Helpful Score: 1
A well written who dunnit with multiple layers. Though I thought I knew who did it and why it kept me engaged to the end at which I was surprised. Matthew Shardlake's investigation of self and the events in which he's surrounded are relevant to our own period of history and the political turmoil we must all endure.
Helpful Score: 1
Matthew Shardlake returns in the third historical mystery by C.J. Sansom. Shardlake is sent from London to York ahead of King Henry VIII's Progress with a commission to prepare the peoples petitions to the King and to care for the welfare of a prisoner to be brought back to the Tower of London. When a dying man whispers a deadly secret concerning the monarchy, Shardlake is thrown into a maelstrom of conspiracy, deceit, and death. Sansom, like few other authors, is able to immerse the reader into the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of 16th century Tudor England and he gets better and better with each book. I was hooked to the last page. Don't start this if you have important things to do because it is hard to put down.
Helpful Score: 1
With book 3 in the series we actually get to meet the great King Henry VIII. He wasn't a really likable person but he is only a minor character. Matthew Shardlake is the real hero. These books are real page turners and bring Tudor England to life.
Excellent, excellent HF mystery - probably the best I've read so far. All of the books in Sansom's series are addictive. His descriptions of life in England at that time are so accurate and realistic as are his characters.
Utterly enjoyable.
Another great Matthew Shardlake mystery!
Rich in detail, characters, plot. Right on point for this time in history. The mystery has many twists and turns. Make sure and read this series in order.
This is the 3rd book of the Shardlake series and my favorite so far. King Henry VIII and his 5th wife, Catherine Howard progress from London to York. Shardlake and Barak are transporting a conspirator from York to London and come across a secret concerning the monarchy. Someone is attempting to kill Shardlake to protect the secret. This was a very hard to put down book with excellent plot, characters and intrigue. I would highly recommend this series to those who love to read about 16th century Tudor England.