New website is launched

I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ – I have just finished my first C J Sansom book, ‘Heartstone’ – I bregrudginly finished the last few pages, actively trying to slow myself down to delay the inevitable. It was the most thoroughly engaging, clever and inspiring read I have had in an age – not since I picked up my first Wilbur Smith as a teen have I been so entranced. I am indescribably excited about the other Sansom books that await me. Thank you for all that you put into them, I hope you have some notion of the genuine joy you give your reader.
Best wishes
RM

Having come across Matthew Shardlake, I very quickly became an ardent fan of your series of books and devoured them with an insatiable appetite. They are undoubtably, the best crime novels I have ever read and I always highly recommend them to others. Matthew is a character I feel an affinity with and your writing brought him to life along with the others.
I would love to hear that you are going to continue Matthew’s journey in a new book?

Best Wishes
Bonnie McColl

I enjoyed each book and following the characters through each book immensely, and wait anxiously for the authors next book!!! Which I hope will be in the near future.
Rivetting reading.

Dear Mr Sansom,
I have been wanting to write to you ever since I read Dissolution (I have read the entire Shardlake series now having just completed Heartstone) and your books have brought so much joy into my life. I cannot recommend them highly enough and talk about them to everyone and anyone who care to listen. To say I adore Shardlake is an understatement and your books are rare gems in my opinion and I am addicted. PLEASE tell me that we haven’t seen the last of Shardlake???

I would also like to share with you a very strange experience I had a couple of years ago (long before I came accross your books) because it may just interest you. I went to bed as normal and as I was dropping off I had what can only be described as a vision. I saw Henry V111 and the tudor rose which was shown to me half in and half out of some stone work. Henry was wearing black with gold decoration and I just knew he was in mourning. I felt this immense sadness and grief and, apart from my shock and surprise at this ‘vision’, I knew I was seeing the real deal so to speak. Anyway, his ‘presence’ lingered around me for a few days and shortly after a bizarre co-incidence occured where I was invited to s special dinner at Madame Tussauds through work and was seated right in front of the models of Henry and his wives. Not long following that I saw him again in another vision although this time he was in an elaborate gold outfit and (and I know this sounds bonkers but trust me I am not a nut) I knew that whatever grief he had to resolve he had dealt with because he was back in his ‘finery’ so to speak. It was the most bizzare experience I have ever had and I have no idea why I had it and why I saw him but I just wanted to share it with you and to say to you that I felt this grief, guilt and intense sadness, It was so heavy it was overwhelming, Make of this what you like but if I can share this with anyone I can share this with you!!! I would also like to add that you got his eyes exactly right because that was how I saw them in the vision.

Thanks again for a super read and please promise me that Matthew has many more adventures to come!
Rebecca

I love the Shardlake Series, will there be a new one in 2011 or 12?? I really hope so as they just get better!!

I love the Shardlake series and I’m currently reading Dark Fire which is brilliant but is the BBC still making a TV series of the Shardlake series?

Thanks :)

I would like to thank you for the Matthew Shardlake stories, it took me about 3-4 days on each book to complete and now I am lost as to what to read as i didn’t anticipate them being as great as they are. I am hoping there is another one or more to come as there is a lot of History with Elizabeth I where Matthew could continue his life.

I say well done with these books and PLEASE let there be more in 2011 as I am finding it hard to find books alike. Any suggestions?

The absolute best series of books in an age! Please keep Shardlake and Barak going for a long time. If ever made into a film or such, Tom Hollander would be a perfect Shardlake. Unsure who could play Barak. Any suggestions?

After a bit of digging to remember his name, a brilliant young actor called William Beck would be the ideal Barak!

My mother sent me a copy of Dissolution, I was so surprised in how hard it was to put the book down. I then ordered the other Shardlake books in the series and have now read them all. To say the least I am heart broken that there are no others…yet. I hope that there will be this year. The detail in the descriptions is breathtaking almost forensic and extremely vivid. No other books come anywhere near.

Just finished the whole Shardlake series for the second time. Am now going through withdrawals. Undoubtedly the best crime novels ever and love the tudor backdrop. Can’t wait for the next saga…..hope there is one soon. Thank you,

What a fantastic series of books. I could not put them down and spent hours reading them.
I was very disappointed when the series ended, and would also love to know if there is going to be another coming soon.

My wife and I are great fans of C.J. Sansom and his work particularly the Shardlake series. i hope there is going to be another soon as we are experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

I can only echo the previous comments. Ever since receiving my first Shardlake novel as a gift (Revelation) I was hooked! For me the Tudor period is one of the most intriguing times in British history and I think this series of books captures it perfectly!
Please say there are more to come………

L Matier

I have read all the Shardlake series, in order. I especially enjoyed Sovereign as I live in York and loved trying to find the locations in the city. However, my favourite book so far is Dark Fire – even though I knew Thomas Cromwell had been executed by Henry VIII, I kept thinking “they are going to save him” right until the very end. Have just finished Heartstone – another triumph! Looking forward to the next one!! Also enjoyed Winter in Madrid which I read before the Shardlake series.

I also have enjoyed the five books in the series – each one very hard to put down. If the author should read this and is planning another Shardlake book, could he consider including a fuller description of a) pottage – what are the ingredients and why is it so popular and b) as most of the people keep beer at home and drink it as a staple, how and where was it made, bought for home consumption and stored?

What am I going to do now? I have read all your books and await the next one with heightened anticipation. No one else lived when I had Shardlake infront of me. Please don’t let him die, he has taken me through my favourite time in history. Also “Winter in Madrid” sits on my bookshelf and it led me back to when I was in Madrid.

When are we getting another Shardlake book? Please keep him alive into his 70s – we need a constant supply

*Sovreign* stood me in good stead while I was undergoing tiresome medical treatments recently. The first Sansom I had read, it was recommended to me by a friend. She suggested that the suspense and the historical interest would take my mind off the other stuff. She was right: it was just the ticket. Moreover, she has now followed up with the gift of *Revelation*, which is working the same magic — or almost. I was quite thrown off by David’s remark in III, 17 ”You should see.. I practising at the butts…”. Why the grammatical solecism? Is it a clue? Or is it supposed to be 16C English? And then I recalled an earlier instance of the same odd grammar, in Shardlake’s words, ”Á small bribe secured … I a little room…” (I, 8). Could it be that a copyeditor has missed a copying error, or even introduced the same one at least twice? It seems niggling to ask and yet it somehow matters.

Is there any news on the BBC series that was proposed? I think Tony Blair would make a good Richard Rich.
Really looking forward to the next book – will it be set in Edward 6th’s reign or Mary Tudor’s? Have loved all the books so far, especially Sovereign.

I enjoyed the series…I expect you will do more sequels but how about a couple of prequels as well? More Shardlake the better. Please let hime live to an extraordinary old age or slow down the historical time a bit.
Thanks for your work!

Shardlake goes north to York and comes off the Great North Road near Wetherby. He then etners York at Bootham Bar

How and where does he cross the Ouse?

Dear Mr. Sansom,

Thank you for the character of Matthew Shardlake. I have kyphoscoliosis, though I am not as badly afflicted as Shardlake. It is good to see a disabled character who tries to face the world with compassion instead of bitterness.

Please more Shardlake! I was gripped by the first one and equally enthralled by the rest, even buying Sovereign in the local bookshop as soon as it came out. I also really enjoyed Winter in Madrid; a different location but still a brilliantly written book.

As I am very interested in history in general and enjoys reading crime novels, it was an experience most appreciated to read all the books of C.J.Sansoms character Shardlake and his adventures. Always able to puzzle my curiosity, turning page by page, describing situations, the people and surroudings as a master of writing – these books are highly recommended for those not having yet read them! Thanks to the writer, and really I hope there will be further books in this serie.

I love the concept of the mystery story all wrapped up in deliciously tasty historical detail. The Shardlake series is an absolute gem,superbly written.Well done CJ Sansom! Please , please keep going. Shardlake in Elizabethan England…..irresistable !

‘Dissolution’ was given to me on ‘World Book Night’ by a friend and I have to confess that it didn’t look like the type of book that I would normally read…. How I was wrong! I finished Revelation last night and was heartbroken – this book was even better than the previous 3 in the series!!! I now log onto the CJ Sansom website and am delighted to learn that I have another wonderful book, ‘Heartstone’, waiting to be discovered – thank you so much!

Love the Sharklake books and please allow Jeremy Sisto to play Barak in the television series.

I have enjoyed everyone of the Shardlake series and was so excited when I discovered Heartstone was to be released. I find myself now creeping back to reading them all from the start again, I just wish Matthew was younger at the start so we could experience more novels of his adventures. I am rarely taken with a book so much that I can actually state “I couldn’t put it down” but these books have consumed me from the moment I started reading them. I thank C J Samson for the experience and hope that the Shardlake TV Series or film become a reality. Tom Hardy for Barak and Morgan Freeman for Guy :)

I have loved The Shardlake series. They started well, peaked with Sovereign, then plummeted with Revelation. Please can someone help me with this Cantrell chappie. What a tenuous link between what Timothy says about the carpenter and the screen and Dorethy, ugh! Lean man, watery eyes! Ugh! Poor unlikely character, where all the meanness was related to the murders and could not be linked to this unlikely character. Please stop now Mr Sansom, no more.

I read ‘Winter in Madrid’ first, and found it one of the most exciting books I have read. Going onto the Shardlake series, and finding them all difficult to put down. Wonderful writing and like Rachel, when reading Heartstone, I did not want to finish it quickly as I knew that it would be the last for a while. Long live Shardlake!!

If there is to be a TV series, I would really like whoever plays Shardlake to look (facially) something like his description in the books – angular features, longish dark hair. Yes, I know it isn’t necessary but you do get an image of a well-loved character in your mind’s eye. I honestly think Kenneth Branagh is too jowly, great actor though he be! I’d suggest Richard Armitage (Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood) if he weren’t so tall . Danny Webb who played Cromwell in a Henry 8th production would fit the bill, too. Looking forward to the next book.

I have been a huge fan of the Shardlake series since picking up the first copy in 2005. I would so love to see Shardlake survive the reign of Henry VIII, Queen Mary I and be part of the intrigue of Elizabeth I’s court – he and Walsingham would make great allies (or enemies!!)

Please keep writing them CJ!!!

I was at an Abbey that passed into the hands of a private family during the dissolution with work the other day, thanks to Dissolution I was able to look at the place with a whold new understanding, many thanks for the enlightenment. Can’t wait for another Shardlake adventure, the sooner the better please!

Was given Heartstone to read first, it was engrossing which led me to go back to the start of the Shardlake series, have now read them all and cannot wait for the next book to arrive, any idea on when it will be published ?

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have never, ever enjoyed any book as much as the Matthew Shardlake series. I grieve because there are no more and I may go back and re read them again. You have found your calling!

I didn’t like the Shardlake books – I loved them! Like many others, eagerly awaiting the next instalment. Can C J let us know what is in the pipeline and the expected date for publication?

I have read all the current Matthew Shardlake books and so has my husband. Please…when will we get the next one and what will it be called? Fantastico! Riveting!

Please, please,please write more Shardlake novels. After finishing Heartstone, I am bookless – nothing else seems to grip me in the same way. He’s only in his 40s (Shardlake). You’ve got me hooked!

I am entirely hooked on Shardlake: I also enjoyed ‘Winter in Madrid’
I am very hungry for your next book & hope that there will be many, many more

I came across Heartstone by complete accident when travelling. Finding myself somewhat short of reading material I ran into a well know book store. A book cover caught my eye and an impulse purchase took place. I am now half way through said novel and loving it. Brilliantly written with compelling characters. Imagine my delight to then find out at there are four previous books to this serious.

Have read revelations and just finished Heartstone this evening about to order the rest of the series can’t wait to get stuck in (not in order but never mind)well done CJ keep writing them and i will keep reading them

Well I started with Winter in Madrid and someone made a comment about the book and asked if I had read the Shardlake novels – at that point I had never heard of them but having enjoyed Winter in Madrid I decided to buy Dissolution. I have a keen interest in Tudor history. You actually felt you were there so good was the representation of Tudor life, it really came alive and you could feel, smell and touch it all. I have faithfully read all the other books and loved each and every one – though Sovereign was my favourite. If the TV people do get hold of it I hope they do it well, it would be a shame to ruin such wonderful stories by a bad production and cast. Who on earth could be Matthew?! What a loveable character! Thank you and keep them coming.

Wow!!! Just about everyone has covered what I would wish to say, in all honesty there just aren’t enough superlatives for the Shardlake series anyway. I have never been much of a reader, I’ve always had something else to do – an excuse I know! However, from Dissolution to Heartstone I have been utterly absorbed and now find myself somewhat lost, much like in 1982 when The Jam seperated.
Mr Sansom, you have achieved two things for me – firstly you have refired that feeling I used to have 30 years ago, you know the one, when you really can’t enjoy any other singles until The Jam release their new track. Shardlake’s my new Jam. Secondly, and most importantly, loving reading again! Congratulations and thanks.

Another Matthew Shardlake book is required – or it’s off to the Tower with you!

I’ve been waiting soooooo long for another book to come out. Since reading all your books no other satisfies me, even when they call them ‘best sellers’
Any prospects?

Am deep into “Heartstone” which is as un-putdownable as the previous Matthew Shardlake novels.

Once again, my family know that I will not answer when they ask me a question or even acknowledge that they are in the room, as I am so deeply engrossed in Shardlake and Barak’s world and will remain there until I have reluctantly closed the cover for the final time.

Thank you for sharing such a believable lead character (I hesitate to use the word “hero”!) and please do not let this be the last in the Shardlake series.

I’ve loved every one of the Shardlake series and have bored everyone I know telling them how good the stories are until they’ve given up and started reading them for themselves! At last count, I’ve converted 8 people so far and still spreading the word.

One question; so when is the NEXT book coming?? I’m getting dreadful withdrawl symptoms at the moment!

Great writing C.J…a fellow Sussex dweller!

WHEN IS THE NEXT BOOK? I’m assuming there’ll be another. Just need the comfort of knowing one is being written now. . . . Please, C.J.S., let us hear from you.

In this interview last year (m.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/nov/15/cj-sansom-interview?cat=culture&type=article), CH states that he already has the plots for the next TWO! Shardlake novels. Yay!

CJ!

Absolutely loving the Shardlake series!! Just finished reading Heartstone and have read Revelation. I am waiting for my library to get in copies of the others in the series. Thank you, Mr. Sansom, for delivering wonderful novels filled with history and descriptive text of the country I fell in love with when I lived there in the mid-80s. You bring my memories back to life. And who couldn’t just adore Matthew Shardlake!!

Mr C J Samsom

Top notch a joy more Shardlake would be nice I know he’s getting on a bit. Series great to listen to

Each of the Shardlake books has gripped me from beginning to end. If a TV series is ever made, I hope they make a better job of it than what was done with Ken Follet’s “Pillars of the Earth” – if not I’d rather they leave it alone. Alan Rickman is the only actor who could play Shardlake so far as I’m concerned – even though he’s older than Shardlake’s 40 years I reckon he’d pull it off brilliantly. I hope another Shardlake appears soon, I’ve managed to get by by reading all Bernard Knight’s Crowner John books which are also excellent, but now I’m totally bereft! Only one thing for it – where’s my copy of “Dissolution” …….

When I was at school a long, long time ago,my highest result for History was 10%. I hated it.
Some time ago, a friend gave me a book called Legacy which I hadnt read, until I was really stuck for something to read. I couldnt put it down. Before I finished it I was at a coffee morning book stall and saw this book called Sovereign,read the back cover and thought I might like it. The rest is history, I have read them all, even read all of Conns Ceasar and Gengis Khan series.Now passing them to friends.
Please, please dont make me wait too long for another Sansom book. Thank you so much for bringing history into my life in an enjoyable way.

Conn Iggulden was the author of Ceasar and Genghis Khan series

Having read all of the Shardlake series so far, I have to say that with each book (especially the last one) the sad part was when I reached the end and realised, that’s it. Please write some more, he must have other cases to investigate!

I am suffering serious abstinance. The only remedy to help my condition is a new Shardlake novel. Is there any hope for that in the near future?

I usually read library books but bought Dissolution with a book token. I was hooked
In my humble opinion Heartstone is far and away the best of the 5 in the Shardlake series
The only complaint my husband and I have is that you don’t write them fast enough..

I have all the Shardlake Series and the very different “Winter in Madrid”. mr Sansom’s writing style is simply terrific. I am a lover of whodunnits with all the threads that are woven together. However, please keep let Mathew meet again with Dorothy (Revelation) as she was obviously a woman of class and breeding, but find he doesn’t love her after all.. Let him help Ellen stuck in the Bedlum, and above all, give him someone who loves him and which he can reciprocate! Jack and Tamasin’s children can then act as his page and bridesmaid!

I have one more book in this series and I am saving it unti l I know you will be writing another after Hearthstone. More please!

I an saving my last Shardlake book until I know you are writing another. More please!

Dear Mr Sansom
I have read all your books and am a great fan. I am desperate to read another instalment of Shardlake. Please would you advise whether you intend to write another adventure for this unique hero.
Thanks in advance.

I have just finished reading Heartstone (having read the previous Shardlake books). As always, the period was brilliantly detailed and gave a feel of what it might have been like to live in those times. Incorporating the Mary Rose into the storyline was very clever. It made me think about the real human tragedy surrounding the sinking of the ship rather than simply regarding it as a collection of historical artifacts. Hope another book is on the horizon….

for those of you who cant wait for another, try S.J. Parris.
Her 2 books – herecy and prophecy are in the same mould as Shardlake. You will love the Italian ex-monk Giordano Bruno

Shardlake literally transports one to Tudor England. What makes it different is it uncanny ability to express the depth of human emotion at a time of high tensions

Having finished all 5 Shardlake books – Heartstone by far the best in my opinion – all i can say is nothing i have read before or after comes close to a C J Sansom book. For 20 yrs Dick Francis was first choice – i own everything he has writen – but every month i seach for the next Shardlake adventure. The only thing that has filled the void since are Heresy and Prophecy by S J Parris – set in a simular era of the Shardlake adventures, but PLEASE news of the next Shardlake book.

Mr Sansom has an undeniable talent. The Shardlake books are just a pure joy to read. When are we going to have the next one? As one reader put it, I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I was not happy as I drew to the end of Heartstone and am about to read Sovereign again just to experience the sheer thrill of Sansom and his Tudor England. Sheer genius.

I bought my first Shardlake novel while being on holiday in the middle of nowhere in Greece. Loved it!! When I got home in the Netherlands i immediatly ordered the entire series! Is there a new novel on the way?? Can’t wait!!

fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must proceed your writing. I am sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

Having started and finished the complete seriavin five weeks whilst starting a new full time job and having four children….. All I can ask is where do u go from here? Please I’m hooked….help I’m lost?

Fantastic series — “Dark Fire” was probably my favorite. Your writing really takes the reader back into the time of Henry VIII, with all its squalor and menace. It’s like having a time machine.

I always thought John Hannah would make a fantastic Shardlake. Love the books. Thanks.

I have read all the Shardlake novels and am thoroughly hooked! I hope Heartstone is not the last in the series.
It would be great to see the books turned into films (preferably by the BBC or HBO)

Dear Mr Sansom,
I have found your series on Shardlake wonderful. I live in Australia and graduated as a Medievalist in English and History and I’m now teaching. Your books have ignited once more my passion for this period. Waiting for the next book. I have just started “Heartstone”, which I have had for months just to read in the school holidays without interruptions.
Rob Maxwell

…..Juat wanted to reitterate what everyone has said on these pages…Absolutely love the Shardlake series of books and like others have got withdrawl symptoms from finishing them….nothing else has stimulated my senses like these…its made me so interseted in Tudor times..

many thanks and continued successs…ps when is the next one due…i wont stop having the DT’s until then….

i have read the whole shardlake series twice over ,absolutely brilliant ,are there any miore coming ,if so cant wait john cruddas

are there any more in the pipeline?will place order now if so

Mr Sansom,
About a year ago, i was cleaning a house when i came across one of your dooks. Sovereign. I enquired to my customer about this book, as i was interested in the history of henry 8th. Anyway long story short, the next ay i went to Waterstomnes and purchased all the shardlake series, and i am very glad i did. You captured my imagination, even to the piont that i believe these should be made into films, or bbc period drama. Then i tjhouhgt who would play which parts… anyway back on track i thank you very mush for these books as they are compelling and amazingly written. I wish you all the best for 2012 and further writing

Kind Regards
J.Walker

I’ve read all your books, fantastic, please please let’s have some more.

Mr Sansom,
As many others on this site, i cannot find the words to say how brilliant these books about Master Shardlake are. The descriptive aspect of your writing, the colourful way in which the Tudor world is illustrated is a true joy to read. As to whether a tv series should be made, it all depends upon the actors involved, the guy in the Eternal Law series would be good. Jack Barak is difficult though.
As for more books about our hero, well, that’s up to you – we can only hope.

Thank you for the Shardlake series. I have read all of the books and looking forward to more. Thanks again

Absolutely fantastic. Shardlake books are the best I’ve ever read and I’ve lived quite a while!

I have read all C J Samson’s books and loved everyone of them. The Matthew Shardlake series is magical, you really feel that you are walking with Matthew through Tudor times. What a wonderful character he is! I hope we will see more of Shardlake and Barak. The BBC should really film them all!

Winter in Madrid is another book that I would highly recommend. It brings the harsh realities of the Spanish Civil War to life. It does not always make pleasant reading, but is rivetting.

What a superb series, captures the smells, atmosphere and everyday life in 16th Century England. Crime, history, thrills & intrigue combined.
I started with Dissolution and went through the whole series to Heartstone. Obvious question; will there be another now Henry’s dead? Or should I read them all again?

Just read Sovereign and delighted to see that Shardlake/Sansom is a Ricardian at heart.
I lllok forward to the television adaptations.
More please.

great characters and shardlake is wonderfull,do we get any more ?i do hope so.
many thanks ,chris

I have read all the Shardlake series and found it to be really good.
I would be great to see the series continue perhaps with a couple more carlectors in it.

I read your Spanish book a little time ago, two years I think. I thought it then one of the best and it has remained so. I find myself thinking about it, revisiting, how it resonates. Ordinary people caught then trapped.
History too revisits; what of a contemporary divided Europe?
I thought it then excellent and wanted to say since this blog enables me to do so.

Your books are phenomenal! I firstly read Winter in Madrid which was superb and I was hooked and looked to see if I could find other books written by you which then led me to the Shardlake series..wasnt sure I would like them as much as I loved ‘Madrid’ however I very quickly became hooked! I have read them all (just coming to the end of Heartstone) and wanted to know more about how you research and write the books as when I read them its like I’m there..I have never come across an author before who can bring a story alive so vividly!!! I thought by your depth of writing that you must have researched extremely thoroughly and that you may have been a lawyer yourself. Please keep writing! :)

I have all the paper backs and hard backs of the Shardlake series. I have the audio books as well. I’m not bothered about the T-Shirt or the TV/Film because they will never be the same as the books.
I have enjoyed every word of this series and really do hope you write one or two more and hopefully see the end of Richard Rich, how about putting him in the tower for some of his own treatment!
I have lost count of how many times I have read the set of books and each time I get a bit more from them. PD James was right, you can feel and smell the atmosphere coming up to you from the page.
Winter in Madrid was also a good read and I will have to read that one again soon.
Thank you for the books and I do hope to see another one this year.

Bummer! I just finished the last of the Shardlake series. PLEASE tell me there will be more!! :>)

A friend gave me a copy of Sovereign to read a few years ago & I loved it, fell in love with Matthew & Jack immediately. Im a avid fan of the Tudor period & your books just bring it to life, its great! Thank you.

I have just read Heart Stone, which was awesome & have decided (sensibly) to go back to the start & read your Matthew books in the correct order. Thank you for writing such fantastic books, Im hoping by the time Ive got through the series, you wouldve completed & published the next exciting Matthew & Jack adventure.

Thank you C.J (-:

help need more, read all, one after another, put down the last need more.

Dear Mr Sansom

It is not often I read the same book twice, but I have read all of the Shardlake series at least 3 times! They are wonderful books & would certainly make a fantastic drama series….or series of films. I am so hoping that you will continue to write further of Matthew Shardlake. Thank you so much for giving us such superb books to enjoy

Sheila

Dear C.J., Please, please don’t retire Shardlake. I have read and re-read all five novels, and now gave them to my bookworm daughter. Simply engrossing. Surely there’s scope for him in Henry’s children’s court?
Thanks very much!

Have now read “Herartstone” – thye best so far especially with the plea at the end to help the Mary Rose Trust.. Can’t wait for the next by which time Henry VIII will have died and Rich out of the picture!

Sorry about the typos but it’s a French keyboard & very cold here!

Dear Mr Sansom, After reading Winter in Madrid I looked out for more novels by you and almost fell on the Shardlake by chance. I have absolutely loved this series of books and wait for another one hopefully in the near future. I think the writing is superb and the content totally absorbing can’t put them down. I love the atmosphere on Tudor England, you can almost smell it!!

Sorry but one tiny complaint tho’ the introduction in the last book Heartstone of the “f” word really not necessary. I’m not a prude but your writing is so good I will be sorry if you fall into this modern swearing mode. Please keep the stories coming. Many thanks

Sir
I will come to the point..please deliver another mathew shardlake book
Michael

Do hurry up with another book Mr Sansom…. cant wait much longer…..x

I have another candidate to play Shardlake if his adventures are ever filmed—- Rufus Sewell, who can probably do anyone! Also, my wife and I think Jason Stratham would make a great Barack.

I have just finished reading Heartstone, having previously read the whole series of Shardlake. Every mystery is unique, and I love the historical facts that leave me wanting to find out more. I am already planning a trip to Portsmouth to visit the museum. I hope there is another book in the pipeline. Thank you

I have really enjoyed reading your books. Please give Shardlake a nice lady to love him as I am sure that there must be someone who would like him, he seems so lonely. Your books are great but do you have to be so cruel to Matthew? I’m sure that the next book could be just as exciting without being so cruel to him!! He does have a ‘bad back’ you know.

You must write another book or I will die trying not to think about what happened to him.

I just finished reading Dark Fire at 1 a.m. the last of the Shardlake mysteries that I enjoyed immensely and I am sad that there are no more. Bravo Mr. Sansom. You are one of the rare breed who can bring history, imagination and a riveting story together to entertain and provoke thought. thank you and I hope to learn that another Shardlake mystery will emerge soon. PS, Dark Fire, the last in the Shardlake series that I read, was my first e-book and I am still mulling over whether there is irony, fate or premonition, or all three, in the fact that my discovery of the 21st century evolution of the book medium should be linked to the reading of 16th century intrigue centered around an even early century’s petroleum based weapon. Plus ca change….

Like Pauline above, I was also given “Dissolution” for World Book Club. Once into the first chapter, I could not get enough of Matthew Shardlake. I then bought “Dark Fire” – read Sovereign and Heartstone from the public library and only have Revelation to read. My life has been on hold until I had finished reading them. CJS, you are one of the best authors I have ever read. You transported me into the Tudor times and felt like I was constantly on the road with Matthew and Jack, especially through York and Hull (my home town). The description of life on the “Mary Rose” was also exceptional. As for Richard Rich, I just wanted to slap his face! Please, please write more books about Matthew. I hope you manage to read these comments. I too, have recommended your books to a few people, some of which had not read books for a while, but now like me, are hooked! They would make great movies and the comments about the BBC making a series, is something I will look forward to – we will have to be patient here in Australia though – we are about 3/4 years behind in good BBC series. thank you CJ.

Having just finished Heartstone i felt i had to submit a comment. I have now read all the Shardlake series and have really enjoyed these well written and engaging series. They have been a joy and i am planning a trip to Portsmouth to see the Mary Rose on the back of having read Heartstone. Keep up the great writing and looking forwars to more.

Am a Dutch guy living abroad as an expat! Reading in the evenings is enlighting! Completed the Shardlake series within a year. Cannot wait till the new Shardlake book is out!! Thanks Mr Sansom for bringing so much joy to me in the evenings while I am away from my wife!!

What wonderful stories the Shardlake books are and such an amazing insight into domestic life in the 16th century.
I hope you have the inspiration for a few more Shardlake
intrigues

one of your followers asks where do we go from here? well where do we from go. No other author has the ability to enable the reader to be there to feel and sense the whole story. I have now got my daughter hooked and she in turn has some of her friends hooked. Please please when is the next chapter in this amazing series to be.

Just discovered this website, all the comments make for great reading. I too am awaiting the 6th book quite impatiently… For a TV series, we also picked Morgan Freeman as Guy, and Richard Armitage as Shardlake. Haven’t been able to figure out Barak yet.
I got the Anton Lesser audio series of the 5 books. Fantastic.

Lol! I totally agree with Sally’s comments about that unscrupulous power hungry pathetic character… yep…Yep ‘Richard Rich’ and Tony Blair have a lot in common.

Although, I imagined Richard Rich to be better looking…still… a snakes a snake, attractive or not

Someone’s mentioned Rufus Sewell as a possible actor for one of the characters, I think he’d make a great Richard Rich..with his dark, mean, good looks

I’ve enjoyed reading others comments here and totally agree, Sansom’s a literary genius! Like the best writers, he’s emotionally honest in terms of character definition, and its the reason why all of us, I think, can relate to his writing.

Wish he’d been my history teacher.

I feel some producer out there is really missing a trick.
I’ve already been visualising it all in atmospheric
technicolour, whilst reading. It’s begging to be adapted into a TV drama me thinks.

A younger Sean Bean for Barak’s character perhaps? although I can’t quite picture who might play Shardlake. I think he’s a bit clearer in my head..though I can’t make out the features, I don’t suppose anyone ever can.
Dark, slim, fragile looking… Possibly Johnny Depp? Unlike most other Hollywood actors, at least he’s prepared to look real and earthy.

Anyway, I can’t wait to forget all about Sansom’s fabulous books…just so that I can read em again! Not something I often do, in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book twice but I may make an exception here!

lugubrious – dismal, sad, woeful, mournful. My mood as I finish the last few pages of his book. Also, a word he often uses. Wondered if it it’s a bet? Lol…

Enjoy fellow converts!

Ghzala, Leeds West Yorkshire

By chance I recently read a review of “Dissolution” and was enthralled at the very concept, a “crookback” lawyer solving murder mysteries in Tudor England?! Fantastic! I plowed through that book and then “Dark Fire” and today began “Sovereign”…each book has been better than the last. I hope there are many, many more to come. I am also glad that you are concentrating your impressive talents on writing…there are already far too many lawyers in this world, and not enough excellent authors!

Martin Freeman for Shardlake please. Sigh. And please give Shardlake a nice cuddly wife who’ll look after him.

I bought all 5 of the Shardlake books and have just started #4. Each one is better than the last and I’m completely hooked. Now I’m trying to ration how much I read each day as I don’t know what I’ll do when I have finally read Heartstone. It seems like each one comes out every 2 years, which is a remarkably short time considering the amount of research that must be required, so hopefully #6 will be out in the near future. Mr Sansom, you are one of the great authors of all time.

I am absolutely hooked on Shardlake one of the best series of books for a long time. Please keep them coming Mr Sansome.

Please do not stop the Shardlake series. Cannot stop now Matthew Shardlake is a great creation.

Fantastic books- can’t believe I have only recently discovered them!Am half way through Heartstone and don’t want it to end!! Help, I’m likely to have severe withdrawal symptoms as I’ve read them all now!!
Thanks for tip re Crowner John series -I’ll give them a go while waiting for the next Shardlake.
By the way – Alan Rickman definitely- and PLEASE hurry up with the film or TV series!

Is there another book coming?

I have just finished reading the last (latest) in the Shardlake series of books. I so enjoyed them.
Many congratulations on your excellent work: the characters are so believeable; the attention to detail is wonderful; the atmosphere transports the reader to the time of Henry VIII (a king I have always loathed!) so beautifully. Thank you.