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Shardlake: The Complete BBC Radio Collection
- Six BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisations
- Narrated by: full cast, Jason Watkins, Justin Salinger, Bryan Dick, Mark Bonnar, Robert Glenister, Sam Dale, Sean Baker, Emily Wachter, Jessica Hardwick
- Series: A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery, Book 1-6, Dramatized Adaptation
- Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins
- Radio/TV Programme
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
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Summary
The complete collected dramatisations of C. J. Sansom's historical mystery series.
Set during the reign of Henry VIII, these six stunning dramas follow the adventures of hunchbacked lawyer-detective Matthew Shardlake as he navigates the dangerous world of Tudor England, solving crimes and seeking out murderers.
Dissolution - Winter, 1537. When a king's commissioner is brutally murdered at Scarnsea monastery, Thomas Cromwell sends Shardlake to investigate. Can he catch the killer before he strikes again?
Dark Fire - Summer, 1540, and Shardlake is embroiled in two urgent cases: tracking down a batch of Greek Fire, an ancient weapon of mass destruction, and defending an orphan girl accused of murder. Accompanied by Cromwell's man, Barak, he must race against time to save Elizabeth's life - and Cromwell's skin.
Sovereign - Autumn, 1541. As the king embarks on a Royal Progress to York, Shardlake and Barak arrive in the city on a secret mission for Archbishop Cranmer. But soon they are caught up in a murder investigation - and a daring plot to bring down the royal family....
Revelation - Spring, 1543. With London rocked by religious turmoil, Shardlake must complete two vital assignments: help a teenage boy imprisoned in Bedlam for his heretical ravings, and prevent a serial killer from completing his unholy mission.
Heartstone - Summer, 1545, and Shardlake and Barak are drawn into two murky mysteries: one involving 'monstrous wrongs' committed against a ward of the court, the other involving the troubled past of Bedlam inmate Ellen Fettiplace. Meanwhile, across the Channel, the French fleet is preparing to attack....
Lamentation - 1546. Henry VIII lies dying, and his Protestant and Catholic factions are vying for power. As heretics are burned at the stake, the Queen rashly decides to write a compromising confessional book - and when it is stolen, she turns to Shardlake. His investigations lead him from London's backstreet print shops to the heart of the royal court....
Jason Watkins and Justin Salinger star as Shardlake, with Bryan Dick as Barak, Mark Bonnar and Robert Glenister as Cromwell, Sam Dale and Sean Baker as Cranmer and Emily Wachter and Jessica Hardwick as Queen Catherine Parr.
Written by C. J. Sansom.
Dramatised by Colin MacDonald.
Produced and directed by Kirsteen Cameron, David Jackson Young and Bruce Young.
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What listeners say about Shardlake: The Complete BBC Radio Collection
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Lee
- 20-03-22
Shardlake
I love the books and i had this on order as soon as I knew it was being released. Its brilliant simply brilliant. The atmosphere within these dramas took me back to Tudor times, Shardlake sounded exactly how I thought he would and each drama is very true to the book.
This is one of my best listens so far of 2022 and I will certainly revisit it.
9 people found this helpful
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- Mair
- 27-03-22
Great fun
History, crimes, great characters, and a wonderful cast. What’s not to love? A great romp.
6 people found this helpful
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- colleen maria peverell
- 07-04-22
Was glued to my phone. So much factual history
I was captured from the beginning. Story unfolds so well, Shardlake is a well balanced character
And I could , at times , smell the places and the descriptions were very graphic
I hope there are more tales in this series of books
Great acting great story lines and each character came to life in the story
5 people found this helpful
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- Garrett K9
- 06-04-22
Excellent adaptations
shorter than the books and omit some story elements, but all in all, very good.
5 people found this helpful
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- The Coordinator
- 03-04-22
Shardlake seies
Having read all of the Shardlake series previously, this was a welcome addition. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the stories.
5 people found this helpful
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- Demonica
- 29-03-22
Super!
Really enjoyable. Well acted and a treat for anyone who studied the Tudors. Hope for more.
4 people found this helpful
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- John C. Coleman
- 25-03-22
Brilliant Productions
Superbly acted, Justin Salinger captures the complexity and sensitivity of Shardlake. Brian Dick is a superb, feisty, street smart Barak. Each drama captures well the period, the atmosphere and the tensions of the period. The dramas move at a very fast pace compared to the books- I only wished they had been given more time. Nonetheless, each one is a short masterpiece.
4 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 10-04-22
Absolutely brilliant
This was undoubtedly pure joy to listen to. Understated, subtle, perfection . I listened to and from my night shift at the hospital, and after a stressful busy night , always felt calm and rested. Listening to this was a wonderful treat, absolutely excellent.
3 people found this helpful
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- Sam
- 21-03-22
Disappointed
I have was so looking forward to the dramatisation of Christopher Sansom’s books, but oh dear I was so disappointed with the storylines, which are confused at times and with little depth. Thank goodness I read the books prior to listening to the performances. The stories were so condensed they are almost unrecognisable as coming from such amazing books. In some cases the character voices were so similar, it was easy to confused just who was speaking. Unfortunately, not worth the wait 😞
2 people found this helpful
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- alison reeves
- 26-04-22
Great listen
Justin Salinger voice is perfect for shardlake a brilliant performance , characters brought to life
1 person found this helpful
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- Julie L. Smith
- 05-05-22
Can’t wait for the last one!
I really enjoyed this BBC radio collection of the Shardlake series. CJ Sansom‘s Shardlake series of books is my absolute favorite and I was thrilled to see that the BBC had put them on the radio. All we need now is for the BBC to make it into a mini series and it will be complete! I was a little disappointed that only six of the books were covered. The last one he wrote, Tombland, was not included. Maybe it will be in the future?
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- Eli
- 26-04-22
Worth the Credit
Beautiful voice acting & sound engineering. Similar to The Name of the Rose. I hope they adapt the latest book