Treachery

Giordano Bruno is travelling by sea from London to Plymouth with his friend Sir Philip Sydney ostensibly to check out Drake’s fleet.  Sydney is Elizabeth’s Master of Ordinance.  Sydney will also meet the pretender to the throne of Portugal there and escort him to London to meet Elizabeth.  It is only after the ship has sailed that Sydney informs Bruno that Drake had specifically asked that Bruno be brought along.

Upon their arrival in Plymouth, Drake informs them of a death on his ship, one that has the appearance of suicide, but he is sure is a murder.  He doesn’t want his fleet to sail until an investigation is held.  On shore, at the inn recommended by Drake, Bruno is sure that there is a man watching him.

Later, meeting with Drake, Bruno learns of the reason he is there.  Drake has a manuscript, which had been taken from a priest on a previous voyage.  When Bruno sees the manuscript, he is sure that he is holding the Gospel of Judas, which if true could tear the Catholic Church asunder.  Bruno May look at the manuscript, but only on Drake’s ship.

From Drake’s explanations, Bruno and Sydney realise that their old nemesis, Jenkes, could also be on the trail of the book.  While on the ship in harbour, Bruno and Sydney also investigate the apparent suicide.  It will take Bruno into brothels and beyond, but can he find the answers there? Time is limited before the inquest into the death is held.  How can they prove that it wasn’t a suicide?

Author S. J. Parris offers up plenty of suspects for Bruno and Sydney to investigate and confront.  Bruno gets himself into comprising positions, from which there seem to be no way out, but luck always seems to be on his side.  Another rollicking adventure from this wonderful writer of historical fiction.