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Sovereign Audiobook, by C. J. Sansom Play Audiobook Sample

Sovereign Audiobook

Sovereign Audiobook, by C. J. Sansom Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Steven Crossley Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 14.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 10.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Matthew Shardlake Mysteries Release Date: May 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781436116558

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

50

Longest Chapter Length:

48:30 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:41 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

25:14 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

8

Other Audiobooks Written by C. J. Sansom: > View All...

Publisher Description

The year is 1541, and harsh autumn winds stir the English countryside. Following a violent uprising, King Henry VIII travels to York, where an important prisoner will be interrogated. Lawyer Matthew Shardlake is assigned to protect this conspirator, but he soon discovers a greater conspiracy threatening the crown. Kirkus Reviews hails Sovereign as "highly intelligent entertainment."

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"Really a very entertaining historical novel about the times of Henry VIII--the great Progress to the North, reformism, murder, conspiracies, questions about the king's legitimacy. Great details about everyday life while on themove, billeting in a town, being a lawyer, government posts--in short, showing that business still was conducted in many fashions like today, but with different levels of modernism--then and now. they had the same requriements we do, at least in this book's view, andit was fascinating to read about lodgings being arranged, a central dining hall, security, and many other aspects of interpersonal relationships."

— Pbwritr (5 out of 5 stars)

Sovereign Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.419354838709677 out of 54.419354838709677 out of 54.419354838709677 out of 54.419354838709677 out of 54.419354838709677 out of 5 (4.42)
5 Stars: 14
4 Stars: 16
3 Stars: 1
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    — Marie Amicucci, 2/2/2023
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What a fantastic book. I hardly ever read historical fiction but reading this book has changed my whole perception of it. This book has had nothing but positive reviews and it is easy to see why- the author is so talented at completely transporting the reader into another world. It is, as one reviewer puts it, "pure escapism". The plot is ingenious, the characters memorable, and the prose sheer joy. "

    — Zeena, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Unpredictably superb, a twist in every tail! "

    — Christopher, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Couldn't put this one down! Now I have to get my hands on #4... "

    — Gail, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I like each one of these better than the last one I read, maybe because I know the main characters better. This one, though, has the best plot, with the legitmacy of the Tudors in question and both Henry VIII & Catherine Howard appear. "

    — Joan, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " There was some sloppy editing (using "vice" when the word wanted was "vise"), and the phrasing and other words used were modern, not of the period (such as "a perk of the job"), but the characters were well-fleshed out, the plot kept everything moving, and I had just finished watching all seasons of "The Tudors" and wanted to know more about The Great Progress. I'm not sure I would read other books by this author, as I want my historical fiction written in an authentic voice with appropriate wording so I can retain clean information on the period. "

    — Barbara, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really like this series and enjoy the historical setting and details. As a mystery, it was decent--I figured much of it out well before the ending but it didn't hinder my enjoyment too much. On to the fourth book! "

    — Elizabeth, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A great book, full of intrigue. Well written and well worth a read. "

    — Christine, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is an excellent series. The brutality is difficult to take but the story is great. "

    — Lee, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Vivid and fascinating. A great read... "

    — Cheryl, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good insight into the evil side of Henry VIII and Renaissance England. The mystery requires previous knowledge or great interest in the intricacies of royal geneology "

    — Cate, 11/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting, like previous CJ Samsom books "

    — Alexandra, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really loving this series. It's like read a history book a mystery and a thriller all rolled into one great storyline. Looking forward to the next one. "

    — Liz, 11/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Third in this excellent series. "

    — John, 4/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another gripping episode from Henry VIII's reign. I enjoyed the historical background and there was a realistic all-pervading sense of menace. "

    — Doreen, 2/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Love this series - this is the third one. Wonderful period pieces - though the mysteries themselves sort of end up taking a back stage to the setting and characters which is really ok by me. "

    — Daphne, 12/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Shard lake continues to impress !!! "

    — Chefalan30, 8/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love this series, brings history to life, great plot , tense , and wonderful characters ! "

    — Andrew, 5/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I had waited for this one in a while, it's hard to come by. I loved it, interesting twists & turns. I can't recommend this author enough to lovers of Tudor history and mystery together. "

    — Erika, 6/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Shardlake reluctantly joins Henry VIII's progress to York. Wonderfully atmospheric with fascinating historical detail. "

    — Lara, 6/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This continues C J Sansom's excellent Matthew Shardlake series, with more fascinating insights into the world of Tudor politics and life on the move from London to the North of England. "

    — Claire, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another fab story in the Shardlake series. I am really enjoying these. "

    — Sharon, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A bit slow in parts but still great. Part of a wonderful series set in Tudur England. "

    — Anna, 5/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The third in the series and my favorite so far. It was wonderful from start to finish. "

    — Sydney, 4/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Unpredictably superb, a twist in every tail! "

    — Christopher, 4/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I like these books. Nice little mysteries set in Tudor England, which is one of my fixations. this one got very good reviews lately- I think it's not quite as good as reviewed but well worht a read. "

    — Mary, 4/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Henry is on his fourth wife and has undertaken a "Progress" to the north to make the poor folks up in York submit and grovel to him. Again, a mystery woven into the historical context. Lovely. "

    — Nancy, 4/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I have read two of this series, and it is so god I've ordered the first two. "

    — John, 3/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Readable without having read the first 2, but I wouldn't recommend it given a choice. "

    — Marilyn, 3/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " After about 50 pages I was really in to this book. And guess what - till almost last page had not idea who did it :-) "

    — Julia, 3/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If Sansom isn't a history professor, he should be. I'd bet the farm his classes would be SRO. <br/>Great story, well written and the narration is spot on. "

    — Kathy, 2/25/2011

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.