis · Rating 4 out of 5]

We were at the airport bookstore in Athens, with some time to spare. I mockingly picked up a copy of Varoufakis’ latest desperate ramblings, and assumed the expression of the kind of Neanderthal who might have an interest.

“I think Mika bought that for you at the bazaar, Athan, be careful, don’t say anything,” my better half snapped.

So I didn’t.

Luckily, my beautiful Mika had not done me such a gross disservice. I had instructed her that if she was going to spend her one pound bazaar money on a book for daddy, it had better be on a non-fiction book, though, so the threat of Varoufakis was real enough.

So when I tore off the wrapping on Christmas day, I breathed a sigh of relief. I got this, instead.

Quite how the officials at her school bazaar thought it’s non-fiction is quite another story, of course. It’s trash fiction of the highest (lowest?) order: historical fiction. I have zero idea who reads popular fiction, but on the cover it says clearly that this is a bestseller. Not only that, but it was part of an effort to get Londoners to read more. If this was the first book I’d ever read it would put me off for quite a while…

So yeah, the four stars I’m giving it are there merely so I can tell my Mika that her book merits four stars. I gave three to her (equally zero-star) book a couple Christmases ago and there were tears.

I read and finished it, though! The hero (who annoyingly speaks in the first person) is an excommunicated Italian monk who likes to study the occult and lives with the French ambassador in London, walks around the St.Paul’s area where I work (that’s the London connection!) is spying on the Catholics for the Queen, sets out to solve a murder mystery, inadvertently causes another and eventually foils a plot to kill the Queen, not before twice escaping death at the hands of evil men who confess all their plans in full detail to him right before he slips away from them and not before a deus ex macchina (in the shape of a guardian angel who does not reveal himself till the end of the book) saves him from a couple more. He almost beds his host’s wife too.

And there’s a ton of threads that are left hanging, but that’s because there’s a sequel, whose first few pages are thrown in for free at the end of the book.

If you live in abject poverty and cannot afford to watch reruns of Knightrider or if you’ve already watched Bridget Jones’ Diary ninety times or if your VHS videotapes are all jammed, you may want to give it a thought.

Or perhaps not.

On the plus side, it’s got to beat Varoufakis.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

1583 is the year of the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, prophesied to be the moment of Queen Elizabeth's downfall. Now in London following his perilous adventure in Oxford (Heresy), Giordano Bruno is residing in the household of the French ambassador, planted there by Walsingham to learn information about attempts to restore Mary Stuart to the throne, and Catholicism to England, via intervention from the Duke de Guise of France. There is much apocalyptic angst among the populace, stirred up by the many pamphleteers hawking mystical versions of what is to come. When two Maids of Honor are viciously murdered, with strange signs carved into their flesh, the court is thrown into great consternation and dread. Bruno is charged with discovering who might be behind these crimes, which are considered treasonous. Soon he is himself in great danger, knowing not how to distinguish friend from foe, and he fears that Elizabeth herself is indeed the target.

Prophecy unfolds at a very stately pace, with Bruno spending much time contemplating and concocting theories. During this too-lengthy sequence, Parris does a creditable job of evoking the spirit and conflicts of the times and the maze that was London. It is not until the final quarter of the novel that the real action begins, and when it finally arrives, the conclusion is rapid, almost forced. The true culprits emerge as something of a surprise, and there are enough ends left untied to merit a sequel. Heresy, book 1 in this series, served as a fine intro to the engaging, down to earth, sometimes hapless character, Bruno, and his exploits; let's hope the third one moves along at as brisk a pace as the first.

[Catelyn May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in S. J. Parris' Giordano Bruno series. If you're a history buff, you know how this ends (hint: there will be flames) and that actually makes me quite sad while reading about Bruno and his way ahead of his time (i.e., heretical) ideas about the universe. As somewhat of an expert on Elizabethan history the appearance of Sir Philip Sidney as Bruno's friend also fills me with a hint of sadness. Obviously, while writing about historical figures you know that eventually they will die--we're all mortal after all. But there's something about untimely or unjust deaths that bother me greatly. I admire Ms Parris for taking on doomed historical figures as characters. I couldn't do it.

This was a great historical mystery filled with all the characters Elizabethan history nerds know and love (or love to hate): John Dee, Burghley, Walsingham, The Earl of Leicester, and so on. There are Catholic-led assassination plots, counter-plots, mysterious murders involving the astrology and the occult, and general spying and intrigue. I loved Heresy, the book preceding this one, and I can't wait for the third one to be released later this year. I love this series, and I hear it's a lot like C. J. Sansom's Matthew Shardlake series, which is sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical thriller pitting the supporters of Mary of Scots and those Queen Elizabeth against each other had just enough occultist dash to make it a really enjoyable read. It is the second book in what I hope is an ongoing series centered around the former monk and current scholar/detective Giordano Bruno. Need to seek out the first book now.

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Mary, Queen of Scots, staking a claim for the throne from Elizabeth, treachery is awash in England and its dangerous times. In a quest to stop the plotters, Giordano Bruno has to go undercover, but he has no idea how deep the plot goes.

A fantastic second book in the series, Bruno is really tested in this book and it’s a proper page turner from the start.

[Mark Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb murder mystery in the Court of Elizabeth I. Monk turned investigator Bruno battles complicated politics from the Catholics, Scots, French and Spanish to solve the murder of two of the Queen's maids. High quality and complex thread of intrigue but a blisteringly good read. Loved this.

[Wenners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it more than the first! Looking forward to the third book..

[Kimmy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

☀️☀️☀️⛅️
A good 3.5 stars for the second in the Bruno series of everyone’s favourite former monk turned … spy/scholar/companion/assistant/amateur detective in the most Elizabethan of terms.
This sees our hero investigating parallel storylines - a threat to Queen Elizabeth from the Catholic undercurrent, and the murder of her young ladies in waiting - is this a plot to kill the Queen? Odd how it would be difficult to investigate, as even mentioning the death of the ruler is tantamount to treason. However, he gets away with being undercover in the French Ambassador’s house trying to find information, and escaping the clutches of the amorous ambassador’s wife (this part of the book reads like a soap opera, of stolen gropes, longing looks, sudden tearing apart when someone comes to the door), however he gets there in the end. Would I read book 3? Likely, as it’s on my nightstand.

[elise george · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this isn't a long book, it also isn't a quick read. The author brings Elizabethan England to life in vivid descriptions and a fairly dense conspiracy plot, both of which demand a slow and savory reading experience.

Prophecy is slow to get going, but once it does the plot is riveting. This sequel is mercifully less graphic than Heresy . And while there is once again a large cast of characters, they become easier to keep straight as the story moves along. Bruno remains an interesting hero, with depth and nuance, showing no loyalty to either the Protestants or the Catholic Church at a time when the dividing lines were significant.

This was not as good as the first book in the series, but it left me satisfied enough to eventually read the third one. It might be a while though - I'm off to cleanse my palate with something a little more lighthearted.

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good!

This is a mystery set against the turbulent political and religious background of Elizabethan England. Its starts with the murders of some of the Queen's maids but develops into a larger political plot.

I read the first book nearly 10 years ago but as each book is a contained story it didn't feel like I'd lost anything by not continuing sooner.

I'll definitely be contuining as Bruno is such a good character to follow.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read following Bruno trying to foil a plot against Queen Elizabeth whilst working undercover at Salisbury Court. Not a dissimilar story arc to book 1 in the series but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless!

[Kenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine piece of genre - it's a novel in a series, with our protagonist an excommunicated monk now philosopher providing the outsider's perspective and modern, more humane commentary on the times. Giodrano Bruno is interesting enough to hold attention, and in this book, develops access with a plot to bring down the Queen, which is running alongside murders of her chambermaids.

There's some good writing, but it didn't fell like there were many major surprises - what role of plot and murders, and ultimately, I didn't much care which one of them "did it". there were clearly quite a few placemakers being laid for future books in the series - which I've no doubt I'll read. So it's fine, standard genre fiction - which is no bad thing - but no fireworks in this for me.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Bruno :).