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Title: Sovereign

Author: C. J. Sansom

Narrator: Anton Lesser

Format: Abridged

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-07

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 33 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Already in the city are lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his assistant, Jack Barak. As well as assisting with the legal work of processing petitions to the king, Shardlake has reluctantly undertaken a special mission: to ensure the welfare of an important but dangerous conspirator being returned to London for interrogation.

But the murder of a local glazier involves Shardlake in deeper mysteries, connected not only to the prisoner in York Castle but to the royal family itself. As the king and the Great Progress arrive in the city, Barak stumbles upon a terrifying secret, and a chain of events unfolds that will lead Shardlake to the most terrifying fate a subject of Henry VIII can fear: his own imprisonment in the Tower of London.

Critic Reviews:

"Anton Lesser performs with marvellous versatility, helped by Sansom's sure touch for voicing telling detail with simple directness." (The Times)

Members Reviews:

Great historical crime series

This is a wonderful series set in Tudor England. Sansom captures exactly the right mix of historical authenticity and modern sensibility. The narrator is fantastic. I love his voice and he does a wonderful job of conveying character with subtlety.

Another stunning performance

An enjoyable and plausible historical mystery which is enhanced massively by Anton Lesser's wonderful delivery

An enjoyable tale

Well written and narrated, with an entertaining plot, the book falls a bit short of great. I like a richer historical context, or more character development, but I recommend it.

No holiday

Poor Matthew Shardlake is forced by Cranmer to go north to meet up with the Procession of Henry VIII and his unfortunate queen of the moment, Catherine Howard. Henry is to accept the homage of the northern lords after a failed northern uprising is brutally supressed. Shardlake and Barrak, his clerk, are to go to York to meet up with the royal procession, review petitions and to see that a rebel prisoner is brought safely back to London for questioning. The task is complicated by attempts on his life and on the life of the prisoner.

The plot is gripping and the detail about the politics of time is enlightening. The feeling of the uncertainty and cheapness of life in Henry's reign is shown as well as that of the people of the court who may rise and fall on a whim of an irascible monarch.

Brilliantly read by Anton Lesser who brings all the characters to life. This is another of the excellent books in the series by CJ Samson about Matthew Shardlake, the reign of Henry VIIIth and the beginning of the English Protestant movement.

Well worth a listen for history or crime fans

I have read "Dark Fire" by C J Sansom and thoroughly enjoyed it, so thought I would try listening to "Sovereign." It is an excellent book, and although I am not an expert, it feels historically accurate. I always enjoy descriptions of the minutiae of life in Tudor times, and C J Sansom has a real art with this. Whilst some parts are gruesome, this is a reflection of the time, so relevant and not gratuitous. The character of Shardlake is well drawn and the twists in the tale keep you guessing. Until I started listening to audio books I had not realised what a difference a reader can make to the story, and Anton Lesser's voice is perfect for the topic.