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Original poster

What next after C.J Samson and S.J Parris?

88 replies

Partylots · 01/07/2021 21:14

I’ve got a mega long commute (90 mins each way usually) and have been having a lovely time working my way through all the CJ Samson Shardlakes and SJ Parris Giordiano Bruno books on audiobook. I’ve really enjoyed the rollicking good Tudor mysteries! (And sort of fancy Bruno but not as much as Jack Barak!) but I e now finished than all and wondering if there is anything similar but also as good??

OP posts:
Original poster
Partylots · 02/07/2021 21:12

Hi, yes I listened to all three this year. I really enjoyed although it took me a while to get into the style. Thought they were incredible. (Although not quite as much as a romp!)

OP posts:
Ulysses · 02/07/2021 12:24

I think I was the same @Sometimesonly with Wolf Hall. I caught the tail end of the TV series as well so I was a bit more primed for it. There was a hell of a lot of men called Thomas IIRC.

Sometimesonly · 02/07/2021 10:17

I was going to suggest Wolf Hall too. I gave up reading it but went back after I finished Shardlake and enjoyed it more.

elkiedee · 02/07/2021 10:14

Andrew Taylor sets his work in different historical periods, but his series set in Restoration era England and starting with the Ashes of London might be worth a try. I think there are now 4 books.

Antonia Hodgson's Thomas Hawkins series, a bit later again, starts with the Devil in the Marshasea and there are 4 books.

If you have a Kindle, a number of books by Diana Norman published in the 1980s and 1990s are available there - think they're all standalones although her later work includes 2 series. I cab't remember exactly when it was set but I remember loving The Vizard Mask when I read it, maybe 20 years ago?

noneedtoexpelme · 02/07/2021 06:49

Pillars of the earth - fab.

WisestIsShe · 02/07/2021 06:47

I lived both of the series you mention, particularly CJ Samson.
Would you consider War off the Roses? The Kingmaker series by Toby Clements is also excellent. It has a very strong female character I especially like.

LittleRa · 02/07/2021 06:46

@Ulysses Just saw you mentioned Wolf Hall above also Smile

LittleRa · 02/07/2021 06:46

Have you read the Wolf Hall trilogy? It’s isn’t rollicking but is very interesting, detailed and immersing.

BillieLurk · 02/07/2021 06:43

There’s only two of them, unfortunately, but the John Dee Papers series by Phil Rickman reminded me quite strongly of the Shardlake books and I really enjoyed them. The first one is The Bones of Avalon.

Hercisback · 01/07/2021 22:47

www.roryclements.co.uk/books

I've just finished Holy Spy from this author and enjoyed it. Not quite as good as CJ Sansom but close.

Ulysses · 01/07/2021 22:29

I enjoy the Bruno ones too but he’s
quite the traditional hero compared with Shardlake. I love the Tudor era. Have you read the Wolf Hall books? They are a bit more high brow and the style take a bit of getting used to but probably a bit more accessible on audio.

Original poster
Partylots · 01/07/2021 21:30

Ooh I really like Heartstone too. I did like Dark Fire as well. But just love them all! Becoming obsessed with Tudor times now as well! The Bruno books are set in Elizabethan era. They’re not quite as good as the Samson but still really enjoyable.

OP posts:
Ulysses · 01/07/2021 21:27

No recommendations but following as they are my favourite series of late with a few still to read. What's your favourite book? I think mine is Heartstone by CJ Samson so far, which is the one set on the Mary Rose. The books are so vivid. Next time I go to London I'm going to go the Tower of London, it's not something that interested me before reading these!

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