I absolutely loved Traitor’s Legacy by S.J. Parris—it was another brilliant blend of historical intrigue and suspense. The richly detailed Elizabethan setting and clever twists kept me hooked from start to finish. While I was initially disappointed that Bruno didn’t make an appearance, I found that Sophia de Wolfe stood strong on her own as the main protagonist. Her intelligence, resourcefulness, and complexity made her a compelling lead, and she carried the story beautifully. Even without Bruno, this was a fantastic read, and I cannot wait for the next installment in this exciting new series!

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.

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.

Another glorious dive into the murky world of Elizabethan spies and lies.

"Traitors Legacy" opens in England , Christmas 1598. The body of a young girl is discovered in the remains of the The Theatre, the culprits witnessed only by a lowly kitchen boy. When she is identified as a young heiress, and a coded message is found in her clothes, the Queen’s spymaster Robert Cecil calls upon former spy Sophia de Wolfe (neé Underhill) to investigate. The reason being, the message was coded in a cypher known only to her.

Soon Sophia is up to her neck in secrets, lies and conspiracies, and the deeper she goes, the more it seems she and her family are at the heart of the matter. We learn how the former spy and one-time lover of Giordano Bruno has been elevated to the gentry, and along the way meet again some favourite characters such as Thomas Phelippes and Anthony Munday. Real-life characters in the form of Robert Deveraux, Earl of Essex, Richard Burbage and Sir Thomas North all appear, to help or hinder Sophia in her search for the truth about the girl's murder. There's also plenty of insight into the workings of society in Elizabethan times - the status of women, even wealthy women, the lengths men would go to to further their ambitions, and the ongoing machinations of those surrounding the Throne of England.

The story is set against the backdrop of a turbulent time in England's history, Queen Elizabeth has yet to name a successor, and those around her are seeking her favour. Her former spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham is dead, his network of spies no more. In addition, it's the coldest Winter in living memory - London is snowbound and the Thames has frozen. People are struggling. But it's good to finally see Sophia emerging from the shadow of Bruno, and proving she's a woman not to be messed with - especially if you're carrying a sword!

This book is slightly different from the Giordano Bruno ones - there's still the excitement and drama, but with a darker element I'm sure fans will love.

History buffs and fans of the Bruno series might note that the book takes place some ten years after the events of "Alchemy", and there are few clues given as to his fate during this time. Fans will need to wait and see if there are further stories of his to be told.

This book will hopefully be the first in another long series, and will no doubt be warmly received by fans. Heartily recommended.

Another fantastic historical thriller from master of the Elizabethan mystery, Parris. This is the start to a promising new spin off series. The historical detail is rich and engafing, the mystery is satisfying and the cast of characters - both old and new- are engaging. Highly recommend.