A straight 5* for me! As her previous novels featuring Bruno Giordano, this new series is of the same quality as regards the plot as well as the characters. This time a woman is the central figure, a spy (who had known Bruno!) now working for Cecil. Sophie is a complex character with many secrets surrounding her life... Quite a bit of action involving The Earl of Essex and many others. The theatre world is in the background with William Shakespeare making a couple of appearances. I love historical fiction mixed with real people. It gives the novel a familiar touch and arouses my interest even more! A very compelling novel I highly recommend!
I received a digital advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

SJ Parris is well known for her fabulous Giordano Bruno series, Traitors Legacy is the first in a new series about Sophia De Wolfe, who some readers may recall from the Bruno books.

England in 1598 is a dangerous place. Queen Elizabeth is getting older & still hasn’t named her successor. Wealthy, badly behaved men jostle for power & secrets are spilled. Sophia de Wolfe unwittingly finds herself in the middle of a mystery when a young heiress is brutally murdered & a note written in Sophia’s old cipher is found on the body. This is an enthralling story that will keep you guessing until the end. I love historical fiction & thoroughly enjoyed researching both familiar & unfamiliar names (does everyone do that?). Sophia is an engaging character who carries the story well & I’m looking forward to finding out what happens to her next.