
Sovereign
A Matthew Shardlake Mystery
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Narrated by:
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Steven Crossley
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By:
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C. J. Sansom
About this listen
In the third novel in this riveting series, barrister Matthew Shardlake is faced with the most terrifying threat in the age of Tudor England: his own imprisonment in the Tower of London.
Harsh autumn winds stir the English countryside as King Henry VIII, along with a thousand soldiers and his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, make their way from London to York after a violent uprising. Shardlake and his loyal assistant, John Barack, have a secret mission - they must transport a dangerous conspirator back to London for interrogation.
After a local glazier is murdered, Shardlake finds that this death seems not only connected to the prisoner, but to the royal family itself. Shardlake grows more determined when he realizes that a greater threat looms over the crown.
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Critic reviews
I guess you CAN have too much of a good thing
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Growing to like the characters
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A nice mystery against the background of a clever reimagining of British history
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Excellent Narration
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Nevertheless, the history of those Tudor era is endlessly enjoyable to learn about and the books do give you that. This mystery takes place during the Catherine Howard marriage. In this the third novel, the plot is more complex, realistic and engrossing. The books are getting better as we travel forward in Shardlake’s life.
Ugly People in Tudor Times
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Would you consider the audio edition of Sovereign to be better than the print version?
yesDid the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
Yes it does that indeed. They have great adventures togetherWhat does Steven Crossley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
A reconizable voice of the charactorsWas there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Trust between Matthew and his Side kickAnother Great Book.
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Great story
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Looking forward to what Matthew Shardlake will solve next.
Great storyline and narrator
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Sansom has done a superb job recreating this world. One of the best aspects for me is Sansom's ability to reconstruct how these people thought. It is hard for us, at this distance, to understand the role of religion and the monarchy in most people's lives in 1540. Sansom gives us not only the details of this world but an insight into the emotional and philosophical life of 1540.
Henry VIII appears briefly, memorably and frighteningly; Henry's fundamental smallness is conveyed with deft skill.
It's a great mystery that is different from the first two books. Unlike so many authors, Sansom does not simply re travel worn trails.
The book is not perfect; some characters do tend towards stereotype, but even then those characters ring essentially true.
Without revealing too much, there is an appalling visit to the Tower of London that will make you most glad to be alive today and not in 1540.
The narration is superb.
It's a great listen; you will not be disappointed.
WOW, another great novel from CJ Sansom
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Any additional comments?
Really good story as well as giving you an excellent feel for life in the period. Some parts were a bit gruesome, but that was life during the period. Overall, an enjoying series.Great series!
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