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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.Tags
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PuddinTame This is the nonfiction account of the incidents on which the novel is based.
PuddinTame The fictional thriller Prophecy is based in part on John Bossy's two books about espionage against the French.
Member Reviews
It is the Autumn of 1583 and Catholic plotters in England and France are planning to replace Queen Elizabeth with Mary Queen of Scots, Giordano Bruno is set by Walsingham to infiltrate the plotters at the French embassy.
I thought this book was very well written and researched. The story moves along at a good pace, and the atmosphere that is created is suspenseful and page-turning, in fact I only put it down because I had to go to work.
I think the author has done a very good job in evoking life at the elizabethan court, with all its intrigues,paranoia and deception.
I liked the fact that there were some elements of the story that if they are fact I hadn't read before and now I will have to go and research those parts of the story to find show more out if they really happened. I like when author assume that their readers will know something about the period in which the story is set and if they don't know something they will read up about it.
My only complaint about this book is that I knew who the murderer was when they made their first appearance, other than that I thought this was a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed S J Parris's novel Heresy or anyone who enjoys C.J.Samson's Matthew Shardlake series. show less
I thought this book was very well written and researched. The story moves along at a good pace, and the atmosphere that is created is suspenseful and page-turning, in fact I only put it down because I had to go to work.
I think the author has done a very good job in evoking life at the elizabethan court, with all its intrigues,paranoia and deception.
I liked the fact that there were some elements of the story that if they are fact I hadn't read before and now I will have to go and research those parts of the story to find show more out if they really happened. I like when author assume that their readers will know something about the period in which the story is set and if they don't know something they will read up about it.
My only complaint about this book is that I knew who the murderer was when they made their first appearance, other than that I thought this was a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed S J Parris's novel Heresy or anyone who enjoys C.J.Samson's Matthew Shardlake series. show less
More good fun. Parris does a very nice job of integrating a whodunnit plot with the political scene of the time and with Bruno's particular interests. OK, the whole book quest thing is borrowed from Umberto Eco. Hey, if you're going to borrow, why not go to the top! It's not profound literature, but it holds its own perfectly well up against, say, Bernard Cornwell. Excellent entertainment. I think I read it in three days. It's a page turner!
Giordano Bruno is a disgraced monk, excommunicated because he wouldn't stop reading books condemned by the Catholic Church. He fled his Italian monastery one jump ahead of the Inquisition. Now he's sheltering at the French embassy in London and gathering intelligence for Walsingham, Elizabeth I's spymaster. His latest adventure involves Catholic plots to free the imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots, doomsday prophecies and murder at the heart of Elizabeth's court. I found it hard to put down and especially interesting because I'm listening to Margaret George's "Elizabeth I" at the same time. This is set in a slightly earlier time period, but features many of the same historical figures.
In a previous life, even before my nursing career, I majored in history. I still love a novel that immerses me in the past, and Elizabethan England remains a favorite time period, so it was with great to dive right in, thanks to the Early Review program at Library Thing and the generosity of the publisher.
There were so many unexpected things that delighted me about this book. I'm not even going to include good plot and good writing, even though it had both. Firstly, Giordano Bruno is a real historical character, who was a Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, mathematician, astronomer and was excommunicated for a couple of those things. But historically, he is fascinating. Normally, I cringe at books that incorporate real people into show more novels, but the author was tactful and skillful, keeping her story believable. Elizabeth Regina appears only in the periphery, but other historical greats do show up, within context.
Astronomy a topic oft discussed in our household, and while we only give so much credence to Saturn in Retrograde, the idea of the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in alignment, playing a significant part in the book, was of interest, as was the looming collision of those those two other stars, Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.
The mention of William Byrd and his music was also coincidental. I'm in a choir which just performed his astonishingly beautiful Mass for four voices. The mention of Byrd, who was Catholic in a time when people lost their heads for such things, and the interplay of the conflict between the two churches added another element to the mix.
Though this was the second book in a series, I didn't feel out of my depth jumping in. Enough back story was alluded to so that I wasn't lost, but neither was the earlier book spoiled should I decide to read it. show less
There were so many unexpected things that delighted me about this book. I'm not even going to include good plot and good writing, even though it had both. Firstly, Giordano Bruno is a real historical character, who was a Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, mathematician, astronomer and was excommunicated for a couple of those things. But historically, he is fascinating. Normally, I cringe at books that incorporate real people into show more novels, but the author was tactful and skillful, keeping her story believable. Elizabeth Regina appears only in the periphery, but other historical greats do show up, within context.
Astronomy a topic oft discussed in our household, and while we only give so much credence to Saturn in Retrograde, the idea of the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in alignment, playing a significant part in the book, was of interest, as was the looming collision of those those two other stars, Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.
The mention of William Byrd and his music was also coincidental. I'm in a choir which just performed his astonishingly beautiful Mass for four voices. The mention of Byrd, who was Catholic in a time when people lost their heads for such things, and the interplay of the conflict between the two churches added another element to the mix.
Though this was the second book in a series, I didn't feel out of my depth jumping in. Enough back story was alluded to so that I wasn't lost, but neither was the earlier book spoiled should I decide to read it. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.Set in 1583, "Prophecy," by S. J. Parris, explores the conflict between the followers of Elizabeth I and those who favour her cousin, Mary Stuart. Elizabeth, a Protestant, and Mary, a fervent Catholic, each claims to be the rightful heir to the Tudor throne. Various courtiers take sides and devise schemes to settle the dispute by whatever means necessary.
Giordano Bruno, an ex-communicated Italian monk, has landed at the French Embassy in Elizabethan London, where he is drawn rapidly into both a Catholic conspiracy to invade England, and a related murder mystery when two of the queen's ladies in waiting meet very sticky ends.
Bruno's character, as the outsider in Court, is the most compelling and mysterious of all, despite the fact that show more the narrative is told in first person. His story - how he got to be an ex-monk, what drove him from the church, and the dubious past that may or may not involve murder - was apparently told in the first book, Heresy. In Prophecy, he is more of an observer, his personality muted and kept in the background.
Parris has delivered a tale along the lines of CJ Sansom’s amazing Shardlake series. Her handling of the detail of the period is nowhere near as skilful as Sansom’s. Nonetheless, this is an engaging and enjoyable read and I’ll definitely be looking out Heresy just to find out more about the back story hinted at in this volume. show less
Giordano Bruno, an ex-communicated Italian monk, has landed at the French Embassy in Elizabethan London, where he is drawn rapidly into both a Catholic conspiracy to invade England, and a related murder mystery when two of the queen's ladies in waiting meet very sticky ends.
Bruno's character, as the outsider in Court, is the most compelling and mysterious of all, despite the fact that show more the narrative is told in first person. His story - how he got to be an ex-monk, what drove him from the church, and the dubious past that may or may not involve murder - was apparently told in the first book, Heresy. In Prophecy, he is more of an observer, his personality muted and kept in the background.
Parris has delivered a tale along the lines of CJ Sansom’s amazing Shardlake series. Her handling of the detail of the period is nowhere near as skilful as Sansom’s. Nonetheless, this is an engaging and enjoyable read and I’ll definitely be looking out Heresy just to find out more about the back story hinted at in this volume. show less
Summary: It's 1583, the year of the Great Conjunction: a rare astronomical event that foretells a time of great upheaval. The word on the streets of London is that the Great Conjunction will result in the death of Queen Elizabeth and the end of the Tudor rule - a result that would certainly please Catholics across the country who long for an end to Protestant rule. The Queen's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, suspects that some of those Catholics may be taking a more active role, however, so he once again enlists the ex-monk Giordano Bruno to go undercover into the house of the French ambassador to investigate. But when one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting is found murdered with astrological symbols cut into her skin, the stakes are show more suddenly raised. Now Bruno must determine whether or not her death is part of a Catholic plot to overthrow the Queen... or something even more sinister.
Review: Clever, curious, and connected to some very important historical figures, Giordano Bruno is a natural fit for the role of historical detective and spy. With Bruno as her leading man, Parris has once again delivered a mystery that's engaging, intelligent, and well-grounded in historical fact. She does a wonderful job bringing both the historical backdrop and its inhabitants to life, and while I personally preferred the Oxford setting of Heresy, Parris is equally adept at depicting Elizabethan London.
While for the most part Prophecy moved along well enough, I did get somewhat tired of the politico-religious talk by about the midway point. I understand that tensions between Protestants and Catholics were very real, and very important at the time, but I felt like they were being dwelt on more than they needed to be, and that they were distracting some of the focus from the murders. I also would have been happier if the plot had put a little more emphasis on the arcane nature of the deaths, and thrown us a few more red herrings - mysteries where the detective spends time chasing leads that seem likely but don't pan out are somehow more satisfying than mysteries where the detective isn't sure what's going on until right at the end. This was also the second book I read in a row where the otherwise very intelligent main character suddenly became blind to other people's shifty behavior right when it was convenient for the plot.
But in the grand scheme of things, my complaints are pretty minor. This book, like Heresy, did what I want my historical mysteries to do: get me immersed in the time period, engage my attention, and keep me reading. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Parris's mysteries are a lot of fun, and definitely recommended for fans of historical mysteries, or of Tudor historical fiction more generally. While Prophecy does make a few references to the events of Heresy, they're not at all interdependent books, and could easily be read separately. show less
Review: Clever, curious, and connected to some very important historical figures, Giordano Bruno is a natural fit for the role of historical detective and spy. With Bruno as her leading man, Parris has once again delivered a mystery that's engaging, intelligent, and well-grounded in historical fact. She does a wonderful job bringing both the historical backdrop and its inhabitants to life, and while I personally preferred the Oxford setting of Heresy, Parris is equally adept at depicting Elizabethan London.
While for the most part Prophecy moved along well enough, I did get somewhat tired of the politico-religious talk by about the midway point. I understand that tensions between Protestants and Catholics were very real, and very important at the time, but I felt like they were being dwelt on more than they needed to be, and that they were distracting some of the focus from the murders. I also would have been happier if the plot had put a little more emphasis on the arcane nature of the deaths, and thrown us a few more red herrings - mysteries where the detective spends time chasing leads that seem likely but don't pan out are somehow more satisfying than mysteries where the detective isn't sure what's going on until right at the end. This was also the second book I read in a row where the otherwise very intelligent main character suddenly became blind to other people's shifty behavior right when it was convenient for the plot.
But in the grand scheme of things, my complaints are pretty minor. This book, like Heresy, did what I want my historical mysteries to do: get me immersed in the time period, engage my attention, and keep me reading. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Parris's mysteries are a lot of fun, and definitely recommended for fans of historical mysteries, or of Tudor historical fiction more generally. While Prophecy does make a few references to the events of Heresy, they're not at all interdependent books, and could easily be read separately. show less
An excellent followup to Heresy, S.J. Parris' Prophecy sees Giordano Bruno back in the thick of things, trying to keep a conspiracy from bringing down Queen Elizabeth (and hopefully keeping himself alive in the process).
Parris' depiction of John Dee's laboratory and library alone make the book worth reading; the fact that she's also managed to put together a good, complicated political thriller is icing on the cake. Her Bruno is an enjoyable character, and even though my favorite character from the last book (the bookseller Rowland Jenkes) doesn't make a re-appearance, I suppose there's hope that he might return in the next volume.
The third volume in the series arrived this week (prompting me to read this one quickly so I can catch up); show more I'm looking forward to it with anticipation. show less
Parris' depiction of John Dee's laboratory and library alone make the book worth reading; the fact that she's also managed to put together a good, complicated political thriller is icing on the cake. Her Bruno is an enjoyable character, and even though my favorite character from the last book (the bookseller Rowland Jenkes) doesn't make a re-appearance, I suppose there's hope that he might return in the next volume.
The third volume in the series arrived this week (prompting me to read this one quickly so I can catch up); show more I'm looking forward to it with anticipation. show less
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- Canonical title
- Prophecy
- Original publication date
- 2011
- People/Characters
- Giordano Bruno; John Dee; Sir Francis Walsingham; Michel de Castelnau, Sieur de la Mauvissiere; Marie de Castelnau, Madame de la Mauvissiere; Bernardino de Mendoza (show all 20); Cecily Ashe; Léon Dumas; Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton; Claude de Courcelles; Bernardino de Mendoza; Archibald Douglas; Francis Throckmorton; Thomas Phelippes; Edward Kelley; William Fowler; Jane Dee; Joseph Tanner; Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel; Sir Philip Sidney
- Important places
- London, England, UK; Whitehall Palace, London, England, UK; Arundel, West Sussex, England, UK
- First words
- Without warning, all the candles in the room's corners flicker and feint, as if a sudden gust has entered, but the air remains still. (Prologue)
The wedding feast of Sir Philip Sidney and Frances Walsingham threatens to spill over into the next day; dusk has fallen, lamps have been lit, and above the din from the musicians in the gallery and the laughter of guests, th... (show all)e young woman with whom I have been dancing tells me excitedly that she was once at a marriage party that lasted four days altogether. (Main Text) - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)This is the nature of our age, and it needs no ancient prophecy nor conjunction of planets to explain it. (Main Text)
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)As I stare upward, a final burst of fireworks pierces the dark with crimson light, scattering sparks like a shower of bright rain so that, for an instant, the sky is illuminated, stained the colour of blood. (Epilogue) - Original language
- English
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