Customer Reviews

Sovereign (Shardlake)

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If you like your historical mysteries fast-moving and riveting, find another book. C.J. Sansom's "Sovereign", the third in the Matthew Shardlake series, is slow-moving and ponderous. Set in York in 1541 at the time of Henry VIII's Progress in the North it is jam-packed with historical detail, much of it accurate. The hunch-backed Shardlake and his strong-armed assistant Barack find themselves caught up in the threat of rebellion, corruption at high levels and the adultery of Queen Catherine Howard. Despite such a vivid setting Sansom's stilted way with dialogue and lugubrious pace keep the book from ever getting too exciting. What it lacks in suspense and pace it makes up for in bulk; in every sense of the word this is a thick book.

The Shardlake series is set in the time of Henry VIII and starts with "Dissolution".

Tudor times are violent and uncertain - papist or reformer you could be burned if you do not read the political winds correctly.

Shardlake is a lawyer who was coerced into working for Thomas Cromwell, it made him wealthy but heartsick and determined to never again be involved in affairs of state.

In this book, Cromwell has fallen but Shardlake's services are still in demand - from people you do not say "no" to.

Shardlake, the protagonist of the series, agrees to pursue a secret mission whereby he has to make sure that a very dangerous prisoner is kept alive. The distinctions between the right and wrong become blurry early in the novel, as the intrigues and old secrets cut to the very heart of the realm.

The historical setting of Henry VIII's England is well-researched and evocative, as we travel from the royal court, to the torture chambers of the Tower, and the secret meetings among the courtiers. The characters are believable and surprisingly modern. The style is fast-paced and full of suspense... I wholeheartedly recommend this novel!

This is the third Matthew Shardlake mystery and while I recommend reading them in order, the novels largely stand alone. Matthew Shardlake has two missions in York: the first is to assist with legal petitions to the King, the second is a secret commission on behalf of Archbishop Cranmer.

As participants in Henry VIII's progress to the north of England in 1541, Shardlake and his assistant Jack Barak are part of the final episode of 'The Pilgrimage of Grace'. The Pilgrimage of Grace (1536) was the worst uprising of Henry VIII's reign and was a direct result of the dissolution of the monasteries.

Henry VIII was not popular in the north, and the setting is perfect for the latest set of adventures of Matthew Shardlake. This novel is an interesting blend of history and fiction delivered with gritty realism.

Recommended to all who like mysteries based in history.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith