Revelation by C.J. Sansom

The first three Shardlake mysteries have won over critics and readers alike. In Revelation, Sansom's newest book in the series, the year is 1543 and King Henry VIII is wooing Lady Catherine Parr, a woman sympathetic to reform, whom he wants for his sixth wife- much to the dismay of Archbishop Cranmer and the embattled Protestant faction at court. Meanwhile, Matthew Shardlake is working to defend a teenage boy, a religious fanatic who is being held in the infamous Bedlam hospital for the insane. When an old friend of Shardlake's is murdered, he vows to bring the killer to justice. His search leads him back to Bedlam but also to Catherine Parr-and the dark prophecies of the Book of Revelation. As Bishop Bonner prepares to purge London of Protestants, Shardlake, with his assistant Jack Barak, uncovers a series of horrific murders that shake them all to the core. Revelation-the strongest novel in the series to date-is sure to delight Sansom's many fans and bring him to a wider audience.

I found the first entries in this series very entertaining, but the formula is tired and the “mystery” has little to recommend it. The focus on the grim unpleasantness of life in 1543 is not much fun, and the only pleasure is reminding one of how much better things are now. Neither the story, the characters nor the historical background are enough to sustain interest over 600 pages, and once the novelty of the setting has worn off, it's not much fun. My initial infatuation with the series has worn off, and after three novels, Sansom's shortcomings as a writer, plotter and storyteller have made themselves very visible. I won't be reading any more of this series.

In the fourth installment of C.J. Sansom's acclaimed Shardlake series, Revelation continues to transport readers to the gritty and volatile world of Tudor England under Henry VIII's rule. Set in 1543, this atmospheric historical mystery finds lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his assistant Jack Barak investigating a brutal murder on the estate of a recently deceased old friend.

What starts as a personal favor soon escalates into a treacherous conspiracy involving coded messages, Greek philosophy texts, and shocking royal secrets that could threaten the throne itself. Sansom's immaculate research into 16th century politics, religion, and daily life brings this pivotal era vibrantly alive.

As always, Sansom's greatest strengths lie in his intelligent plotting, profound character work, and exquisite powers of description. The twisting and suspenseful storyline is deftly interwoven with real historical figures and events for a seamless blending of fact and fiction. The mystery's complex puzzle will keep readers frantically turning pages late into the night.

Matthew Shardlake remains an upright and relatable protagonist whose dogged sense of justice makes him highly compelling. His moral quandaries navigating the treacherous political divides feel deeply authentic and resonate powerfully. The entire supporting cast, whether heroes or villains, are all vividly rendered with nuanced motivations.

If anything, the sheer level of historical detail can occasionally get a tad dense and slow the pacing at times. And some storylines are perhaps slightly underexplored versus others. But these are very minor quibbles in the grand scheme.

Revelation proves once again that Sansom is a true master of suspenseful historical fiction. With its winning amalgam of intricate storytelling, robust characters, and impeccable period atmosphere, this novel easily rates 4 out of 5 stars. Sansom's Shardlake series remains a benchmark for the genre.