A review by outsmartyourshelf
Revelation by C.J. Sansom

dark informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

England, 1543 - Henry VIII is aiming to marry his sixth (& final) wife, Lady Catherine Parr, recently widowed, but perhaps too sympathetic to Reformists for a king who has drifted back towards Catholicism in his old age. The line between acceptable & unacceptable religious practice grows ever thinner & innocent people are being caught in the backlash.

Meanwhile Shardlake, has been asked to defend a teenage boy who is in danger of being labelled a religious fanatic & is currently being held in the infamous Bedlam hospital for the insane. After an old friend of Shardlake's is murdered, he finds himself also drawn into the hunt for the murderer as it seems that Shardlake's friend was not the only victim. The killer is obsessed with the Book of Revelation & is punishing those deemed to have backslid on their faith.

This fourth book in the series was an easier read for me with few instances of the brutal treatment of animals. Here the focus is on the clash of religious doctrines & practice & how this created a climate of fear & mistrust amongst the population. Say the wrong thing to the wrong person & you could have soon found yourself condemned. All in all, I really liked this one but it went on for just a shade too long for me so 4 stars.