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

Lamentation by C.J. Sansom

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another riveting episode of the hunchback lawyer, tackling a diabolical conspiracy against Queen Katherine Parr - the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII. It is 1546 and the final months of the grand and volatile old king's life are playing out. Matthew Shardlake is asked to attend the royal court and brought before a small council. Katherine Parr is in a desperate situation. Religious fundamentalism is at its height. The radical left has Protestants competing for ultimate power while the conservative and traditional Catholics are trying to restore the old ways of religion. The old king is flirting with Rome and a new found peace. Is he going to compromise?

Queen Katherine Parr has written a confession of a sinner lamentation work. A written piece that could cause tremendous political ramifications for England and the old king. This private work has been stolen. But which fraction has it? Matthew Shardlake is given the task of recovering it. He comes up against diabolical conspiracies along the way. It all leads to a dreadful and unbelievable consequence. A great tour through Tudor England and a highly recommended read.

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

Heartstone by C.J. Sansom

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

Revelation by C.J. Sansom

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yet another splendid 'who done it' read from C. J. Sansom's number four story in the Matthew Shardlake series. It is 1543 and the ill and decrepit King Henry VIII is trying to woo Catherine Parr. The lady who will become his sixth and final wife.

This time Matthew Shardlake is recalled for a mission by Thomas Cramer. London is plagued by a serial killer who is devising deaths along the line of the Bible's book of Revelation. Victims are selected and given horrific deaths in accordance with these Biblical teachings. In a race against time, Matthew and his trusted accomplice Jack Barak are on the trail of the killer. However, the killer always seems to be one step ahead of them and knows a great deal about Matthew and Jack too.

The story takes the reader on a lot of twists and turns with dead ends etc. You, the reader, will be kept guessing all the way. As it draws closer to the dynamic climax the tension is nail-biting and compelling. You will not be able to put this down.

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

Sovereign by C.J. Sansom

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another splendid adventure for Matthew Shardlake. This time it is 1541 and he is on a mission for Thomas Cramer, the Arch Bishop of Canterbury. Sharlake the lawyer from London's Lincoln's Inn must travel to York with his trusted accomplice and minder Jack Barak. Their recent employer Thomas Cromwell is dead. Beheaded by King Henry VIII because of his mistake concerning the marriage match to Anne of Cleeves.

The North of England is more Catholic in its leaning and does not take easily to Protestant Reformation. There has been an uprising and this was viciously put down by King Henry VIII.

It is into this festering atmosphere of hate and resentment, that Shardlake must go. He is to oversee the safety of a conspirator. An enemy of the King and Reformation. This Catholic prisoner must be transported back to London and the Tower were the more skilled interrogators (Torturers) can work upon extracting information.

The King is also making a stately visit to York with his new wife, Katherine Howard. Before long Matthew Shardlake is in over his head where high society murder, intrigue and corruption is concerned. Plus a person intent on murder is stalking him.

I'm fast becoming hooked on these Shardlake novels by C.J. Sansom. Each one has the ability to take the reader to old-world England during the reign of the tyrant King Henry VIII. Splendid stuff, all the way.

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Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom (My Goodreads Review))

Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent historical read. Set in King Henry VIII's England of 1540. Matthew Shardlake must help Thomas Cromwell. The king's main man is in serious trouble concerning the Anne of Cleeves marriage. In an attempt to win back favour with the king, Cromwell enlists the help of the hunchback lawyer Matthew Shardlake to find the secret of Greek Fire. In this day and age, Greek fire is akin to an atomic weapon and would allow Henry VIII's navy to have tremendous power. The problems start for Matthew as he comes across a collection of dead bodies along his investigative way. Soon his own life is in peril too.

This is a gritty fast-paced historical thriller set against the backdrop of protestant reformist England etc. It has a splendid feel and is the second Shardlake story I have read. It was very compelling and I'll certainly be reading the third instalment after this exciting historical thriller brought 1540's London to life.

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