If the thought of Britain's involvement in controversial foreign wars while suffering an economic crisis might remind the reader of a few contemporary parallels, there is little doubt that is exactly what CJ Sansom intends. Another enjoyable Shardlake book that sees our hero move between London, Portsmouth and rural Hampshire and Sussex as he takes on two cases: one for a high-ranking client and the other for himself. So when Lord Merybourne hires a band of Riders to hunt down the horde, Aliza is relieved her home will soon be safe again.

I always appreciate short chapters which give natural reading breaks but here they become irrelevant when I just felt I had to read the next bit, and then the next. Sansom never fails to expertly recreate Tudor England, from the London streets to the deck of the Mary Rose. England, reeling under the debasing of its currency to pay for the war, is suffering crippling inflation and economic meltdown. Yes, the story is atmospheric and most of it is fairly gripping, but I wish that it had been trimmed down to at least 500-550 pages.Then unexpected news arrives: riding like a dark dragon on the winds from the south, an ambassador from the Silent King of Els, has left the shores of the distant desert kingdom for the first time in centuries. Why are readers so seemingly enthralled by such repetitive dialogue, minimal action, little plotting, non-existent suspense and none of the atmosphere that gripped me in Dissolution. I will say, I thoroughly appreciate the evolution of both Shardlake and Barak (especially Barak in this book) as well as the ever growing cast of characters around them.

Though he is settling into married life, Barak still has his fighting spirit that leads him into trouble at times. Nearly gave up at the 100 page mark after a laborious opening which threatened little and delivered less. Matthew Shardlake is a London lawyer who used to have the protection of the powerful Thomas Cromwell – before Cromwell met an untimely “off with his head! His detective instincts take him all the way to Portsmouth, where he becomes enmeshed in the mighty efforts to do battle against the enemy.

A key feature of his writing is his talent for invoking the sights, sounds and smells of the era, making the reader feel like they are really there, in the stinking hovels, traversing the filthy streets, engaging with the drunken deadbeats, sleazy solicitors and leary louts of the heaving city of 1540s London. The Shardlake books are now my favorite historical mystery series and Sansom’s name is generally one of the first on my lips when friends ask for book recommendations. London” and continues through to the end of a very hot July and the Battle of the Solent between England and France. First Edition, Sixth Printing Near Fine condition in Very Good condition Dust Jacket - Top of spine of DJ is torn No clippings and or inscriptions Some light spotting around page edge block.

I had guessed it would happen at the halfway mark, the perils of a modest knowledge of history I guess.Shortly before his death, he was investigating an adopted boy – Hugh Curteys- in Hampshire who he had tutored several years ago before being mysteriously dismissed from service.

Matthew must use all his investigative skills as well as his diplomatic skills to avoid being caught up in the corruption and deception of the players in Henry's court.THIS IS THE WATERSTONES LIMITED EDITION UNCORRECTED BOOK PROOF SENT ONLY TO KEY WATERSTONE'S STAFF . In the meantime lawyer Shardlake is summoned by Queen Catherine Parr and given an assignment to travel to Portsmouth and investigate a case of suicide. The only reason he has left his wife and about-to-born baby at home is that being assigned to this case keeps him out of the army.