7/24/11

GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Prophecy by S J Parris

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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66 comments:

  1. ReadingJuly 24, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Patricia NJuly 24, 2011 at 5:38 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. PatriciaJuly 24, 2011 at 6:11 PM

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

    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. PatriciaJuly 24, 2011 at 6:19 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. holdenjJuly 25, 2011 at 7:29 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. Patricia NJuly 25, 2011 at 7:32 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carol N WongJuly 25, 2011 at 12:21 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

    ReplyDelete
  8. Carol N WongJuly 25, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    I tweeted:

    http://t.co/z8p3k5b? Giveaway of 'Prophecy'


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. PatriciaJuly 25, 2011 at 5:16 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. PatriciaJuly 25, 2011 at 5:38 PM

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

    7.25 patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. ReadingJuly 25, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Daily Entry 7/25

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Patricia NJuly 26, 2011 at 10:12 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. PatriciaJuly 26, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Today's tweetie:

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

    ReplyDelete
  14. PatriciaJuly 26, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    Great giveaway --- thanks for hosting

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

    ReplyDelete
  15. ReadingJuly 26, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Daily entry 7/26

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Patricia NJuly 27, 2011 at 12:31 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  17. Patricia NJuly 27, 2011 at 12:34 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. PatriciaJuly 27, 2011 at 7:11 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  19. PatriciaJuly 27, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Today's tweet:

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

    ReplyDelete
  20. ReadingJuly 27, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Daily Entry 7/27

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Patricia NJuly 28, 2011 at 3:05 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. PatriciaJuly 28, 2011 at 4:06 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  23. PatriciaJuly 28, 2011 at 4:12 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  24. mamabunny13July 28, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Patricia NJuly 29, 2011 at 12:59 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  26. PatriciaJuly 29, 2011 at 6:22 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  27. PatriciaJuly 29, 2011 at 6:31 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  28. ReadingJuly 29, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Daily entry 7/29

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. ReadingJuly 30, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    Daily entry 7/30

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Patricia NJuly 30, 2011 at 7:34 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  31. PatriciaJuly 30, 2011 at 6:32 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  32. PatriciaJuly 30, 2011 at 6:33 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  33. Patricia NJuly 31, 2011 at 10:23 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  34. Patricia NJuly 31, 2011 at 10:24 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  35. PatriciaJuly 31, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  36. PatriciaJuly 31, 2011 at 7:15 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  37. SherryJuly 31, 2011 at 7:17 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  38. PatriciaJuly 31, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Patricia NAugust 1, 2011 at 6:28 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  40. Patricia NAugust 1, 2011 at 6:29 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  41. MichelleAugust 1, 2011 at 4:12 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  42. PatriciaAugust 1, 2011 at 5:58 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  43. PatriciaAugust 1, 2011 at 5:59 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  44. mamabunny13August 1, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Patricia NAugust 2, 2011 at 12:22 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  46. PatriciaAugust 2, 2011 at 7:28 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  47. PatriciaAugust 2, 2011 at 7:29 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  48. ReadingAugust 2, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Daily Entry 8/2

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Patricia NAugust 3, 2011 at 12:15 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  50. ReadingAugust 3, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Daily Entry 8/3

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. PatriciaAugust 3, 2011 at 7:21 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  52. PatriciaAugust 3, 2011 at 7:21 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  53. Patricia NAugust 4, 2011 at 9:25 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  54. PatriciaAugust 4, 2011 at 5:11 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  55. PatriciaAugust 4, 2011 at 5:12 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  56. Patricia NAugust 5, 2011 at 7:11 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  57. PatriciaAugust 5, 2011 at 6:02 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  58. PatriciaAugust 5, 2011 at 6:03 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  59. Patricia NAugust 6, 2011 at 9:53 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  60. PatriciaAugust 6, 2011 at 5:03 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  61. PatriciaAugust 6, 2011 at 5:04 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  62. ReadingAugust 6, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Daily Entry 8/6

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Jessica (Peace Love Books)August 7, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway!! This book sounds awesome

    teddybrgrrl@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  64. PatriciaAugust 7, 2011 at 3:43 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  65. PatriciaAugust 7, 2011 at 3:44 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  66. BookHoundsAugust 11, 2011 at 2:05 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!

    ReplyDelete

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