Revelation
C.J. Sansom
452pp, Macmillan- £17.99 (Hardcover)
Those looking for an original murder-mystery plot should stay away from Revelation, as the fourth in the Shardlake series offers a central story which feels very familiar. The action takes place late in the reign of Henry VIII, and Matthew Shardlake, the lawyer hero, is once again thrown into an exhausting adventure. This time he takes on a killer dedicated to committing gruesome murders in the style of the seven angels sent to destroy humanity on judgment day. Unsurprisingly perhaps, it’s personal.
Sounds a bit predictable, and in many ways it is, especially to those familiar with Boris Starling’s Messiah and its TV adaptations. But if you allow yourself to be carried along by the plot, it is well worth the ride. Sansom meticulously depicts Tudor London to create an atmospheric and fascinating context in which the action takes place. His characters have a tendency to be two-dimensional, but this is understandable given the unrelenting pace. They are nonetheless very entertaining, and refreshingly authentic.
Revelation is quite a tome, and its length might challenge those who would dismiss it as a re-hash of old ideas. However, this predictability reminds the reader of what makes this series worth reading. While most historical novels, such as those of Bernard Cornwell, are formulaic and bland, Sansom evokes the political intrigue, religious turmoil, poverty, and crime of the era with a fresh voice, contrasting grandeur and squalor with a deft hand. If history is your thing, you can’t go wrong with this. If it isn’t, give it a go and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Add Your Thoughts