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oliviaehrhart's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
coffeeandbooked's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely loved the first book in this series, and couldn't wait to start this book.
This book follows Matthew Shardlake, as he is asked to investigate a murder by Joesph Wentworth, his niece is accused of murdering her little cousin, everything spirals from there and is set in the Tudor times.
I think this book could possibly be read without reading the first ALTHOUGH, events from the first book are mentioned.
I thought this book was slow-paced when it starts and takes a little while to get into but once I did again I quickly finished the book. Matthew Shardlake is such an interesting character and he has grown since the first book, but he does make some choices which were questionable at times, because of this I did prefer the 1st book.
The new character Barak took me some time to get used to, he was a little hit and miss at the first, I didn't like his personality but as the book went on, I really got to like him and would like to see where his story goes.
The plot was brilliant and took a few twists I wasn't expected, leading me to want to pick up the next book as soon as I can. C.J.Sansom is being an author I want to buy pretty much everything they have written. C.J.Sansom does have a degree in history and has included a historical note at the end of both books, telling you how the book events actually tie in with historical events during the Tudor times.
I do recommend checking out this series.
This book follows Matthew Shardlake, as he is asked to investigate a murder by Joesph Wentworth, his niece is accused of murdering her little cousin, everything spirals from there and is set in the Tudor times.
I think this book could possibly be read without reading the first ALTHOUGH, events from the first book are mentioned.
I thought this book was slow-paced when it starts and takes a little while to get into but once I did again I quickly finished the book. Matthew Shardlake is such an interesting character and he has grown since the first book, but he does make some choices which were questionable at times, because of this I did prefer the 1st book.
The new character Barak took me some time to get used to, he was a little hit and miss at the first, I didn't like his personality but as the book went on, I really got to like him and would like to see where his story goes.
The plot was brilliant and took a few twists I wasn't expected, leading me to want to pick up the next book as soon as I can. C.J.Sansom is being an author I want to buy pretty much everything they have written. C.J.Sansom does have a degree in history and has included a historical note at the end of both books, telling you how the book events actually tie in with historical events during the Tudor times.
I do recommend checking out this series.
rebkni898's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hmclint's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I do love the progression of Matthew’s character after the first book and all of the new characters but with references to the first book. I didn’t like this one as much as the first one though, I think the two story lines were a bit much, especially when some revelations were fairly obvious considering how much they were referenced. The historical note in the epilogue really show how creative C.J. Samson is though and I’m excited to see how the story develops in the next book.
shellydennison's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
spestock's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
whatjohanneread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
Matthew Shardlake has been asked to defend a young woman accused of the terrible murder of a child. The problem is that the girl refuses to speak in her own defense and time is running out. Luckily, Thomas Cromwell intervenes and gains Shardlake two more weeks to prepare a defense. In exchange, Matthew must find the secret to the recently rediscovered Greek Fire, a technology that promises to place England firmly in control of her own destiny.
For me, this was really as enjoyable a read as [b:Dissolution|138685|Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake #1)|C.J. Sansom|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172096995s/138685.jpg|133702]. Shardlake is perhaps even more full of melancholy, doubt, and loneliness, but he hasn't quite lost his faith in either God or humanity. He sees innocence in the eyes of the accused murderess and sets out to prove it, despite the unpopularity of her case. She has already been tried and hanged in the court of public opinion, but Shardlake desperately wants to see justice done.
The one weakness for me was in the two plotlines. This could easily have been two separate books, but instead one book had the two stories jammed together. The deadline given for both adds to the urgency of the story, but that felt a bit like an artificial device added by the author for that very reason.
Overall, though, Sansom has created a great character in Matthew Shardlake and surrounded him with a few other characters that are more complex than meets the eye. Jack Barak is introduced in this book, and at first he appears to be a beautiful bully, but he quickly shows that he is much more than that.
In reading the author's notes at the end, it sounds like he has stayed as true to the period and history as possible. At the same time, he has taken something that was a bit of a mystery already and had fun with it. Something along the lines of, "Well, I know this didn't really cause that, but wouldn't it be interesting if it did?"
I would recommend this to readers who like their mysteries with a bit of history thrown in, or vice versa. This was a highly entertaining read and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
For me, this was really as enjoyable a read as [b:Dissolution|138685|Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake #1)|C.J. Sansom|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172096995s/138685.jpg|133702]. Shardlake is perhaps even more full of melancholy, doubt, and loneliness, but he hasn't quite lost his faith in either God or humanity. He sees innocence in the eyes of the accused murderess and sets out to prove it, despite the unpopularity of her case. She has already been tried and hanged in the court of public opinion, but Shardlake desperately wants to see justice done.
The one weakness for me was in the two plotlines. This could easily have been two separate books, but instead one book had the two stories jammed together. The deadline given for both adds to the urgency of the story, but that felt a bit like an artificial device added by the author for that very reason.
Overall, though, Sansom has created a great character in Matthew Shardlake and surrounded him with a few other characters that are more complex than meets the eye. Jack Barak is introduced in this book, and at first he appears to be a beautiful bully, but he quickly shows that he is much more than that.
In reading the author's notes at the end, it sounds like he has stayed as true to the period and history as possible. At the same time, he has taken something that was a bit of a mystery already and had fun with it. Something along the lines of, "Well, I know this didn't really cause that, but wouldn't it be interesting if it did?"
I would recommend this to readers who like their mysteries with a bit of history thrown in, or vice versa. This was a highly entertaining read and I look forward to reading the next in the series.