#s.j parris

[cityoflondonlibraries]

Welcome to London 1583!

This year's Cityread title is the gripping Elizabethan spy thriller Prophecy by S.J Parris, featuring maverick philosopher and heretic Giordano Bruno.

Pop into one of our lending libraries to get your paws on a copy! 

(please note Shoe Lane Library is closed until 12th April) 

[review-mxtakes]

Alchemy by S.J. Parris

Consumed via audiobook. Over 17 hours to be precise.

3.5 stars out of 5

Murders in Prague in the 16th century start happening to known Alchemists and other city residents. Is it the "Golem" that everyone is scared about or is there more going on than it seems.

As I said it's over 17 hours, and it it a long dedication to read/listen to, if you have the time, I think it's worth a go. It puts a fresher spin on detective stories and feels both modern whilst keeping the time frame accurate as possible. Every one from poor to rich has a motive and it takes our lead through a mystery tour that he doesn't want to be involved in.

The content warnings for this is Murder, domestic violence, Anti Semitism, animal cruelty, child endangerment and alcohol and gambling addiction. I know some people don't like to be told what's in a book, but I am in the camp of not throwing someone blindly into a book without warning of certain topics. I recently had this with a book, and it has brought back memories of my partners death and the book was meant to be fun. I don't want that shock having to happen to other folks.

Back to the book,the author creates a really good world and explains in detail of how grim the city is. There are so many characters with their own stories but it doesn't get too busy with everything. Everyone is slowly linked in with each other.

The ending is no way what I expected, but it explains the pattern of murders.

Final thing. He keeps the dog. That will make sense at the end.

Want an alternative murder mystery story? Give it a go