Reviews

Heartstone by C.J. Sansom

caitibeth's review against another edition

3.0

I didn't like this book as much as I've liked other books in the series, despite the Tudor setting being as excellent as ever.

The lion's share of this discontent falls at the door of the protagonist - I strongly disliked Shardlake's attitudes and actions in this book. Pretty much everything would have been better if he had been kind to Ellen, admitted to her that they didn't have a future together, and stayed the hell out of her past. Same for the case involving Hugh, which Hugh told them from the beginning but Shardlake refused to accept.

I also don't like how Sansom handled transitions between books. When the previous book revolved so much around the domestic discontent in Barak's marriage, and how badly he was treating his wife, and ended with her leaving him, to simply handwave it now as 'Barak won her back between books and everything is fine' is supremely dissatisfying and honestly annoying. If you set up dramatic tension at such pains and such length, I want a proper resolution.

Also, Rich's involvement strains credulity at times, as does his monologuing.

Hopefully the next book in the series returns to form. 2.5 stars, rounded to 3.

ice119's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.75

sams84's review against another edition

5.0

This is the fifth in the Shardlake series and once again Sansom has written an thoroughly entertaining and gripping tale that follows Shardlake as he tries to solve a complicated case at the Court of Wards and discover the truth behind Ellen Fettiplace and her arrival at Bedlam 19 years ago. All this set on the backdrop of Hery VIII's ongoing war against France with the English fleet gathering in Portsmouth and preparing to meet a French enemy three times their size. During his investigations Shardlake manages to uncover one lie and conspiracy after another and finds himself in very deep water as events take a turn for the worse.

This is an absolute page turner that brings the period to life in all its glory and despair with plenty of twists and turns that keeps Shardlake (and the reader) guessing and second guessing themselves until the very end. This is a fantastic book that continues the superb series and I can't wait for the next installment.

retrophrenologist's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sauvignon_black's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

joebadjichurchill's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

sixforgold's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

em1246's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Another great book, love that Jack was back to normal. All of Shardlake’s cases linking together is getting pretty unrealistic 

ellie_cripps's review against another edition

4.0

There are few series I have read that have maintained a consistent level of quality throughout like C.J. Sansom's Shardlake series. They are consistently gripping, exciting and completely engrossing. I always need a few months plus break between reading them because they are so full on with historical context, but they are so worth the wait.

patsmith139's review against another edition

5.0

Oh this was good! I nearly missed my bus stop several times. Shardlake & Jack Barak are two wonderful creations; very human and often annoy the hell out of each other but when the chips are down they see each other through. The answer to one of the two mysteries to be solved was a real shocker-didn't see it coming at all and very clever. Shardlake also has a nasty encounter with his old enemy Richard Rich. As ever beautifully rich in historical detail and just as you feel it would be like to live in Tudor England.