Revelation: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery (Matthew Shardlake Mysteries)

by C. J. Sansom | Mystery & Thrillers |
ISBN: 014311624X Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingGoryDetailswing of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 11/16/2016
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1 journaler for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingGoryDetailswing from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, November 16, 2016
I enjoyed the first book in the series, Dissolution, so when I found this fair-condition softcover at the Used Book Superstore I had to give it a try. Matthew is a bit older and more world-weary by now, and still unwilling to get involved with the problems of the great and powerful, but his affection for Lady Latimer - known to history as Catherine Parr - might get in the way of that goal. It seems she's the new object of King Henry VIII's affections, and while history tells us how that will turn out, Matthew doesn't know that yet...

Meanwhile, he's reconnected with an old friend, only to have the friend turn up murdered. Can Matthew solve the crime without getting trampled by those powerful men who've taken a dislike to him for his previous actions?

We also see the political and social turmoil that the kingdom is in; as Henry's wives rise and fall, so do the hopes of the reformists vs. the traditionalists, with Henry himself wavering as to whether to support the Catholic faith (though without ceding power back to the Pope) or to separate from it more decisively. This is all highlighted by another case of Matthew's: he's asked to defend a young man who's been charged with heresy, and who will be burned alive if the charges stick. Matthew suspects he's mad, but in these times it can be difficult to prove insanity in time to save someone from the fire.

I was glad to see more of Guy, the Moor whom Matthew had met at the monastery in the first book. Since the monastery was dissolved, Guy has moved to London and now works as an apothecary - and his skills may be of use in Matthew's investigations. But he has a new apprentice, someone who seems deft and able but whose presence makes Matthew uneasy. He muses whether he's jealous that Guy might have a friend other than himself? [Matthew is, as always, a somewhat-flawed character - he always means well but does have his little prejudices and blind spots.]

We also see more of Jack Barak, who'd been Cromwell's man in Dark Fire, assigned to work with Matthew. After Cromwell's fall, Matthew took him on, and he's now something of a law clerk as well as a roistering adventurer/bodyguard - quite the entertaining character.

There are lots of subplots in this book, including the marital troubles of Barak and Tammasin - some realistic non-communication there, which may or may not get resolved. And as always, intricate historical detail and characters whose fates we worry about. Good series.

Journal Entry 2 by wingGoryDetailswing at Brady Ave. (see notes for details) in Salem, New Hampshire USA on Friday, February 10, 2017

Released 7 yrs ago (2/10/2017 UTC) at Brady Ave. (see notes for details) in Salem, New Hampshire USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I left this book, bagged against the elements, near the historical marker for the Armenian settlement in Salem, near the junction of Brady Ave. and Salem St. Hope the finder enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count release challenge, for the penguin logo on the cover; see the GBBC page here. ***

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