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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.
Reviews
PRAISE FOR PROPHECY:"Tudor England again proves to be fertile ground for an outstanding historical thriller, as shown by Parris's marvelous second novel featuring philosopher spy Giordano Bruno (after Heresy)...The suspenseful search for the murderer and the conspirators behind him makes the pages fly by. An admirable original sleuth and persuasive period detail bolster the taut plot."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"As in Heresy, Parris has crafted a cracking good suspense yarn, with twists and turns enough to satisfy the most exacting fan of the spy thriller. I bet you'll never guess who mudered Cecily Ashe."
--Lucia Anderson for The Free Lance-Star
"Parris based both of her books on real-life historical figures, which include Bruno. She knows the period well, and her writing is reflective of that knowledge. Readers will hear the sounds of Elizabethan England, smell the Thames River, taste the food and feel the luxurious fabrics of the clothes worn by courtiers."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Parris looks to be an up-and-comer in the historical fiction/mystery arena; buy accordingly."
--Library Journal
"This one is all about plots, spies, and counterspies, with repudiated monk Giordano Bruno smack-dab in the middle...an intriguing glimpse into the politics of the era...An entertaining historical mystery..."
-- Booklist
PRAISE FOR HERESY:
“Heresy is a must-read for every fan of historical thrillers . . . Giordano Bruno turns out to be that rare hero, charismatic and nuanced enough to impel an encore.” —Matthew Pearl Expand reviews