Giordano Bruno Series 6 Books Collection Set By S. J. Parris Conspiracy, Treache Paperback – 1 Jan. 2019

The *Giordano Bruno* series by S.J. Parris (a pseudonym for Stephanie Merritt) blends historical fiction with the mystery and thriller genres, centered around the real-life philosopher and former Dominican monk Giordano Bruno. Set in Elizabethan England, the novels explore religious, political, and philosophical intrigue during a period of intense sectarian conflict between Catholics and Protestants.Here’s a mini-review of the series:1. **Historical Setting**: One of the strongest aspects of the novels is their rich historical detail. S.J. Parris immerses readers in the turbulent politics of the late 16th century, with the ever-present threat of religious persecution and political betrayal. Bruno's character, as an outsider and a man with unorthodox ideas, is well-placed in this dangerous environment.2. **Giordano Bruno as a Protagonist**: The protagonist is portrayed as a brilliant yet flawed figure. His real-life reputation as a philosopher and heretic adds depth to his role as a sleuth. In the novels, he acts as both a spy and detective, navigating a world filled with espionage, murder, and secrecy. Bruno's internal struggle between his intellectual curiosity and the dangers of his time adds complexity to his character.3. **Mystery and Plot**: The novels have tightly-woven plots, often revolving around a central murder or conspiracy, with Bruno called upon to solve the mystery. The stories are gripping, filled with suspense, and often touch on themes of loyalty, betrayal, and power. The combination of political intrigue and murder mystery makes for a compelling read.4. **Writing Style**: S.J. Parris writes with clarity and fluency, balancing action, historical context, and philosophical discussions without bogging the reader down. The pacing is generally solid, though some readers might find occasional sections a bit slow when the focus shifts heavily toward historical exposition.5. **Recurring Themes**: The novels consistently explore themes such as the conflict between science and religion, personal freedom versus authority, and the dangers of heresy in a world dominated by religious orthodoxy. Bruno’s personal experiences with persecution add emotional weight to these themes.6. **Weaknesses**: Some readers may find the formula for the mysteries a bit repetitive as the series progresses, with Bruno falling into similar situationsOverall if you like history and crime mystery you’ll like these.

I’ve read all of the Giordano Bruno series of books and thoroughly enjoyed them. The main character is likeable & believable and the I like how his story develops over the series of books. Also the plot lines are exciting & really draw you in. This set is very good value for money.

Loved reading these books. Only took seven weeks. Fantastic!

I have enjoyed reading this series of books. Felt the writing developed as the series did.

Good, but not as good as the Shardlake series.

Good price for a pack of books. Speedy Amazon delivery.

Enjoy S J Parris. I read these one after another they are hard to put down once you start reading them.

Not quite but still well written and an enjoyable read if you like ‘who dunnit’ Elizabethan style. Stephanie Merritt clearly has a deep appreciation of historical context which blended with a fluent writing style combines to produce a thoroughly good read.