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Shardlake: Sovereign

By: C. J. Sansom
Narrated by: Bryan Dick, Justin Salinger
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Summary

An atmospheric BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation based on C. J. Sansom's best-selling Tudor crime novel featuring hunchback lawyer detective Matthew Shardlake.

Autumn, 1541. King Henry VIII has set out on a spectacular Royal Progress to York, aiming to strike fear and awe into his rebellious northern subjects. Shardlake and his assistant, Barak, arrive in the city a day ahead of the 3,000-strong procession. Officially there to prepare petitions for the King, they have also been tasked with a secret mission by Archbishop Cranmer: to ensure the welfare of one of the Northern conspirators, Sir Edward Broderick, who is to be brought back to London for questioning in the Tower.

Tensions are running high in the city, and soon Shardlake is called to investigate a suspicious death - and stumbles upon a daring plot that has the potential to shake England to its core.

C. J. Sansom's Shardlake series has sold over two million copies, and this atmospheric dramatisation starring BAFTA-winning actor Jason Watkins (The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries) brings his début novel to electrifying life.

Fast-paced and suspenseful, it is both an engrossing murder mystery and a brilliantly realised portrayal of Tudor England.

Duration: two hours 30 mins approx.

©2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
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What listeners say about Shardlake: Sovereign

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Excellent

So well researched you would almost believe you were there. Well executed plot. I've read the books and this dramatisation brings it to life.

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Greatreading

Just love the whole series, have read the books, which there was more
Keep writing







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Brilliant

Well done BBC. I love this series and this play was fab. My third Shardlake play.

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Brilliant audio

Excellent story brought to life. Love this book, love the audio. Very gripping. Fantastic!

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Superb Shardlake

Julian Salinger reigns supreme as Shardlake. He brings warmth, sophistication and compassion to the character and is a delight to listen to

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Totally Addictive

I have listened to this more times than I can count and it never gets old.
Thrilling, lifelike and totally absorbing, a book not to be missed.

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loved book

I have read all the series and will now listen to all . Top class

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A faithful adaptation of the novel.

Another high quality dramatisation of the Shardlake novels. Not sure if people who have not read the book would follow.

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Historical fiction performed really well

Really enjoyed this interpretation. Performers excellent. Will definitely look to buy the other dramatised books in this series.

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EXCELLENT PRODUCTION

Having read all of the Shardlake books, these radio full casts productions are a good adaptation. Well acted, atmospheric and draws you into the Shardlake era.

I have all the Shardlake radio series and over all, excellent for what they are. But you cannot beat the good books.

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