Prague 1588, the city of a hundred spires is also a city in political and scientific turmoil. In ‘Alchemy,’ seventh in the excellent Giordano Bruno series by SJ Parris, lapsed Catholic Bruno arrives in Prague as a spy for Elizabeth I. He quickly discovers that this tolerant city, famed for freedom of thought and expression, is really seething with barely concealed hatred, suspicion, and violence.
Living a quiet academic life in the German city of Wittenberg, teaching at the university, Bruno receives a secret letter from the Queen’s spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham. He bids him speed to Prague where he believes there is a plot against Emperor Rudolf, the Holy Roman Emperor and ally of Queen Elizabeth. When Bruno and his young student assistant Besler arrive in the city, they see a grizzly sight; the corpse of an alchemist hanging from the Stone Bridge, his eyes and tongue cut out. Killed, it is rumoured on the streets, by the Golem, a Jewish monster conjured by the Chief Rabbi of Prague and released in the city.
Bruno, who is hoping the emperor may be a patron enabling him to settle in the city to write and publish his philosophical books, arrives at the house where his mentor, scientist and free-thinker John Dee is lodging, to find him disappeared. Keen to find Dee, Bruno is instead tasked by the emperor to find the murderer of the alchemist, a favourite of his, Ziggi Bartos. Soon Bruno is confronted by an old enemy, one he hasn’t seen since he renounced the Catholic faith and fled Italy.
The juxtaposition of wealth and poverty, believers and chancers, scientists, gamblers and swindlers, is handled excellently. Parris has plotted a thriller which twists together the destinies of an eccentric emperor, a powerful Catholic lobby with a gang of toughs ready to threaten and kill, a disparate band of scientists all eager to make a big discovery and win the favour of Rudolf, and a Jewish quarter watched with suspicion and prejudice. As always Bruno is a reluctant detective who throws himself enthusiastically into his investigation, with multiple suspects and plots to explore. Being a stranger in town who doesn’t know the streets or speak the local language is a significant disadvantage. Bruno, sometimes too quick to trust, is made to reflect more than usual on his theories by the logical questions of his young assistant. Besler repeatedly asks why, and how?
A fascinating historical story packed with myth, legend and superstition, it is also great fun. Throw in a lion, the Emperor’s renowned erotic art collection, a precocious 11-year old, the naïve and charming Besler, the mysterious Powder Tower where the alchemists work, and Rudolf’s castle with its dark underground passages and opulent rooms full of artistic and scientific wonders. Wonderful.
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“Alchemy” by S.J. Parris is the seventh installment in the Giordano Bruno series. Set in Prague in 1588, the novel plunges readers into a court in turmoil, where the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II’s obsession with alchemy and the philosopher’s stone is matched only by the Catholic Church’s and other powers’ concerns about his heretical leanings and the imperial succession.

Giordano Bruno is dispatched to the emperor’s court by Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth I’s spymaster. His mission is to contact the English alchemist and mystic John Dee, who has mysteriously disappeared. Bruno’s arrival coincides with the brutal murder of a rival alchemist, thrusting him into a web of intrigue that pits him against an old enemy from the Inquisition.

Parris’s narrative is a labyrinth of suspense, where each twist and turn is meticulously plotted. The author’s skill in weaving real historical figures into fictional scenarios shines. The novel’s pacing is relentless, with a breathless tempo that keeps the pages turning. Parris’s attention to detail is immaculate, creating an all-encompassing sense of time and place that transports readers to the heart of the Renaissance. Bruno’s interactions with historical figures like John Dee and the emperor himself are fascinating, providing a glimpse into the intellectual and political dynamics of the time.

Another solid entry in the series. Events do not place Bruno in as much peril as in previous books but the action moves along well.

This is the latest in a series of novels which cast the real-life 16th-century philosopher Giordano Bruno as a solver of crimes. This one takes place in Prague which, at a time of immense religious antagonism, was considered to be a centre of free thinking. There is (inevitably) a murder and (inevitably) fingers point to the Jewish community. Bruno arrives to try and find his friend John Dee, and becomes embroiled in the investigation, and the behind-the-scenes Machiavellian power struggles, as the Catholics plot to unseat the Emperor, who is considered far too permissive and too obsessed with alchemy (which they considered akin to witchcraft).
I do feel that the reading of this series benefits from a working knowledge of the period, but the historical research is absolutely impeccable, and the evocation of the time, place and paranoia is fantastic.

SJ Parris is a favourite author of mine and this didn't disappoint.

Set during the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II who is detemrned to use alchemy to discover the elixir of life this book was historically interesting. This is an era I didn't know much about and I found it fascinating.

Really enjoyed this; as suggested this is perfect for fans of CJ Sansom.

Set amid the alchemical industry in Elizabethan times, Giordano Bruno finds himself sent to Prague, where murder and intrigue is afoot, and danger lies around every corner.

This book is highly atmospheric, and the scenery and environment are vivid, adding perfectly to the action. The characters are captivating and human, and all in this provides for a thoroughly good read.

The latest in the adventures of Bruno Giordano. Bruno is easily my favourite detective. Not sure detective is the right word. He is a disgraced monk and philosopher living at the end of the Tudor era. This time he is in Prague during the reign of Emperor Rudolf and there is a an outbreak of murders.

Another excellent and well researched book in the Giordano Bruno series. Set in Prague during the reign of Rudolph II the story uses both historical and fictional characters to weave an interesting and well plotted murder mystery. Searching for the missing Dr. Dee Bruno is soon caught up in the search for the murderer of an alchemist .
This book will appeal to all lovers of historical fiction and especially readers,like myself, of C J Sansom.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of this book.

I love all is S.J.Parris work, so knew going in to this that it would be good and it did not disappoint. Historical fiction at its best .

This is only my second SJ Parris's Bruno and I loved it. I read the first, meaning to catch up with the others but here we are with another Giordano Bruno. To be honest I was fine with it in terms of continuation and felt I didn't miss out. Set in Prague in 16th Century, it begins with a gruesome murder. Intrigue, lots of twists and a real whodunnit feel. Of course religion plays a huge part. It's amazing the lengths the Catholic Church will go to. I will go back and read the 5 that I've missed.

The latest trials and tribulations for Giordano Bruno set in late 16th century Prague. Mixing real events and characters with fictional story provides a wonderful lively setting and plot. Thanks to Netgalley.

Another fabulous read from this highly talented author. Love the characters & the plot was brilliant as always.

I was happy to reacquaint myself with Dr Bruno Giordano having enjoyed a previous book, however, sad to say this one did not live up to expectations and seemed to lose its way halfway through. Thankfully the pace increased towards the end but i found I was getting a little bored with the tedium of Bruno’s lack of progress!
Bruno and his companion young Besler travel to Prague at the behest of Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth’s spymaster. Dr John Dee appears to have gone missing in the city and on his arrival Bruno is greeted by the sight of a body hanging on the bridge, brutally mutilated. It is Zigmund Barton’s, a favourite alchemist of the Emperor Rudolph! There is tension among the Jewish fraternity and Bruno’s old arch enemy Montalcino is there to muddy the waters as to who murdered Zigmund and why? The writing and attention to detail was as good as ever but I’m afraid it just didn’t quite hold my attention throughout.

This is the Author's latest book featuring Giordano Bruce - giving the reader an insight into the court of the Holy Roman Emperor in Prague 1588 . Whilst part of a series i would say that the book can be read as a standalone

Tasked by Walsingham ( Elizabeth 1st spymaster) to visit his old friend alchemist John Dee and to discover if there is a threat to Emperor Rudolph's life - rumours abound .
He arrives to find his friend missing , suspected of murdering one of the many alchemists working to discover the Philosopher's Stone and the secret to immortality - they had been seen arguing the previous day .
Pressure mounts on Giordano as more deaths occur - there appear to be plots within plots - tension is rising , the Jews are being blamed - he must solve the case before people take matters into their own hands .

The Author is brilliant at bringing the sights , sounds and politics of the times to life - prejudices and superstition are rife during these turbulent times

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

S J Parris provides another slice of excitement in the life of her wandering narrator Giordano Bruce, this time aided by his hapless companion Besler. Exploring themes of religious persecution (Jewish) and the beginnings of the 'science' of Alchemy, the book thrusts you into the bustling world of Prague, where danger lies around each corner, when even long standing friendships are challenged and startlingly revelations exposed.

Bruce is thrust amongst the highest and lowest of Prague society and at all times dogged by the presence of the
Catholic Church. A fabulously engaging historical novel that zips along and leaves you wanting more.

Another great novel featuring Giordano Bruno This time he finds himself invited to Prague by his friend John Dee but when he gets there he finds that Dee has vanished and is possibly implicated in a murder. Bruno is swept up into trying to discover more and befriends people living in the Jewish quarter of the city.
As usual he encounters more murders and danger.
Rich in history, good characters and clever plotting , this is another Bruno book I can recommend.
Thank you to the publishers for the ARC.

My first Giordano Bruno book but this wasn't a problem as the novel stands on its own. Great insight into the court of the Holy Roman Emperor in Prague, the craze for alchemy and the Jewish quarter. Quite long but the story has momentum as Bruno tries to discover who murdered and mutilated his friend.

This is the first book I have read by S J Parris and the first of the Giordano Bruno series.

I was able to pick up the book and enjoy it without having read the rest of the series although there were obviously references to his past life which I had no background in. This did not detract from my enjoyment of this novel. Bruno travels to Prague ostensibly to visit his friend, John Dee but also on the bidding of Walsingham - Elizabeth’s spymaster - to investigate the possible threat to Emperor Rudolf’s life.

He arrives to find a murdered alchemist followed by an attack on a local Jewish bookseller. Bruno is tasked by the Emperor to find out what is going on.

His investigations bring him into contact with old enemies - the Spanish ambassador and the Catholic Church - and put his life in jeopardy.

The plot was fast paced and I did not foresee the ending.

I will be reading more about Bruno in the future.

Another great Historical Fiction story where history is brought back to life. Bruno excels once again and leads a great cast of characters. The story was full of action and energy. Great conclusion.

1588 and itinerant philosopher and spy Giordano Bruno is working at the University of Witternburg. He still wants patronage in England so when spymaster Walsingham asks him to go to Prague and investigate the disappearance of John Dee he does so. Prague is ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf, who is interested in magic and knowledge so his court is brimming with alchemists but one has been murdered and suspicion falls on the local Jewish community.
I love Parris' books which weave fiction around the real-life character of Bruno. Here science, magic and religion clash at a time of great learning and insecurity of the Catholic church. This makes for an excellent and rich setting for a cleverly plotted piece of fiction. It's exciting, funny and very readable - perfect then!