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Tombland
- The Shardlake Series, Book 7
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 37 hrs and 41 mins
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Tombland
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Summary
Tudor England is brought vividly to life in Tombland, the seventh novel in C. J. Sansom's number one bestselling Shardlake series, for fans of Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory.
'When it comes to intriguing Tudor-based narratives, Hilary Mantel has a serious rival' - Sunday Times
‘Sansom has the trick of writing an enthralling narrative. Like Hilary Mantel, he produces densely textured historical novels that absorb their readers in another time’ - Andrew Taylor, Spectator
The Sunday Times Number One Bestseller
England, 1549: Two years after the death of Henry VIII, England is sliding into chaos . . .
The nominal king, Edward VI, is eleven years old. His uncle Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, rules as Protector. The extirpation of the old religion by radical Protestants is stirring discontent among the populace while the Protector’s prolonged war with Scotland is proving a disastrous failure and threatens to involve France. Worst of all, the economy is in collapse, inflation rages and rebellion is stirring among the peasantry.
Since the old King’s death, Matthew Shardlake has been working as a lawyer in the service of Henry’s younger daughter, the Lady Elizabeth. The gruesome murder of Edith Boleyn, the wife of John Boleyn – a distant Norfolk relation of Elizabeth's mother – which could have political implications for Elizabeth, brings Shardlake and his assistant Nicholas Overton to the summer assizes at Norwich. There they are reunited with Shardlake’s former assistant Jack Barak. The three find layers of mystery and danger surrounding Edith's death, as a second murder is committed.
And then East Anglia explodes, as peasant rebellion breaks out across the country. The yeoman Robert Kett leads a force of thousands in overthrowing the landlords and establishing a vast camp outside Norwich. Soon the rebels have taken over the city, England’s second largest.
Barak throws in his lot with the rebels; Nicholas, opposed to them, becomes a prisoner in Norwich Castle; while Shardlake has to decide where his ultimate loyalties lie, as government forces in London prepare to march north and destroy the rebels. Meanwhile he discovers that the murder of Edith Boleyn may have connections reaching into both the heart of the rebel camp and of the Norfolk gentry . . .
This is the seventh stunning novel in the bestselling Shardlake series, that began with Dissolution. Includes an Historical Essay from the author on Reimagining Kett's Rebellion.
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What listeners say about Tombland
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew
- 25-10-18
Brilliant! 5 star Brilliant!
An excellent Shardlake novel, combining a murder mystery with an in depth historical account of the Norwich rebellion, a pure joy to listen to, and kept me entertain for start to finish, include the 3 hours plus of historical notes at the end, fascinating stuff
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14 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 24-10-19
Entertaining and Informative
I much admire the amount of research the author must have done in order to bring the Shardlake novels and this one is no exception. I, like many I suspect, had not heard of 'Tombland' or 'Ket's rebellion' and what a shame on the education of English history in this country that this episode is so neglected. This novel like the first novel Dissolution is not only a great story but they give a real flavour of how awful and desperate life was for ordinary people in 16th century England thanks to the momentous changes that were forced from above, cutting them off from their long held customs and culture and leaving them with no where to turn. The cruelty, filth, bigotry, hope, kindness, ineptitude and desperation all mingle together in a way that brings home how, when you step beyond the fancy costumes and politics of court what the heart breaking reality of much of the life endured by the common people. To be honest in this story the crime solving struggles against the overwhelming tide of the recounting of the rebellion but I for one can forgive that on this occasion for bringing this story to the fore. Poor Robert Ket, what a horrible end he had and the man should be much better known.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Phil
- 22-11-18
Not the best
I am truly a great fan of the Shardlake series. Superb author, stories and narration. But my God is this story long winded. I was so looking forward to this latest release too.
I doubt the feeling of loss at the end of all the other novels will occur with this one. More a sense of relief.
Such a crying shame. Currently at chapter 81.
Dare I say it? Especially in the middle it's downright boring.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nik
- 16-05-19
Different voices
Really enjoyed the books. Why did some of the voices totally change from the previous book? For example, Josephine had an accent that was awful. Would still recommend listening
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- marie
- 27-04-21
Majestic
This in my opinion is the best of the Shardlake series. It’s a long listen but absolutely gripping and the narrator is at the top of his game.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- pchwillis
- 18-03-21
A great read
Loved it and just couldn't put it down. I am also fascinated with the historical element. It feeds the imagination.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CathyB
- 03-07-19
Wonderful Series
This was a fabulous audio book. I love the Shardlake series, I’ve read the previous six, this being the first one I’ve listened to. Steven Crossley had a mammoth task but his narration was beyond brilliant. The book is very long but C J Sansom is such a marvellous storyteller you never loose interest.So sad I’ve finished.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Miriam Maughan
- 26-01-19
Fascinating insight into an episode of history
I had never heard of Ketts rebellion. Seeing the events through shardlakes eyes is brilliant.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- CT
- 09-03-19
Good but very long.
The Shardlake series is excellent. This was good but rather too long. Well performed and historically interesting.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- E Thorne
- 20-12-18
Love this series.
I am truly devastated that this is the last of this series.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this audio book and the series has kindled a love of Tudor history in me.
The narrator of this audio book was the perfect voice of Shardlake for me. Brilliant.
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