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GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Prophecy by S J Parris

July 24, 2011 By Mary 72 Comments

Description

S. J. Parris returns with the next Giordano Bruno mystery, set inside Queen Elizabeth’s 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, align—an 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 queen’s 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.

About the Author

S. J. PARRIS is the author of Heresy and a contrib­uting journalist for various publications, including the Observer and the Guardian.

Details

  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday (May 3, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385531303
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385531306

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

This is a beautifully written, historical fiction thriller that takes place during the rule of Queen Elizabeth and in her court.  If you are a fan of this era and know a bit about the whispers of occult and astrology that occurred during her reign, you are really going to enjoy this story of conspiracy and mystery.  This is probably one of my favorite time periods to read about since it truly was an age of discovery and that these ideas were often described as heresy and treason.  Yet, in the world of the ruling class, they were quietly relied upon.  When there is a murder of the queen’s ladies, Elizabeth calls in her astrologer and a former monk named Bruno to help solve the murders. Bruno first appears as an investigator and spy for the French King Henri in Parris’ first book, Heresy.  The story also touches upon the rivalry and conspiracy of Queens Mary and Elizabeth.

The second half of the book really moves the plot forward and will have you guessing about who is behind the murderous plot and the loyalty of Queen Elizabeth to her trusted companions which may prove to not be in her best interest.  I think my favorite part of the whole story is the word play and dialogue of Bruno which is so much fun to read.  There is at times an overwhelming amount of historical detail which I find fascinating, but might bog down other readers.  The ending caught me completely by surprise and I will now have to go back and read Heresy since I enjoyed this one so much. 

 
WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US mailing address (sorry, no PO Boxes)
Contest ends on 8.7.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 8.8.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by the DoubleDay and TWO books are available.

Complete the below form
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Comments

  1. Bethie says

    July 24, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  2. pmernick says

    July 25, 2011 at 12:38 am

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/95291612703363072
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  3. Patricia says

    July 25, 2011 at 1:11 am

    This sounds really interesting. I’m really eager to read both this and Heresy.

    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  4. Patricia says

    July 25, 2011 at 1:19 am

    On the Tweeter for today 7.24:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/95301691146117120
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  5. holdenj says

    July 25, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    Great review, I have yet to pick up Heresy either.

    Reply
  6. pmernick says

    July 25, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/95501435990581248
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  7. Carol N Wong says

    July 25, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    I love historical fiction and a thriller too! This book has to be a real page turner. Thank you for this giveaway.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply
  8. Carol N Wong says

    July 25, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    I tweeted:

    http://t.co/z8p3k5b? Giveaway of ‘Prophecy’

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    Reply
  9. Patricia says

    July 26, 2011 at 12:16 am

    Great giveaway! Thanks. Really would love to win this.
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  10. Patricia says

    July 26, 2011 at 12:38 am

    Just tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/95653686776303618

    7.25 patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  11. Bethie says

    July 26, 2011 at 1:26 am

    Daily Entry 7/25

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  12. pmernick says

    July 26, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/95904043477635072
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  13. Patricia says

    July 27, 2011 at 1:34 am

    Today’s tweetie:

    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/96030372336369664
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  14. Patricia says

    July 27, 2011 at 1:35 am

    Great giveaway — thanks for hosting

    daily e: 7.26
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  15. Bethie says

    July 27, 2011 at 1:48 am

    Daily entry 7/26

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  16. pmernick says

    July 27, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/96301226064490496
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  17. pmernick says

    July 27, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Great review! I’d love to read this book –
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  18. Patricia says

    July 28, 2011 at 2:11 am

    Here’s my entry for today, July 27:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  19. Patricia says

    July 28, 2011 at 2:18 am

    Today’s tweet:

    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/96403951804616705
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  20. Bethie says

    July 28, 2011 at 4:34 am

    Daily Entry 7/27

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  21. pmernick says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/96702531278876672
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  22. Patricia says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:06 pm

    Daily e:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot cm

    Reply
  23. Patricia says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    Back on the Tweeter today:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/96719579530801152
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  24. mamabunny13 says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:00 am

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  25. pmernick says

    July 29, 2011 at 7:59 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/97032854017548289
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  26. Patricia says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:22 am

    Daily e: patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  27. Patricia says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:31 am

    Today’s tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/97116764189622273
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  28. Bethie says

    July 30, 2011 at 2:32 am

    Daily entry 7/29

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  29. Bethie says

    July 30, 2011 at 11:31 am

    Daily entry 7/30

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  30. pmernick says

    July 30, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/97313390061555712
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  31. Patricia says

    July 31, 2011 at 1:32 am

    Today’s tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/97479195072008192
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  32. Patricia says

    July 31, 2011 at 1:33 am

    Today e:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  33. pmernick says

    July 31, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/97719018974232576
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  34. pmernick says

    July 31, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    I’d love to win this! Thanks for another great giveaway –
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  35. Patricia says

    August 1, 2011 at 2:14 am

    I tweeted today 7/31 (@CapitalismRox — would love for you to follow, Mary):
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/97852305956806656
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  36. Patricia says

    August 1, 2011 at 2:15 am

    Sounds like a great mystery!
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  37. Sherry says

    August 1, 2011 at 2:17 am

    I love historical fiction and this book sounds fantastic. Thank you for the giveaway

    Reply
  38. Patricia says

    August 1, 2011 at 2:22 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  39. pmernick says

    August 1, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/98021567975534592
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  40. pmernick says

    August 1, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    I’m anxious to read this!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  41. Bethie says

    August 1, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    Daily Entry 8/1

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  42. Michelle says

    August 1, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    Thanks for great books! books(at)bookwormfamily(dot)com

    Reply
  43. Patricia says

    August 2, 2011 at 12:58 am

    Another day, another tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/98195367794978816
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  44. Patricia says

    August 2, 2011 at 12:59 am

    Daily e, 8/1:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  45. mamabunny13 says

    August 2, 2011 at 3:47 am

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  46. pmernick says

    August 2, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/98473045202702336
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  47. pmernick says

    August 2, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  48. Patricia says

    August 3, 2011 at 2:28 am

    A tweet for today: https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/98580618161557504
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  49. Patricia says

    August 3, 2011 at 2:29 am

    Daily e for 8.2:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  50. Bethie says

    August 3, 2011 at 2:44 am

    Daily Entry 8/2

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  51. pmernick says

    August 3, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/98834056459988992
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  52. pmernick says

    August 3, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  53. Bethie says

    August 3, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    Daily Entry 8/3

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  54. Patricia says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:21 am

    Today’s tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/98941241072431104
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  55. Patricia says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:21 am

    Daily e: 8.3.11
    patricia dot p dot mariani dot esq at gmail cot com

    Reply
  56. Bethie says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    Daily Entry. 8/4

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  57. pmernick says

    August 4, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/99153626827718656
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  58. Patricia says

    August 5, 2011 at 12:11 am

    Today’s tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/99271036738084864
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  59. Patricia says

    August 5, 2011 at 12:12 am

    Daily e, 8.4:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  60. pmernick says

    August 5, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/99482261677809664
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  61. pmernick says

    August 5, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Thanks for another great giveaway!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  62. Patricia says

    August 6, 2011 at 1:02 am

    Tweeted today:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/99646216018726912
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  63. Patricia says

    August 6, 2011 at 1:03 am

    Daily e, 8.5:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  64. pmernick says

    August 6, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/pmernick1/status/99884991839875072
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  65. pmernick says

    August 6, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

    Reply
  66. Patricia says

    August 7, 2011 at 12:03 am

    Today’s tweet:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/99993741246480384
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  67. Patricia says

    August 7, 2011 at 12:04 am

    Daily e, 8.6:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  68. Bethie says

    August 7, 2011 at 1:32 am

    Daily Entry 8/6

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    Reply
  69. Jessica (Peace Love Books) says

    August 7, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!! This book sounds awesome

    teddybrgrrl@sbcglobal.net

    Reply
  70. Patricia says

    August 7, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    Tweet for today:
    https://twitter.com/#!/CapitalismRox/status/100336164543803393
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  71. Patricia says

    August 7, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    Daily e, 8.7:
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Reply
  72. Mary (BookHounds) says

    August 11, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    THE PROPHECY BY S J PARRIS

    MONICA — monie

    CHELSEA — valleau

    An email has been sent to the lucky people named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam). The winner(s) has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

    Thanks to all who entered.

    PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

    Reply

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