Saturday 17 November 2018

Heartstone by C. J. Sansom (My Goodreads Review)

Heartstone (Matthew Shardlake, #5)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so looking forward to this Matthew Shardlake story. C. J. Sansom always finds a way of entwining the hunchback lawyer into the historical events of King Henry VIII's time. 

In the last story, the clever and modest lawman earnt great favour by his help to Catherine Parr. In this new story, Catherine Parr is now queen. She once again calls upon Matthew's help. 

This time the trusted lawyer and his companion Barak go on a crime adventure that takes them to Portsmouth and the surrounding area. It is 1545 and the French are about to invade England. Amid the clamour and preparation for war, the steadfast lawyer and Barak seek to find answers to a young man's wardship. 

Also answers to a young ladies confinement in Bedlam. She was in the previous story.

I knew that the events of the Mary Rose and the Battle of the Solent were going to be the decisive backdrop for this 5th novel. I have always had a fascination for the ship and went to see the raised hull in Portsmouth navel museum a few years back. 

Therefore, the whole story came to a fabulous climax as Matthew pursues his quest against all odds with familiar dastardly scoundrels of court and new ones to boot. A rip-roaring tale of Tudor England.



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