--- product_id: 23385137 title: "Lamentation" brand: "c. j. sansom" price: "AED 92" currency: AED in_stock: false reviews_count: 9 url: https://www.desertcart.ae/products/23385137-lamentation store_origin: AE region: United Arab Emirates --- # Lamentation **Brand:** c. j. sansom **Price:** AED 92 **Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Lamentation by c. j. sansom - **How much does it cost?** AED 92 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Currently out of stock - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ae](https://www.desertcart.ae/products/23385137-lamentation) ## Best For - c. j. sansom enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted c. j. sansom brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Full description not available ## Images ![Lamentation - Image 1](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5191d4l8oTL.jpg) ![Lamentation - Image 2](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31qy2bOVh0L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lamenting that I have finished such an absorbing and wonderful book. *by K***B on Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2014* The Matthew Shardlake series of novels, about a hunchback lawyer practicing in the time of Henry VIII, are simply wonderful and this, the sixth in the series, does not disappoint.After a horrible and explosive beginning, the story unfolds slowly but effortlessly, immersing the reader back in not only Henry VIII's final months, but also Shardlake's life and law practice.It's autumn 1546, and King Henry, obese and quite disabled, is nearing death. Aware of this, the mercurial king, who forced his country from Catholicism and the yoke of Rome to Protestantism, dissolving the monasteries, claiming their vast wealth and punishing those who refused to acknowledge his supremacy over the new church, is once again undergoing an existential crisis. Vacillating between Popery and Protestantism, a struggle based on religious principles begins and those behind the throne with the greatest to win or lose begin to make their move. Henry may be dying, but he is powerful and vindictive, sending friends and foe to the Tower with ease, for if there's one thing he can't abide it's those he perceives as disloyal, and keeping secrets is among the worst of sins.When Protestant Queen Katherine discovers a book she's written called Lamentation, and which describes her personal and Protestant religious beliefs, has been stolen, she is panic-stricken. Knowing her faith goes against that held by her husband and that there are those on his council plotting her downfall, the book could be the exact weapon they need. Keeping the book and its theft secret from the king, she summons Shardlake to her side and begs his help.Unable to resist his queen, Shardlake knows discovering who has stolen the book will not only be difficult, but very, very dangerous. When bodies start to pile up, his greatest fears are realised, only the terrible threat to him and those he loves is yet to materialise...This is a marvellous story that plunges you into late medieval London and doesn't let you go. Sansom takes his time with the story, allowing it to time to evolve, walking the reader through the familiar and pungent streets of Shardlake's neighbourhood and other parts of London, the cloisters of various palaces, or taking us on uncomfortable rides outside the city walls. We feel the hot breath of summer, the discomfort of the fabrics as they cling to sweaty limbs, the stink of the river, and the fear of darkness and those who lurk in the shadows, watching and waiting.Evoking this period and the terror, suspicion and religious persecution that accompanied it, as well as the fight for supremacy in the court and kingdom, Sansom has written a wonderful historical and crime novel that nonetheless still manages to capture not only the era, but Shardlake's personal life and his complex but kind and intelligent character. Other characters are also beautifully drawn and we empathise with their efforts and troubles as well as enjoy their triumphs. A wonderful secondary narrative about two squabbling and vile siblings is also very well executed.I was absorbed in this tale that on occasion made me gasp with horror and genuinely fear for characters. Without spoiling the story, the last pages of the novel were both an ending and beginning, but I sincerely hope we haven't seen the last of Shardlake yet. The author's notes at the end are also a marvellous read, revealing not only Sansom's level of research, but his dedication to and passion for crafting a compelling tale. ### ⭐⭐⭐ No pleasure in this read. *by P***N on Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2020* I have really liked the previous books, which I binged over a couple weeks, and have come to care about the main characters. Lamentations, however, was disappointing and upsetting. The complicated plot might have been OK, but the pacing dragged badly for most of the book. Many scenes and descriptions were excessively detailed and repetitive or extraneous. Please, please get thee a ruthless editor.And then, for no reason, Sansom throws us a terrible surprise. It does nothing to advance the plot or the story, and then it’s basically tossed aside. In another context it might have been a watershed moment and changed the series’ arc, but any of that power was hastily washed out in the wrap-up. It was gratuitous and it seems to me the only point was to shock the reader, perhaps to wake us up before the eventual denouement.Shardlake’s tale has become an ever more depressing, bleak and lonely trek, with no light, no pleasure, no hint of hope. I bought Tombland already, but I can’t bear to read it.I might get a T-shirt that says “Give Shardlake A Break!” ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The best of a memorable series *by K***N on Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2018* All the books in the Shardlake series were excellent, but this was definitely my favorite. So filled with intrigue and mystery from beginning to end, and really developed the Shardlake character. What was most compelling for me was the author's wonderfully nuanced characterization of King Henry VIII, who was a crafty and conniving rogue if there ever was one. What a contrast with Queen Catherine. The machinations of the Privy Council are reminiscent of political manipulations that go on in today's toxic environment, making this book highly relevant. Thankfully, people are no longer burned at the stake, but they're burned in effigy quite regularly. Lamentation is a page turning read that uses religion as a foil to expose the tendency of humans to find reasons to hate and destroy one another. Ironically, Henry--who is forever condemning those who default on the religion di jour by even a hair--is himself conflicted right up until the moment of his death. No one knows for sure what he believes, including probably Henry himself. Shardlake is pushed to the very limits in this book, having to make incredibly choices about loyalty and how much danger he wishes to expose himself to--or involve his dearest friends in. At times I found myself nearly as outraged as Tamasin by the incredible choices Shardlake repeatedly makes, considering what's at stake (no pun intended). But without this impulsiveness, there wouldn't be much of a plot. I continue to root for the downfall of the evil Richard Rich, but he's as slippery as Wiley Coyote. I hated coming to the end of this great series. So many historical novels are unsatisfying because you don't trust the research or the detail just isn't rich enough. This one is an exception. It's so good that by the end you might find yourself tempted to read it again just to recapture the historic flavor of it all. I am seriously hoping that Sansom will consider a new series set in the time of Elizabeth, who only makes a cameo appearance in this book but is highly memorable all the same. I can only imagine what Sansom could do with a series based on Elizabeth's reign. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.ae/products/23385137-lamentation](https://www.desertcart.ae/products/23385137-lamentation) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Arab Emirates* *Store origin: AE* *Last updated: 2026-05-06*