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Prophecy
Prophecy: An Elizabethan Thriller | S.J. Parris
12 posts | 12 read | 13 to read
S. J. Parris returns with the next Giordano Bruno mystery, set inside Queen Elizabeths palace and steeped in period atmospherics and the strange workings of the occult. It is the year of the Great Conjunction, when the two most powerful planets, Jupiter and Saturn, alignan astrological phenomenon that occurs once every thousand years and heralds the death of one age and the dawn of another. The streets of London are abuzz with predictions of horrific events to come, possibly even the death of Queen Elizabeth. When several of the queens 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. But even as the climate of fear at the palace intensifies, the queen refuses to believe that the killer could be someone within her own court. Bruno must play a dangerous game: can he allow the plot to progress far enough to give the queen the proof she needs without putting her, England, or his own life in danger? In this utterly gripping and gorgeously written novel, S. J. Parris has proven herself the new master of the historical thriller. From the Hardcover edition.
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andrew61
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Pickpick

I heard Stephanie Merritt discussing Bruno Giordano on Backlisted, so I decided to read bk 2 in this her series of Tudor crime stories with the former monk, now spy for Walsingham, at the centre of the plot. In this one, Bruno is a guest of the French ambassador as a murder of one the queens lady in waiting is murdered with religious symbols. As a plot to topple Elizabeth gains support, Bruno investigates. Definitely scratches that shardlake itch.

Ruthiella Good to know! I listened to that episode and thought it might make a good read-alike. I still have Tombstone from Samson to go and presumably that‘s the last one he will write. 1y
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MamaGina
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Pickpick

This second entry in the Giordano Bruno series continues the intrigues of its “renegade monk, philosopher, scientist, poet and magician” as he strives to stay alive and protect Queen Elizabeth from the machinations of the French, Spanish and Scottish courts, all seemingly intent on ending her reign. A historical thriller I enjoyed, despite figuring out several plot points well before the end.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Tove_Reads
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Not my fave book, but this stings, because the book is set in Tudor Times, but it pretty much as accurate now ☹️ Not only London, or the 🇬🇧

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Andrew65
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Okay is it me. 🤔 Just finished this book and feel as if I should have enjoyed it but cannot say I have. It is at the bottom end of okay for me but just. I find I have lost focus when reading them and at points find myself bored. Is it me? My current mood? But cannot say I have enjoyed either of the first two books.

Is it because I have previously read the Shardlake books which are exceptional?
Has anyone else read them? What is your viewpoint?

EadieB @Andrew65 I remember the first book started off slow but did pick up and finished ok. I'm sure CJ Sansom has spoiled you! @tove_reads 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB I‘m just finding them a bit tedious. Possibly need a bit more pace and less description in the text. Not helped by not really feeling I care about Bruno one way or the other. My wife recently read the first one and said the same, she is not minded to carry on with the series. (edited) 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 I would have to agree that the first book did not excite me enough to make me want to pick up the next one right away. Possibly the subject matter has been worn out too with so many authors writing about the Tudors. 6y
See All 10 Comments
Andrew65 @EadieB I just find this series too pedestrian. 6y
TrishB I stopped after number one, like @EadieB says I‘m worn out with the Tudors!! Feel I need to leave them alone for a long time. 6y
Andrew65 @TrishB @EadieB Perhaps not just me then! 😗 6y
LeahBergen I haven‘t read this one (and now I probably won‘t 😆). 6y
Tove_Reads I feel like I can‘t connect with the book or the characters. Maybe I‘ve just read so many good series lately that a mediocre one just doesn‘t do it for me. 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads I have to totally agree with your viewpoint on this book / series. Perhaps we put this series on hold for future books and get to one of the other series you have in mind. Susannah Gregory? @EadieB (edited) 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 You know, I was thinking that if the same story was with Shardlake I‘d enjoy it more. The writing is quite flat though. Makes it hard for me to concentrate from time to time. Most def up for Gregory! @EadieB 6y
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Andrew65
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Starting to listen to Prophecy, the second book in this series, which I am reading along with @Tove_Reads and @EadieB Not totally sold on the first one so hope this one convinces me more about this series.

EadieB @Andrew65 @Tove_Reads At my grandson‘s birthday party today and babysitting tomorrow. Leave for Florida Tuesday until next Monday to babysit while my daughter does her acupuncture review and test. Don‘t know when I‘ll find time to read. Maybe on the train! (edited) 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Enjoy your time away, the book can always wait. 😊Hope have a great party, happy birthday to your grandson. (edited) 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 thanks! (edited) 6y
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Tove_Reads
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Started reading the second book in the series. Let‘s see what Bruno has been up to. Black magic?

Cathythoughts Mysterious cover ! 6y
Andrew65 Should finish book 6 in the Harry Potter Series later so will then be starting Prophecy. 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads @Andrew65 Will start this soon 6y
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Pixelsmummy
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Fantastic evening at the Cityread event at The Charterhouse , London. We were whisked back to London in 1583 in a fully immersive theatrical performance based on SJ Parris's Prophecy. We donned cloaks and entered the world of Giordano Bruno, William Fowler and the shady world of Tudor spies.
Can't wait to get cracking with the book now. Thank you for a wonderful evening Cityread. See you next again year.

zsuzsanna_reads This sound amazing! 8y
Pixelsmummy It was great fun, and very well done. Very atmospheric location - The Charterhouse -helped too. 8y
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Foxyfictionista
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Mehso-so

🔮🔮🔮 I think I've reached saturation point with Tudor-era stories. I wasn't really feeling this book. It was ok but it didn't grab me. I've been participating in Cityread London since it started 4 years ago so I felt compelled to finish it. This was my P author for #LitsyAtoZ.

drokka Oh I quite like that cover better than mine. 8y
Foxyfictionista @drokka Have you read it? 8y
drokka No, I've only read the first one Heresy. This one is on my shelves. 8y
Foxyfictionista @drokka Ah, ok. I'll be interested to know what you think about it once you've read it. 8y
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Pixelsmummy

Bit late to the party...but I'm joining you Cityread 2017!

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Foxyfictionista
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Anyone participating in Cityread London? 👑 http://cityread.london/campaign/cityread-london-2017/

bitterbear I love Hemingway's style.. 8y
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JoeStalksBeck
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One of my library hauls. I love Dan Brown books and this one seems to be in that genre. Hoping it delivers because the storyline sounds magnificent!

BeckaroniAndCheese I'll be following to see what you think! I also like Dan Brown and am curious how this one stands up. 8y
JoeStalksBeck @BeckaroniAndCheese love your screen name! So far it's very interesting! It starts out far more detailed than Dan Brown . Gets right to it lol . 8y
BeckaroniAndCheese @GoodallBookHaul Sounds promising! My screen name is an old college nickname that seemed fitting for this. I wasn't witty enough to come up with bookish names and I don't have a blog so, there you have it! 8y
TNbookworm This sounds really good, can't wait to see what you think of it. 8y
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Angeles
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed Bruno Giordano as a detective. The book includes gruesome murders,ancient books and conspiracies. It is sad that the Spanish are part of the bad guys gang, only because they meant to invade England and kill Elizabeth.😇Mendoza, the Spanish ambassador in this book is a really funny stereotype but I wish the French ambassador was less of a ninny. I don't know where this idea of French men as weak idiots comes from but it is tiresome