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The Dead of Winter

Three Giordano Bruno Novellas

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The Dead of Winter

By: S. J. Parris
Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
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Three gripping tales from No.1 Sunday Times bestseller S. J. Parris.

The Secret Dead
Summer 1556. A girl’s body is found in a Neapolitan monastery. Novice monk Giordano Bruno is determined to uncover what happened, but his investigation could deliver him into the hands of the Inquisition.

The Academy of Secrets
Autumn 1568. An invitation arrives for Giordano Bruno from a secret society of philosophers. Bruno is delighted, but keeping their heretical secrets soon becomes a matter of life or death.

A Christmas Requiem
Winter 1569. Giordano Bruno is summoned by the Pope, who is intrigued by his talent for memory games. But Rome is a den of iniquity, and Bruno will be lucky to escape the Eternal City alive.

*Please note these three novellas are also published as individual stories in ebook.*

‘S. J. Parris gives us a glimpse into the younger years of Giordano Bruno, her 16th-century heretic and spy, in this collection of three beguiling novellas’ Observer

What readers are saying about The Dead of Winter

‘Superb story-telling’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Such a treat’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Beautifully written’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gripping’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Compulsive reading’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Full of energy and excitement’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Superb’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Historical Historical Fiction Medieval Mystery Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense World Literature Fiction Crime Thriller Suspense
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Critic reviews

‘S. J. Parris gives us a glimpse into the younger years of Giordano Bruno, her 16th-century heretic and spy, in this collection of three beguiling novellas’ Observer
‘Fans of Parris’s superior mysteries featuring cleric-turned-sleuth Giordano Bruno, seen most recently in Conspiracy, will be delighted by this stellar collection of three novellas from his early years. This is an accessible entry point for newcomers’ Publishers Weekly (starred)
Praise for S. J. Parris:
‘A delicious blend of history and thriller’ The Times
‘A tight plot combines with subtly-realised characters and an omnipresent sense of danger … My pleasure in the vividly textured backdrop and a cracking story was accompanied by an uneasy shudder’ Daily Mail
‘Colourful characters, fast-moving plots and a world where one false step in religion or politics can mean a grisly death’ Sunday Times
‘S. J. Parris is one of my favourite authors – and unquestionably our greatest living writer of historical thrillers’ A.J. Finn
‘Vivid, sprawling … Well-crafted, exuberant’ Financial Times
‘Successful historical thrillers need three elements: a killer plot that weaves seamlessly into the history; an engaging protagonist; and an atmospheric sense of place. Parris nails all three’ The Times
‘Pacy, intricate, and thrilling… Full of historical detail and rich with atmosphere’ Observer
‘I can thoroughly recommend Conspiracy, which twists and turns like a corkscrew of venomous snakes’ Stuart MacBride
‘Parris’s Giordano Bruno series has been a joy’ Sunday Telegraph
‘Impossible to resist … Parris creates a convincing sense of the past, woven with so much intrigue that the head fairly spins’ Daily Telegraph
‘It has everything – intrigue, mystery and excellent history’ Kate Mosse
A classy mystery’ Observer
‘Superbly plotted, shimmeringly written, it will have you on the edge of your seat’ Kate Williams, author of The Storms of War
All stars
Most relevant
Have listened to the entire series and so enjoy the time period, the characters and the writing is amazing.

Missing Bruno already

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Ok but not as good as Shardlake. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story and the background on Bruno.

A good listen

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Having read two later books I came back to this one. Had I read this first I don't think I would have progressed; it did not have the pace and depth of plot the others have but it was quite enjoyable.

This series of books gets better.

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Well written, well researched and imagined and well read. Very entertaining view of a time long ago when life was cheaper than in modern times.

A great story

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Prequel stories introducing the Dominican monk, set in Italy before his journey to England. Excellent narration by Daniel Philpott bringing the places and characters to life. Very enjoyable.

Three short stories introducing Bruno

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