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

Venice, 1576.

Giordano Bruno, heretic, philosopher and spy, is on the run from the Inquisition. He flees to Venice, but the beautiful city proves no safe haven.

The killing of an aristocrat and the arrest of his wife and secretary for murder are causing unrest. When an anonymous letter, written in code, proclaims the woman’s innocence, the city’s chief of intelligence employs Bruno to find the writer.

But the death is mired in a tangle of dangerous secrets, and Bruno soon learns there are some very powerful people who will stop at nothing to suppress the truth…

READERS LOVE S. J. PARRIS…

‘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 Alchemy was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 03-07-2023

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

In The Midwinter Martyr, Sunday Times bestselling author S.J. Parris takes readers on a thrilling journey through the occult mysteries and political intrigue of 1576 Venice. The suspense is unrelenting, making this latest story a must-read for fans of historical thrillers.

For fans of S. W. Perry (The Sinner's Mark), D. V. Bishop (Ritual of Fire), Douglas Skelton (A Thief's Blood), Paul Doherty (Realm of Darkness), and C. S. Harris (Who Will Remember).

HarperCollins 2025

The Midwinter Martyr: A Giordano Bruno Novella

The Midwinter Martyr: A Giordano Bruno Novella