Solid Historical Thriller: Heresy

As a historian, when I read historical fiction, I expect the world-building to be as robust as it would be for a fantasy title. Heresy delivered, while also providing a thrilling murder mystery tied deeply to the biggest conflicts of the period - the religious wars in England.

Though at times I felt that this investigation could have moved at a slightly quicker pace (I listened, rather than read, so that could be the issue), there were no details or scenes that were superfluous or didn't add to the thickening plot of one Oxford professor after another being murdered in the sensational manner of the saints/martyrs. The political and religious tensions between Catholics and Anglicans were palpable, as was the very precise and authentic perception of the emerging theories of Copernicus and his ilk. I greatly, greatly appreciated the exactitude and attention to detail that brought these intellectual movements to life and made them so organic to the plot itself. And also, accessible to people who may not know as much as I do about the Scientific Revolution and the ideas that drove it. Even good historical descriptions can tend to feel like so much window-dressing, but here the plot was tied to the period inextricably, and that is quite a grand feat indeed. All of the characters were distinctly plotted out, and their motivations and character came in all shades of gray, another major accomplishment.

I especially liked the flavor of secret societies and hidden messages - it added a little something special not often seen these days, especially in this style.

I'm happy to have found a historical series that I can sink my teeth into, and the premise for the second title of Giordano Bruno sounds all the more enticing.

K. Rating: 5/5