The Riotous Writer

The Short Sunday

This Sunday's review is

Sovereign – by C.J. Sansom

To my shame, I have to throw my hands up and admit, I have never read a C.J. Sansom novel until this last week.

His novel Sovereign is the third book in a series about a lawyer, Matthew Shardlake, set in the reign of King Henry the eighth.

At first, I found the writing style a little tiresome, but when you realise (me) that as the book is written from the point of view of a main character, living in Tudor times, then the style is not only wholly appropriate, but is essential.

Having got over the writing style by the end of the first chapter, it was easy for me to become immersed in the book. It's a fabulous read. My only regret, I read book 3, before I read, books 1 and 2.

C.J. Sansom draws you into the world of the 16^th century. As I read the pages, I walked beside Matthew Shardlake, smelt the same smells as him, saw the world through his eyes, and felt the same political terror that the reign of Henry Tudor inflicted on his subjects.

The plot was intriguing without being over complex, with several twists and turns. I did however, guess 'whodunnit' before I reached the final chapter, but only in the penultimate one – still it didn't take away any of the enjoyment I got from reading the novel as a whole.

A well deserved – highly recommended.