Bond, Elizabethan style.

There is a little too much Bond in this book for it to be great historical novel. Bruno dashes about far too much and gets the occasional pasting by the increasingly stereotyped villains - the dastardly Catholics. In fact, if the Duke of Norfolk had been stroking a cat rather than a crucifix he would have been Blofeld by any other name.

Despite the fact that the writer has gone down the path of the standard tropes of detective and spy fiction and bypassed the elements of historical interest that were more of a feature of her first instalment of this series, I still found it an engaging read. I enjoyed following the scrapes that the unlikely hero, Giordano Bruno, gets into, and his life as a double agent adds spice. The pace of the plot is also well maintained as are the romantic diversions and other shenanigans that Bruni is swept into along the way.

This is not a challenging read by any means and, as an historical novel, neither is it instructive. The presentation of Francis Walsingham and Lord Burghley as rather benign grandfatherly types is, frankly, ridiculous. However, if you can overlook the overtly Anglicanised version of the aftermath of the Reformation and are after an enjoyable piece of light entertainment then you will find this book quite good fun.

The skill of the narrator, I feel, is a particular highlight. He maintains Bruno’s Italian accent throughout despite having to change from that to two different Scottish accents, several cut-glass English voices, French, Spanish ….a masterful performance and certainly gave an average story a touch of class.

6 people found this helpful

No CJ Swanson

Ridiculous bumbling characters the worst of whom is the hero who has utterly improbable relationships wherever he goes. Everyone speaks through clenched teeth. Melodrama at its worst

4 people found this helpful

Getting better as a series

After a slow start in the first book, this story is a lot better and the characters seem to be hitting their stride, I was doubtful whether to continue, but glad I did, if you weren't overly impressed with book one, this is better

4 people found this helpful

great book well read

If you could sum up Prophecy in three words, what would they be?

Top ten book

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bruno

What does Laurence Kennedy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He is very good and his accents for the different speakers was very good

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh at how things developed. It was a good laugh

Any additional comments?

Yes, thoroughly enjoyable. I can't recommend it and the series enough

6 people found this helpful

Excellent

Very good story and very descriptive of the times. A good plot with lots of twists and turns.

1 person found this helpful

Plots and intrigue

This book has all the ingredients for an enjoyable medieval murder mystery. The hero is an interesting character amongst a varied cast of assorted villains and suspicious aristocrats. The plot leads down some blind alleys and the story kept my interest throughout. An excellent narrator makes the characters believable, and the quality of the writing makes the historical background a natural home for them. I will certainly listen to other books in this series..

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant

Loved this it's a real change to read/listen to a mystery from the 1600's and the narration was excellent, what with Elizabeth 1st on the throne and Mary Stuart and her supporters making plans to overthrow the monarchy and install her as queen, and while all this is going on a young maid on honour gets murdered, and it's up to Giordano to solve it. Well written a good length read and not a lot of twaddle for those who prefer to read, rather than listen, but the narration was great and it's worth the listen.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent

Another great episode in Brian's life made real by Laurence Kennedy narrative. Looking forward to next read

1 person found this helpful

Amazing narrator

Good enough story that kept my attention and i will be continuing with the next book in the series but particular mention must be made of the excellent narrator who moved between characters seamlessly. He really brought the story alive. Am about to investigate other books narrated by this person _ great job.

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant narration, slow story

This is our third Bruno story and the plot seems to take a long time to come to the boil. We will press on - it’s a good series. Laurence Kennedy is once again outstanding.

1 person found this helpful