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jennny_k's review against another edition
4.0
I've given each of the four previous Shardlake books 5*, but this one was a disappointment. I'd have given it 4* while reading most of thee book, but the contrived, implausible ending brought it down to only 3* for me. Yes, he was very emotionally involved in both main strands of the plot, but would he really have completely lost all commonsense?
nelleplett's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
balisally's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this. The fact that I knew the Mary Rose sank during this war only increased the tension as to when in the story it would sink and who would be aboard.
Some good characters old and new, along with details of life in Tudor times, makes this a great historical novel.
Some good characters old and new, along with details of life in Tudor times, makes this a great historical novel.
malvvina's review against another edition
4.0
Probably my least favourite from the series so far. I did not care that much for the war with France which this time was a background to the story and Shardlake’s cases in this book were just ok. Nevertheless this series still goes strong.
leasttorque's review against another edition
4.0
An extra star for this entry in the Shardlake series for having mysteries that I didn’t solve early, and, oddly enough, for its extra length. I loved being immersed for so long, and appreciated the time spent on the trip to Portsmouth so that the ultimate events pack extra punch. More than any of the previous books, I felt as if it was all real and I was there.
hlmarano's review against another edition
4.0
I am so sad I'm done with this series. I'll really miss the characters! Now I'm having a hard time beginning something new.
ljbooks1's review against another edition
5.0
Edit 10/1/22: Third time reading and loved it more than ever. The characters are to die for and I am still baffled by the amount of research that has gone into the writing. It made me cry...again and the way that each of the intricate mysteries are tied up are all so brilliant. Loved it so much.
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There is no way I could give any Shardlake book less than 5 stars. They are all incredible.
This is the second reading of Heartstone and it was just as good as the first time if not better.
Sansom has an incredible way of making you feel you are in Tudor England with his description and the huge amount of research he has put into his novels.
This book starts off a little slower than some of his others, but if you care for the character Shardlake as much as I do it does not matter as we get to settle slowly into the story and what he is up to.
The last 100 pages are where things really gets good. The pace really picks up and Shardlake, as always, gets himself into trouble which keeps you on the edge of your seat. I also have to add I love the resolution of the Curteys case. It was really interesting and original.
I cried again at the ending. Sansom just really knows how to pull at your heartstrings.
Sansom, please write some more!
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There is no way I could give any Shardlake book less than 5 stars. They are all incredible.
This is the second reading of Heartstone and it was just as good as the first time if not better.
Sansom has an incredible way of making you feel you are in Tudor England with his description and the huge amount of research he has put into his novels.
This book starts off a little slower than some of his others, but if you care for the character Shardlake as much as I do it does not matter as we get to settle slowly into the story and what he is up to.
The last 100 pages are where things really gets good. The pace really picks up and Shardlake, as always, gets himself into trouble which keeps you on the edge of your seat. I also have to add I love the resolution of the Curteys case. It was really interesting and original.
I cried again at the ending. Sansom just really knows how to pull at your heartstrings.
Sansom, please write some more!
rachel_brown's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this latest Shardlake installment, fantastic descriptions of the Mary Rose and the beginning of the end of Henry VIII's reign.
katymvt's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of action. This book doesn't have the usual lull in the middle that I've found with the other Matthew Shardlake books. But, unfortunately, one of the character's actions aren't logical, and the author seems to realize this as he has MS questioning it a couple of times, but that doesn't really fix the problem