What We're Reading: Edward

Heresy

by S. J. Parris

Giordano Bruno was a real Italian monk, who was excommunicated by the Catholic Church. He was hounded by the Inquisition for his agreement with Galileo that the sun was the center of the solar system. In 1583, he was invited to Oxford to argue the question. But he is really a spy in the service of Queen Elizabeth. Bruno is searching for the people who hope to assassinate the Queen and return England to the Church. While Bruno is in Oxford a murder occurs in a locked garden. Then more murders follow. Bruno is tasked to use his superior logic to solve the murders. Will he instead become the next victim? Are the murders related to the plot on the Queen? Everyone seems to have their secrets. This is one of the best mysteries I have read this year! Don't try to read it at the beach. For you will get so engrossed in the story that you will not notice the time and will end up with a sunburn.

If this is your kind of mystery, follow it up with An instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears.