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Book SynopsisThe No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling seriesThe fifth book in S. J. Parris's bestselling, critically acclaimed series following Giordano Bruno, set at the time of Queen Elizabeth IPerfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Hilary MantelPARIS, 1585A KING WITHOUT AN HEIRHeretic-turned-spy Giordano Bruno arrives in Paris to find a city on the edge of catastrophe. King Henri III lives in fear of a coup by the Duke of Guise and his fanatical Catholic League, and another massacre on the streets.A COURT AT WAR WITH GODWhen Bruno's old rival, Father Paul Lefèvre is found murdered, Bruno is drawn into a dangerous web of religious politics and court intrigue. And watching over his shoulder is the King's mother, Catherine de Medici, with her harem of beautiful spies.A DEADLY CONSPIRACY IN PLAYWhen murder strikes at the heart of the Palace, Bruno finds himself on the trail of a killer who is protecting a terrible secret. With the royal houses of France and England under threat, Bruno must expose the truth or be silenced for goodPraise for S. J. ParrisA delicious blend of history and thriller' The TimesAn omnipresent sense of danger' Daily MailColourful characters, fast-moving plots and a world where one false step in religion or politics can mean a grisly death' Sunday TimesPacy, intricate, and thrilling' ObserverVivid, sprawling Well-crafted, exuberant' Financial TimesImpossible to resist' Daily TelegraphTwists and turns like a corkscrew of venomous snakes' Stuart MacBrideIt has everything intrigue, mystery and excellent history' Kate MosseThe period is incredibly vivid and the story utterly gripping' Conn IgguldenA brilliantly unusual glimpse at the intrigues surrounding Queen Elizabeth I' Andrew Taylor
Trade Review‘A delicious blend of history and thriller’ The Times
Praise for S. J. Parris:
‘A tight plot combines with subtly-realised characters and an omnipresent sense of danger … My pleasure in the vividly textured backdrop and a cracking story was accompanied by an uneasy shudder’ Daily Mail
‘Colourful characters, fast-moving plots and a world where one false step in religion or politics can mean a grisly death.’ Sunday Times
‘Vivid, sprawling … Well-crafted, exuberant’ Financial Times
‘Successful historical thrillers need three elements: a killer plot that weaves seamlessly into the history; an engaging protagonist; and an atmospheric sense of place. Parris nails all three – Conspiracy is a gem. The Times
‘This latest addition to the series will no doubt repeat its predecessors’ success… The authentically febrile air of suspense that Parris generates, as well as a shoal of red herrings and some impish, what-if plotting. The drawing-room style denouement, conducted as it is in a salon at the Tuileries Palace, is also executed with knowing relish.’ Observer
‘I can thoroughly recommend Conspiracy, which twists and turns like a corkscrew of venomous snakes’ Stuart MacBride
‘Impossible to resist … Parris creates a convincing sense of the past, woven with so much intrigue that the head fairly spins’ Daily Telegraph
‘It has everything – intrigue, mystery and excellent history’ Kate Mosse
‘Parris writes with confident ease of Tudor London … The dialogue balances nicely on a tightrope of period phrases and cut-to-the-chase colloquialisms. More, please’ The Times
‘Full of surprises … an imaginatively satisfying addition to the many real intrigues surrounding the imprisoned Mary Stuart and the threats to Elizabeth’s security’ TLS
‘Fascinating … The period is incredibly vivid and the story utterly gripping’ Conn Iggulden
A brilliantly unusual glimpse at the intrigues surrounding Queen Elizabeth I’ Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The American Boy
