Such twisted history, secrets, lies and wrongful accusations leading to hangings and beheadings in this era make for riveting plot and complex characters. Shardlake gets himself tangled in another political mess, and out of favour with those in power, and it’s Jack to the rescue —even amid his own little distraction in the vibrant Tamsin.

Matthew Shardlake is one of the most honest and reliable narrators I’ve read—and it’s a supremely interesting change from the norm these days. He is faulty and a little naive, which endears him to us, and best of all he’s willing to change his mind about things if the argument suffices—despite a bit of initial stubborn kicking against the goads at new ideas and beliefs and evidence.

In this one we get more of the personal life of Jack Barak and his new love-commitment. And it’s a bit awkward and tenderly humorous and after all, heartwarming. Of course, Shardlake has a fatherly fondness for Jack now, and his faithfulness is unwavering even when disagreements arise. He always strives for the truth and reconciliation, and subsequently, we want the best for Jack, too.

The setting is middle-ages England with the degenerate King Henry VIII on the throne going through women like options at a 20th Century American buffet and twisting the naked faith of the little people into religio-political chess pieces, behaving quite like a spoiled child who throws a fit if he loses. He’s well-characterised here, even if he only makes a cameo appearance on occasion. The more interesting accidental royals are Jane Seymour (already deceased) and Catherine Howard (on her way to early death) and their involvement at the fringes of the unfolding of this plot.

The question it all raises at the end keeps you thinking on into the night… who’s really royalty? and who’s not? and does it even matter? And why does it matter…? And we in the 21st century (UK and commonwealth nations) sigh a relief at having such a stalwart, dedicated and honest Queen on the throne. Regardless of what one thinks of the monarchy, or our assessment of the history of monarchs we’ve suffered, Queen Elizabeth II garners a great respect considering the ancestry of that seat… but I can certainly see how the nation throughout history might have wanted to do away with the institution.

Rich in history and setting, this series continues to deliver hours of intelligible entertainment.