‘Execution‘ by S. J. Parris is the sixth in her series with the Italian heretic Giordano Bruno. I read and discussed this on the Pigeonhole app with many other readers. A very cleverly written story with an historical plot, religious tensions, the struggle for the throne of England. In a nutshell; Queen Elizabeth I of England v Mary Queen of Scots. Well researched with primary and secondary sources transporting us into the religious upheaval. Wonderful to be in the land of Francis Walsingham again with Giordano Bruno reminding us in the first chapter; I am not a praying man. Thirteen years as a Dominican Friar cured me of that habit, forgive the pun.’ A brilliant scholar, philosopher... and comic too. In Campo de' Fiori, just south of the Piazza Navona, in Rome stands the statue of the historical Giordano Bruno by Ettore Ferrari, 1889. An incredible person from history, and one whom SJ Parris painstakingly brings to life. There are so many twists and turns, that one must read carefully to digest every little scrap of the story. Bruno is a favourite of mine in all SJ’s books and in ‘Execution’ he has not failed to thrill and entertain me, with the highs and lows of Elizabethan England. A strong textured plot with the thread snaking through the storyline, rounded historical and fictional characters, excellent locations with; hostility, smells, theatre, immigration, conspiracy and death amongst the two religions striking out for permanence; Roman Catholicism to Protestantism to Roman Catholicism to Protestantism. The characters in this story tugging to and fro for what they believe. A tremendous read. A tremendous writer.

The latest in the Giordano Bruno series, although the story can easily be read as a standalone piece. It is 1586 and plotting continues against Elizabeth. Bruno seines his opportunity to place himself again at the service of Walsingham and infiltrate a group intent on the despatch of the queen and the promotion of Mary Queen of Scots to the throne. Bruno is as resourceful as ever and has a helpful assistant in young Ben, a street urchin. There is danger and deceit and Bruno suffers his usual regular beatings. The pace is steady and the plotting (by the author not by the conspirators) is well constructed and satisfying. There is less focus on Bruno's beliefs than in previous novels and the search for heretical manuscripts appears all but forgotten. Massively entertaining and possibly the best yet in the series. (I was given an advance copy in exchange for an honest review)

I think this might be the best in the series so far. Walsingham at his most enigmatic and Bruno with a mixture of bravery, charm and determination managing to survive everything thrown at him. As always, the characters are three dimensional and engaging. This is well paced, well written and well researched. I really enjoyed reading this book and would thoroughly recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical fiction without inaccuracies or anachronisms. I received an e copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another fabulous and gripping read from S.J. Parris. This is book 6 featuring Giordano Bruno and is even more enthralling than the other 5, brilliantly written and researched....I could smell those streets of London! A totally thrilling and unputdownable read....more please!! Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

It was such a pleasure to return to this series. Bruno is a great protagonist – he has many admirable qualities and interesting traits but he’s fallible and therefore believable. There’s an added frisson in knowing that he was a real person and that the story is woven around real events – in this case, the Babington Plot to assassinate Elizabeth I and put Mary Queen of Scots on the English throne. I’d forgotten just how good Steph Merritt’s writing is. Descriptive without being too flowery, it immerses you in the noise and filth of sixteenth century London. I enjoyed the previous book, Conspiracy, set in Paris but it was good to be back on home soil. I love imagining London as it was then, trying to fit it in my mind with what remains. Despite the fairly wide cast of characters, it’s easy to keep track of who’s who because they’re so well drawn. The dialogue feels authentic, and the nods to future events subtle rather than clunky. There’s only one problem with reading an excellent book like this ahead of publication – there’s too long to wait for the next instalment!