A new SJ Parris novel is always an event to celebrate, particularly for someone like me, with an incurable weakness for historical crime. I’ve read and loved all of Parris’ Giordano Bruno novels, set mainly in Elizabethan England, with the occasional foray into Europe. Parris has established Bruno as an attractive and sympathetic hero. An ex catholic monk, philosopher, and possible heretic, he ticks all the boxes: Good looking, intelligent, brave and a respecter of strong women. So it was with some trepidation that I began her latest novel, when I found out that Parris had ditched Bruno for a new protagonist, Lady Sophia de Wolfe. It's a bold move, when the Bruno novels have been so successful.
By and large, it works, with some caveats. The depiction of Elizabethan London is convincing. The plot is handled with Parris’ usual aplomb, requiring the merest hint of goodwill on the part of the reader (usually in connection with De Wolfe’s protection of her child - there's no way this would pass with so little comment, but I’m just splitting hairs here) There’s a delightful rendering of the transportation of The Curtain Theatre to The Globe, Bankside in the opening chapter and a knowing, touching scene focusing on a conversation between Shakespeare and the protagonist, about love and the loss of a child, towards the end. De Wolfe, a character who has already appeared in several of the Bruno novels, partly as a love interest, finds herself recently widowed (and therefore available for all kinds of adventures). By the end, her daring romps across London convince Robert Cecil to reemploy her as a spy working for Elizabeth's government, thus setting us up for a new series. Good. I for one look forward to seeing her in more. But please, Stephanie, don't completely abandon Bruno. There’s life in the old dog yet.

If a new series of De Wolfe adventures emerges, I would just make these pleas to S J Parris, as a huge fan.

Do something about Anthony Munday, a playwright attached to the same company as De Wolf’s son Toby, and a second division rival to Shakespeare. He’s potentially an excellent character but his devoted lapdog impersonation in this novel began to grate after a while. GIven De Wolfe’s lack of romantic interest in him, this relationship promises more irritation than interest.
Please abandon the use of the present tense. I know it’s what younger audiences are meant to like and it's what Creative writing tutors and Boutique consultancies tell writers to adopt for more “Immediacy”, but really that’s nonsense. (See Jonathan Coe on this in his latest, “The Proof of My Innocence.”). To me it feels affected and inauthentic. You didn't need it in the Bruno novels and you don't need it here.

But they are just nitpicks in the grand scheme of things. What a potential reader needs to know is this: S J Parris/Stephanie Merritt has come up with another winner. Fans of historical crime should settle in and enjoy the ride.

I have read most of the author’s historical novels and greatly enjoyed them and in this book set in Elizabethan London we have Sophia de Wolfe moving from a minor character in previous books to be the main character. It would probably be Ok to read this a stand alone book but I think will be more enjoyable if the other books have been read first. Again we have murder, intrigue and spies but also the theatre is prominent now.
Sophia is a mysterious person with a past that she would prefer to remain secret , but this is threatened and she is determined to defend herself and close friends in her usual no-holds-barred fashion. A great read and I look forward to reading more of this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC

Sophia de Wolfe is a wealthy widow in Kate Elizabethan England and a former spy for Francis Walsingham.

Sophia is summoned by Sir Robert Cecil, Walsingham's successor, to investigate the murder of a young heiress who has been found in a ditch with a note written in Sophia's personal cipher.

Her investigation brings her up against some powerful people whereupon she needs all her skills to survive and prevale.

A new series by S J Parris which shows great potential


I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishing for the chance to read and review this book

Loved it. Seeing Sophia again as a main character after the all too brief glimpses of her in the Giordano Bruno books was a delight. I hope this series continues as it's very well written and researched and I hope the Italian philosopher also returns also.

I really enjoyed this novel. This is a new series centred around Sophia de Wolfe - a retired spy working for Cecil - who is compelled to return to undercover work when her cipher is left with a corpse of a young ward of court and her son is accused of her murder.

She is a complex character with many secrets but is highly intelligent and resourceful.

The historical setting around Shakespeare’s theatre and Elizabeth’s court was well drawn and you soon became embroiled. I equally enjoyed the secondary characters who supported Sophia in her quest.

A really enjoyable read - one I will be recommending.

I was so glad to discover a new historical fiction novel from SJ Parris after having thoroughly enjoyed the Bruno series. Traitor's Legacy follows on from that series but is not dependent on knowledge of the earlier books. However those coming new to Traitor's Legacy may well wish to read the earlier books which introduce the main character of this new series: Sophia de Wolfe. This tale is set in London over a period of a few days in the exceptionally cold winter of 1598. A young girl has been found murdered. Beside her body is a coded message written in the cipher used only by Sophia in her former life as a spy for the English court. Robert Cecil calls on Sophia to investigate the murder as the victim is an heiress linked to the powerful elite. Many of the characters are real historical personages which makes the book even more compelling as it gives an ins insight into the plotting and intrigues around the time when Elizabeth's heir is not apparent. It also offers some light relief by way of insight into the developing theatre of the time, with Shakespeare making a few brief, interesting appearances. Sophia is a strong, likeable heroine and this investigation leads her into great danger. She is forced to question the actions and motivations of those nearest her, all the while protecting her greatest secret. I heartily recommend The Traitor's Legacy to lovers of historical fiction with strong characters, setting and plot. I certainly look forward to further adventures for Sophia and her friends. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher Harper Collins UK, for a complimentary ARC of this novel for which I am delighted to provide a voluntary review.

And SJ Parris does it again in this exquisite read which is set in Elizabethan London, Sophia De Wolfe is given her own series in this historical murder mystery. A trove of historical facts and fiction brings this spell binding book to life with amazing scenes and characters mixed with an unstoppable read of a storyline. I just cannot praise this book highly enough and I also cannot wait for the next instalment! The plot and the mystery kept me drawn to the book from start to finish so thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity of this arc to read and review.
Everyone needs to be adding this to their TBR !

I've looked at all the other rave reviews for this book, but I'm just not feeling it myself. This is absolutely my favourite period for historical fiction, add in a female protagonist and this should be my dream book, however I found it really tedious. There was a slightly breathless, hysterical tone to the narrative which really grated on me and I found it very hard to keep reading. A total disappointment. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

Another hit from SJ Parris with a blend of historical accuracy in using well known characters from history, mixing facts with fiction, and adding intriguing murder mysteries to make a great read.. This time female former spy, Sophia De Wolfe is being forced by spymaster Sir Robert Cecil to investigate something that appears to involve a secret she is desperate to protect. Not only that but it seems that the Queens favourite, the Earl of Essex may also be involved, adding more than a touch of danger. Excellent start to this new series, highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Traitor’s Legacy by S.J. Parris is an exciting historical murder mystery novel set in late Elizabethan London. It is the first in a new series featuring former spy Sophia De Wolfe who had previously worked for chief spymaster Francis Walsingham prior to her marriage and under a different name. One of her fellow spies had been Gordiano Bruno who was, of course, the main character in Parris' previous series of novels. Walsingham is dead and Sir Robert Cecil is now Master Secretary to the Queen and her spymaster.
While disappointed that this new series seems to indicate the end of the Bruno novels, Sophia De Wolfe the main protagonist in the new series is a satisfying replacement. The novel exhibits all the surprising twists and turns expected from the Gordiano series and alongside several of the landed gentry also features with the Lord Chamberlain's Men and The Admiral's Men, characters from Shakespeare's theatrical world. I also enjoyed the many light-hearted touches which include a sword fight that Erroll Flynn would have been proud of and a repartee between our heroine and Will Shakespeare towards the end of the book.
The book definitely deserves five stars and is from a novelist on the top of her form.

Another fabulous story from S J Parris. I’ve loved all his books to date and this one isn’t a disappointment in any way. A new heroine, a slow start that builds to an unputdownable end. It enticingly shows us that we can expect more, I can’t wait!! Highly recommend…if you’ve not read any of his other books, you’ve missed a treat!

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

The main character, Sophia De Wolfe has already made an appearance in the author’s Bruno series. She now has centre stage in her own very well deserved series. She’s a strong and resourceful lady at the heart of a murder mystery. You know what you’re getting with Parris; a stunning mix of fact and fiction with a clever plot woven around real people and the duplicitous Cecil, the court spymaster. It’s tense, well paced, twists that feel real and it’s easy to become immersed in a different world. I raced through this and was left wanting more.

At last, another great book from S. J. Parris and the first of a new series. Set in Elizabethan times when Cecil is now the spy master, the book has all the intrigue and deceptions of the Bruno series but this time with Sophia as the main character. As always, Parris manages to put in plenty of detail but never slows the story down. Not being an historian, but everything feels very authentic and well researched. Please, can we have the next installment soon.

Fans of SJ Parris and the Giordano Bruno novels will love this new series with Sophia de Wolfe, familiar from those books, as the main protagonist.

An ex-spy previously employed by Walsingham at the time of Elizabeth I, Sophia is now a widow who investigates the murder of a young girl, whose body is found with a note written in code which has links to Sophia's former life. Like the Bruno novels this is well-plotted with a good sense of historical time and place. It is unusual to have a female lead in a Tudor mystery series but Parris achieves this convincingly with Sophia and I shall look forward to reading more in this series.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy.

I was hooked from the beginning of this story as I love the Elizabethan Age and have read a few other tales told by this author. Agnes Lovell’s 13 year old body is found on the empty site of a former theatre in London known as The Chamberlain’s Men! A coded message is found in the folds of her clothing. It is a cipher previously used by Sophia DeWolfe when she worked for Sir Francis Walsingham. His successor Robert Cecil needs her help in solving the murder as the child was a ward of Sir Thomas North, a man who has made himself very unpopular at court with his handling of the Irish Campaign. Cecil has a hold over Sophie as he knows that her son Tobie (who is unaware of his parentage) works within this theatre company alongside the writer Anthony Mundy who has previous experience of working with Sophie. He is more than fond of her but is married with children. Sophie is a law unto herself and takes no prisoners but she is a woman in what was then, very much a man’s world! Anthony is her saving grace! William Shakespeare also makes a few cameo appearances in the story and I loved the hint, towards the end of the story, of where the idea for one of his tragedies may have come from! A great read!

So glad we cant smell Elizabethan London whilst we read this absorbing new book by S J Parris, following on from the writers last series featuring Giordano Bruno, heretic turned spy working for Francis Walsingham, Queens Elizabeth 1st chief spy. This new series features Sophia de Wolfe called upon to investigate the death of a 13 year old betrothed young girl by he Queens new chief spy Cecil. The series continues in depth and commentary as found in the Bruno books bringing to life such , as the 16th c environment and social discourse to the story. A brilliant read that hooked me from the start, great depth which takes you along to a thrilling conclusion. If you enjoyed the Shadrake (C J Sansom) series then your on for a treat.
Thank you to the author, publisher Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading and reviewing this pre published book.
5 stars.

Loved, loved, loved this!! What a treat to be sent this and to have the time to read it in two sittings. Being a huge fan of S.J.Parris' work I knew I wouldn't be disappointed by what I hope is the start of a new series.

Set in the winter of 1598 Sophia De Wolfe is a strong, feisty woman with enormous appeal. She becomes embroiled in undercover work for Sir Robert Cecil as a cypher linked to her previous life is found at the scene of a murder. Power, corruption and a host of wealthy and unpleasant characters abound in this tale. It's style will be familiar to fans of this type of historical crime but the tension and the delicious wintery atmosphere make it stand out . I liked the underlying real events involving Richard Burbage and his theatre troupe - the small part that Shakespeare plays is neatly accomplished.
Overall a triumph and I am very grateful to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me this early ARC. I look forward to what comes next.

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!

Highly recommended, and well-written historical fiction. Sophia de Wolfe, a former intelligencer for Walsingham, is drawn back in the world of intrigue when a young girl's body is found on the the site of a London theatre in the latter years of Elizabeth I's reign. All the characters - historical such as Cecil, Burbage and Shakespeare; or fictional such as Sophia, and the other main protagonists - are very well-rounded and believable. It is a complete novel, but could also be a continuation of SJ Parris's series (featuring Giordano Bruno), but this time with Sophia as the main character rather than him.

Definitely a page-turner.

With thanks to NetGalley and Hemlock Press for an ARC.

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.