![]() ![]() When he is summoned before her and her loyal uncle, what she tells him could see them all put to death. The Catholics have their sights set on bringing down Catherine Parr, whom our hero, lawyer Matthew Shardlake, is unable to resist. Religion is driving a wedge between friends and families, and it’s safest to parrot the party line. And the religious witch-hunts across London are increasing in fervour. There’s a lot resting on who gets to be the guiding hand when eight-year-old Prince Edward ascends to the throne. Henry VIII is on his last legs and those around him are jockeying for power. ![]() And I owe my neighbours an apology for the piercing 3am shriek late on in the book – if you’ve invested a lot in this series and the characters, you’ll know why when you get there! I was reading the early scenes where a woman is burned at the stake through my fingers. ![]() His work is based on truth, and the almost casual brutality of the time is frightening. I find Sansom more terrifying than anyone churning out serial killer books or psychological thrillers. This tapestry shows great beauty at times – but is also covering up something you’d rather not see. There’s incredible detail there, and you can’t bear to take your eyes off it unless you miss something. CJ Sansom’s books are like some vast, intricate Tudor tapestry. ![]()
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