I absolutely loved this book! To escape back into the world of Bruno and be a part of a complex, twisty plot once again was a sheer delight! Having left Elizabethan England, Bruno is now in Prague on a mission to seek John Dee, his friend and a clever alchemist. Very quickly Bruno, once again, becomes embroiled in matters of state, religion and politics with a cast of new and interesting characters. I liked the warmth and at times exasperation in the relationship between Bruno and his new serving man and would enjoy reading how this develops in later books.

My thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC.

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Alchemy’ by S.J. Parris.

This is the seventh in Parris’ series of historical political thrillers featuring ex-priest turned spy Giordano Bruno.

Prague, 1588. Giordano Bruno has been sent to the court of The Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II, by Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth I’s spymaster. His task is to contact the famous English alchemist and mystic John Dee, another of Walsingham’s spies currently in Prague. Yet Bruno’s arrival coincides with the brutal murder of a rival alchemist and John Dee himself has disappeared.

Rudolf wants to expand the boundaries of human knowledge and has made his court a haven for scientists, astrologers and alchemists. His abiding passion is the search for the philosopher’s stone. Yet the Catholic Church fears that he is flirting with heresy. In addition, there are concerns at the highest levels about the imperial line of succession.

The emperor orders Bruno to find the killer. Bruno complies assisted by his young traveling companion, Besler. However, his investigations bring him face to face with an old enemy from the Inquisition. No further details to avoid spoilers.

S.J. Parris excels at creating labyrinthine mysteries and she also has that rare ability to transport her readers into the time and place of her impeccably researched story, which allows for an immersive reading experience.

There’s plenty of excitement and twists along the way to solving the various mysteries. The characterisation was also strong. I enjoyed Bruno’s interactions with the hapless Besler and Susannah (Sukie), a quick witted Danish girl who was a friend of the murdered alchemist. Both clearly bring out the paternal side of his nature.

Overall, I found ‘Alchemy’ an excellent addition to this outstanding series.

Highly recommended.

This series by S.J.Parris is a great read. Alchemy has Bruno in Prague to see what has happened to Dr. John Dee. A great historical detective story with murder and intrigue a plenty. A little long winded at times but still a good read.

S.J.Parris isn't just the best writer of historical fiction around, she's probably the best current writer of detective fiction albeit set in Elizabethan times. In Alchemy, Bruno is back at university in Germany, his service to Walsingham and the Queen not deemed worthy of a pension by the Queen. Walsingham asks him to travel to Prague to see what has happened to Dr. John Dee - the famous alchemist.. as he enters Prague all the talk is of a gruesome murder and nobody seems to want to talk to him....Everything you could want from a detective story follows, further murder, dense intrigue, plotting and poisoning. One of the best and highly recommended

The seventh book in the historical mystery series featuring Giordano Bruno. On his travels, Bruno has now reached Prague where he is enlisted by the Emperor to solve the murder of an alchemist.
I found this book slow going. There were some good twists but the pace let it down. The historical details and setting were, as usual, well-researched and interesting. The plot itself was what let the book down, it was so far-fetched. I couldn't really take the story seriously at the end. For me, I feel that this series has become a little tired and has outlived it's early entertainment value.

I have enjoyed all of the Bruno books and looked forward to this one however I felt this one seemed to be overall slightly to long. Notwithstanding I did enjoy the book and the continuing adventures of Bruno. However the stories are becoming very much the same from book to book in my opinion and that slightly let the story down and the reason for the 4 stars this time.

It is 1588, and Giordano Bruno has arrived in Prague, ostensibly to contact Dr John Dee. But Dee has disappeared and his rival has been murdered. The dead man was an alchemist called Zikmund Bartos and his mutilated corpse was found suspended from the bridge (Prague only has one) with the Hebrew character for Death carved on his forehead. The general population, Catholic and Protestant, seems agreed that he was killed by a Golem created by the local Jewish population. Prague, unlike many European cities, does not persecute the Jews, mainly because Prague is the seat of the benign, broad-minded, scientifically curious, Rudolf II, The Holy Roman Emperor. In fact, Rudolf is so open to new ideas that the town is home to large numbers of Alchemists, Astrologers, and other seekers after new things; Or, to some people, conmen out to make a fast buck from the gullible; Or, if you’re the Pope or the Spanish Inquisition, heretics to be burned at the stake. John Dee is a famous Alchemist, but also an agent for Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth Tudor’s spy master. Bruno is a renowned Philosopher, but also Walsingham’s troubleshooter (almost his 007) and he is in Prague because of a worrying message that Dee had sent, hinting at trouble stemming from the Emperor’s actions that might upset the balance of power in Europe; which is largely Protestant countries versus Catholic countries (England versus Spain, in particular). On the face of it, the problem is Rudolf’s desire to obtain either the Philosopher’s Stone or aurum potabile i.e. drinkable gold, a potion that will give eternal life (or both). Bartos had been the favoured alchemist, claiming that he had cracked the problem – just before, unfortunately, getting murdered. Could Dee have murdered him out of jealousy, or to steal the formula? Is someone trying to stir up resentment against the Jews? Has Rome decided that Rudolf’s interests threaten the Church? Bruno, with his young protégé Besler, is reluctantly coerced by the Emperor into investigating the murder. And then things get really complicated.
This is the seventh book in a series, but contains enough background to ensure that the reader can treat it as a standalone. The background extends far beyond Bruno’s previous history, because the world in which it is set is so different from the one we now live in that it is rather like a sword and sorcery novel or, to be more exact, a dagger and alchemy novel. The historical detail is, as usual, impeccable. The book is full of well-drawn characters, I count eighteen principals, all well differentiated so that the reader has no trouble in remembering who they are. That is just as well, because the plot is tortuous and presents quite an intellectual challenge. The resolution is quite neat, but there are a couple of loose ends here leaving some possibility for a direct sequel; although Bruno usually moves on to another location. I think this is a better than average entry to Parris’s. always strong, canon so rounding up here.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

This is the latest in the series of Bruno, the detective who has solved murders across Europe but whose face doesn’t quite fit in either the Catholic or Protestant world

This instalment takes him to Prague to come to the aid of an old friend. On arrival, his old friend has disappeared and is a suspect in a harrowing murder.

At the behest of the Holy Roman Emperor he is asked to investigate, but nothing and no one is what they seem…

Set in Prague in the late 1600's Giordano Bruno is asked by Walsingham to find John Dee who has disappeared after sending a secret message implying that Catholic Spain and envoys of the pope are trying to remove Rudolph the Holy Roman Emperor.
Rudolph is an enlightened if slightly unstable ruler who protects Jews Protestants and Catholics alike. He supports scientific discoveries and encourages inventors, philosophers, and scientists tom experiment in his castle.
Bruno is asked by the Emperor to investigate the macabre death of an alchemist whose death leads to suspicion and mistrust against the Jews. He encounters several mysteries and is attacked by the men working for the Spanish Ambassador and an emissary of the Pope who want to remove Rudolf and replace him with his brother who would banish the Jews and persecute Protestants and introduce the Spanish inquisition to Prague and the empire.
Bruno and his assistant need to determine who murdered the alchemist and prevent any plots against the Emperor, an ally of Protestant England in a turbulent period.
Great read. Second book I have read by SJ Parris and can't wait to read the next.

A great new addition to the Giordano Bruno series, with a unique and intriguing mystery. This can be read as a stand-alone but to get a full in depth understanding of who is who I recommend reading the other first. The description of Prague was beautiful and I loved learning about it's history and the prejudice they held against religion. I thought this was a really good continuation with beautiful prose and would strongly recommend.

Thank you Netgalley, author S J Parris and the publishers for enabling me to enjoy number 7 and the latest in the 'Giordano Bruno' series set in the 16th C. If you are fans of Medieval skulduggery, machinations of the Catholic Church, Walsingham spy extraordinaire and the writing of C J Sansom then this read is right up your alley. Twisted plot, several murders and intertwining of expertly crafted characters that keep you guessing as the plots thicken then read it. Best to read in order though. Be warned it does take brain power to keep on track of the twisty foul smelling alleys plots and infested Prague, Bruno meets some old enemies on the way and we learn some history to.

S J Parris has done it again. Giordano Bruno is now in Prague. A novel involving the Holy Roman Emperor, the Catholic Church, a Golem, murders, alchemy, and the result is excellent. It can be a stand-alone read, but I would recommend reading the rest of the series as well. Definitely a great addition to the series.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC.

The latest in a series of the exploits of Giordano Bruno, the book was set in Prague in the early 1600s. I have read a previous book led by this character, but I did find the plot in this one rather heavy going. The description of Prague at this time was fascinating, and obviously very well researched, but overall I felt it was rather slow paced and clunky, and it felt like a bit of a chore to get to the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

I really loved this novel and its evocation of 16th Century Prague, with all its dark alleyways and twisty lanes. I particularly the way in which we are introduced to real living characters from the period, including John Dee, Queen Elizabeth 1's magician . Great characterization .Although I found the plot got a bit boggy at times, I loved it..

As always, excellent! An extremely interesting historical background (I learned a lot!) set in Prague, with an intriguing and most compelling plot. Bruno is never disappointing, and the other characters perfectly fit the chilling and fascinating world of alchemy.
I received a complimentary DRC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

Giordano Bruno and his pupil Bresler go to Prague, to visit his old friend John Dee at Walsingham’s request. There they find Dee is missing, an alchemist has been murdered and the life of the Holy Roman Emperor may be threatened. Bruno is drawn into a complex web of intrigue, meeting old enemies along the way and becoming aware of the position of the Prague Jewish community, tolerated but always on the edge of being persecuted.

This is an engaging tale and the relationship between Bruno and Bresler is comic at times. I enjoyed it but did find the plot a little bewildering and unlikely at times. I will still read the next even so. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

The Alchemist is the latest episode in the exploits of Giordano Bruno. The book is set in Prague in the early 1600s. The historical aspects of the relationship between the Jewish and Catholic parts of the city and that between Rudolf II, the Holy Roman Emperor and his brother Matthias and also the Spanish was interesting.
I enjoyed the book, although I did find some parts of the plot stretched credulity somewhat and were more far-fetched than I remember in earlier books in the series.

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

SJ Parris has done an amazing jo in keeping this series fresh and involving. It really is an achievement.

Giordano Bruno her hero, was a real person, and one who has a real place in history and the beginnings of the enlightenment.

What the author does so very well is bring him, the times he lived in, and a complicated cast of characters to life. All tied up with politics and history.

This novel is set in Prague and here we find Bruno and the hapless Beser who supplies some fine moments of comic relief.

In Prague we meet the The Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II who, in the quest of knowledge has made his kingdom a haven for Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Alchemists and scientists. Into this troubling brew Bruno arrives just after a particularly brutal murder. He needs to solve it and how it all plays out is a delight.

The pace and dynamism of the last quarter of the book had me reading long into the night,

I think this is the seventh novel and it can easily be read as a stand alone novel.

Another spectacular adventure for our troubled hero.

Some two years after the events of "Execution", our hero Giordano Bruno continues to live a troubled existence. Having received a letter from his spymaster patron, Sir Francis Walsingham, informing him of the disappearance of his friend John Dee, and asking if perhaps he would consider travelling to Prague to investigate, Bruno sets off accompanied by his squire Besler. No sooner does he arrive there, than he discovers a rival of Dee's has been murdered - hung from a bridge, and that Dee has vanished.

With that, the reader is launched into another labyrinthine tale of deception and depravity. The Prague of 1588 is supposed to be a place of enlightenment, with people of all religions and beliefs working together to further man's knowledge, but below the surface is a mess of hatred and intrigue. Chief amongst the causes is the search for the Philosopher's Stone, prompted by the roman Emperor Rudolf II offering riches to whoever finds it first.

In another first-class tale, Bruno comes up against old enemies, including the Catholic church, and when further murders pile up, he faces a number of questions which could change the course of his life. These give us further insight into the troubled character of Giordano Bruno and it's fascinating to observe how the author has invested in his development. I also loved the repartee that takes place between Bruno and Besler. There's also a golem, which leads to a rather nice element of the mystery.

Fans of the previous Bruno books will devour this one, possibly the finest to date. While it's not essential to have read these, new fans may want to do some homework first.

As usual, the end of a Bruno book leaves me hungry for more, especially in light of the final few pages. Thoroughly recommended.