I don't like hardback books...which says a lot for Heartstone, the latest in the Shardlake series of books by C.J. Sansom, which I went out to buy as soon as it was released, hardback or not. If you are new to the Shardlake series, here is a brief summary;

Matthew Shardlake is a hunchbacked lawyer, working his way through the ranks of the bar. He begins working for Thomas Cromwell before his demise. After having worked through several cases which would almost always become more complicated with murders and such, Shardlake is entrusted with a case by Queen Catherine Parr herself in Heartstone. He has had to overcome adversity, even a grilling from Henry VIII in York, and competition from other lawyers like Richard Rich.

Heartstone follows on from the fourth in the series, Revelation, and sees him not only working the case for the Queen but following a personal one too, to find out more about Bedlam inmate Ellen Fettiplace who he believes may have been wronged and may not even be 'mad'.

There are not many books which have captivated me as much as Heartstone. Sansom has a way with words. He will encapsulate you. You will find yourself helplessly empathising with your protagonist. You will be left until the very end wondering who the wrongdoer is. Once you pick up Heartstone and become embroiled in the story, you will not want to put it down.

I am an avid history fan, especially of this particular part of history. The words are so vivid that you will almost feel as if you are stood in Chancery Lane with Shardlake. This is my favourite of the series so far, not to take anything away from the rest of it.

If you, like me, like historical fiction or a murder mystery novel, this book is definitely one for you.