My review:⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is set in 1586 in England. Queen Elizabeth I is on the throne and there are Catholic conspirators planning to kill Queen Elizabeth and put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne. 

Our main character is Giordano Bruno, an Italian who is a spy, and is going undercover to learn more.

This is a book that a series that I haven't read. It follows Bruno, and so there are characters and other references to the series that I'm not familiar with but I didn't find it detracted from the story. 

It's a fast paced spy story, with the betrayals that go with it.

I found the settings to be very evocative and I was interested in how this was going to be resolved. 

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to HarperCollins.

I love anything related to Tudor times and this was no exception. A great read with a great pace. Its historical fiction so no drastic twists but so enjoyable!

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

This is part of a series that I have read other books from
I felt this one didn’t work as well. It felt over written.
I liked the characters and the setting but the book felt flat to me

I made the mistake of not realising Execution was part of a series. While that would’ve given me more insight into the characters, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this book.

It’s a plot full of intrigue and mystery, with misdirection sending both the reader and the protagonist off in different directions. I thoroughly enjoyed that I didn’t work any of it out; I was gripped throughout, unable to figure out the culprit and eager to see how events unfolded.

The pacing is steady. The reveal (naturally) doesn’t happen until the end, which left the majority of the plot to focus on characters and themes such as loyalty, love and betrayal – not necessarily in that order.

It’s a character-centred book, with a likeable protagonist. Bruno may be a spy, but he’s got a conscience and a heart and wants to do the right thing, even if that means going against what his masters have instructed. I liked him – he carried the story well and you root for him throughout.

There’s an engaging mix of secondary characters; from love interests to errand boys to the perpetrators themselves. It was hard to identify who’d you want to be the ‘villain’ of the story.

Perhaps because of this, it did make the ending a dark twist for me, but it isn’t the type of story to give you a happy ending.

A solid plot, a great grounding in the time period it is set in, and strong characters. A win, for sure!

Giordano has returned to England and finds himself in the midst of another Catholic plot to depose Queen Elizabeth and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots.

The historical backdrop is well managed and the cast of characters are well distinguished from each other. I particularly liked Laila and Joe and how they interacted with Giordano. It's a shame that the first half took some time to catch my interest as during the second I found this hard (if not impossible) to put down.

Giordano Bruno, exiled heretic, Italian and reluctant spy is back from an unsuccessful trip to France and into the web of Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth's terrifying spymaster. This time Walsingham wants poor Bruno to implicate Mary Queen of Scots in a plot which will give Elizabeth the excuse to get rid of her cousin and rival for ever.

Confession: I love this series. I've read every one. So yes, it is slightly obvious what is likely to happen. And yes, Bruno's obsession with the thoroughly untrustworthy Sophia only leads to him being hurt again. And no, of course, he doesn't get what he wants (except to stay alive for a few more weeks, which is probably enough to be going on with).

But I can't resist the character of poor old Bruno, and the way SJ Parris pulls us into the world (underworld?) of Elizabethan England. It's twisty, turny and full of suspense and very enjoyable. I did find Mary to be portrayed as ridiculously naive. Maybe she was, but it was a little hard to believe that she could be as gullible as she's portrayed here.

Still, it's a great read and I'll be back for the next.

Giordano Bruno arrives in England under cover and in great secrecy to spy on the conspirators of a plot involving Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots. In the midst of his task he also becomes embroiled in the search for a murderer. Very well researched and well paced, I was hooked from the start. Thank you to S. J. Parris, Net Galley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Execution, the sixth outing for former priest turned spy Giordano Bruno, sees historical fiction’s favourite heretic become embroiled in the Babington Plot, a 1586 conspiracy to assassinate Elizabeth I and replace her on the throne with Mary, Queen of Scots. Now in the employ of Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s spymaster, Bruno hears whispers of the plot and, when Walsingham decides that it might prove beneficial to let it play out somewhat, is sent undercover to infiltrate the conspirators and secure proof of Mary’s personal involvement. With a twisting and turning plot, engaging characters (both the wholly fictional and those based on real people) and largely authentic atmosphere, Execution is another excellent historical crime novel by S.J. Parris.

I do love these books and this one was just as gripping as the others. I love the characterisation and story. The historical setting for me cliches.
There were times when I felt a little lost. It's a bit rambling in parts and a little too long, hence the fours stars. Otherwise a brilliant read and does not disappoint a fan of this author.

As always, well written historical fiction with just the right amount of mystery.
I haven't read all the books in the series but this stands alone.
Love this period of history

Loved the historical and all the political intrigue - it feels simultaneously historical and incredibly contemporary! Having not read any others in the series, I was a little lost at times but now look forward to going back and discovering more.

I didn’t really like this book and we quite disappointed I just felt like it didn’t flow how I would have liked

Not the worst book I’ve ever read

Execution by S. J. Parris
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery and Thriller
Publish Date: HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction
Publish Date: 9 July 2020

Star Rating: 3 Stars
This is the first book by S. J. Parris, I’ve come across the name before and always wanted to give the author a go. Although the book comes later in a series, I’ve read that the books can be read stand-alone so I got my cuppa ready, settled into my reading nook, and gave ‘Execution’ ago.

Set in England 1586 our hero Giordano Bruno (heretic turned spy) arrives in England with information for Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth I’s master of whispers. There is a plot for the throne of England, to replace Elizabeth with the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots. Walsingham already knows and he’s allowing the plot to progress in the hopes it will lead to evidence that will condemn Mary to death. A Queen is going to die and Bruno is tasked with becoming a conspirator but it will be a lot more complicated than that.

Overall, this book was not for me. I love this period, the plot sounds great, the book is very well researched, the characters are well developed and the writing was engaging but it didn’t put me under a spell compelling to turn the pages. I could put the book down, walk away and not think about it, and had to force myself to pick it up again. Why? The story moved too slowly for me, I needed more action but there was too much build up for me.

I acknowledge that in this opinion I’m in the minority, other reviews that I had read greatly love this book and I can see why but I’m just not one of them. Therefore if your looking for historical fiction centred around the plotting of the English throne which features both Queen Elizabeth and Mary do give this book a go but be aware you might fall into the minority with me and find it a bit too slow for your taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot (plenty of reviews like that out there already!).

I'm already familiar with the life of Giordano Bruno (having been inspired to read up on him by the song "Roman Skies" by Avenged Sevenfold!) and the history of the Elizabethan period, so this was an ideal choice for me..

Having only read one other in this series, I wondered whether to catch up and read the rest first, but after reading a few chapters of this novel, decided that it worked perfectly well as a standalone (having said that, I fully intend to read the others in the series now).

The author weaves fact and fiction, real and imagined characters together seamlessly to create an interesting and exciting Elizabethan thriller. Even though the outcome of the Babington Plot is well known, the version of events in this novel is compelling and gives one pause for thought - as is so often the case even now, nothing is as it seems, and there is a tangled web behind everything.

Just a word of warning...there are some gruesome descriptions of torture and execution - par for the course for those times, but disturbing nonetheless.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I thought I'd read some of this series, but now I'm not so sure and I enjoyed this so much I'm going back to read the earlier ones. Interesting characters, well written, complex but believable plot.

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

Why on earth have I not discovered this series before? I adored Execution and will happily read the series backwards as it is so well written. Giordano Bruno is a great main character, handsome, fit, brave and quick-witted, and I loved the sense of place and time that S J Parris creates. I also loved that Bruno voices some very modern ideas that I doubt would have occurred to him in Elizabethan times - notably about the role of women in society. This didn't jar with the historical setting, it served to enhance the tale. This is a gripping historical crime tale that is based on historical fact and completely absorbing.

I absolutely love SJ, after working on her when I was at HC. This was no exception. Absolutely brilliant book, couldn't put it down. Thanks for the review copy :)

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
A fantastically researched book, which is full of historical facts. I have not read the previous books in the series, and I do think it would have been beneficial if I had. Still, a fabulous knowledgeable read. Recommended.