What do you think?
Rate this book
Divination: A Conspiracy of Blood (A cosy Tudor historical fiction mystery)
🆓 FREE Introduction to the beloved Predestination series of cosy historical fiction mysteries.
Cambridge University, 1547. Young scholar John Dee's quiet academic life takes an unexpected turn when a visiting Polish astronomer is found dead just hours after sharing revolutionary astrological secrets.
Suddenly thrust into a world of Tudor court intrigue, Dee must navigate the treacherous politics of Hampton Court Palace while unraveling the astronomer's cryptic final prediction about a Midsummer coup.
Perfect for readers
Cosy historical mysteries with adventure but no graphic violenceAuthentic Tudor England brought to life through meticulous researchA lighter alternative to Shardlake in the same fascinating periodEngaging puzzles that blend history with mysteryCan our reluctant scholar-detective decipher the clues before England's fate is sealed? In Tudor times, some secrets are worth killing for—but uncovering them doesn't require bloodshed.
Start your Tudor adventure risk-free with this engaging introduction to Dr. John Dee's world. Fans of cosy mysteries and Tudor history will find their perfect series!
Continue the adventure with Speculation, then dive into the full-length novels beginning with Resurrection.
Cambridge University, 1547. Young scholar John Dee's quiet academic life takes an unexpected turn when a visiting Polish astronomer is found dead just hours after sharing revolutionary astrological secrets.
Suddenly thrust into a world of Tudor court intrigue, Dee must navigate the treacherous politics of Hampton Court Palace while unraveling the astronomer's cryptic final prediction about a Midsummer coup.
Perfect for readers
Cosy historical mysteries with adventure but no graphic violenceAuthentic Tudor England brought to life through meticulous researchA lighter alternative to Shardlake in the same fascinating periodEngaging puzzles that blend history with mysteryCan our reluctant scholar-detective decipher the clues before England's fate is sealed? In Tudor times, some secrets are worth killing for—but uncovering them doesn't require bloodshed.
Start your Tudor adventure risk-free with this engaging introduction to Dr. John Dee's world. Fans of cosy mysteries and Tudor history will find their perfect series!
Continue the adventure with Speculation, then dive into the full-length novels beginning with Resurrection.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 29, 2025
Divination is a novella that acts as an introduction to the author’s historical mystery series featuring Dr. John Dee, mathematician, astrologer and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. The series encompasses the reigns of King Edward VI to Queen Mary, a very turbulent period in English history. A perfect setting then for a historical crime mystery!
Although a real historical figure, in Divination John Dee is cast in the role of investigator as he seeks to find the person responsible for the murder of Polish astronomer, Mikolaj Kopernik. Working out the motivation for the murder is probably his easiest task because Kopernik had claimed his astrological calculations indicated a threat to the peace of the realm. But from whom? That’s the task Dee is given, requiring him to try to replicate Kopernik’s intricate calculations based on his scribbled manuscripts. And there’s pressure for him to do it quickly. Fortunately, Dee is a mathematical mastermind. Unfortunately, there are people who will do anything to prevent details of their plan being discovered, placing Dee’s life at risk.
Although Dee is taken under the wing of an influential figure, he discovers the Tudor court is a place of intrigue, espionage and competing factions. Prime amongst these is the rivalry between the man appointed Lord Protector to the young King, Edward Seymour, and his brother Thomas Seymour, a man who believes he has been overlooked.
The story builds to a dramatic conclusion. Along the way, Dee proves quite capable of a spot of deception himself, including one that comes with side benefits!
Divination is a well-crafted and enjoyable historical mystery that will appeal to fans of C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake series.
Although a real historical figure, in Divination John Dee is cast in the role of investigator as he seeks to find the person responsible for the murder of Polish astronomer, Mikolaj Kopernik. Working out the motivation for the murder is probably his easiest task because Kopernik had claimed his astrological calculations indicated a threat to the peace of the realm. But from whom? That’s the task Dee is given, requiring him to try to replicate Kopernik’s intricate calculations based on his scribbled manuscripts. And there’s pressure for him to do it quickly. Fortunately, Dee is a mathematical mastermind. Unfortunately, there are people who will do anything to prevent details of their plan being discovered, placing Dee’s life at risk.
Although Dee is taken under the wing of an influential figure, he discovers the Tudor court is a place of intrigue, espionage and competing factions. Prime amongst these is the rivalry between the man appointed Lord Protector to the young King, Edward Seymour, and his brother Thomas Seymour, a man who believes he has been overlooked.
The story builds to a dramatic conclusion. Along the way, Dee proves quite capable of a spot of deception himself, including one that comes with side benefits!
Divination is a well-crafted and enjoyable historical mystery that will appeal to fans of C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake series.
December 14, 2025
The Tudor period is not something I know a lot about so I wasn't sure what to expect from Divination. I was so impressed with the writing and the plot that I am just starting the next book in the series. The book has an authentic feel for the period and told the story in an unhurried but enthralling way. If you like historical thrillers then you should try this book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews