S.J. Parris

Author:
S.J. Parris

Date of birth: 01-Jan-1970
Place of birth: Surrey, England UK

About the author:
S.J. Parris is the pseudonym of Stephanie Merritt, a British author, critic, and journalist renowned for her gripping historical thrillers set in Elizabethan England. Writing as Parris, she is best known for her Giordano Bruno series, which blends historical fiction, political intrigue, and crime drama in a richly atmospheric portrayal of Renaissance Europe.

Born in 1974, Merritt studied English at Queens’ College, Cambridge, and went on to establish a successful career in journalism. She served as Deputy Literary Editor at The Observer and continues to contribute criticism and essays to publications including The Guardian, The Times, and The New Statesman.

Her writing career began under her real name with the literary novel Gaveston (2002) and the memoir The Devil Within (2008), a candid exploration of depression and faith. However, it was under the pseudonym S.J. Parris that she found international success, beginning with Heresy in 2010.

The Giordano Bruno series follows the real-life Italian philosopher and ex-monk who fled the Inquisition and became embroiled in espionage and religious conspiracies across Europe. Set in the charged political and religious climate of the 16th century, the books blend historical fact with riveting fictional narratives. Titles in the series include Heresy, Prophecy, Sacrilege, Treachery, Conspiracy, and Execution.

Parris’s work is acclaimed for its meticulous research, immersive period detail, and fast-paced plots that often draw comparisons to C.J. Sansom and Umberto Eco. The series has been translated into more than a dozen languages and optioned for television.

Stephanie Merritt lives in the UK and continues to write both fiction and nonfiction. As S.J. Parris, she has become a leading voice in historical thrillers, admired for her ability to blend intellectual depth with suspenseful storytelling.