Shardlake: The Complete BBC Radio Collection cover art

Shardlake: The Complete BBC Radio Collection

Six BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisations

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Shardlake: The Complete BBC Radio Collection

By: CJ Sansom
Narrated by: full cast, Jason Watkins, Justin Salinger, Bryan Dick, Mark Bonnar, Robert Glenister, Sam Dale, Sean Baker, Emily Wachter, Jessica Hardwick
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About this listen

The complete collected dramatisations of C. J. Sansom's historical mystery series.

Set during the reign of Henry VIII, these six stunning dramas follow the adventures of hunchbacked lawyer-detective Matthew Shardlake as he navigates the dangerous world of Tudor England, solving crimes and seeking out murderers.

Dissolution - Winter, 1537. When a king's commissioner is brutally murdered at Scarnsea monastery, Thomas Cromwell sends Shardlake to investigate. Can he catch the killer before he strikes again?

Dark Fire - Summer, 1540, and Shardlake is embroiled in two urgent cases: tracking down a batch of Greek Fire, an ancient weapon of mass destruction, and defending an orphan girl accused of murder. Accompanied by Cromwell's man, Barak, he must race against time to save Elizabeth's life - and Cromwell's skin.

Sovereign - Autumn, 1541. As the king embarks on a Royal Progress to York, Shardlake and Barak arrive in the city on a secret mission for Archbishop Cranmer. But soon they are caught up in a murder investigation - and a daring plot to bring down the royal family....

Revelation - Spring, 1543. With London rocked by religious turmoil, Shardlake must complete two vital assignments: help a teenage boy imprisoned in Bedlam for his heretical ravings, and prevent a serial killer from completing his unholy mission.

Heartstone - Summer, 1545, and Shardlake and Barak are drawn into two murky mysteries: one involving 'monstrous wrongs' committed against a ward of the court, the other involving the troubled past of Bedlam inmate Ellen Fettiplace. Meanwhile, across the Channel, the French fleet is preparing to attack....

Lamentation - 1546. Henry VIII lies dying, and his Protestant and Catholic factions are vying for power. As heretics are burned at the stake, the Queen rashly decides to write a compromising confessional book - and when it is stolen, she turns to Shardlake. His investigations lead him from London's backstreet print shops to the heart of the royal court....

Jason Watkins and Justin Salinger star as Shardlake, with Bryan Dick as Barak, Mark Bonnar and Robert Glenister as Cromwell, Sam Dale and Sean Baker as Cranmer and Emily Wachter and Jessica Hardwick as Queen Catherine Parr.

Written by C. J. Sansom.

Dramatised by Colin MacDonald.

Produced and directed by Kirsteen Cameron, David Jackson Young and Bruce Young.

©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Dramatisations Historical Mystery Scary Funny

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All stars
Most relevant
I was captured from the beginning. Story unfolds so well, Shardlake is a well balanced character
And I could , at times , smell the places and the descriptions were very graphic
I hope there are more tales in this series of books
Great acting great story lines and each character came to life in the story

Was glued to my phone. So much factual history

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First things first...this is NOT The Complete Collection. There are 7 Shardlake books in the series, but there are only 6 in this set of radio plays. The final book, Tombland is missing. I had been wondering how a major historical battle might be depicted and the answer is...it's not.

That said, the characterisations are good, and the (very abridged) re-telling of the excellent stories work well, in the main. These may be good for those new to Sharlake or, like me, wanted to hear them again in a different form not long after immersing themselves in the incredibly well-written original stories.

Misleading Title

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Superbly acted, Justin Salinger captures the complexity and sensitivity of Shardlake. Brian Dick is a superb, feisty, street smart Barak. Each drama captures well the period, the atmosphere and the tensions of the period. The dramas move at a very fast pace compared to the books- I only wished they had been given more time. Nonetheless, each one is a short masterpiece.

Brilliant Productions

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I have was so looking forward to the dramatisation of Christopher Sansom’s books, but oh dear I was so disappointed with the storylines, which are confused at times and with little depth. Thank goodness I read the books prior to listening to the performances. The stories were so condensed they are almost unrecognisable as coming from such amazing books. In some cases the character voices were so similar, it was easy to confused just who was speaking. Unfortunately, not worth the wait 😞

Disappointed

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Really enjoyable. Well acted and a treat for anyone who studied the Tudors. Hope for more.

Super!

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