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Loading... Prophecy (2011)by S. J. Parris
 Carpe_Librum | Apr 11, 2013 |  I love the Giordano Bruno character. This was another great thriller with the same believable characters and enough history to make if very interesting. I am looking forward to the third Bruno escapade. (  ) marysneedle | Mar 27, 2013 | Kindle DNF LT review: This was the second novel in this series featuring Giordano Bruno as the sleuth in exile in England from the Inquisition and working for Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth's spymaster. He is here uncovering yet another Catholic plot, this one involving Henry Howard, younger brother of the Duke of Norfolk who was executed after plotting to overthrow the Queen and marry Mary, Queen of Scots. Henry Howard's plot involves other English rebel Catholics, the Duke of Guise, the Spanish Ambassador Mendoza and the Scots. And the mystic/magician John Dee, unwittingly, as well. It is intricately plotted and very well written and researched, but I do not feel the depth of characterisation present in C J Sanson's Matthew Shardlake. Ditto. At the halfway point I just didn't care about Bruno, the murders or anything else about this novel. The fact that I had a cold may have factored in. I liked the first of the series but this one just didn't take. Read 8/12 walkerff | Aug 21, 2012 | 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. ( ) powertriangle | Aug 20, 2012 | I enjoyed Prophecy by S. J. Parris a great deal, much more than Heresy, the first in this historical series. I imagine if I had lived in 1583, in any part of the known world, especially London, I would have been well aware of the coming of the Great Conjunction. This occurs when the planets Jupiter and Saturn align, which happens once every thousand years. Combine this with political and religious upheaval and the results are murder, intrigue, and power struggles beyond control. Very enjoyable. (  ) saemmerson | Apr 26, 2012 | no reviews | add a review
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(retrieved from Amazon Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:27:42 -0500)
Autumn, 1583. It's the year of the Great Conjunction: an astrological phenomenon believed to herald the death of one age and the dawn of another. England's tentative peace is under threat and prophecies foretell the death of Queen Elizabeth and, with her, the end of the Protestant religion. When one of the queen's young maids of honour is found murdered inside the palace walls - astrological symbols carved into her flesh and clutching a sinister witch's doll - Elizabeth refuses to believe the killer could be someone within her own court. In the meantime, Giordano Bruno, now secretly working for Elizabeth's spymaster Francis Walsingham at the French Embassy, is closely monitoring a Catholic conspiracy funded by King Philip of Spain and a cousin of Mary Stuart. But his position is growing increasingly tenuous; though the ambassador trusts him, his presence has been noted by Lord Henry Howard, a devout Catholic who publicly opposes anyone associated with magic or esoteric knowledge. Bruno has cause to believe there's a connection between the murdered girl and the conspirators at the embassy. But when a second maid of honour is killed in the same way, he realizes that the killer may be watching him too. Determined to prove his worth to Elizabeth, Bruno must play a dangerous game: can he allow the plot to progress far enough to hand the queen the proof of conspiracy she needs, without putting her, England or his own life in danger?… (more)
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Wikipedia in English
Bruno is still acting as a spy for Sir Francis Walsingham with a view to protect Queen Elizabeth I from plots to dethrone her. In Prophecy, the threat comes from within the Queen's own court with several murders taking place and small astrological markings being carved into their chest.
Bruno is in London staying with a group of Catholics and is undercover trying to unearth potential plots to put Mary Stuart on the throne. His challenge: to investigate these deaths without betraying his true alliance.
I loved the portrayal of Dr. John Dee, philosopher and astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I - and his infamously well stocked library for the period; what self respecting book-lover wouldn't?
This was an interesting time in history; one where the line between the two religions and the Queen's own interest in astrology was very fine.
Basically this is an historical fiction whodunnit for the Renaissance period, and is a light and entertaining read. I didn't enjoy it as much as Heresy (4 stars), and will probably leave the series here. For those wanting to continue, there are two further novels to discover:
- Sacrilege Book 3 in Giordano Bruno series
- Treachery Book 4 due for release 18 June 2013 (