About this item
Highlights
- When fugitive Italian monk Giordano Bruno--philosopher, magician, and heretical scientist--arrives in London, he's only one step ahead of the Inquisition.
- About the Author: S. J. Parris is the pen name of Stephanie Merritt, a contributing journalist for various newspapers and magazines, including the Observer and the Guardian.
- 448 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Thrillers
- Series Name: Giordano Bruno Novels
Description
About the Book
Like "The Dante Club," this clever, sophisticated, exceptionally enjoyable thriller is written with unstoppable narrative propulsion and stylistic flair. Follow the monk, poet, and scientist Giordano Bruno on his quest to uncover a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth I.Book Synopsis
When fugitive Italian monk Giordano Bruno--philosopher, magician, and heretical scientist--arrives in London, he's only one step ahead of the Inquisition. An undercover mission for Queen Elizabeth I and her spymaster provides added protection. Officially, Bruno is to take part in a debate on the Copernican theory of the universe at Oxford University; unofficially, he is to find out whatever he can about a Catholic plot to overthrow the queen. But when his mission is dramatically thrown off course by a series of grisly deaths and the charms of a mysterious but beautiful young woman, he realizes that somewhere within Oxford's private chambers lurks a brutal killer. . .
Review Quotes
"A vigorous philosophical thriller. . . . Bruno commands our attention and our sympathy as any likable heretic should." --The Washington Post Book World
"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, and to leave us asking for more." --Matthew Pearl, author of The Dante Club
"Set in the time of Elizabeth I, Heresy could happily follow on Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall about Henry VIII and his relationship with Thomas Cromwell. Both evoke the tensions, turbulence and cruelty of Tudor England." --The Oxford Times
"The famous scientist Giordano Bruno, erupts with volcanic force from the pages of S. J. Parris's spellbinding debut novel, Heresy. Blending the philosophical sleuthing skills of Brother Cadfael with the magic sorcery of Voldemort, Bruno cracks the secret code, unraveling a church conspiracy as deep and dark as that in a Dan Brown novel." --Katherine Neville, bestselling author of The Eight and The Fire "Grafts a powerful murder mystery onto the novel of academia. . . . Complex and carefully controlled. . . . Readers who like to immerse themselves in a good tale . . . will undoubtedly enjoy this book." --The Washington Times
"A splendid, unputdownable whodunit." --Edward Rutherfurd, author of London "As colorful, multi-layered, and criminally creative a story as any mystery lover could wish for. . . . From Cobbett the gatekeeper to the complex Bruno himself, Parris pours extraordinary care and human insight into her creations." --Historical Novels Review
"This is a mystery of religion and politics at its best. . . . [A] stimulating blend of philosophy, religion and the academic life." --Curled Up With a Good Book "Parris succeeds where much historical fiction fails in making her characters enlightened rather than medieval village idiots. The collegiate infighting could be from Lucky Jim." --The Observer (London)
"Atmospheric and well-written. . . . Bruno is a clever choice of hero because of the way he seems not merely modern but actually to stand outside of history. . . . Fascinatingly sincere." --The Guardian (London) "Heresy is a riveting read. Rich in both historical detail and ingenious twists, S. J. Parris has created a character in Giordano Bruno that will endure. A true rival to C. J. Sansom." --Sam Bourne, bestselling author of The Righteous Men "The Eco-echoes are resonant enough to lend Heresy more than a pinch of [The Name of the Rose's] magic. . . . Parris paces her yarn perfectly." --The Telegraph (London) "Fascinating . . . The period is incredibly vivid and the story utterly gripping. Cadfael can't hold a candle to this." --Conn Iggulden, New York Times bestselling author of The Dangerous Book for Boys "A rich, dark and utterly gripping tale, paced to perfection and populated with a glorious cast of characters." --Mark Mills, bestselling author of The Savage Garden
About the Author
S. J. Parris is the pen name of Stephanie Merritt, a contributing journalist for various newspapers and magazines, including the Observer and the Guardian.