The litany of lamentations accumulates forcefully in the sixth in CJ Sansom’s Shardlake series of historical crime novels, set in a tumultuous Tudor London. This latest story captures the bitter political power struggle as Henry VIII falls gravely ill. Some lament the imminent loss of their lives, for religious differences are “matters of life and death”: the radical Protestant Anne Askew is to be burned at the stake, in a “heresy hunt”. The lawyer Shardlake laments having to witness the burning.
Then there’s the intriguing book-within-a-book entitled Lamentation of a Sinner, in which the Queen has captured her rebellious thoughts; Shardlake is summoned when the book vanishes. In a society banning books, the connection between print and power is fascinating.
This meticulously researched novel ranges from the backstreets of Tudor London to the corridors of power, skilfully weaving the political and personal; what its characters lament most poignantly are those they love but have lost.
Lamentation is published by Mantle (£12.99). Click here to order a copy for £11.19
- This article was amended on 29 June to remove mention of Portsmouth, which was added due to an editing error.
