Amazon.com: Customer reviews: The Secret Dead (Kindle Single)

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Curiosity killed the cat... and perhaps the friar too

ByJ. Chamberson July 15, 2014

If author S.J. Parris's intention in writing The Secret Dead was to interest readers in her series of novels featuring fictional character Giordano Bruno's exploits in 16th century Europe, she succeeded splendidly. It was an intriguing story of eighteen-year-old Giordano Bruno, who had recently taken his vows in a Dominican order in Naples, Italy. One night, in a move he would later deeply regret, Bruno followed Fra Gennaro, the order's physician, to see what he was up to. Suddenly drawn into a situation that Bruno was both repulsed and fascinated by, the young friar soon realized the danger he faced from powerful forces.

Set against the backdrop of the Spanish occupation of Naples and the Inquisition, The Secret Dead is a compelling story of intrigue and mystery, and a nice introduction to Fra Giordano Bruno.

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2 people found this helpful

Domini Canes Not A Pun

Bypropertiuson August 17, 2014

This is a well-crafted story that is well paced and a pleasant reading experience. It tells of an early fictional episode in the life of famed heretic, astronomer, theologian, and all-together arrogant, pompous misanthropic scholar. Throughout his career, whether it be in Italy, France, Germany, or England his caustic personality was his worst enemy. That being said, the young Bruno here, is presented in a different light. While his future propensity for alienating people is shown here, he is a more sympathetic character as he is involved in an illegal anotomical study performed by his mentor, the death of a young girl, and the solving of the crime.

There is a nice atmosphere but we are not talking of an Umberto Eco medieval piece and it is plain to see the obvious disposition of the writer to the characters and his enemies and authorities. It is a bit too one dimensional in this regard but it, as a short story, does give the readr an enjoyable time spent reading it.

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Showing 21-29 of 29 reviews(Verified Purchases). See all 71 reviews

Excellent in the style of the four Bruno novels

ByJohn Hatfieldon July 29, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Only disappointment is that it was too short. I am a great admirer of the historical Giordano Bruno and his writings. S.J. Parris's 4 novels set in the 2 1/2 years he spent in England set this most remarkable man in an elaborate historical thriller in Elizabeth's England; a genre of fiction I love when I do read fiction which is rare these days. I never review books but have this time as an encouragement for the author to continue her work on Bruno as there is still much fertile material to his life outside England and it was sad to think there would be no more after she exhausted the timeline of his period in England.