Prophecy
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 MantelPraise 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.
No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller S. J. Parris is the pseudonym of the author and journalist Stephanie Merritt. It was as a student at Cambridge researching a paper on the period that Stephanie first became fascinated by the rich history of Tudor England and Renaissance Europe. Since then, her interest has grown and led her to create this series of historical thrillers featuring Giordano Bruno.
Stephanie has worked as a critic and feature writer for a variety of newspapers and magazines, as well as radio and television. She has also written the contemporary psychological thriller While You Sleep under her own name. She currently writes for the Observer and the Guardian, and lives in Surrey with her son.