Execution (Giordano Bruno #6)

Title: Execution (Giordano Bruno #6)

Author: S.J. Parris

Published in: 2020

Date read: Not yet read

Score: /5

Genre: Historical fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Execution," published in 2013, is the fourth novel in S.J. Parris's historical mystery series, once again featuring the enigmatic philosopher and spy, Giordano Bruno. The story plunges Bruno into a high-stakes investigation set against the backdrop of one of the most violent and dangerous periods of 16th-century Europe.

The novel begins with Bruno, now working as a spymaster in the service of Queen Elizabeth I, being sent on a perilous mission to Paris. His task is to secure the release of an English spy and, more importantly, to uncover the plot behind a series of murders that could have dire consequences for England's relations with France. The victims are a group of prominent Protestant noblemen, all of whom have been brutally killed, their bodies left as a warning.

Bruno, a man of profound intellect and a natural outsider due to his heretical views, finds himself navigating the treacherous streets of Paris, a city still scarred by the recent St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. He is thrust into a world of political intrigue, religious fanaticism, and spies who operate in the shadows. He must use his keen powers of observation and his knowledge of the occult to piece together the clues left by the killer.

As Bruno investigates, he uncovers a conspiracy that goes far beyond a simple political assassination. The murders are tied to a shadowy group that seeks to ignite a new religious war across Europe. The killer, it turns out, is a master of disguise, a seemingly unstoppable figure who leaves no trace behind and seems to have intimate knowledge of his victims.

Bruno finds himself in a race against time. He is a target himself, pursued by both the ruthless killer and the French authorities, who suspect him of being involved. He must use all his cunning and intellect to stay one step ahead, all while trying to decipher the true meaning of the murders.

The novel is a tense and atmospheric historical thriller that not only provides a compelling mystery but also offers a vivid and detailed portrait of a city on the brink of another religious war. The climax is a dramatic and explosive confrontation, where Bruno, against all odds, unmasks the true identity of the assassin and exposes a plot that could have changed the course of European history. "Execution" is a gripping tale of espionage, murder, and the eternal conflict between faith and reason.

Comments:

Books that we've read by S.J. Parris (1):
Heresy (Giordano Bruno, #1) (2010)