Masterfully blending true events with fiction, this blockbuster historical thriller delivers a page-turning murder mystery set on the sixteenth-century Oxford University campus.Giordano Bruno was a monk, poet, scientist, and magician on the run from the Roman Inquisition on charges of heresy for his belief that the Earth orbits the sun and that the universe is infinite. This alone could have got him burned at the stake, but he was also a student of occult philosophies and magic. In S. J. Parris's gripping novel, Bruno's pursuit of this rare knowledge brings him to London, where he is unexpectedly recruited by Queen Elizabeth I and is sent undercover to Oxford University on the pretext of a royal visitation. Officially Bruno is to take part in a debate on the Copernican theory of the universe; unofficially, he is to find out whatever he can about a Catholic plot to overthrow the queen. His mission is dramatically thrown off course by a series of grisly murders and a spirited and beautiful young woman. As Bruno begins to discover a pattern in these killings, he realizes that no one at Oxford is who he seems to be. Bruno must attempt to outwit a killer who appears obsessed with the boundary between truth and heresy. Like The Dante Club and The Alienist, this clever, sophisticated, exceptionally enjoyable novel is written with the unstoppable narrative propulsion and stylistic flair of the very best historical thrillers.
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"An interesting, well-researched novel set in the emerging world of ideas and real science amidst the dangerous religious conflicts during the time of Elizabeth I. The main character, former Franciscan monk Giordano Bruno (sp)was not quite fully articulated, possibly from the limits of first person narrative and being a reactive cerebral character, but he is intriguing enough that I intend to read more of the series." — Robin (4 out of 5 stars)
"An interesting, well-researched novel set in the emerging world of ideas and real science amidst the dangerous religious conflicts during the time of Elizabeth I. The main character, former Franciscan monk Giordano Bruno (sp)was not quite fully articulated, possibly from the limits of first person narrative and being a reactive cerebral character, but he is intriguing enough that I intend to read more of the series."
" Enjoyable enough story but certainly not the best historical whodunit I have read. Some of the characterisation could have been better and the story a bit less muddled. An ok read though. "
" This book is ridiculous but I mean that in the best way. Fun, if you go for this kind of thing. "
" I found it a little hard to get into this book, but once I had fully committed to it, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was more interested in the depictions of life in Elizabethan times than in the murders. It was nice to remember some of the historical facts in this entertaining way. "
" Excellent! Atmospheric, evokes the period beautifully. End is a bit contrived and anticlimactic but still a cracking good read! "
" Sorry, this one lost me pretty early on with some unrealistic reactions of most of the characters to the first crime in the story and then it didn't seem to recapture me quickly after that. I may proceed with it at a future time, but I am moving on to something else now. "
" there are two or three good moments in the book, but overall a disappointment. I expected too much of it :/ Because the topic and Giordano Bruno are a great one... "
" Pacing was rather slow, but I really did enjoy the story. Typically not my favorite time period about which to read, yet I loved learning about it! "
" A first class historical mystery. I look forward to reading the second in the series. "
" This was an interesting, different read. I really enjoyed the ex-Catholic monk main character. Although the book was a bit gruesome, I'm intrigued so I just purchased the next book! "
" Solid historical mystery. It gives a decent feel to religous turmoil in England at that time. Worth the read. "
" Typical mystery, but set in Elizabethian times. Too many characters to keep track of and I, personally, would have prefered more period details. But, it was easy and fun to read. "
" The story of a monk in Oxford caught my attention for a start... "
" I love this style "
" Interesting story but too slow. Did not give me the urgency to turn the page. Lacked momentum. "
" Interesting and entertaining book set in medieval England. Dealing with murder, the Inquisition, and the chilling consequences of being considered a heretic, "Heresy" leads the reader through the dealings of the Church and higher education. Very enjoyable. "
" Had a lot of promise, didn't deliver. Debated to finish the book or not,but I did anyway. "
" Better than I tout it was going to be. Not too much history so that it becomes difficult to read but just enough to keep it interesting. All good sofar. "
" good story and characters, but something was missing--a little bland "
" Not as good as the Shardlake mysteries. Did not find the character of Giordano Bruno to be particularly convincing - he could have just been a fictional character, which might have worked better. Also, mysteries do not need love interest subplots! "
" a historial mystery. set in time of queen elizabeth. I liked the historial part of it and liked the main character. It was a bit slow moving. Could have used a bit more action and a few more "clues" - but overall enjoyed it and I would read the next in the series. 31/2 stars "
" I could not wait to get back to the book. I became frustrated at the end with yet another situation for the main character. "
" Mystery. Takes place in Oxford. Pretty sub-par, but a good quick read. "
" I enjoyed this book but it started out better then it ended. I would read another in the series. "
" Completely rapt thus far. Fantastic mystery. Only Three stars because I'm just halfway through. "
" Page-turning historical fluff at its best! "
" This fell between a 2 and a 3. I enjoyed the details of the period and the main character was quite interesting if rather underdeveloped. I will probably pick up the next one (if it is a series) and see if she flushes out her characters better and keeps the interesting historical details. "
" This type of book always reviews better than it is. 16th Century murder mystery-sounds interesting but always seems to come up little flat "
" Loved everything about this book from start to finish. "
S.J. Parris is the pen name of Stephanie Merritt who 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.
John Lee is the winner of numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He has twice won acclaim as AudioFile’s Best Voice in Fiction & Classics. He also narrates video games, does voice-over work, and writes plays. He is an accomplished stage actor and has written and coproduced the feature films Breathing Hard and Forfeit. He played Alydon in the 1963–64 Doctor Who serial The Daleks.
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