• Sacrilege

  • A Novel
  • By: S.J. Parris
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (130 ratings)

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Sacrilege  By  cover art

Sacrilege

By: S.J. Parris
Narrated by: John Lee
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Publisher's summary

A gripping historical thriller set in 16th-century England and centered on the highly secretive cult of Saint Thomas Becket, the 12th-century archbishop murdered in Canterbury Cathedral.

London, summer of 1584: Radical philosopher, ex-monk, and spy Giordano Bruno suspects he is being followed by an old enemy. He is shocked to discover that his pursuer is in fact Sophia Underhill, a young woman with whom he was once in love. When Bruno learns that Sophia has been accused of murdering her husband, a prominent magistrate in Canterbury, he agrees to do anything he can to help clear her name.

In the city that was once England's greatest center of pilgrimage, Bruno begins to uncover unsuspected secrets that point to the dead man being part of a larger and more dangerous plot in the making. He must turn his detective's eye on history - on Saint Thomas Becket, the 12-century archbishop murdered in Canterbury Cathedral, and on the legend surrounding the disappearance of his body - in order to solve the crime.

As Bruno's feelings for Sophia grow more intense, so does his fear that another murder is about to take place - perhaps his own. But more than Bruno's life is at stake in this vividly rendered, impeccably researched, and addictively compelling whodunit - the stability of the kingdom hangs in the balance as Bruno hunts down a brutal murderer in the shadows of England's most ancient cathedral.

©2012 S.J. Parris (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Parris interweaves historical fact with psychological insight as Bruno, a humanist dangerously ahead of his time, begins his quest to light the fire of enlightenment in Europe." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Sacrilege

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fun listen

It kept me entertained on a long drive … I enjoy Bruno’s antics and the time I history is one of my favorites

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

This was a terrific Elizabethan mystery/thriller. I would’ve expected it to be made into a movie. Reminded me a lot of The da Vinci Code.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Twist and turns

Started slow but picked up fast and was very good in all the twists and turns

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Can't Wait To Get More of Giordano!

Any additional comments?

I loved this... as I have enjoyed the whole series! Parris' novels are a bit easier to read than Eco's "The Name of the Rose", "Focualt's Pendulum", and "The Prague Cemetery", but no less impressive in their depth, scope, and imaginativeness!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fab

Just excellent. I sure wish Treachery and Conspiracy were on Audible as well ... Hint Hint...

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed the unexpected twist

This is my first book with this author, but I truly enjoyed the plot twist. I’m trying to guess what will happen. Very well read!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Even John Lee Can't Make This Story Entertaining

A predictable tale of 16th Century murder masquerading as Umberto Eco's, "The Name of the Rose." A wise monk with unorthodox views is drawn into a murder intrigue and uses his wits and unearned forensic skills to rescue a damsel in distress. The problem is that this monk seems to stumble upon all the murders and clues like a kid on an Easter Egg Hunt (look Mom, I found another one).

John Lee, can't even rescue this one so don't bother.

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6 people found this helpful