Lewisham Cityread 2017 Prophecy by S. J. Parris

Lewisham Cityread 2017

Lewisham is excited to be celebrating London Cityread for another year. This year's book is S. J. Parris's Prophecy.

Prophecy is a gripping Elizabethan spy thriller, focused on the plot against Elizabeth to put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne. Set in 1583 its protagonist is the real life shadowy Giordano Bruno, an Italian "monk, scientist, philosopher, and magician" and excommunicated heretic.

Autumn, 1583. Under Elizabeth’s rule, loyalty is bought with blood. An astrological phenomenon heralds the dawn of a new age and Queen Elizabeth’s throne is in peril. As Mary Stuart’s supporters scheme to usurp the rightful monarch, a young maid of honour is murdered, occult symbols carved into her flesh. The Queen’s spymaster, Francis Walsingham, calls on maverick agent Giordano Bruno to infiltrate the plotters and secure the evidence that will condemn them to death. Bruno is cunning, but so are his enemies. His identity could be exposed at any moment. The proof he seeks is within his grasp. But the young woman’s murder could point to an even more sinister truth.

Taking Parris’s novel and the rich Elizabeth world she creates as a starting point, a programme of events will take place across all 33 London boroughs. Please see here for a list of the events in Lewisham Libraries

 About S. J. Parris
S. J. Parris is the pseudonym of Stephanie Merritt. It was as a student at Cambridge researching a paper that Stephanie first became fascinated by the rich history of Tudor England and Renaissance Europe. Since then, her interest has grown and led her to create the critically acclaimed and bestselling series of historical thrillers featuring heretic and spy Giordano Bruno. Stephanie has worked as a critic and feature writer for a variety of newspapers and magazines as well as radio and television. She currently writes for the Observer and the Guardian and lives in Surrey with her son.

Cityread 2017 will also include a specially produced Quick Reads title aimed at engaging Londoners who struggle with reading.
The Sunday Times number one bestseller Conspiracy by S. J. Parris was published in paperback in January 2017.

 

 

Click the link to find out more about other CityRead events in other London boroughs http://cityread.london/event-locations/