Prophecy - (Giordano Bruno Novels) by S J Parris (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

It is the year of the Great Conjunction, the year the powerful planets of Saturn and Jupiter align to herald the end of one age and the dawn of another, and the streets of London are abuzz with predictions of Queen Elizabeth's death. When one of the queen's ladies is found dead amidst rumors of black magic, Elizabeth calls upon Giordano Bruno to solve the crimes, along with the help of her personal astrologer, John Dee. But while Dee turns to a mysterious medium claiming knowledge of the murders, Bruno fears that something far more sinister is at work.

Review Quotes

"Giordano Bruno turns out to be that rare hero, charismatic and nuanced." --Matthew Pearl, author of The Dante Club

"An outstanding historical thriller. . . . The suspenseful search for the murderer and the conspirators behind him makes the pages fly by." --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." --The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA)

"Parris's plot is well crafted and full of surprises, an imaginatively satisfying addition to the many real intrigues surrounding the imprisoned Mary Stuart and the threats to Elizabeth's security." --The Times (London)

"The characters in Prophecy are richly drawn, especially the intelligent, politically moderate French ambassador, whose kindness to Bruno, a spy in his house, pains Bruno's conscience. Woven into the vividly authentic historical setting is a flamboyant fictional murder mystery. . . . Both sophisticated and gripping." --Historical Novels

"If you don't already know and love Parris' historical thrillers, try this one." --New York Daily News

"Parris takes on the smells, the bells, the very essence of a great city afraid of the unknown and awaiting catastrophe." --The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

"Tense and lively, a welcome follow-up to Heresy, fully living up to its predecessor's promise." --The Daily Mail (London)

"The cross-genre blend of serial killer and historical fiction is a bold one. . . . Prophecy boasts . . . fast-paced, densely plotted thrills." --The Observer (London)

"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's compelling combination of history with drama is always balanced as she instills her hero with a generous handful of good fortune." --Curled Up With a Good Book

About the Author

S. J. PARRIS is the author of Heresy and a contrib­uting journalist for various publications, including the Observer and the Guardian.