matthewshardlake

dabbe

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

#readingbracket2025 (thanks @Catsandbooks! 😍)

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dabbe

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

#readingbracket2025
@CSeydel (thank you!) 😍

43 likes

Daisey

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

pick

I realized as I joined the discussion of this book that I had forgotten to review it. I felt this one started slowly (which was partially impacted by my lack of reading time), but once it got going I really enjoyed it. There were a lot of things going on in this one, but I also love those layers of complexity and history. I also really appreciate that we get to know characters more in the series, but the mysteries are unique.

#ShardlakeBR

Daisey Thanks again @dabbe for hosting this buddy read and getting me to revisit this series! 2d

dabbe @Daisey YW! I have thoroughly enjoyed revisiting it as well. I also love how Sansom hits us with completely new mysteries but gets us to love the characters more and more--well, most of them anyway. 🤣😍🤩 2d

36 likes2 comments

AnneCecilie

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

pick

Another winner in the Shardlake series.

This time Shardlake gets a case from the queen to look into a case. A young man has committed suicide after saying that something monstrous has happened to his previous pupil. The family lives in the south not far from Ellen‘s hometown, so he decides to look into her story as well.

An intricate mystery, fooling me to the end. I did not see that end coming.

#ShardlakeBR

dabbe

dabbe Excellent review. I was in the dark as to the mystery, too, and I read it before! 🤣 2d

AnneCecilie @dabbe I read it before too, but some 10 yrs ago. We can‘t be expected to remember everything 😊 2d

43 likes2 comments

dabbe

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeBR

Thoughts, Shardlakians?

Daisey, Cuilin, Amiable, PurpleyPumpkin, Texreader, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Centique, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, dabbe, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

LiseWorks Because he finds out the truth. Again, a man controlling a woman for his own benefit. What a society! I'm glad there was a good ending for her 2d

lil1inblue I found it so satisfying because there weren't real consequences in the other cases. We needed a win! Shardlake offering Josephine a position is yet another example of him helping those without agency. 2d

kspenmoll When I get to this book in the series ( only read first 2 ) I need to go to your pages & find your posts! The visuals are fabulous!!!! 2d

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AnneCecilie I shows us who Shardlake is and his not just words, but that he follows through on what he thinks is right. And also one of the bad guys in the story got his punishment. 2d

dabbe @LiseWorks #amen! 😍 2d

dabbe @lil1inblue And hopefully she'll fill in nicely after the loss of Joan. 😍 2d

dabbe @kspenmoll TY! I try! The posts will be here for you, too! 😍 2d

dabbe @AnneCecilie Delightfully so! 🤣 2d

Daisey @lil1inblue This fits with what I was thinking. Shardlake is able to find answers, but there‘s not much of a feeling of success with the cases. Getting rid of Coldiron and keeping Josephine actually feels like accomplishing something good for the future. 2d

dabbe @Daisey I love how you predict a more positive future for Josephine and Shardlake. 🩵 2d

kwmg40 I'm happy the book ended with Shardlake getting rid of Coldiron and keeping Josephine on, as it does feel that some sort of justice has been served, at least in this situation. 2d

29 likes11 comments

dabbe

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeBR

Thoughts, Shardlakians?

Daisey, Cuilin, Amiable, PurpleyPumpkin, Texreader, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Centique, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, dabbe, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

OutsmartYourShelf It was a bit of an ignominious battle for both sides & most of the attention has gone on the loss of the Mary Rose. 2d

LiseWorks Just to show you are this constant fighting with the French was a waste of time 2d

lil1inblue I liked how the Mary Rose was almost another character in the book. I wonder if the battle doesn't get much attention because Henry VIII's marriages are so salacious that they become the focus of the period. 2d

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AnneCecilie I remembered the ship scenes from my first read, but couldn‘t remember anything around it. I think this battle has just gotten into the overall history of the war between England and France in this period. There were constant fighting and probably fights that were more memorable. 2d

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf 🎯🩵🎯! I think the most memorable part of this so-called battle is the drowning of THE MARY ROSE. And those poor men under the mesh cloths! 😱 2d

dabbe @LiseWorks Seems like they've been at it forever, doesn't it? 2d

dabbe @lil1inblue 🩵🎯🩵! Everybody loves a love story gone horribly wrong, don't they? Look at how we devour that kind of entertainment even today! 2d

dabbe @AnneCecilie 🎯🩵🎯! I mean, this one only last 1 1/2 days! 2d

kwmg40 I hadn't known much about this event. After reading Heartstone, I'm eager to visit this part of England and learn more about the history. 2d

26 likes9 comments

dabbe

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeBR

Thoughts, Shardlakians?

Daisey, Cuilin, Amiable, PurpleyPumpkin, Texreader, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Centique, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, dabbe, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

OutsmartYourShelf A collection of rogues there & strangely enough, Coldiron is probably the least worst comparatively. 2d

LiseWorks I'm not sure I liked the king lol or any of the men. 2d

lil1inblue @OutsmartYourShelf 🎯🎯🎯 2d

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lil1inblue Arses indeed. They're all so self-serving! And they are never held accountable! I guess some thjngs never change - look at how people with money and power get away with things still! 2d

AnneCecilie The rich and powerful get away with everything 2d

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf Yeah, I got the feeling that once he was booted out that he will be gone for good. Though there's still Josephine, and I wouldn't put it past him to maybe return and try to do some damage to Shardlake somehow. 2d

dabbe @LiseWorks 🎯🩵🎯 Henry VIII just thoroughly disgusts me. 2d

dabbe @lil1inblue I did love Catherine Parr giving Rich the what-for, though! In fact, I was absolutely GLEEFUL! 🤣 2d

dabbe @AnneCecilie #stilltoday 🎯🩵🎯 2d

26 likes9 comments

dabbe

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeBR

Thoughts, Shardlakians?

Daisey, Cuilin, Amiable, PurpleyPumpkin, Texreader, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Centique, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, dabbe, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

lil1inblue I really felt for Ellen. I can understand why she wishes Shardlake left well enough alone. Her story is simply heartbreaking. As is Josephine's. I hope we hear more about her story going forward. 2d

lil1inblue The Hobbeys - ugh. Is it weird that they gave me Wuthering Heights vibes? They all seem so utterly miserable. 2d

AnneCecilie They all seem to be caught up in situations they can‘t control (Leacon, Ellen, Josephine) or that they didn‘t fully analyse before jumping into it (the Hobbeys). If you‘re poor, you don‘t have much say in what happens to you, the rich control everything 2d

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dabbe @lil1inblue To have been such a free spirit before and now to be shackled to the asylum because you can't face the outdoors is totally heartbreaking. And to be in love and not to have it returned. For all of Shardlake falling in love with other women, I wish he could have fallen for Ellen and helped her out of her sheltered life. Well, the series isn't over yet, right? 2d

dabbe @lil1inblue 🎯🩵🎯! It was beyond hard to like any of them, yet I couldn't help feeling some sympathy when everything, EVERYTHING, came crashing down upon them. 2d

dabbe @AnneCecilie 🎯🩵🎯 And if the rich get caught (like Rich), they still can come out smelling like a rose ... maybe. 2d

AnneCecilie The King probably didn‘t care because Rich brought in the money 2d

dabbe We never got to see Calfhill; he was only alluded to throughout the story, but I truly felt for him, too ... especially to be desirous of other men during this time period and to be so afraid to be exposed that you kill yourself. Unfortunately, that still happens even in 2025. 🥺 2d

kwmg40 The Hobbeys were definitely unlikeable but at the same time, I found them really interesting, with all their secrets and complicated family relationships. 2d

24 likes9 comments

dabbe

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeBR

Thoughts, Shardlakians?

Daisey, Cuilin, Amiable, PurpleyPumpkin, Texreader, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Centique, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, dabbe, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

OutsmartYourShelf I think Shardlake's own experiences, due to his physical disability, shows him how dismissive & sometimes cruel others are to those less fortunate. I think it shows some character growth when he stands up for the villager about to railroaded into a murder charge. (continued in other comment).. 2d

OutsmartYourShelf However, he realises that he could have stepped in later down the track & not brought down more disliking from others when it made little difference in the end, but that is not who he is.

He is naïve in that he often fails to consider any nefarious intentions, like from Rich - as soon as it mentioned another letter you knew it was going to tell West to get rid of Shardlake. 2d

LiseWorks There are some scrupulous people, and I don't think that has changed. Shardlake has a conscious which as a lawyer he tries to follow. 2d

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lil1inblue I agree with @OutsmartYourShelf - Shardlake's disability and his experiences have made him more empathetic. He's always taking in people and helping them - sometimes to a fault. He seems compelled to assist those without power or agency: taking in Guy, investigating Ellen's past (even when she didn't want him to), helping Hugh/Emma in the end. 2d

lil1inblue @OutsmartYourShelf I agree about his naivete. I think he is almost too just to predict the levels of evil he encounters. 2d

AnneCecilie I agree with you both @OutsmartYourShelf and @lil1inblue that Shardlake‘s disability and how he has been treat, has made him more willing to help the weak and the poor. Taking in Guy, but also Timothy earlier. But he does seems to get a little too caught up in his cases 2d

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf Excellent points. Shardlake's disabilities makes him extremely empathetic to others on the margins. And yes, he bought into Rich's scheme, never thinking that Rich would have no problem killing Shardlake off. Didn't he remember the guys who jumped on him in London? 2d

dabbe @LiseWorks Yet he will lie and be sly if he needs to--all for the good, of course. He is a complex man. 2d

dabbe @lil1inblue He is definitely someone I would want on my side! 2d

dabbe @AnneCecilie He's like Sherlock in that way. Once he get his nose into a case, he simply cannot let go until he sees it through to the end--no matter who may be endangered because of it. 2d

25 likes10 comments

dabbe

Heartstone: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeBR

Sorry I'm so late, Shardlakians! I had a busy day with doctor's appointments and thought that tomorrow was 4/30! 😱

Thoughts?

Daisey, Cuilin, Amiable, PurpleyPumpkin, Texreader, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Centique, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, dabbe, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

OutsmartYourShelf No worries, everyone has lives that have to come first. Hope everything is ok.

I thought this was an intriguing case - one that I struggled to get a read on initially. There's also the follow-up on the Fettiplace mystery from the previous book, plus catching up with poor Leacon again. 2d

LiseWorks I liked the case here. It was a mystery until the end. It really showed society in not letting women do anything. And secrets! About rape again, men have the upper hand. Has anything really changed when it comes to young men raping women? 2d

lil1inblue This one had me baffled! I was honestly shocked by both cases. 2d

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lil1inblue One thing I liked in this was Barak and Shardlake's relationship. It was interesting that Barak was often the voice of reason this time. I appreciate how their relationship has progressed throughout the series. 2d

AnneCecilie I think the books get better with each one, and I think that‘s because I get to know Shardlake and Barak better. I liked that we met Ellen and Leacon again, but it is also had me missing news on Mark. I remembered the last ship scene from my first read, but didn‘t remember anything around it. And the conclusion still shocked me 2d

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf Everything's fine, thanks for asking. Just catching up on the yearly appointments!

It did take a while to get into, didn't it? But when it got rolling, boy did it roll! 🤣 2d

dabbe @LiseWorks A play of absolute and total dominance. West couldn't stand that she had the BALLS to say “No, I don't love you.“ And then she paid for it with an altering of her life forever. 😫 2d

dabbe @lil1inblue Me, too! And I've read it before! I think I need to pay better attention when I'm reading! 🤣 2d

dabbe @lil1inblue Shardlake even basically tells Barak that the mentor has become the mentee. I love their relationship, too. 🤩 2d

dabbe @AnneCecilie 🎯🩵🎯 It was like I was reading it for the first time! 2d

AnneCecilie But as I read these books, I feel that the mysteries are less important than introducing us to Tudor times and how that time worked and what the time period was like for the working class, and what better way than a lawyer working on different cases? 2d

kwmg40 As has been mentioned by others, this one had a slow start and I did wonder if it would grip me as the others had. I should have known not to worry. Once I was about a quarter of the way in, I was hooked by the various storylines. 2d

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