The Midwinter Martyr

A Giordano Bruno Novella
A thrilling new Christmas historical crime novella from #1 bestseller S. J. Parris, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Hilary Mantel
A thrilling new Christmas historical crime novella from #1 bestseller S. J. Parris, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Hilary Mantel Venice, 1576.

A midwinter murder that shakes a city

Days before Christmas, an aristocrat in Venice is found dead and his wife is arrested. With her trial hastily scheduled, unrest ripples through the frozen city.

A spy fleeing the Inquisition

Giordano Bruno – heretic, philosopher and spy – is on the run from the Inquisition. He escapes to Venice, but the city, cold and bleak, proves no safe haven. An anonymous letter, written in code, is sent proclaiming the woman’s innocence, and Bruno is tasked with finding the writer.

A web of secrets that could prove deadly

The murder is mired in a tangle of dangerous secrets, and as the dark days of winter close in, Bruno soon learns there are some very powerful people who will stop at nothing to suppress the truth…

‘Top class historical crime’ ★★★★★

‘Another fantastic historical thriller from master of the Elizabethan mystery’ ★★★★★

‘A straight 5* for me! A very compelling novel I highly recommend’ ★★★★★

‘I loved the characters. The only bad thing I have to say about this book is that it kept me reading way past midnight’ ★★★★★

‘The richly detailed Elizabethan setting and clever twists kept me hooked from start to finish’ ★★★★★

‘The murder mystery is layered with political intrigue, keeping you second-guessing every revelation’ ★★★★★

‘Excellently researched, great plot, beautiful execution. I love the combination of historical menace and a thriller’ ★★★★★

‘SJ Parris does it again’ ★★★★★

‘I didn't know who to trust or who to believe the whole way along’ ★★★★★

‘Another glorious dive into the murky world of Elizabethan spies and lies’ ★★★★★

S. J. Parris's book 'Traitor’s Legacy' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2025-05-12.

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