Heartstone (Shardlake 5)

Author/Guide: C. J. Sansom

Why a Booktrail?

1545: Shardlake is given an intriguing case by Queen Catherine Parr

ISBN: 978-1447285878
Genre: Historical, Mystery

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What you need to know before your trail

England is at war. Henry VIII’s invasion of France has gone badly wrong, and a massive French fleet is preparing to sail across the Channel. As the English fleet gathers at Portsmouth, the country raises the largest militia army it has ever seen. The King has debased the currency to pay for the war, and England is in the grip of soaring inflation and economic crisis.

It it as this moment that Matthew Shardlake is given an intriguing legal case by an old servant of Queen Catherine Parr. He has to head off to Portsmouth on a very long and arduous journey. When they finally reach their destination, battered and tired, they are shocked to find a city almost on its knees – a war zone in the making.

But there is more, as Shardlake has to investigate another matter, one closer to home, which he is at pains to clear up. But the tangles of his investigation look set to catch many in its trap.

Locations

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England - Hampshire
J: Portsmouth - Mary Rose Museum
K: Portsmouth - National Museum of the Royal Navy

Travel Guide

Tudor England

Tudor London, and a long and arduous journey down to Portsmouth via Hampshire, and Surrey. The background and setting are vital to the plot – This is the time of Henry VIII in what was to be his final marriage, marriage number six to Catherine Parr.

England is at war. Henry VIII’s invasion of France was flawed from the start and has gone badly wrong. England is expecting the French to land at any moment so the tension is high and the fear everywhere.

The English fleet are gathering at Portsmouth, men are being called up to fight in the militia. People can’t afford the basic necessities in life and poverty and criminal activity is rife. Inflation is rife.

This is a feast for the eyes and ears – this journey into medieval mystery – across counties and shires, along dusty roads, past old iron foundries with the sweat and toil there is an experience to savour. The danger of riding through the woods, passing the archers practicing for the impending war. Life is brutal on land and on sea. And wait until you see inside the asylum…

Booktrailer Review

Susan: @thebooktrailer

I have read many a Shardlake novel but never reviewed them for some reason. When the nights get dark and cold, I love nothing more than to sit beside a fire if I can and indulge myself in this series. The Tudor times – the streets, dark cobbled alleys and sounds of the dockyards never fail to excite me. This is the fifth in the series but I’ve read them out of sequence and don’t really feel I’ve missed out at all as Shardlake refers to events in other books himself.

The story and intrigue is truly gripping and the fact that this is part true – the historical period and the whims of Henry VIII for sure but it’s the little detail that I really love – the bedlam and those inside it, the sailors preparing for war, the lives of those just trying to survive. Endlessly fascinating. I could see, feel, hear every sense of the Tudor world.

Oh and the journey – from London to Portsmouth with its dusty roads and trudging horses is a journey I’ll never forget. It’s long and arduous and poor Shardlake doesn’t seem to get a break. I ;earned so much along the way as they come across country folk, potential enemies and more.

The story culminates in Portsmouth and weaves real history with fictional flair. 700 odd pages flew by and I was left feeling destitute at the end of it all. Brilliant on every level.