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Heresy
Heresy | S. J. Parris
Like "The Dante Club," this clever, sophisticated, exceptionally enjoyable thriller is written with unstoppable narrative propulsion and stylistic flair. Follow the monk, poet, and scientist Giordano Bruno on his quest to uncover a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth I.
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TheEllieMo
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

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RaeLovesToRead
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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You know you've made it in the book world when your books are turned into biscuits! 💕💕💕

julesG 😍😍😍 6mo
Branwen I love these so much! 6mo
RaeLovesToRead @julesG @Branwen These taste so good that I have decided to order a shipment... I need to invent some kind of "corporate event" as an excuse ? Or maybe I'll just order 100 biscuits with my face printed on them ? 6mo
Branwen @RaeLovesToRead OMG PLEASE DO THIS! 🤣🤣🤣 6mo
julesG What @Branwen said. 6mo
54 likes5 comments
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OutsmartYourShelf
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Mehso-so

I will read practically anything set in Tudor England, it is one of my favourite time periods to read about. This was OK but it didn't captivate me as I found it difficult to warm to the MC for some reason, but sometimes it takes a book or two. The plot itself was rather good, and I hadn't worked out everything in advance which is always a good sign. 3⭐

CW: graphic scenes of public execution, i.e. burnings and the 'hung, drawn, & quartered' type.

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MamaGina
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Pickpick

This debut compares favorably to the Matthew Shardlake series. It takes place during the early reign of Elizabeth I and, like Shardlake, Giordano Bruno is called upon to serve the interests of the powerful while navigating religious/political pitfalls. The fact that Bruno was a real historical figure who spent his life trying to outrun The Inquisition, as well as excellent atmospheric storytelling, makes me keen to continue this series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ruthiella I‘ll keep this in my back pocket. I‘m currently making my way through the Shardlake books. 😀 3y
14 likes1 stack add2 comments
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andrew61
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Pickpick

It took me a short while to really get hooked into a new tudor mystery as I had the shadow of shardlake in the back of my mind. However once Bruno is in Oxford and the gruesome murders start and Bruno is hunting for a culprit i started to get hooked and by the end was rattling through the pages. Ill definitely give book 2 a go at some point.

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CaitlinR
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Andrew65
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Bailedbailed

Read the first 71 pages of this book during Easter 2019 but for some reason never felt motivated to get back to the book over the past year, so really need to get it off my reading shelf! So at the moment it is a bail but not getting rid of the book so might go back and start it again at some point in the future especially as I own the audio book of book 2.

EadieB @Andrew65 I gave it 4 stars but never felt like I needed to read book 2. Definitely not like C.J. Sansom's books. Can't wait for his next book! 4y
Andrew65 @EadieB Yes C J Sansom beats most, been difficult to find someone to replace him in this ilk! Sure if I read it it straight through I‘d most probably give it 3.5 - 4 stars. At some point I‘m sure I‘ll go back to it. Some point I want to read Samson‘s two standalones. 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 I read Winter In Madrid and enjoyed it. The guy knows how to write! 4y
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Andrew65 @EadieB I own that, bought it many years ago on Kindle for 20p!!!! But never read it. 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 I do need to read Dominion though. It‘s about the Nazi‘s taking over Britain. 4y
Andrew65 @EadieB Totally different to his other books, should be an interesting read. This book was also good as detective book on the same theme. 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 The Deighton book looks good. I also read this 3 book series about the same subject and they were very good. 4y
Andrew65 I remember you recommending these when you were reading them and recommended them to my library, Need to go back and check if I can get hold of them. 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 Yes they are definitely worth reading. 4y
67 likes9 comments
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Lizpixie
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Bk4 in my #QuarantineLibraryHaul is the 1st book in the Giordano Bruno series. I ran across his name while reading A Discovery Of Witches,when I saw an historical mystery series with him as the MC, I couldn‘t resist. He was a monk, poet & scientist in the 16th century where his belief that the earth orbited the sun had him branded a witch & heretic by the inquisition.In real life he was burned at the stake,in this he becomes a spy for Elizabeth I.

JazzFeathers Cool! I've always been fascinated by Giordano Bruno. He was a remarkable man. Need to find this series! 4y
MadDustKitties I enjoyed this book. I still have to read the rest of the series, thank you for reminding me about it. 4y
Suet624 You just provided a whole bunch of fascinating information right there. 4y
53 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Lucy_Anywhere
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Pickpick

A great historical mystery set in 16th century Oxford. The central mystery was absorbing, but my favourite thing about this book is how it evokes the suspicions and dangers of a time when Catholics and Protestants were tearing Europe apart... And scientists were starting to question old understanding. A solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read

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EadieB
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Pickpick

Oxford 1583. Protestant Queen Elizabeth I on throne of England for 25 years but subjects long to return to Catholic faith. Italian Monk Giordano Bruno has been charged with heresy for believing in a heliocentric universe. Plot to assassinate Elizabeth sends Bruno to Oxford which is a hotbed of Catholic rebellion. An Oxford fellow is murdered and Bruno is plunged into a game of cat and mouse as someone has a revenge against faith. But which faith?

EadieB The plot started off slow but once the murder happened the storyline took off. The book is based on the real life of Giordano Bruno and S.J. Parris has masterfully researched and written an entertaining whodunit that is hard-to-put-down. I look forward to reading book 2 and recommend this series to those who like historical thrillers. 5y
60 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Tove_Reads
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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I‘m slowly warming up to this book, but apparently my dog thinks it‘s good 🤣

Itchyfeetreader 💕💕💕 5y
JennyM Nawww, that‘s such a cute pic 🐶♥️ (edited) 5y
bullbunny So cuute! 5y
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EadieB @Tove_Reads It suddenly got better after the murder! @Andrew65 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB Perhaps the dog has worked out who the murderer is! Hunting him down like a dog! 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 I don‘t think he liked what they did to the dog. @EadieB Yes, indeed! 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads With other commitments I‘ve got a bit behind on this one. @EadieB 5y
EadieB @Andrew65 I‘ve got a good way to go too. Only on Chapter 7 page 153. @Tove_Reads (edited) 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB Well ahead of me. 5y
Tove_Reads @Andrew65 @EadieB How‘s it going with the book? I have about 75 pages left. 5y
EadieB @Tove_Reads I‘m on page 313. I‘m really enjoying it now. @Andrew65 5y
Tove_Reads @EadieB Seems to be one of the many first books in a series that just takes awhile before the going gets good. 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB I‘m still way behind! I‘ve been working on other commitments and library returns. 😔 @Tove_Reads 5y
56 likes13 comments
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Andrew65
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Have started Heresy which I am reading with @Tove_Reads and @EadieB . Read the first 45 pages so far but yet to feel it has really sparked my interest. Early days!

EadieB Getting ready to start it too. 5y
Tove_Reads Just finished my work on the resolution for today. Spent the day at a day spa. Tired, but happy. Will need to start reading this one. Hope it gets better! 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Me too. Of course may be me! @EadieB 5y
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rwmg Another series I need to get back to 5y
Tove_Reads Let‘s hope it‘s the first book in a series syndrome. I‘ve read about 100 pages. 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Hopefully, I‘m on page 66. 5y
EadieB @Andrew65 I‘m having a hard time getting into it too! @Tove_Reads I‘ll try again today. 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB Glad its not just me. I will try again later. @Tove_Reads 5y
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Tove_Reads
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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The historical fiction lover in my want to read all of these books now!

Crazeedi Nice stack! They all look good, and I dont think I've read any of them! 5y
Crazeedi Correction, I read the trilogy of Noah Gordon, starting with the one here, the physician, they were really good 5y
Andrew65 Think I own a copy of The Physican. Will have to check my library when I get home. 5y
44 likes3 comments
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led567
Heresy | S. J. Parris
Pickpick

I enjoyed this and will read the sequel. Could have been c 50 pages shorter and there are a few coincidences too many, but on the whole a page-turner and evocative of the period. Clever use of a protagonist from Italy as enables outsider‘s perspective, with friends in high places so that real historical figures can be brought in. Historical details well researched and religious conflict brought to life.

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Tove_Reads
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Anyone read this series? Is it good? @EadieB @Andrew65

EadieB @Tove_Reads I own some of this series. 5y
Tove_Reads @EadieB But haven‘t read? 5y
EadieB @Tove_Reads no not yet. I own thousands of books so can‘t get to them all! 5y
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Tove_Reads @EadieB You also read a lot, so I expect you‘ve read everything I ask about 😂 I have heard of this series, and now that we are almost done with Shardlake this could be a good one! 5y
EadieB @Tove_Reads I‘m thinking that @Andrew65 may have read some of this series. 5y
Tove_Reads @EadieB @andrew65 One of us should have! 5y
EadieB @Tove_Reads just checked @Andrew65 Goodreads account and he hasn‘t read it yet. 5y
julesG @EadieB Stalker alert! 😂😂😂 5y
julesG I'm stacking it. Hell, I might even own this already. 5y
EadieB @julesG well then you need to read it with us! 5y
EadieB @Tove_Reads check out these authors and see if you like any of their series: Lindsay Faye, Stefanie Pintoff, Imogen Robertson, Susanna Gregory, Tessa Harris, William Dietrich 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB I own some of the series, but know my wife wasn‘t over impressed with the first one. @julesG EadieB can stalk with the best of them. 😂 😂😂 and she was right! Not read any of those authors either @EadieB 5y
Andrew65 @julesG You will have to join us in the future. 😊👍😍 5y
julesG @Andrew65 Yep. Will do. You pick some interesting series. I just don't want to get overwhelmed with too many obligations. 😉 5y
Andrew65 Just join us for one series as a start. 😊 @julesG 5y
julesG @Andrew65 I will. Was tempted to join Mo Hayder. Which book are you on there? Or have you finished already? 5y
Andrew65 @julesG Finished the first book, but plenty of time to catch up. Likely to be early March before we read book two. Read a book about every 6 weeks in these series. 5y
julesG @Andrew65 That's doable. I think for me the next unread in the series is Poppet. 5y
Andrew65 @julesG That is one frightening cover. Poppet is Book 6 in the series. 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 I checked the series, and yet again it looks like the first book is not as good as the rest of them. @EadieB 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Often the case. 5y
Tove_Reads @EadieB Only heard of 2, read none. They do sound good. Willing to try all! Especially Gregory caught my eye! I‘m happy to plan far ahead - because I have to try to get my library to order them as the first option, or I need to get them to Finland before the mess Andrew‘s country is in happens March 29. @Andrew65 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads And Boy is it in a mess. Everyone (politicians) trying to use the situation for their own ends rather than sorting out what they should be doing for the country. Whether you agree with the result of the referendum or not what they are doing is compromising democracy. 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 We‘ve been advised not to fly to or through the 🇬🇧 March 30. Everything is a mess. That‘s why I need to get my books out of there before that. So, I need to plan ahead, for ex I have to order a lot of Marianis. 5y
Tove_Reads @eadieb I have one Gregory, library has most of them, but yet agai the first one is missing. Asked them to get it. 5y
Tove_Reads @EadieB Are you familiar with Louis Bayard? 5y
Tove_Reads @EadieB Alex Grecian, Caleb Carr, Lynn Shepherd? 5y
EadieB @Tove_Reads Yes I have books from all those authors. 5y
Tove_Reads @EadieB Read any? 5y
EadieB @Tove_Reads I think we read the first Caleb Carr with our group on LT 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB We did, I wasn‘t impressed. @Tove_Reads 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads I think sone people are playing games re UK and trying to cause panic, anybody would think it was the end of the world! (edited) 5y
Tove_Reads @andre65 I expect it to be Peckham, Whitehawk or Moss side within a year. 😂 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 @eadieb So the “superbly fantastic” first book by CC is a myth? 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads A lot of people do like it. My wife read it after me and we both felt it was very long winded and needed more pace. Gave it 3 1/2 stars. I had been so looking forward to that book and expected more. 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 I get it, but I give quite a few first ones 3+, and once I decide to continue I‘m either 4,5-5 or 2. 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 I fear that our expectations do kill it for us. I‘m at that stage with Masie Dobbs #1 for example. Well, it took us both a while to continue with both Frieda and Shardlake, and both of us ended up looooving them. Sometimes (quite rarely) the first one is fantastic, but after that 👎🏽 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Yes quite often takes a series a while to build but given the reputation of this book just left disappointed. Started so well too. 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads I enjoyed the first Maisie Dobbs, but do feel they get better. You are right, some Series you are blown away by the first book and then flat lines from there! 5y
Tove_Reads @EadieB @andrew65 Do you think the tagged series could be our new Shardlake? 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 Def prefer the ones that grow with you. Tana French has a first superb book, but I felt every single one just made it further down the drain. (edited) 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads I wasn‘t even happy with first book, gave it 2 generous stars! Not read any by Tana French since! 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Willing to give them a go when I finish Shardlake. @EadieB (edited) 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 I liked in the woods, after that 👎🏽 2 whole stars! Almost Ursa Major then! 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Again I felt In the Woods was too long and lost the plot in the second half of the book. Enjoyed the first half. 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 I read two more. The third one was simply wtf happened after 50 pages. 5y
EadieB @Tove_Reads @Andrew65 Tana French is very wordy but I do like her books. If you listen to them on audio it is a better experience. I loved The Witch Elm and The Trespasser. She is an excellent writer but wordy! 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB I think this is one we will differ on based on the first one, but can see she‘d be better as an audiobook. 5y
EadieB @Andrew65 Many people write reviews about her being wordy and she just does her thing and is not going to change. I do the audio and it works! 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB A person‘s style is a person‘s style! 5y
EadieB @Andrew65 Yes and if you don‘t like it then you don‘t have to read it! 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB plenty of other books out There! 5y
EadieB @Andrew65 That is for sure! 5y
Tove_Reads @Andrew65 @EadieB So the tagged one sometime around April? 5y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads April would seem right. @eadieb 5y
EadieB @Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Sounds good to me! 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 @EadieB I‘m just afraid our standards are set too high for authors in the “Sansom genre”. Btw, any interest in Gregory‘s books? I‘m keen! 5y
EadieB @Tove_Reads Sure I own them so I would like to read them! @Andrew65 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB I own a few so willing to give her a try (Gregory). S J Parris does have a high standard to meet! (edited) 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 @EadieB I think we must accept the possibility we will be disappointed in the first one, and give Parris a chance to prove herself as a good author! Awesome, Gregory, we except a lot from her as well! 5y
EadieB @Andrew65 it‘s rated 3.8 on Amazon and 3.7 on Goodreads @Tove_Reads so we know what to expect. 5y
Andrew65 @EadieB I always find Goodreads ratings more reliable than amazon, although these two are quite close. Not always the case. @EadieB Of course sometimes we differ from the views of others. 😂 @Tove_Reads (edited) 5y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 @EadieB Have you seen the GR rating for Heartstone? 5y
Tove_Reads @EadieB @andrew65 I‘m suddenly number 5 in line for Tombland (4 copies), so should get it towards the end of February. 5y
36 likes2 stack adds66 comments
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Oblomov26
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Pickpick

Hmmmm.... I am perhaps rating this book to highly. Giordano Bruno, ex monk, philosopher and heretic arrives in Oxford to debate the Copernican theory and is drawn into a murder mystery set against a background of hidden Catholics, conspiracies against the crown and Walshingham‘s secret service. An interesting setting, and a competent murder mystery, but I found that it suffered in comparison to Sansom‘s Shardlake series.

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Chey12
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Just read this book before I had to return to classes for college. Bruno is at Oxford to defend the Copernican Theory and now I sit in Astronomy studying the Copernican Theory.

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Chey12
Heresy | S. J. Parris

I have a question, Littens. I'm only a quarter through the book, and so far it is pretty accurate; however, some of the language used is historically inaccurate. I am an avid Oxford Dictionary user so I've been looking up phrases to check the accuracy. The conversations are modern with no use of common vernacular of the 1500s . I am slightly bothered by it. Anyone else bothered by inaccurate word use / lack of common vernacular in His. Fiction?

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Chey12
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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"Books prohibited to scholars? How then should men of learning sharpen their intellect, or learn to discern between truth and heresy."

I love that this book defends reading and intellectual discovery. Also, the subtle title drop.

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Chey12
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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"So I learned that, in Italy, words and ideas are considered as dangerous as swords and arrows, and that a philosopher or a scientist needs as much courage as a soldier to speak his mind."

How incredibly poignant in this chaotic world.

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Chey12
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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"The works of Erasmus are on the Inquisition's Index of Forbidden Books, as you well know, Brother Giordano."

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jimintheverse
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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All day long I've been doing obligation reading. This is my reward. Elzabetham espionage mystery!

2 likes2 stack adds
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Chey12
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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Cconnolly Enjoy your birthday! 7y
Chey12 Thank you! 7y
2 likes2 comments
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Chey12
Heresy | S. J. Parris
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It's my birthday, so naturally I went to the bookstore. I bought this lovely book. I'm love anything to do with Tudor England or the Renaissance.

saresmoore Happy birthday! You look lovely! 7y
Chey12 Thank you! 7y
mcipher Happy birthday!! 🎁🎈 7y
Chey12 Thank you!! 7y
4 likes4 comments