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Heartstone: A Shardlake Novel 5
Heartstone: A Shardlake Novel 5 | C. J. Sansom
Heartstone is C. J. Sansom's fifith spellbinding mystery in the Shardlake series. "Murder, mystery and turbulent history are expertly twisted together in Sansom's fifth Tudor crime novel." Sunday Times Summer, 1545. England is at war. Henry VIII's invasion of France has gone badly wrong, and a massive French fleet is preparing to sail across the Channel. As the English fleet gathers at Portsmouth, the country raises the largest militia army it has ever seen. The King has debased the currency to pay for the war, and England is in the grip of soaring inflation and economic crisis. Meanwhile Matthew Shardlake is given an intriguing legal case by an old servant of Queen Catherine Parr. Asked to investigate claims of "monstrous wrongs" committed against a young ward of the court, which have already involved one mysterious death, Shardlake and his assistant Barak journey to Portsmouth. Once arrived, Shardlake and Barak find themselves in a city preparing to become a war zone; and Shardlake takes the opportunity to also investigate the mysterious past of Ellen Fettipace, a young woman incarcerated in the Bedlam. The emerging mysteries around the young ward, and the events that destroyed Ellen's family nineteen years before, involve Shardlake in reunions both with an old friend and an old enemy close to the throne. Events will converge on board one of the King's great warships, primed for battle in Portsmouth harbour . . .
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dabbe
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#MarchMagic
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
#HeartsonCover (how about 1 heart with just the word? 🤣) This is a snapshot from my Kindle.

One of my favorite detective series of all time. If you like Tudor history and detective stories, then this is the series for you.❣️

Crazeedi Oh I need to get back to this series! 2y
Ruthiella I really enjoyed this series too. I still have the last one to read. 2y
ChelseaM6010 Ooh Adding to my tbr! 2y
Eggs Perfect ❤️❤️ 2y
50 likes4 comments
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Isy
Mehso-so

I loved the four books preceding this one but I found this one hard to rate. Either Sansom was doing something very clever and making the reader as frustrated with Matthew as Jack is, or he pitched this was slightly wrong. I still don't know because even if it's the former, I don't really want this level of frustration when reading. It was less suspenseful and more maddening.

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Renuka7
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Pickpick

Being fifth in the Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom, this was a wonderful work on Tudor history and culture.
Ah! A thriller after a long time was refreshing.
I always find King Henry VIII an amusing figure. Exploring the then England in the book was photographic. One could find themselves being annoyed in the way the characters operate, but it is just how 16th century England was.

I had one trouble though. The bulky book always shut itself 😂

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beaconhillbooks
Pickpick

Addicted.

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Texreader
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One of the best books by one of my favorite authors (in top five at least) is on sale! Highly recommended!!

GingerAntics If you recommend this, I‘ll give it a shot. Fingers crossed. Plus, $2 isn‘t much at stake. 5y
MamaGina CoSign!!! 👍🏼 5y
Texreader @GingerAntics I think you‘ll love it! 5y
See All 6 Comments
Freespirit I love this series...❤️❤️ 5y
GingerAntics I‘ll keep you posted. I‘ve got a few books going at once at the moment, but I‘ll tag you when I start reading it. 5y
Crazeedi I've read the first 2, so I have to get busy... 5y
52 likes6 comments
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Texreader
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Reminiscing my first post on Litsy in spring 2016. This was my first post on Litsy and I had three likes. It took a few months before I finally broke 20 likes per post. Here‘s a shoutout to the three people who liked my first post. @FaisalJ @Grrlbrarian @jpmcwisemorgan Thank you!!

Who liked your first Litsy post? #firstlike tag me @Texreader

AsYouWish @rather_be_reading @ReadingOver50 @Literary_Siren were my first likes on Litsy. (edited) 6y
jpmcwisemorgan Yay! I‘ll have to scroll a LONG way back for that info! 6y
CouronneDhiver I think my first like was from @Marchpane and first comment was from @MrBook 🙌🏽🙌🏽 6y
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Texreader @AsYouWish @CouronneDhiver That‘s so awesome!! So glad you looked for you #firstlike !! It‘s so much fun to show them appreciation! 6y
Texreader @jpmcwisemorgan You were my #firstcomment too! Neither one of us were big fans of 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Do you scroll back all the way to check? That‘ll be a long scroll! 6y
Texreader @erzascarletbookgasm yes, and it is. 6y
Grrlbrarian You‘re welcome! 👌 6y
76 likes8 comments
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jhod
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This #cupidgoespostal parcel is going overseas! But to where?!!!

@BookishMarginalia

TrishB Exciting ❤️ 6y
Cathythoughts Loving all the red ♥️♥️♥️ 6y
CouronneDhiver Lovely! 6y
BookishMarginalia Very pretty! 6y
126 likes4 comments
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EadieB
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Pickpick

This is one of my favorite historical mystery series. I love the setting of Tudor England and the character of Matthew Shardlake. I loved the first and last parts of this book the best but he middle felt a little flat to me. I loved Ellen's story but the rest I was not that interested in. I will, however, continue the series because I have really enjoyed the rest of the books and totally look forward to the next one.

#heartstone #cjsansom

kristincatastrophic I loved that series. I read them years ago but can barely remember the stories. I may need a reread! 6y
EadieB @kristincatastrophic Definitely do merit a reread! 6y
Texreader I love this series too! A new book is coming from him next year! 6y
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EadieB @Texreader Lamentations is the next one and Tombland comes out in April 2019. 6y
Texreader I hope you like Lamentations! I‘m looking forward to his next one! 6y
Andrew65 Agree with your review! 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 👍🏼 6y
84 likes7 comments
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Andrew65
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Pickpick

I felt slightly disappointed with this book. It had a good beginning (Part 1) & a good ending (Part 6), but a lot of the material in between felt too long winded and not on point enough. Like the others, one cannot argue that they are well written, but think overall this would be my least favourite in the series so far. It rather felt a bit too contrived to bring in the Mary Rose and threatened invasion from the French. Hope the next one improves.

Andrew65 @EadieB Thanks, I think we all felt the same. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 Hopefully the books won‘t continue to be like that! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Please 🤞 6y
83 likes3 comments
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Andrew65
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Finished my first book during the #25inFive Readathon with the tagged book. So far got to 10 hrs 28 mins, bizarrely read exactly 5 hrs 14 mins two days running. Couldn‘t have done that if I tried! Right on track for 25 hours which is great when both days so far ha e been work days.j

kellyann28 I am always in awe of you all that can do these timed challenges. I could never! 🤩 6y
Andrew65 @kellyann28 Think it‘s my determination and tunnel vision! 6y
LadyCait84 I am so impressed! I only clocked a little over 3 hours on night one, so I have some making up time to do tonight. 6y
See All 9 Comments
Andrew65 @LadyCait84 That‘s still good! 😊 6y
BeansPage Woohoo! He's on a roll!!! 🎉 6y
Andrew65 @TheReadingMermaid 😂😂😂 😊 6y
BookNerd9906 👏👏👏 6y
Moony Oh yeah! Keep it up! I'm very impress. 👏 6y
Andrew65 @BookNerd9906 @Moony Thanks, I hope to get some serious reading in today, the weather is rotten outside and it‘s freezing! 😊 6y
92 likes9 comments
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Andrew65
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End of day one total in #25inFive Readathon.
Managed 5 hrs 14 minutes, so despite a busy day‘s work where we were doing interviews I have managed to get some good time in. Right on track for 25 hours. Unusually only read from one book today.

BeansPage I'm still going 6y
BeansPage You did great though hon 💖 6y
BeansPage Sorry, I'm a wee bit tipsy this evening lol 😜🍷 6y
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Andrew65 @TheReadingMermaid it‘s now the 14th here. Will have to stop shortly as have to be up at 6 am. Thanks, enjoy the tipsy feeling. (edited) 6y
BeansPage Awe ok sweetie, have sweet dreams 🤗 6y
Kaye Great job ! 6y
Andrew65 @kaye Thanks 😊👍 6y
Bklover Where have I been? There‘s a readathon? 6y
Andrew65 @Bklover only started on Thursday and will be ongoing until the end of Monday. We only found out about it 24 hours ago. Reading 25 hours in 5 days. 6y
Bklover Thanks Andrew! 6y
78 likes11 comments
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Tove_Reads
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It‘s finally here! The buddy read starts on Monday @EadieB @Andrew65 The book is in six parts, so we‘ll be reading it over six days.

EadieB @Tove_Reads Nice book! Can‘t wait to read it! 6y
MayJasper I loved it❗ 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB @Tove_Reads Even with going straight from work only got to the library at 6.50 tonight, 10 minutes before closing. Did however manage to pick up the book.It‘s big! 6y
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Andrew65 @MayJasper Great to hear. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 Thank goodness they didn‘t give it to someone else like that other book you were suppose to get! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Oh yes! Not the most efficient organisation! 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 I guess it‘s first come first serve even if you have reserved it! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB I hate how they can organise the books in different sub sections which varies in each library and means can often struggle to find a book that is available! I just what one set of shelf‘s will all books from A to Z! Much quicker then to find a book. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 What happened to the Dewey Decimal system? 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB That‘s there for non fiction but was talking about fiction books. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 They should use it for all the books. Some libraries have mysteries filed under regular fiction. I guess if you don‘t know the author then it goes in fiction. 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Sometimes at least 4 or 5 different fiction sections I need to check. 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 @eadieb In the NYTimes article about our new library they were complaining about the cuts in funding in the US and the UK. I think they even said that some claim there is no such thing as a national library system in the UK anymore. Then we build a 98 million euro library. 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Library cuts and closures have been savage in some areas. 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 They should say libraries will get tons of money because of Brexit, so that positive things would happen. 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 @EadieB Done for the day 🙂 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Done! I haven‘t even started yet. 😂 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads @andrew65 Finished just now! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Not even half way through the section and with other commitments tonight I am not likely to finish the section so will need to play catch up. @Tove_Reads 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 @EadieB Well, it‘s just about started anyway, although interesting plots and I am eager to find out what and whom is behind “making a young girl appear insane”. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 @Tove_Reads when you finish first section, then we can discos it. 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Once I finish the final section of End Game tonight should then be able to catch up but only on chapter 4 at the moment. 6y
EadieB @andrew65 no hurry! We‘ll be here when you are ready. 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Thanks 😊👍 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 How‘s your reading going? 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Just got home and now finished the first section. Should now be able to accelerate my reading now finished another group read, and hope to finish part two tonight to get back on the plan! 👍😊 An interesting couple of story lines developing, not to mention the upcoming war! @EadieB 6y
Andrew65 Quick progress now - have finished part two! @EadieB @Tove_Reads 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 That was fast! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Felt I needed to catch up and it was only a short section! 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 @Tove_Reads I‘m just starting the 3rd section 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Me too now. It‘s quite a slow paced book, not a lot of action yet. @Tove_Reads (edited) 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 I was thinking the same thing. I hope it picks up. 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB As usual very well written, but yes would like a bit more pace and action. @Tove_Reads 6y
Tove_Reads @EadieB @andrew65 I found the first part to be good since the main plots are interesting. The second part seemed like a bridge between the real things. 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads @Andrew65 I agree sort of like setting things up for the things to come! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Yes first part was really good for setting everything up, but didn‘t feel part two kept this up. Felt like treading water! @Tove_Reads 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 I felt like I wanted to skim through part two 🤷🏼‍♀️☹️ 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Yes! Although I never do skim but felt like shouting just get a move on. (edited) 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 I don‘t skim either, but I felt like doing it, which is weird since the author is a level A author. 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 @eadieb Still going forward like a turtle. The last sentence made it a bit more interesting. The whole hunting thing was a waste of time. At least we found out a bit more about Ellen. 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads @andrew65 This book isn‘t as interesting as the others! Hopefully it will pick up! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB I‘ve now finished part IV. I agree Eadie, not as strong as the others but am enjoying the Ellen storyline. 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Agree about the last sentence! 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Yes the Ellen part is the best. 6y
Tove_Reads @EadieB @andrew65 The last part saved the book. Made me feel like I was reading the Kingsbridge series. I wish the whole book had been like that. Richard Rich - what a dbag. 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads Finally at the end It got good again! I guess the rest was filler about the war and all. @Andrew65 (edited) 6y
Andrew65 I felt this one was a bit of a let down compared to others, felt a bit contrived to get the history in. Too long winded and as said too much filler. Better at the end but not enough to save the book fully in my opinion. Very sad at the end. 6y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 @eadieb Wonder if there was pressure (thanks again, Queen...) to get a new one out? With a bit more thought into it it could have been a great book (if the rest of the book had been like part 1 and part 6). Let me know when you are ready for Lamentation! (edited) 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads @Andrew65 We can aim for middle or end of January for next book 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Part 1 And Part 6 were the excellent parts. What about if we went for Monday 14th January? @EadieB 6y
EadieB @andrew65 Sounds good to me. @Tove_Reads 6y
30 likes51 comments
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Tove_Reads
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❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Half of my books have been dispatched! Can‘t wait! Add some beers, wine, and chocolate, and radio silence is a sure thing 😃 @EadieB Looks like the first proposed dates for Heartstone will come true! Usually comes within a week or so, but I‘ll let you know if it won‘t happen. @Andrew65

Andrew65 So I‘ve got confused (yes I know, easy to do 😂), when are we looking to read Shardlake? 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads @Andrew65 We can do - Part 1 Sunday 11/25, Part 2 Monday 11/26, Part3 Tuesday 11/27, Part 4 Wednesday 11/28, Part 5 Thursday 11/29, Part 6 Friday 11/30 6y
Tove_Reads @Andrew65 My jaw... wait... picking it up from the floor... Starting November 25, if airplanes and postal services are on our side. 6y
See All 14 Comments
Tove_Reads @EadieB Have you got the chapters for the parts already? Might be the book will get here Monday 26th or Tuesday 27th, even though it‘s not the busy season yet... Luckily, I already own Lamentation, so it won‘t be a problem. I have placed a hold for Tombland. Quite a few in front of me, but more copies should arrive soon! @Andrew65 6y
Tove_Reads @EadieB Or is the book in six parts? 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads yes book is in 6 parts. 6y
Tove_Reads @EadieB @Andrew65 It didn‘t arrive today, so won‘t be able to start reading on Sunday ☹️ 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Let us know when you get it! 👍😊 6y
Tove_Reads @EadieB @Andrew65 Heartstone should finally be here! Took forever! Will pick it up from the PO tomorrow. Let me know when we can start reading it! 6y
EadieB @Tove_Reads @Andrew65 it‘s best to check with Andrew to see when he can fit it in because of his work schedule. I have some group reads but can probably fit it in whenever unless the holidays get to hectic. 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB what about if we start it on Monday? @Tove_Reads 6y
Tove_Reads @EadieB I know he has it penciled in this month, but don‘t know when. I can do it anytime! @Andrew65 6y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Think we must have posted at the same time. @EadieB 6y
34 likes14 comments
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Texreader
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I‘m so excited a new book from CJ Sansom is coming out next April!!

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FaisalJ
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Pickpick

What‘s seems like a mundane case involving inheritance, leads to a conspiracy and a ship battle. Solid read, loved revisiting familiar characters. It was a bit slow in the middle when they were traveling. But picked up towards the end. 7/10

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Ke633
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tammysue Beautiful photo! 7y
Nute So pretty! 7y
30 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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janeycanuck
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Pickpick

After a disappointing Book 4, Book 5 came back fighting! This one was excellent - a very long, slow burn that explodes when you least expect it.

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janeycanuck
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New favourite insult.

kspenmoll 🙌🏻 7y
24 likes1 comment
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janeycanuck
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I‘m ready for #boutofbooks tomorrow. I don‘t expect to get through all of these this week - my weekend is pretty full - but three or four would be nice!

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janeycanuck
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A sick dog means all other plans are out the window and we snuggle instead while she sleeps it off and I read. I guess there are worse ways to spend the day.

#dogsoflitsy

llwheeler Hope she feels better soon! 7y
kidamy Oh no! Poor girl. 😟 7y
kidamy My God, I hope that was an appropriate emoji. 7y
24 likes3 comments
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Libby1
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Pickpick

I finished this last week and forgot to review it.

This is my favourite mystery series - ever.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dragon I have to get caught up on this series. 7y
Libby1 @Dragon - I think Lamentation is next in the series for me. Have you heard anything about future books in the series? 7y
Dragon Thanks @Libby1 haven‘t heard anything yet. 😀🐉 7y
63 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Libby1
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‘What‘s that?‘ I asked, pointing to the spoon.

‘Ear-wax scoop,‘ Carswell answered cheerfully. ‘Useful stuff for waxing your bows.‘

Blech.

That‘s gross enough, but the first time I read it I thought it said “waxing your brows”, as in eyebrows. 😬

Jabberwocky I also read that and was completely horrified (edited) 7y
mrsh62010 Same. 7y
IheartYA Ok...um, ew! 7y
66 likes4 comments
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Libby1
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This series just gets better and better.

All the books are chunksters. I‘ve read over 600 pages of this one and have more than 100 left, but am still enthralled. Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer with a physical disability, fights for justice and solves crimes in Tudor era England.

The Shardlake series is by far the best historical fiction I‘ve ever read.

Daisey I love this series too! 7y
elizabethlk I haven't read this series yet, but I picked up the first book at Goodwill and it looks promising! Glad to hear some positive feedback before I get to it. 7y
KaatjeH Love this series. Hoping there will be a next one soon😊 7y
Libby1 @Daisey , @elizabethlk , @KaatjeH - this didn‘t let me down. I love the characters and story lines. 7y
78 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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Oblomov26
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Pickpick

Fifth in the Shardlake series of detective stories. Shardlake is asked by the queen to finish a brief for the mother of lawyer who has committed suicide, a brief involving the strange happenings in family of rural gentry and their ward. Set against the prospective French invasion towards the end of Henry VIII's reign, I knew that the Mary Rose was going to make an appearance and I was not disappointed. Overall a worthy addition to the series.

Libby1 I was staring at this one on my shelf last night. I must get to it soon! I really like this series. 7y
rabbitprincess Yay, the Mary Rose! I saw it at the museum in Portsmouth 😊 Really need to read this series! 7y
50 likes2 comments
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Jamesfahyauthor
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'Barack thinks the rumours come from the Kings officials'
.
'That does not mean they are untrue'

The adventures of Mathew Shardlake, a hunchback lawyer who seems to have a knack for finding himself wherever the 16th century is darkest, is a great fun read, and full of intrigue

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Ke633
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I have neither the book called "Heart Shaped Box" nor a box shaped like a heart.. so here a small greenish tin with a vaguely heart shaped design and the only book I could find with the word heart in the title.. ?? #90sinjuly #heart #heartshapedbox #tbr and a #plant bc #iheartplants and a leaf for no real reason

britt_brooke Pretty! 7y
Ke633 Thanks! I love this little tin.. I can't remember where I found it but probably an antique shop. ☺️ 7y
15 likes2 comments
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Texreader
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I'm a civil litigator and I often have to do investigations and depositions much like one of my fave characters ever, Matthew Shardlake, the humpback lawyer in Tudor England in Sansom's wonderful books. #workplacesetting #feistyfeb

LeslieO I think I would love these and do t know why I haven't read them yet! 8y
Libby1 I adore this series. 8y
Texreader @LeslieO I found my first book at Half Price so hopefully you can get a good start cheaply! I hope you love them as much as I do. 8y
See All 7 Comments
Texreader @Libby1 Right?! It's so good. 8y
Sydsavvy 😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 8y
Dragon 👍 excellent choice 8y
MamaGina Such an excellent series!!!🤓 8y
85 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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Texreader
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Here is my #firsteverlitsypost. I had all of 3 likes! Whew I was rockin' it from day one! I've read all the Sansom books now. Wish there were lots more. Why can't the author catch up with me? #booktober

Daisey I love this series by Sansom, although I have not finished it, and know hardly anyone else who has read them! 8y
Texreader @Daisey I happened upon one of his books at a used bookstore and happily bought the rest off Amazon. We just need to do our part to sing his praises from the rafters so more people will read this series. 😉 8y
62 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Texreader
Pickpick

I loved how the main character Shardlake has developed personally through the series as the events of his time affect his frame of reference. Impressive. This development gives the reader the sense that he is a real character and not a stagnant one dimensional detective/lawyer.

3 likes4 stack adds