Revelation

Written by C. J. Sansom

Narrated by Steven Crossley

Earning praise on both sides of the Atlantic, C. J. Sansom’s mysteries brim with period detail and tightly woven intrigue. In this fan-favorite series, hunchbacked Matthew Shardlake practices law amidst the political and religious upheaval of King Henry VIII’s court.

Desperate, the parents of a young man fanatically obsessed with salvation employ Shardlake to help get their son released from the Bedlam hospital for the insane.

Already with a full plate, Shardlake is further burdened when a close friend is viciously murdered. After making a promise to the man’s widow to bring the killer to justice, Shardlake further expands his investigation. What he uncovers is a terrifying conspiracy surrounding a Biblical prophecy with
ties to both the boy in Bedlam and King Henry’s latest romantic conquest—Catherine Parr.

In Revelation, Sansom’s mastery of character and atmosphere is on full display.

“Don’t expect to put the book down until you’ve seen it through to the apocalyptic finale.”—Observer

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 20, 2009
• ISBN: 9781440708664

C. J. Sansom

C. J. Sansom was educated at Birmingham University, where he took a BA and then a PhD in history. After working in a variety of jobs, he retrained as a solicitor and practised in Sussex, until becoming a full-time writer. Sansom is the bestselling author of the acclaimed Shardlake series, the Spanish Civil War thriller Winter in Madrid and the number one bestseller Dominion. in 2023, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh. He lives in Sussex.

Reviews for Revelation

[baswood · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the fourth book in the Mathew Shardlake Mysteries and the one that I enjoyed the least. First of all the positives: the depiction of mid sixteenth century London during the reign of Henry VIII is colourful and exciting, the dirt, the grime, the stench are ever present as Sansom concentrates more on the poorer quarters of London than on the Palaces of the courtiers. He also captures the feeling of a city struggling with religious persecution, where speaking out of turn can lead to serious trouble and where a hardening of views on both sides of the catholic/protestant divide lead to confrontation. Sansom imagines vividly the sanctuary around the dilapidated Westminster cathedral and Bedlam the first of the hospitals for the mentally ill. His characters both historical and imaginary are well drawn, but in this story they have too much of a modern feel to them, especially the character of Mathew Shardlake and his friend Dr Guy Malton. Shardlake’s detective work and Dr Maltons clinical practices seem to me to be quite a few steps ahead of the period in which the story is based. However this did not spoil the story for me, but the plotting and storytelling did.Shardlake and friends find themselves on the trail of a serial killer; a serial killer who is driven by a fanatical reading of the bible, which drives him to kill in ever more inventive ways to carry out his mission, which is to bring about the apocalypse. Shardlake works out that there are severn murders that will be committed in accordance with a section from the Book of Revelations; it is a race to stop the killer before he can complete the murders each one seemingly more gruesome than the last……………………….. stop me if you have heard this one before. It is a plot that Dan Brown might have written, in fact it is so bad, perhaps he did write it. Sansom is adept at shoehorning his stories to fit with the historical facts and he does this here, but in my view he should not have bothered. A disappointing three stars.

[everfresh1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Shardlake is still going strong and this fourth installment reversed the tide of diminishing returns and once again provides for very entertaining and very educating read. Once again, a great depiction of atmosphere of that time (year 1543, Henry VIII between his fifth and sixth wives).

[eleanor_eader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In this fourth book, Matthew Shardlake has been living a quiet but satisfying life, away from high politics and the dangers with which his previous investigations have been dogged; this ends on the night he finds a good friend and fellow lawyer with his throat cut, his body left on display in the Inns fountain. Almost immediately, the case presents political entanglements, yet Shardlake vows to catch the killer for the widow of his old friend, for whom our gruff yet kind protagonist has buried feelings. But he and his fellow investigators (among them Barak and Guy), will face a new kind of wickedness, one they have few resources in place to deal with. A serial killer is targeting victims for perverted religious reasons in a time where any aberration of the mind is surrounded by superstition, and in a city roiling with religious resentments and extremes.I think this is my favourite of the Matthew Shardlake series so far, in virtually every area of writing; Sansom’s characterisation, never weak, has really coalesced into a tight group of recurring faces with plenty of well-drawn first time appearances; none as vivid as first-person narrator Shardlake, whose evolution has been absolutely water-tight and believable. He is as enjoyable a sleuth as I’ve read, and set solidly in place by well-researched background that is finely detailed, amped with atmosphere, and merged seamlessly with the fictional plot.

[helenliz_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

 This mystery has some of the most inventive murders I've read - which is a sort of compliment really - honest. Set when Henry VIII is looking to make Catherine Parr his 6th wife, it tells of a country where religious turmoil has cause the country to fragment - there are all manner of religious flavours, some are flavour of the month, others are being suppressed and all this at the whim of the King. The barrister here, Matthew Shardlake, is one of those who has lost faith, but is still an eager minded lawyer. he is drawn into the affair when his friend is murdered & left to be found in the fountain in the Inns of court. The affair is hushed up by the coroner, but Shardlake soon finds that this is on orders from above - and is then involved in the intrigue of court and discovering who the deranged killer is. The murders follow a sequence from the book of Revelation (hence the title) and, as I said, are most inventive. It's rather convoluted, but it is more an intellectual exercise than a gory one.
Shardlake is an interesting character, taking cases that merit attention, not just those that pay well. He also seems to gather waifs and strays to himself, but takes care of those he allows close. But this covers more ground than just the murders. There are intertwined stories concerning madness, religious persecution and the treatment of the poor post the dissolution of the religious houses who used to provide this safety net. The information about Bedlam and the availability of legal counsel to the poor is very interesting, as is the emergence of a more modern view of medicine, as represented in the book. It feels like a very distant past, but it is brought to life quite vividly here.

It's a good enough book, and there are others in the series that would be worth a look if I came across them.

[aine.fin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Always a treat to read another Shardlake mystery! When Matthew's friend is murdered by a serial killer, he gets drawn into a dangerous hunt for the mysterious religious fanatic.

[john257hopper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great whodunnit - I had my suspicions as to who might be the killer, but I was wrong (and quite glad to be so). I'm not convinced that the background to the killings is realistic or that such a horrific series of murders could really be kept secret. But this is richly textured as ever and full of colour and life, even minor incidental characters are described in a way that makes you believe they really could have lived and are not just paper creations. The book gives a real feel for the politico-religious atmosphere of late Henrician England and you feel like you know the place and the people as well as your own. I hope there are more in this series.

[pixelette · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book didn't really live up to my expectations. As soon as I realised that it was another Revelation-inspired killing spree mystery (à la The Name of the Rose), I hoped that it would take some really dramatic twists and turns to keep the story exciting. I felt that it was pretty slow going, though, until very late in the book. I really though Adam Kite's character would turn out to be significant, or that the mystery would be a little more complicated. It wasn't a drag, but I was — based on the reviews and blurb — expecting a lot more.

[infjsarah · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have enjoyed the Shardlake series so far and this was no exception. And I did not spot the guilty party.

[glorybe1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have all the Shardlake books to date, and this is by far the best! I loved it! Its takes place in London in Henry Tudors' time, and is about the race to find a "serial killer" as we would call them today. Good upright people are being killed off in absolutely dreadful, mind-boggling ways!! A religious fanatic is following the book of revelation, killing people to bring about the end of the world! Great stuff, very well written. Had me guessing right to the end. A fabulous read.

[dianaleez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Matthew Shardlake, C.J. Sansom's clever protagonist, faces off against a serial killer in 1543 London, in his newest adventure, 'Revelation.' Sansom's Shardlake series, known for its historical accuracy and interesting characters, is carefully plotted and entertaining. Shardlake, the hunchback lawyer, is involved with the embattled Protestant faction he much mistrusts in the pursuit of a serial killer who is knocking off victims in a gruesome manner prescribed by the Biblical book of Revelations. The characters from the earlier books are all present - Jack Barak and his wife Tamasin, Guy the former monk Moorish physician - but they are far more than stock figures - their lives are complicated, and they develop and change with each book. Jack and Tamasin are having problems in their marriage, and Guy has taken in an apparently likeable apprentice whom Matthew distrusts. Matthew himself is thinking of the possibility of love and marriage. Sixteenth century London comes alive under Sansom's pen, and Matthew remains one of fiction's more compelling, unique, and sympathetic heroes. On a personal level, I found the serial killings to be gruesome enough to make me uncomfortable and I found myself skipping over some passages. I deducted one star for this, although it probably won't bother most readers. For readers who haven't read any of the series, think about starting at the beginning. It's a great series. The characters develop and their relationships change. It's 'Dissolution,' 'Dark Fire,' 'Sovereign,' and 'Revelation.'

[bhowell_35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Revelation is a remarkable historical mystery taking place in Tudor England. The novels of C. J. Sansom are not just adventure stories that happen to take place in the 16th century. Sansom's character, lawyer Mathew Shardlake, is deeply involved in the sinister politics and religious strife of the later reign of Henry VIII. Shardlake lives and works in London with a private practice but is employed from time to time by the great men of the day. In Sansom's earlier novels Shardlake carried out various commissions for Thomas Cromwell and in this book, his investigation of a series of gruesome murders brings him into conrtact with Archbishop Cranmer and Catherine Parr. Cranmer was, of course, the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury.I particularly enjoyed the portrait of Cranmer and this prompted me to dig out a book that I bought a couple of years ago in a used book store in London. I am reading it now. It is called "My Lord of Canterbury, A Novel About Cranmer " by Godfrey Turton, published in 1967 by W. H. Allen. It is quite wonderful and I will review it when I am finished. Revelation is a great thriller but it is quite gruesome and if you are sensitive to that you might want to read an earlier novel by Sansom to get a comfort level with the setting and the brilliant Matthew Shardlake. I highly recommend the novels of C. J. Sansom.

[bookmarque · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another satisfying Shardlake mystery. I’m spacing these out and reading them slowly so that I’ve always got one to look forward to. So many historical mystery writers have problems balancing the history and the mystery. Not so Mr. Sansom. He gets it right. I’m alternately fascinated by the culture of Tudor England and the clues to the puzzle. Matthew Shardlake is a highly interesting lead character; sympathetic, but not a wimp, decisive, but not reckless and smart, but not preternaturally so. He’s just a guy doing the best he can. Yes, he’s a straight-shooter, but he has dark thoughts just like anyone.In this outing we get a lot of Guy and Barak and Matthew’s relationship with each of them. Both are under strain, but for different reasons. It’s harrowing to read because they are so important to Matthew and his success, as well as his well-being. Another social aspect is brought into this one in the form of Dorothy; his good friend’s widow and old flame. I had hopes for Matthew with her. It’s strange to feel so much empathy with a character, but I do for Shardlake and wanted him to find romance. Alas, it was not to be in this novel and looks unlikely for the future. Bachelor he will remain. And Barak who is no longer one seems to long for that old life. Marriage isn’t what he expected it to be, especially after their first child is stillborn. Matthew does his best to help them through it, but they cannot talk to each other. Seems nothing does change under the sun.The mystery itself is good, but I found the idea of a serial killer in this type of novel a bit questionable. It injects too much of now into the past for me. Sure, there were those types of killers back then I suppose, but somehow it seems out of place. Especially with Guy’s analysis to help push the investigation along scientific lines rather than demon possession which is pretty much the accepted reason why anyone does anything weird in 1543. I rather liked the political aspects of the murders in the past and sort of missed them in this book. Yes, Cranmer and the assistant coroner put him in a rather precarious position and he had to watch his step, but it was not in the same league as the Cromwell business. I wish that Sansom had focused on Guy’s problem as a secondary storyline instead of the one we had. After a while the deal with Adam and the Bedlam hospital just got repetitive and I wanted that to be over. I knew there was something screwy with Guy’s assistant after a while and really hoped there would be more repercussion for the jerk than there was. Possibly he’ll be a future enemy we’ll see crawl out from under a rock. Like Bealknap. The thing that exasperates me the most about the Shardlake series is the religious climate of the times. Accurately portrayed or not it makes me shriek with outrage and roll my eyes at the stupidity. I really, really wish mankind could evolve away from this make-believe. It’s so destructive; corroding reason and destroying sanity. Everyone in Shardlake’s world is subject to religious foolishness in a really negative way; so far I haven’t read about one person it helped or even affected neutrally. The killer in the book is only one example of the extreme nature of religious zealots and is unfortunately realistic enough.

[cbl_tn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When lawyer Matthew Shardlake discovers the murdered body of a dear friend, his determination to find his friend's killer and see justice done brings him once again into the political arena he has tried hard to avoid. Soon more murders are discovered, and it seems that the killer is motivated by religion. The religious and political climate is already tense. The reformers have fallen out of the king's favor and the traditionalists have once again gained in favor. The investigation into the murders will require discretion, diplomacy, and good luck to satisfy one faction without arousing the wrath of the opposing faction.Religion is often a polarizing topic, but C.J. Sansom handles it in an unoffensive manner. It's not uncommon for religious adherents to be categorized as either “right” or “wrong”, “good” or “bad”. While it's clear to the reader which views Shardlake approves of and which he disapproves of, he doesn't condemn those with opposing views just because they hold those views. Nor does he approve of people whose opinion he agrees with just because they share the same view. He recognizes that there are sincere, humble people, as well as zealots or calculating opportunists, on all sides.Matthew Shardlake is an unconventional yet appealing hero. He's professional, a loyal friend, and a gentleman. Sansom's Matthew Shardlake books are among the best historical mysteries available. He brings Tudor London to life. The series is best read in order since each book introduces at least one continuing character and since later books refer to events in earlier books.

[rkstafford_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fourth in the Shardlake series, set in 1543, as Henry is pursuing Catherine Parr. Shardlake pursues a serial killer who takes his inspiration from the Book of Revelations.

[barlow304 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The 4th in this series featuring the hunchback Tudor lawyer Matthew Shardlake, who is once again dragged into matters of state when a madman hopes to trigger the Apocalypse through a series of murders. Exciting historical mystery with intriguing, but flawed characters.

[northern_light-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the fourth Shardlake book and the best so far. It follows him as he works to solve the murder of his friend ina rather gruesome manner and finds himself involved in the political life of the King and the church again. He is also working with his doctor friend to keep a young man in Bedlam who refuses to stop praying.

This book really keeps you hooked from begining to end and the disturbing ending.

[shanaqui_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Revelation is an excellent addition to the series, with an involving mystery that is -- once again, despite Shardlake's distaste for it -- linked to the politics of the day. Of course it begins to seem a little bit ridiculous that such a man could be involved with so many rich and powerful men (and women) of his time, but if you've read this far, it's obvious that it can only escalate.I found Guy's subplot to be quite touching, and well-handled. That of Barak and Tamasin, too. I can only hope that the fifth book will end with more hope of a happy, content life for these characters that I've come to care about. I do wish that we wouldn't have the tantalising hints of a relationship for Matthew and then the constant withdrawal, before even the next book. It means that you can never trust good things to happen for Matthew.I'm still looking forward to Heartstone, but I don't think I'll be too sad to reach the last book, either. Too many of these kinds of plots would feel ridiculous (like the Famous Five always getting into the middle of a mystery).

[fidchivers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Fourth in the Matthew Shardlake series (Dissolution, followed by Dark Fire and Sovereign)following the amatuer sluething and reluctant politicking of the hunchback lawyer, Matthew Shardlake in the time of Henry VIII. In this book Shardlake is drawn into the world of medieval mental illness through a case he has taken on, and also through the murder of his friend, which puts him on the track of a serial killer. (Or is it someone with a political/religious agenda? part of the mystery.) He is again drawn into the world of court politics, a world he finds both uncomfortable and dangerous. Added to all this is the backdrop of King Henry's changing religious attitudes, and the effect this has on life and government in London. The action and suspense build as more murders are uncovered and the killer. . . well, it is a mystery. I enjoyed the first few in this series, but will say this is the strongest so far, and the characterizations of the major players are more deeply explored. But they should probably be read in order, so start with "Dissolution" rather than this one, and work your way through.

[pgchuis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Tudor-period serial killer story. This was excellent, with a compelling plot and good character development.

[ahs7wolfy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the 4th book in the ongoing series featuring Matthew Shardlake, a hunchbacked lawyer, during the reign of Henry VIII. Upon the brutal murder of a friend, Shardlake vows to the widow that he will ensure the killer is caught. When the coroner's inquest does not seem to want an investigation his quest for justice leads him once again into the murky world of politics. He finds himself at the beck and call of Archbishop Cranmer as it seems his friend was not the first victim and it may impact the King's next matrimonial adventure. Shardlake is also settling into his new role at the Court of Requests and has been handed the case of Adam Kite, a boy who had been put in Bedlam, a mental institution, without a trial. Shardlake enlists the help of his old friend Guy Malton to assist with the boy's care.This is another excellent instalment of the historical mystery series which provides great insight into the period. There are obvious embellishments and liberties taken with some elements of the story but the author does acknowledge these at the conclusion of the book. The characters continue to grow and the regulars all feature to varying degrees as the tale progresses. It's not just the mystery which holds the attention here but the history of the time is vividly invoked. Religious strife and persecutions abound and the air of distrust this pervades is quite apparent. This series is showing no signs of deteriorating and I'm looking forward to the 5th book which is already sat on my tbr shelves.

[beth1980 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great book in the Shardlake series! Although I preferred the previous offering - Sovereign, it was still a good read, I love the characters and Sansom really makes Henry VIII's England come alive.

[olivermagnus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The year is 1543 and the hunchbacked lawyer and amateur detective, Matthew Shardlake, has sworn not to involve himself in any more affairs of state. But his quiet working life is shattered when his old friend Roger Elliard is found with his throat cut in Lincoln's Inn fountain. When the king's coroner seems to be covering up the murder, Shardlake finds himself trying to find the killer and to master his own affection for the widow.

What Shardlake begins to uncover is more horrifying than anything he and his young assistant Jack Barak have ever experienced. There have been multiple killings in previous books, but this is the first time Shardlake has found himself on the trail of a serial killer, one who treats killing as an art form and takes as much pleasure in teasing his pursuers as in the murders themselves. Shardlake shows his own brand of moral courage, facing down insults about his hunched back as well as physical danger.

Sansom has done extensive historical research and leads the reader through 16th-century London as if he lived there himself. Revelation takes a little time to get its main plot moving but it is very skilfully structured and once the killer's intentions become clear, don't expect to put the book down until you've seen it through to the finale.

[powertriangle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Readers across America are discovering C. J. Sansom's marvelous Shardlake novels. Now, with the brilliant fourth installment in the series, Revelation is poised to bring his highly praised historical thrillers to an even wider audience. In 1543, while Tudor England is abuzz with King Henry VIII's wooing of Lady Catherine Parr, Matthew Shardlake is working to defend a teenage boy, a religious fanatic being held in the infamous Bedlam hospital for the insane. Then, when an old friend is murdered, Shardlake's search for the killer leads him back not only to Bedlam but also to Catherine Parr-and the dark prophecies of the Book of Revelation.

[jmoncton_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is an amazing series that combines historic fiction with a good mystery. Set in Tudor England, lawyer Matthew Shardlake is on the hunt to find a killer whose crimes follow the predictions in the Bible's Book of Revelation. As with other books in this series, I feel like I learn something new about that era. This time we are exposed to the religious furor and the intense conflict between the people who want to go back to a more fundamentalist worship and the supporters of King Henry VIII's more lax form of religion. My favorite of the series so far.

[ariadnearanea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Historical fiction is my guilty pleasure - this one does not disappoint.

[ilurvebooks_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book as much as the previous ones nearly cried when I finished this book as its the last one written to date on the Shardlake series.

[eadieb-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First of all, I would like to say that this is a wonderful series and the more you read, the more you want more! They take place during the Tudor era. This plot revolved around a serial killer who kills according to the prophecies in Revelations from the Bible. Sansom is an excellent writer and his books are all serious page-turners. His research gives the books great historical detail. The characters come to life and are very believable. You do need to start with book one, Dissolution, and read these books in order. I would highly recommend them to those who like historical mysteries that are well-written.

[fglass_5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The fourth and final book in the C. J. Sansom's Tudor mystery series. Good tempo throughout ( I mean throughout the whole series.)

[mamzel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Matthew Shardlake, a hunchbacked, brilliant lawyer in 1543 London, encounters a truly evil nemesis who is bringing to life seven scenes from Revelation. Each new murder is even more shocking and horrific than the last. Shardlake is immediately drawn into the hunt for the killer when he finds his friend brutally murdered in a frozen fountain. At the same time he is assigned a young man who is convinced that he has sinned against God and must constantly pray to be forgiven, to the detriment of any other normal functions like eating. His family puts him into the Bedlam, the only mental facility of the era, to protect him from being accused of heresy.Sansom has a fabulous talent at drawing the reader into these stories and immersing them into 16th century life in good ole London. Shardlake is not the happiest of people - he suffers from his misshapen back, he is a lonely bachelor, and he helps the poorest and most abject of the city, but he is fiercely loyal to his friends and is a truly noble man.This is a great series for readers who enjoy murder mysteries as well as historical fiction.

[Raelynne Mathews · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Although there are some parts that I think could be written better, I love the Matthew Shardlake Series. I could picture the settings in my head and the story fit well from book to book. I love reading about historical crimes. I wish this series would become a TV show, it would be amazing to see it come to life.