Book of the Month: May

[@SavidgeReads]

I really liked the first in the series, though like you said it takes a while to get into. Must head back. His standalone Winter in Madrid is amazing. One of the best historical novels I’ve read.

[@lissarice1876]

This book sounds so far from my normal interests, yet, once again, your enthusiasm & love for this series & this author have convinced me to read it.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Do let me know what you think 🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚🩷🩷🩷

[@sbeale276]

One of my fav authors and its deeply saddening that he has passed. Sean bean is playing Cromwell in the adaptation which is pretty good and only 4 episodes but it leaves you wanting more just like the books. Thank you for highlighting this book for more people find this great author.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

I’m very keen to see the screen Shardlake. Love the books 🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@alexiarichardson651]

I'm on my second read of this series and this is my favourite one, since I'm originally from York. What a shame there won't be any more...

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

😢🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@sonfederman8212]

I have them all and have yet to read the last two. I love C. J. Sansom

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

👍👍👍🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@charlottecantrell6110]

I adore this series!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thank you 🙏

[@britasarkar6285]

I just read Dark Fire and fell in love with the skills of the author. He moves steadily into the plot, lovely characterisation and the phenomenal backdrop of history he creates is something extraordinary

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Could not agree more 👍👍👍📚📚📚🩷🩷🩷

[@wendyryan1618]

I still have three books in the series to read and Sovereign has been my favourite so far. I love historical mysteries and Sansom's Shardlake series is at the very top in terms of quality, historical research and page-turning enjoyment. Unlike a lot of mysteries, it's a series that I could see myself rereading at some stage too, as there's so much more to them than 'who done it'.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

I really get your point about rereading 👍🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Here's to a great reading summer. Best wishes.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thank you! You too! 🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@antineah1889]

Great series, really fascinating on the dissolution of the monastaries. I like his stand alone books too. His research is impressive and he really makes you feel you are there.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Yes! They are really immediate 🤩🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@Tristan-L-Space-Books]

I added the first in this series to my holds at the library! Thank you for introducing me. Very excited to hear your thoughts on the Women's prize shortlist

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Simon and I are recording our thoughts this weekend - my favourite book discussion of the year 🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚🩷🩷🩷

[@leslieschippert4954]

Ordered it! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

You're so welcome! 👍👍👍📚📚🙏🩷🩷🩷

[@GuroFlemmen]

This one, and the 7th, which is set in Norwich, are my favourites. I read several years ago when it's was being known that Sansom was ill, that the 8th book would be shorter because he didn't have the energy to write as before. I really hope that it was close to finished and that it will be published.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Let’s hope so 🤞 🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚🩷🩷🩷

[@Susan-lv2ee]

Thank you 😊 But.. now I have to read the whole series, massive ( but nevertheless welcome) addition to my evergrowing TBR 😅

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Soz 😊 Happy reading 🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@tonivandermoere1588]

Thank you for your wonderful review, Louise. I do love this series and was very sad to hear about the death of CJ Sansom. I agree that Master Shardlake is also one of my very favorite literary characters. He is such an intelligent, kind, well-drawn figure. I have read a few of the books in the series (not in order), but I haven’t read Sovereign. Coincidentally, I will be traveling from the US to York this summer, so I suppose that would be the perfect time to read it!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Oh yes! Do read it while you’re in York - I think it will really enhance your trip 👍🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@mariaprodromou6230]

Thank you for this Louise. The first one is already on my tbr list.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Hope you enjoy it! 🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@kimswhims8435]

That's so interesting! I can't remember if I've read any of this author's books, they sound a little familiar. A few years ago I found out that a couple of my direct ancestors were lawyers for Henry VIII, one of them must have worked for Thomas Cromwell, he was involved in the divorce proceedings of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. I think I need to track down this series. Thanks for the heads up Louise.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Wow! What an amazing connection to have! 🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚🩷🩷🩷

[@curioushmm9027]

i hadn't heard that he passed...it is sad..i've only read the first in the series so far and loved it...right up there with hilary mantel.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Absolutely! 🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@lizh9497]

I own a couple in the series but haven’t started reading them yet. The tv series is excellent. It’s only 4 episodes and seems to be book 1. Sean Bean plays Cromwell.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

I must watch it 🤩🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@kathy2539]

Louise have you read Winter in Madrid and the book Tombland has Matthew Shardlake in it but is this another title for one of the other six in the series. According to the site I looked at this is set in 1549, two years after the death of Henry VIII. Edward VI is eleven...I thought the six novels were titled Dissolution, Dark Fire, Sovereign, Revelation, Heartstone and Lamentation, so where does Tombland fit? Do you know? Or is this one the 7th in the series, you mentioned that there might be 8?

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

I think Tombland is the seventh in the series 🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@enidlacob1157]

I have the first 4 waiting to be read Should I read them in order Louise ? I want to start reading tomorrow Winter has set into Cape Town so I shall cocoon and read the series

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

I would always prefer to read a series in order. Happy reading 🙏🙏🙏🩷🩷🩷📚📚📚

[@kathleenwalsh3556]

Hi Louise if you write rnz new book about Mark Antony . I think it's called A noble ruin and is by a professor at Victoria Uni, Wellington NZ

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Brilliant 🤩 Thank you 🙏

[@seanoconnor2865]

Is there any way you can increase the volume on future recordings?

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

I’ll see what I can do 🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚🩷🩷🩷

[@jowoodward7528]

You said the book of the month was Dissolution but you are holding a copy of Sovereign?

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Oh gosh! Thanks for letting me know 🤦🏼‍♀️🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚🩷🩷🩷