Sovereign (A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery) Paperback – February 26, 2008

C. J. Sansom's whole Shardlake Tudor mystery series is terrific. I have enjoyed every one of the books, beginning with Dissolution. The blend of mystery and intrigue with historic detail is just right. Sansom's primary character, Shardlake, is realistic and fun to read about--sort of a medieval Columbo, who always figures out the truth despite the numerous people who try to block the path. What I love most, though, is the fascinating detail about life in 1500s England--not for the squeamish. If the book is historically accurate--and I'm assuming it is, given that Sansom holds a doctorate in history--the people of the time were accustomed to extraordinary hardship and brutality. At the same time, many of the political injustices and conflicts we experience today are reflected in their everyday lives, so the books seem incredibly timely as well as historically informative. This particular book focuses on Henry VIII specifically--not the most congenial of fellows. Shardlake is charged with protecting the well being of a prisoner who is headed to the infamous Tower of London--an ironic task indeed given what awaits the poor man at the Tower. He soon becomes embroiled in the investigation of a murder. The dead man holds papers questioning the authenticity of Henry's succession to the throne, and a more dangerous possession could scarcely be imagined. The plot is filled with wonderful twists and turns, and we get to meet the king himself, who has just taken a new wife--good luck to her, given the history of previous wives! I noticed that some reviewers indicated the plot is slow moving. I would heartily dispute this. None of Sansom's books are slow moving. On the contrary, the pacing is terrific. Yes, you need to pay attention. The book--like all Sansom books--is rich with detail and filled with numerous characters who all have a relationship somehow, in some way, to the main plot. The series is incredibly readable. I find myself wanting to skip television, dinner, phone calls, whatever. I can honestly say I've never gone through a historical fiction series so quickly, nor have I ever enjoyed one more. Begin with Dissolution, though. You need to read them in order. I don't know that anyone could do justice to these books on film, but it doesn't hurt to hope. This would be a terrific candidate for a mini series. I am almost sorry to be on the fifth book (Heartstone), knowing I have only one left. It's been a delightful ride.

Another fascinating read that rises above its genre. It’s probably not as plausible as the first two ( although those did have their improbabilities) but still very entertaining and with an engrossing historical background.

This series is such a pleasure to read. The author expertly weaves such a masterful story around fascinating Tudor facts & legends. Keep writing, Master Sansom!

NOTE: To someone who is just discovering C. J. Sansom I strongly recommend you begin with the first book of the series, Dissolution, then go on to the second, Dark Fire, before reading Sovereign. All three books have good plots and strong characters and can stand alone but it is the atmosphere of the times that makes them, taken together, unique. I think I would have enjoyed the setting of Sovereign less, as well as the strivings among characters for wealth or position, had I not had the background provided by the first two books.At one extreme is the bare bones of English history: Henry VIII wanted a new wife; the Pope said no; Henry left the Catholic Church and started his own Church of England.At the other extreme is the cable series on Show Time, "The Tudors," which is beautiful to watch but sometimes a bit confusing in its detail on how the Reformation came to be and was carried out.The C. J. Sansom Matthew Shardlake series brings the era to easily comprehensible life.Sovereign, the third, is a long book and it's slow pace (note, not plodding or boring) contributes to the sense of immediacy I had when reading. Life was slow moving (notwithstanding the fact that a fall from favor could be swift with brutal consequences.)Rather than looking back from 450 years to the actual historical figures (Cranmer, Henry) or types (courtiers, guards, craftsmen) I felt in the midst of them while reading. Sansom keeps you in on-going awareness of the weather, the ambient sights and odors, the state of dress, the degree of personal comfort his characters are experiencing. Examples: Heads on pikes and skeletons of traitors left hanging are pointed out every time Shardlake happens upon them. Shaving was an occasional event even for professional men. People stank.Sansom makes the arguments between religious factions come alive. The reformers are ascendent, but the papists not without hope. Men publicly had to take care what beliefs they seemed to espouse or face the horrors of the executions meted out to "traitors." Privately, thoughtful men like Shardlake realize the hopes of the reformers have turned into the kind of behaviors they sought to eradicate: greed, corruption, cruelty. Some good conversations between characters highlight these realities.In this book it is late summer. Henry VIII and Catherine are on a Royal Progress to the North. The uprising of a few years ago had been put down with hundreds executed; another conspiracy was uncovered the past spring. The Court, nervous of the sullenness of the common folk of York, is making the Progress to bind closer the loyalty of the gentry. The logistics of moving a thousand people over so many miles, so many stops: the feeding, the bedding down, the seeing to the horses, the digging of latrines. Sansom does a masterful job of showing what this entailed.Another aspect of life in 1540 that the author captures so well is what a Big Deal it was to even catch a glimpse of the King. As I write this, President Obama is on a media blitz so its not easy to imagine a life in which "The King" for someone like me would be a mythic figure set by God to oversee my soul. Sansom makes the brief encounter between Henry and Shardlake very real.I don't mention the plot of Sovereign because it's too neatly layered to do justice in a summary. There are several points I'd like to praise concerning the smooth natural flow of the action, the plausible motives of characters, and the use of props to inflict or deflect damage. To do so might spoil a reader's enjoyment.I end this and turn to the next Shardlake book, Revelation

You’re taken right back and immersed in the grim circumstances of Tudor England. The ‘Progress’, an excursion of vast numbers of Royals, Courtiers and soldiers to York, was staggering in its organisational requirements. Religious and political suppression of free-will and the greed of those in power is clear throughout the book and the utter cruelty to achieve political ends shockingly illustrated. The plot is woven carefully through the story, integrated into all aspects of the historical landscape.

Imagine reading a mystery book full of old scrolls and parchments of historical significance to fine a whole chunk of the book is missing! So disappointing that even the Amazon return window is shut but how can I help if the book is missing pages from page 327! Takes time to even read till then!

This third book in the series continues the brilliant blending of fact and fiction to evoke a very tangible Tudor England. The plot, like those in the previous two books, is complex and rollicking with enough threads to keep us interested. Shardlake’s ongoing musing about the vicissitudes of religion and politics in his time is thoughtful, probably consistent with many people of the day, and still relevant in our own time. Great reading.

Much better than the second book. As good as the first. A really enjoyable read. Looking forward to starting the forth in the series.

Troisième roman de la série des Matthew Shardlake, "Soveriegn" nous replonge dans la cruelle Angleterre d'Henri VIII alors que celui-ci est en marche avec toute sa cour pour le Nord dont les habitants, majoritairement attachés à leur foi catholique, se sont récemment rebellés contre lui et contre la dissolution des monastères. Notre avocat bossu doit l'attendre à York, chargé de lui présenter les requêtes des plaignants de la ville. En compagnie de son fidèle Jack Barak, il va donc séjourner dans une sorte de camp retranché, un ancien monastère justement, où le roi et sa cour vivront quelques jours. Quelques jours pendant lesquels Matthew Shardlake se liera d'une grande amitié avec un avocat de York, plus âgé que lui, une figure parternelle pour lui, et pendant lesquels un mystérieux ennemi attentera plusieurs fois à sa vie. Jack lui se laissera séduire par les boucles blondes et le culot d'une des servantes de la reine.Au travers de cette intrigue bien menée, au suspense plus qu'efficace, C.J. Sansom nous offre non seulement une magnifique fresque historique mais aussi des personnages de plus en plus attachants. Il est passionnant de suivre l'évolution des convictions et des sentiments des deux héros et enfin de découvrir de nouveaux personnages que nous retrouverons d'ailleurs ensuite dans les deux opus suivants, "Revelation" et "Heartsone".