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Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Mystery Audiobook
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(4.00) - 3,338 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Consistently appearing on US and UK best-seller lists, C.J. Sansom's Matthew Shardlake mysteries have earned considerable critical acclaim, including a CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award. At the behest of a former servant to Catherine Parr, Shardlake travels to Portsmouth to investigate claims of unspeakable crimes committed upon a young ward of the court. There, Shardlake uncovers disturbing evidence even as England's continuing war with France rages around him.
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"This is the second Matthew Shardlake mystery I have read, catching me on his latest addition to the series. Shardlake, a hunchback lawyer, lives during the reign of Henry VIII. His client is brought to him by Catherine Parr, the 6th of Henry's wives. Working under her protection, he is drawn into the midst of Henry's was with the French. The English navy is gathered in Portsmouth on the south coast in Suffolk with the reputedly superior French navy threatening an invasion in response to Henry's previous incursions into France. Matthew's client not only draws him to Portsmouth, but onto one of Henry's famous war ships that sank in the harbor. As always the mystery is historically accurate with no sacrifice to fascinating characters, a good story, and a page-turner of a mystery."
— Ann (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Heartstone may be the best novel in this richly entertaining and reassuringly scholarly series…With his customary grace, Sansom places Shardlake’s rousing fictional adventures into an authentic historical context…History never seemed so real.”
— New York Times -
“[This] exceptional, knock-your-socks-off…novel has it all: an ingenious plot, ceaseless suspense, villains galore, tipsy priests, a bull-baiting, a stag hunt, several murders, the horrors of war, a brooding sense of evil, and a glittering portrait of a fascinating age.”
— Washington Post -
“A rousing good read.”
— Seattle Post-Intelligencer -
“Murder, mystery, and turbulent history are expertly twisted together in Sansom’s fifth Tudor crime novel.”
— Sunday Times (London) -
“The pace and tension hot up splendidly as Shardlake’s inquiries take him to the Hampshire home of a family with a great deal to hide. A wholly unexpected twist takes us to a superb denouement...terrific stuff, for both fans and newcomers to the series.”
— Guardian (London) -
“Sansom’s attention to detail is rightly praised...Yet it is the rich characterization that really brings this series to life, none more so than Shardlake himself, a beguiling hero.”
— Financial Times -
“Few contemporary authors are as adept as Sansom at blending a whodunit with a sweeping historical epic...Strong prose makes Tudor England instantly accessible, and the clockwork plotting sustains deep interest throughout.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“[Steven] Crossley’s masterful ability to combine speech patterns and dialects with a striking range of emotion ignites the listening experience.”
— AudioFile -
“Enjoyable for mystery, thriller, and historical fiction readers, this is also recommended to fans of all things Tudor.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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A USA Today bestseller
Heartstone Listener Reviews
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" The latest in the Shardlake series doesn't disappoint, either in mystery story terms or in Sansom's fabulous descriptions of Tudor England. If you've enjoyed the other books, you're pretty much guaranteed to like this one too. If you haven't yet read any of the series - shame on you. Get yourself down to your nearest bookshop, pick up Dissolution now and begin your journey through Shardlake's murky world. "
— Tracys, 2/18/2014 -
" The best in the Shardlake series so far. Lots about Warfare Hhenry VIII's time and atmospheric description nof Portsmount harbour with teh Mary Rose. Loved it! "
— Nicola, 2/11/2014 -
" Another entertaining read in the Matthew Shardlake series. I have to admit, I got a little bored at the end and tired of all of the horseback riding to and fro that poor Matthew had to undertake. But ultimately, the mysteries were good and held my interest. I'll keep reading this series. "
— Methanie, 1/19/2014 -
" I think this may be the last in the Matthew Shardlake series by Sansom. I've really enjoyed his books as he really brings alive the Tudor period as well as writing a really riveting mystery/thriller. He is a great storyteller and keeps you guessing to the end...nothing predictable about this author. I will miss Matthew and Barak and all their adventures!!! "
— Elaine, 1/18/2014 -
" The last published C.J. Sansom book of his Matthew Shardlake series. We fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment. It seems it takes him a couple of years to put a new one together and we are just about due. "
— Fiona, 12/18/2013 -
" Excellent Shardlake mystery, interwoven with the sinking Henry VIII's star ship, the Mary Rose. "
— Sylvia, 11/29/2013 -
" I love this serries! Allready want the next one :D "
— Dawn, 11/14/2013 -
" Heroes don't come in a better package than Matthew Shardlake. I enjoyed this book, as I have all of this series. "
— Jo, 10/19/2013 -
" Really enjoyed it. One to get involved in. Several plots strands. A range of characters. The setting and the atmosphere is very well evoked. "
— Christina, 9/17/2013 -
" I really like this series - I do like historical mysteries. Series takes place in Tudor times - Henry VIII. Characters grow/change. Book appears to be historically accurate. "
— Joanne, 8/23/2012 -
" Too contrived but i liked the history and background descriptions "
— John, 1/17/2012 -
" Why so long... 150K plus does not make a great read... just a long book "
— Louise, 11/5/2011 -
" Great book, I love Matthew and Barak's adventures. "
— Pat, 10/29/2011 -
" A period novel, in the time of King Henry VIII 's reign of war. Master Shardlake, a lawyer goes in the quest for truth when commission by the Queen to look into a ward's case. Nice read and long though. My first with this author. "
— Fan, 9/22/2011 -
" effortless read it reads like a James Patterson you dont realise you learning about life 500 year ago keeps you guessing all the way amazing job yet again by the author. "
— Clare, 8/14/2011 -
" Part of an excellent historical mystery series, set in the time of Henry VIII. This could have used a bit of tightening. "
— Beth, 7/17/2011 -
" Tudor crime solved by an ingenious and imperfect humpbacked lawyer. Great holiday reading. "
— Kate, 6/27/2011 -
" Didn't enjoy it quite as much as the earlier Shardlake stories. "
— Tony, 6/20/2011 -
" An excellent book, both as a mystery novel and as a historical piece. Sansom pays close attention to historical detail without sacrificing character or plot. Recommended. "
— Jonathan, 6/16/2011 -
" Like the other books in the series this one has you hooked from start to finish. I have never been so desperate to have the mysteries uncovered as I was with this book. Historical crime fiction at its best! "
— Phil, 6/11/2011 -
" Very readable Tudor mystery. Could have done with a bit of editing. "
— Kat, 6/3/2011 -
" Great, enjoyed this one best of all the Shardlake novels "
— Calvin, 5/29/2011 -
" Really enjoy the historical background and the meandering way the mystery is solved. "
— Teryl, 5/15/2011 -
" I really enjoyed reading it. I somehow forgot how good his writing is, and how it's hard to put down the book of his. "
— Lauren, 5/3/2011 -
" Great book, I love Matthew and Barak's adventures. "
— Pat, 5/2/2011 -
" Enjoyed the book. Must have read all the other ones.<br/><br/>This wasn't as dynamic but still interesting and captivating. "
— David, 4/24/2011
About C. J. Sansom
C. J. Sansom earned a PhD in history and was a lawyer before becoming a full-time writer.
About Steven Crossley
Steven Crossley, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, has built a career on both sides of the Atlantic as an actor and audiobook narrator, for which he has won more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a nominee for the prestigious Audie Award. He is a member of the internationally renowned theater company Complicite and has appeared in numerous theater, television, film, and radio dramas.