A splendid, intriguing, historical novel about a fugitive Monk, Giordano Bruno, who is wanted by the inquisition because of his heretical belief in a heliocentric universe. Giordano is also a poet, a scientist and a scholar.
Giordano flees to England where the Protestant Queen Elizabeth is embroiled in the constant battle with Catholics. Her chief spy is Sir Francis Wolsingham a devious and clever master of an army of spies none of whom knows the identity of the other. Wolsingham suspects that Oxford University is a haven for rebellious Catholics who are plotting to assassinate Elizabeth. Giordano is hired to infiltrate and expose the underground network of Papists.
As a ruse to gain entrance, Bruno is to debate the theories of Copernicus with the head of the University. During the debate, which goes very badly for Bruno because the head of the University and the faculty had such closed minds that they refused to even accept the premise, the first of several murders occur. The Rector, fearing a scandal, refuses to bring in the authorities to investigate; Giordano recognizes the deaths as murder and investigates himself which puts him at odds with the Rector and the faculty. Giordano must use all of his skill in the face of deceptions and obstacles the Rector and some of the faculty put before him while at the same time keeping his mission secret and his life safe from the inquisition.
This was a brilliant and compelling story; I am sure that there will be another novel highlighting Giordano Bruno’s adventure.
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