Heartstone is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom.[1] It is Sansom's sixth novel, and the fifth in the Matthew Shardlake Series. Set in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII, the events of the novel take place in the summer of 1545.[2] Shardlake and his assistant Barak travel to Portsmouth on a legal case given to them by an old servant of Queen Catherine Parr. The book also concerns preparations for the Battle of the Solent and the King's warship, the Mary Rose.

Heartstone
First edition cover
AuthorC. J. Sansom
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
SeriesMatthew Shardlake Series
SubjectCrime
GenreHistorical mystery
PublisherMacmillan
Publication date
2 September 2010
Media typeHardback
Pages633
ISBN978-1405092739
Preceded byRevelation 
Followed byLamentation 

The book introduces the young Princess Elizabeth in a minor role.[3]

An abridged audiobook on CD, narrated by Anton Lesser, was released by Macmillan Digital Audio in 2010.[4] An unabridged audiobook, nearly 23 hours of narration performed by Steven Crossley, was released in 2011.

In 2018, BBC Radio 4 aired a full-cast adaptation of the novel, dramatised by Colin MacDonald, with Justin Salinger starring as Shardlake.[5]

Awards and honors edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Fantastic Fiction". Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  2. ^ Wilson, Laura (18 September 2010). "Heartstone". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  3. ^ Atkinson, Kate (17 September 2010). "Material Witness". Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  4. ^ MDA 2250
  5. ^ "Shardlake:Heartstone". BBC. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Walter Scott historical fiction shortlist announced". BBC News. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.