This was a great read! This made me excited to read more historical fiction, that's for sure!
The female character was well written, too. However, I did find myself losing interest in the middle, but getting hooked back towards the end.
I would definitely be sticking around to read more of their work!

One of my favourite historical Tudor crime writers.. following the Bruno series this doesn’t disappoint full of twists and turns. A great read with the new heroine Sophie. A must to read if you like Elizabethan novels.

This is a fun and exciting historical fiction murder mystery book with a strong and determined main female character.

We are in 1598 during Elizabeth I's reign. When a young woman is found murdered in London, former agent Sophia de Wolf is asked to investigate. A note was found on the dead girls body that relates to Sophia and so she needs to decipher the meaning of this, and who murdered the young girl.

During her investigation she comes across some well known names from Elizabethan history, as well as some people from her past, all this while hiding a big secret from her nearest and dearest.

Who killed the young girl, and why?

This is beautifully written, and the characters are wonderfully fleshed out. Sophia in particular is a force to be reckoned with, and I look forward to reading more in the series.

This is an excellent historical whodunnit which I really enjoyed reading. SJ Parris just gets better. I loved the Giordano Bruno series and I liked the connection with Sophia de Wolf in this new series. It isn’t over laboured but it’s there. Sophia is a wonderful character both brave and determined but also very real and, at times, vulnerable.

Robert Cecil has succeeded Francis Walsingham as the Queen’s spymaster and continues the tradition of sacrificing everyone and everything to protect Elizabeth. He calls upon Sophia who finds herself drawn into a dangerous and frightening situation. This is a well paced and well written book with a tight plot.
I would highly recommend this book.

I enjoyed this, a thriller set at the turn of the 16/17th centuries in the court of Queen Elizabeth.

It’s great to have a female protagonist in Sophia de Wolfe, former spy who now finds herself back at work investigating the murder of a young girl found dead in the demolished grounds of a theatre.

As she investigates she finds she has a more personal connection with the circumstances, and there are plenty of dangers and threats as things unfold.

I’ve had S. J. Parris’ books on my TBR for a while, but the Traitor’s Legacy ended up being my first by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last. I was instantly drawn in by the eloquent writing style, but it was how the suspenseful mystery unfolded intermingled with the political intrigue, and a story populated with intriguing characters with complex and conflicting natures — led by Sophia de Wolfe who was a richly developed character to follow through Elizabethan London — that kept me reading on the edge of my seat. The Traitor’s Legacy was a gem of a historical mystery.

I love an historical whodunit. S J Parris ignited my passion with her excellent series featuring Giordano Bruno set in Elizabethan England. Bruno is nowhere to be seen in Traitor’s Legacy by S J Parris. Our heroine is Sophia de Wolfe, beloved by Bruno. Sophia is widowed, her past hidden from view. Robert Cecil, spymaster to Queen Elizabeth summons Sophia when a young woman is discovered with a cypher from Sophia’s days as a spy. Her mission is to track down the killer. On the way we meet William Shakespeare and the Earl of Essex. Wonderful, page turning stuff.

The Author is a master at bringing Elizabethan life and Royal intrigue to life with all
the secrets and drama it entails.
When an heiress is found murdered at the theatre Sophia de Wolfe is tasked by The Queen's
Spy Master , Robert Cecil to investigate . A note has been found on the body , a note written
in a cypher that Sophia had previously used ............ what is the connection to her past as a spy ?
Sophia must use all her intelligence , resourcefulness and wit to navigate the world of powerful men
with their own agendas to solve this puzzling case , for she has secrets of her own that she is desperate
to keep hidden .
This is a fantastic book , beautifully crafted and enthralling , a real page turner ........... showcasing the intricacies
of life in Elizabethan Royal circles and the powerful men who will do anything to promote their cause .
I look forward to more books from the Author featuring Sophia who managed to hold her own and drive
the story forwards despite her own secrets , which hopefully be revealed in the future

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

With Traitor’s Legacy, S.J. Parris launches a gripping new historical mystery series, introducing readers to Sophia de Wolfe—a former spy with a shadowy past and a sharp intellect. Set in late Elizabethan England, the novel is rich in period detail, political intrigue, and personal secrets, making it a strong start to what promises to be another compelling series from the author of the Giordano Bruno novels.

Sophia is an immediately compelling protagonist. Fiercely independent, intelligent, and not afraid to clash with those in power, she brings a refreshing energy to the world of 16th-century espionage. While I enjoyed her voice and her defiance, I did find myself wishing for more clarity about her backstory—especially given that this is the first book in the series. At times, it felt as though I had missed an earlier installment. Her complex relationship with Anthony Munday—former fellow spy and unrequited love—was also intriguing, though occasionally uneven. Still, I appreciated how Sophia ultimately navigates it on her own terms.

The novel’s central mystery begins with the discovery of a young woman’s body near the ruins of a dismantled theatre—one associated with Burbage and a rising playwright from Stratford named Shakespeare. When a cipher once used by Sophia is found on the body, her former life comes crashing back, dragging her into a murder investigation that becomes increasingly personal. The stakes rise even higher when her long-lost son, Tobie, is accused of the crime.

Parris masterfully weaves historical events—such as the Irish Rebellion, the tensions with Catholic Europe, and the looming end of Elizabeth I’s reign—into the narrative, grounding the drama in real political unrest. While the plot is full of twists, coded messages, sword fights, rooftop chases, and tight escapes, it occasionally feels a bit overwhelming, especially in the middle sections. However, the pacing picks up again toward the final chapters, making for a rewarding finish.

Final Thoughts
Traitor’s Legacy is a well-crafted blend of espionage, mystery, and historical drama, driven by a bold and complex heroine. While there are moments where the plot slows or Sophia’s past feels underexplored, the book ultimately delivers a rich, atmospheric, and engaging read. Fans of the Giordano Bruno series will find familiar ground here, while new readers will be drawn into Sophia’s dangerous world. A promising start to what could be another long-running and beloved historical series.

I absolutely loved Traitor's Legacy by S. J. Parris! This gripping historical crime thriller, set in 1598 Elizabethan England, expertly weaves together court intrigue, espionage, and a compelling murder mystery. Sophia de Wolfe is a brilliant protagonist, navigating a world steeped in loyalty and betrayal. The historical detail is immersive, and the plot is filled with clever twists that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and thrilling mysteries.

I rated Traitor's Legacy 5 out of 5 stars.

I am not an avid mystery reader, but I was intrigued by the book's premise and I have to say, "Traitor’s Legacy" by S.J. Parris delivers everything I look for in a historical mystery: clever plotting, strong characters, and a richly immersive setting. The story is set in the heart of Tudor London, with all its political intrigue, theatrical flair, and brutal ambition.

Sophia de Wolfe is such a compelling protagonist - sharp, complex, and quietly rebellious in all the right ways. I loved following her as she navigated a world that underestimates her at every turn. The writing is sharp and elegant, and the historical detail is handled beautifully: never heavy-handed, but always vivid and precise.

If you're a fan of rich, atmospheric historical fiction with a side of espionage and murder mystery, this is one to add to your list.

Having enjoyed previous series by S J Parris I was pleased to read this new one. Whilst the setting is a familiar one for anyone who loves Tudor period whodunnits there are plenty of surprises and some stunning reveals along the way. The characters are believable and as an opener for a series I know I shall certainly be continuing to read them.

Looking forward to the next Sophia de Wolfe book already! For the full review see https://www.tumblr.com/joebloggshere/788312610889170944/traitors-legacy-by-sj-parris-this-is-the-first?source=share

Having read some of S.J Parris previous titles, I knew I would enjoy this one too (and I wasn't wrong)

Set in London in 1598, Sophia de Wolfe is drawn back into her previous life as a government spy when a young girl is found murdered with one of Sophia's cipher's upon her.
The story has many twists and turns but is well paced and kept me guessing right up until the end.

Even though Sophia has appeared in previous S.J. Parris stories, Traitor's Legacy can easily be read as a stand alone novel (although I did miss Giordano Bruno) and I hope there will be more books covering Sophia's exploits in the future.


Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

As a long time fan of the Giordano Bruno novels, I was eager to dive into this, the first instalment of the Sophia de Wolf series by the same author.

Whereas the Bruno novels are set in the Elizabethan heyday, and Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir Philip Sidney share centre stage with the protagonist, here time has moved on. Elizabeth is now aging and the preoccupations of her new spymaster, Robert Cecil lie around the succession and unrest in Ireland. Walsingham and Sidney are both dead and the focus is very much through the female lens and the position of women within society.

Sophia is an interesting character. A former spy with a checkered past, she is now the widow of a merchant who also made loans to some very important people. The marriage had been happy and Sophia was left well-provided for but when her husband died she inherited more than money and property. Her embittered stepson, Jasper, is keen to reclaim the legacy he feels was stolen from him.

Inevitably for the first book in a series, there is a lot of scene-setting and introduction of characters. However, there is still an interesting plot, centred around the murder of a young heiress and plenty of false leads to keep both reader and protagonist guessing.

Lots to enjoy here and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this novel.

'Traitor's Legacy' is the first book in the 'Sophia de Wolfe' series. It is a historical mystery case, with some quite dark themes that are well explored.

I really enjoyed the main character, first of all, especially when she spoke up and collided with those in power. However, her past was kind of murky, and I would have wanted more information about her background as, as it was, it felt like I wasn't reading the first book in the series. The relationship with Anthony was kind of odd as well, but I liked how Sophia handled it in the end.

In addition, the mystery had many twists and turns, but it got tiring to read after a while, and things got more interesting in the final chapters.

Finally, the writing was enjoyable.

This review is also posted on Goodreads and Storygraph.

Set in Tudor England, Francis Walsingham, spymaster to the queen, is dead and Robert Cecil is trying to keep everything working, hampered and hindered by the Earl of Essex. Sophia de Wolfe, once an operative for Walsingham, is now living peacefully at home, sponsoring her theatre company and enjoying life as a well-heeled widow.

A young girl is found murdered at the theatre, and Sophia is drawn in to find out who killed her and why. In doing so, she risks making some powerful enemies, but she is a determined lady.

I love the characters, the plot and the way the author wound everything so that the outcome was far from obvious, even when you thought it was resolved. Its always tricky drawing in real characters from history, as one knows what happened to them, so the imagination can't invent further, but this was skilfully done. I look forward to more of this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I do love a good historical mystery/thriller, especially a Tudor period story. But this isn't a good historical mystery/thriller. No, it's a bloody brilliant one.

This is my first SJ Parris novel, I can't explain why I haven't read her Giordano Bruno series. I think maybe it was just an unwillingness to start another series. I very much regret that now as this really had me in it's grip.

The main character is Sophia de Wolfe, a wealthy widow. On the surface she has respectability but she just doesn't quite belong to Tudor society. This might have something to do with her previous life as an agent for Queen Elizabeth's spymaster Robert Cecil. But that life seems far behind her. Until a young heiress is murdered. A cryptic note left on her body seems to connect to Sophia's time as a spy. Cecil recalls her to his service to investigate.

This novel is gripping, exciting, clever and perfectly executed. There's plenty of twists to enjoy and plenty of scope for sequels. I very much look forward to them.

Set in Elizabethan London we meet Sophie de Wolfe who leads a less than conventional lifestyle. Following the murder of a young girl she is called in to investigate by Robert Cecil ,the Queen spymaster. What follows is a masterful historic murder mystery with lots of twists and turns. I’m embarrassed to say that this is the first book I’ve read by this author but it will most definitely not be the last .The descriptions are evocative and full of the sights , sounds and smells of Tudor London whilst the research is immaculate. I look forward to more in this series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book. I've wanted to read SJ Parris for some time, and I'd happily read more after this! I adore books set in the 15-16th Centuries so this was right up my street.
It's a great start to what promises to be a strong new series.