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Original poster

Anyone enjoying C. J.Sansom's books?

63 replies

HappydaysArehere · 21/04/2016 01:14

Found one of these books lurking unread on one of my bookshelves. Read it and went and bought all the books in the Matthew Shardlake series. I am now addicted to this Tudor lawyer/detective working for Cromwell, etc in a London and elsewhere in England which is full of the smells, atmosphere and historical information of the time. He is a hunchback, so suffers emotionally and physically which adds to the complexity of the character but it is the wonderful, historical facts which emerge alongside his investigations that I really enjoy. The first in the series is Dissolution. I am on to my fourth at the present time. So, anyone else enjoying them? I do hope so.

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Original poster
HappydaysArehere · 04/05/2016 09:20

Now on to Heartstone and so far finding it really enjoyable. Loving the idea that it will take me onto the Mary Rose.

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cressetmama · 27/04/2016 14:52

Lamentation was one of my favourites! Do hope Mr Sansom is up to another as it would be fascinating to see his relationships shift with the change of reign.

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/04/2016 11:39

Every so often I have a peek on Amazon to see if there's a release date for the next installment.

Hurry back Shardlake!

WordGetsAround · 25/04/2016 12:18

That's great news about Sansom writing a new Shardlake! I'll put it on preorder as son as I can!!

AmberGreyson · 25/04/2016 08:48

I love them!

ElspethFlashman · 23/04/2016 08:22

Thanks all , I'll try Heresy and give the series another chance.

CJ Sansom seems to live a fairly single life and I've always thought that's why Matthew never has a relationship either. It's normal to the author.

HelenTitchener · 23/04/2016 08:19

I have it on good authority that he is in the process of writing another Shardlake novel at the moment - yay!

Original poster
HappydaysArehere · 23/04/2016 08:07

The news about his health is really worrying. I am sure we all wish him well and hope modern medicine is working well as it often does these days.

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MermaidofZennor · 23/04/2016 06:43

I had heard that he has/had cancer also. I don't know how ill he's been, but wish him well and hope that there are more novels to come.

Dumbledoresgirl · 22/04/2016 23:05

Damn auto correct. I meant worrying news, not working.

squoosh · 22/04/2016 22:42

Yes I read that CJ Sansom has/had cancer. I assumed that's why the last two books haven't been as impressive as the others, bigger things on his mind I suppose.

Dumbledoresgirl · 22/04/2016 22:27

Re which Giordano Bruno book to read first (I've had to Google them as I have to say all the titles blend I to one for me) I would definitely second reading Heresy first. Not only because it is the first, but I thought it was the strongest. Set in a closed community (Oxford college) which is always a good recipe for a whodunit, and I remember it had quite a good twist and some really strong scenes towards the end. Quite horrible historical details too if you like that sort of thing (trying not to give anything away). Although I read Sacrilege first (I think - anyway, the one set in Canterbury, and I was pretty much hooked from the off). The book where he creeps into a house and discovers a secret room, I can't remember which book that is, but it is not as gripping as the Oxford and Canterbury stories.

Re Shardlake, I heard some working news about C J Sansom's health about a year ago. I can't see anything about it now though so I hope he has at least one more Shardlake story for us to enjoy. And yes, Shardlake needs to buck up a bit.

Greydog · 22/04/2016 20:20

I read Dominion, which made me laugh at the "all events after 1941 are fictitious", but quite enjoyed it, but I really don't like any of the medieval stuff, just find it incredibly dull! Sorry!

afterthegoldrush · 22/04/2016 20:15

I have read all the series - I finished the last one last summer.

Really enjoy that sort of stuff as I am coming to the end of a six year degree and something else to soothe my poor brain has been needed.

I hope to see more

Original poster
HappydaysArehere · 22/04/2016 20:09

I so agree Annarose. He should have a great romance allowing him to overcome his fears about his body shape. We would all be rooting for him. It could be the best Shardlake yet and could lead to little Shardlakes waiting to learn the business from their dad! History could continue uninterrupted so we could remain happy. Come on Mr. Sansom. Take up the challenge. Where is Master Shardlake's soul mate? Give it all your attention; Tudor wedding and all the trimmings.

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MermaidofZennor · 22/04/2016 19:45

I'd start with Heresy, Elspeth as it gives his back story.

ElspethFlashman · 22/04/2016 19:33

I actually think I read a Giordano Bruno book a few years ago but I think I didn't finish it. The only thing I remember about it is him creeping into someone's house and finding a secret room....I dunno.

Makes me wary of exploring them again but since you are all recommending them.....which is the best one to try again?

MermaidofZennor · 22/04/2016 19:27

I was irritated that S J Parris had switched to the present tense for Treachery, which I find harder to enjoy. The narrative doesn't flow quite so well. There's a new Giordano Bruno out either now or shortly, so will be interested to see where she takes that one.

ElspethFlashman · 22/04/2016 19:23

I feel like the books have a bit of an annoying pattern with Matthew. There's a traumatic dramatic last act, he takes to the bed more depressed than ever, and emerges eventually more gaunt and thin and melancholic.

Then the next book opens with him feeling old.

I wish he could get a bit of joy back!

LittleCandle · 22/04/2016 19:13

I love the CJ Samson books, although I was slightly disappointed with Lamentation. I have read SJ Parris, too, but found them hard going and abandoned the last one completely. I don't really like books that are written in the first person. I'm not a Tudor period fan (I'm a Plantagenet fan) but have really enjoyed the Shardlake books. I hope there is another book, because it would be very interesting to see what happens...

MermaidofZennor · 22/04/2016 18:51

Admittedly some artistic licence would be needed. By the end of Lamentation he says his hair has gone white and he seems to be behaving more like an old man. All his adventures have finally taken their toll on his health. Poor Shardlake :( Wonder how many more stories, realistically, there could be?

Dumbledoresgirl · 22/04/2016 18:43

Oops sorry Elspeth, I did not see your comment when I made mine.

Dumbledoresgirl · 22/04/2016 18:42

Shardlake was late 30s in the first book though!

ElspethFlashman · 22/04/2016 18:40

Matthew was only 35 in the first book. I think he's about 42 now. A book or two ago he was all depressed about turning 40 as it was the start of "old age" in those times.

MermaidofZennor · 22/04/2016 18:34

AL is 64 according to Wikipedia. He could still be Shardlake - I had him in mind when wondering what he might look like. So, if not him then maybe a younger version - who?

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