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)
" 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" Unpredictably superb, a twist in every tail! "
— Christopher, 2/8/2014" Couldn't put this one down! Now I have to get my hands on #4... "
— Gail, 2/6/2014" 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" 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" 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" A great book, full of intrigue. Well written and well worth a read. "
— Christine, 1/13/2014" This is an excellent series. The brutality is difficult to take but the story is great. "
— Lee, 1/5/2014" Vivid and fascinating. A great read... "
— Cheryl, 12/27/2013" 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" Interesting, like previous CJ Samsom books "
— Alexandra, 11/4/2013" 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" Third in this excellent series. "
— John, 4/20/2013" 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" 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" Shard lake continues to impress !!! "
— Chefalan30, 8/11/2012" I love this series, brings history to life, great plot , tense , and wonderful characters ! "
— Andrew, 5/20/2012" 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" Shardlake reluctantly joins Henry VIII's progress to York. Wonderfully atmospheric with fascinating historical detail. "
— Lara, 6/26/2011" 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" Another fab story in the Shardlake series. I am really enjoying these. "
— Sharon, 5/16/2011" A bit slow in parts but still great. Part of a wonderful series set in Tudur England. "
— Anna, 5/11/2011" The third in the series and my favorite so far. It was wonderful from start to finish. "
— Sydney, 4/30/2011" Unpredictably superb, a twist in every tail! "
— Christopher, 4/11/2011" 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" 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" I have read two of this series, and it is so god I've ordered the first two. "
— John, 3/25/2011" Readable without having read the first 2, but I wouldn't recommend it given a choice. "
— Marilyn, 3/11/2011" 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" 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, 2/25/2011C. J. Sansom earned a PhD in history and was a lawyer before becoming a full-time writer.
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.