Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Mystery

This is an interestingly written story that has depth and characters. It starts slow and draws the listener until the listener is hooked. Not willing to waste time on moderate or mediocre performances or stories, this story has me looking forward to the next chapter, the next section and for the other books by the author and reader.

These books are long, but really interesting with characters that are very human. I have listened to them all and will buy another when it comes out

This is my first book by Sansom, but it certainly will not be the last. His attention to detail, outstanding character development and knowledge of law during the Tudor reign is remarkable. The mystery kept me on edge.

Overall I love C.J. Sansom's books. I love the historical details, the wonderful interweaving of fact and fiction, and the great plots. Heartstone, however, was about two hours too long with a few too many repeat visits to the "scenes of the crimes." And by the end of the book, I must say that Shardlake's constant jumping to incorrect conclusions, need to always be right, and gullibility finally began to wear on me. I won't abandon him and look forward to the next in the series but with a bit less excitement. I am pleased that in the last couple of books the author has stopped peppering every line of dialogue with "Gesu," "Christ's nails," and other Tudor expletives. Not sure that I like the "f" bomb with is now often dropped instead and wonder if it would have been widely used as a curse at the time. Steven Crossely, as always, is a superb narrator.

I have not read the book but do indent too!

Listening to when the Mary Rose, going down. I truly felt as if i was there. It was terrifying and awful at the same time.

I enjoy his cadence, the rhythmic of his voice. He can pitch is voice is wonderful directions that makes listening to him so agreeable.

Oh one cannot mention that part! it was one of the most important parts of the book and most moving!

I love the Shardlake mysteries - and the Shardlake character. I love the setting in Henry the 8th's England - and all the tiny details that author Sansom uses to make his books come alive. I love everything about these books - except that it takes Author Sansom too darned long to write a sequel! ;D The Shardlake series is intriguing in it's unusual 'murders' and 'victims', as well as all the day-to-day characters that fatten up the scenery a bit more. Reader Steven Crossley does an excellent job of voicing the characters. Now that I've listened to this latest book, I'll have to wait another couple of years to hear more - and THAT is the only reason I didn't give this title a 5-star rating! ;D

Sansom wonderful storyteller.

The development of the characters is superb, with riveting details of the times of Henry VIII. A truly exceptional historical novel.

He is consistent and performs the characters with animation that is pleasing to the ear. His performance remains one of the best in the audible book genre.

Although previous reviews have criticized the detail inherent in this novel, I found the details to add character and color to the story. At no time did I feel the story was dragged down by the details of the journey to Portsmouth, or of the colorful characters along the way. The narrative of the sea battle is by far one of the best oral battle accounts I've ever heard. Superb!

C.J. Sansom delivered another great story, elegantly constructed, skillfully written and satisfying in every way.

The author continues to provide a window into myriad worlds, the England of Henry VIII, the lot of a disabled person in a far crueler time, British law, devoted friends and deliciously wicked villains. He does so with the professionalism for which he is justifiably famous.

The narrator's skills added to an outstanding story.

This was a book I could hardly wait to get back to, gripping and intricate. One of his best.

I discovered C J Sansom by a referral from another author. What a treasure!
Pathos, mystery in medieval England... no DNA!!.. and personal interaction.
I hope that C J writes more!
I think I am preparing to be unable to read (gasp!) so have all 5. I guess I must
have enjoyed being read to as I do delight in this narrator as well.

Sansom has compelling characters in lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his assistant Jack Barak as he has they navigate interesting mysteries and subplots during the time of Henry VIII. Shardlake crosses the path of most of the significant political and royal figures of the time. Heartstone perhaps has one of the most contrived mystery plots of the Shardlake books but includes the tale of one of the most dramatic historical events - the tragedy of the Mary Rose battleship.

I gave it four stars overall because the story wasn't as suspenseful as previous books in the series and although Steven Crossley read the others and I'd be happy to hear him read anything, I had a hard time distinguishing between many of the male voices. I don't remember having this problem in earlier books, but perhaps there were just too many minor characters here.