Lu Ann Homza, *The Cambridge Companion to the Spanish Inquisition*. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2026.

Spanning from its establishment in 1478 to its final dissolution in 1834, the Spanish Inquisition stands as one of history's most infamous institutions, widely recognized for fueling religious and racial persecution. Yet the Spaniards themselves did not create its legal structure or its core mission—the reconciliation of heretics with the Catholic Church. This authoritative scholarly work brings together leading international researchers who critically examine the institution's origins, legal mechanisms, victims, reach, and limitations across different time periods and geographic areas. Grounded in cutting-edge scholarship and extensive archival research, the chapters trace the medieval foundations that preceded the Inquisition, chronicle its turbulent establishment and ultimate decline, and explore how inquisitors shifted their focus throughout the centuries. The book also investigates the role of physical spaces in shaping investigative and prosecutorial practices, while uncovering the inquisitors' deep preoccupation with social rank and legal entitlements. Additionally, the contributors expose the controversies that threatened to compromise both inquisitors and their networks. Ultimately, this volume delivers a nuanced, historically grounded perspective on the Spanish Inquisition as a pivotal force in European history.