The Final Sacrament by James Forrester

Final Sacrament lived up to every possible expectation that the previous two books of the trilogy set the reader up for, Sacred Treason and The Roots of Betrayal. Although not everything the reader hopes for may happen the story brings closure and vindication for the hero, Clarenceux. Mr. Forrester, or Ian Mortimer, breathes such wonderful life in telling the story set in 16th century England that you nearly feel there. His descriptions of people, architecture, the weather, and common life give the reader a sense of living the story. While the tale revolves around Lady Percy's schemes to extract revenge on William Harley, or Clarenceux, the plot involves several characters that add depth and deliver small side stories bringing color and texture to what could have been a very one dimensional story. Providing real human emotions, reasons, and interactions that drive people to commit murder or worse provide deep and gray characters. No single person is the "bad guy" and no single person is the "good guy," yet every character's shade of gray does stray close to one end or the other at times. James Forrester delivers in another incredible story that is worth every minute.

Sacred Treason by James Forrester

I just finished the first of a series of books that occur in 16th century England featuring Mr. William Harley, a Herald holding the title of Clarenceaux King of Arms. I found the historical detail and language compelling, at times researching heraldic titles simply to increase my understanding of the history I was reading. Mr Claranceaux, as our hero Mr. Harley is called throughout the book, finds himself entangled in a perceived plot to overthrow the Queen of England, Elizabeth I when presented with a chronicle written by an old friend, Henry Machyn. At the time England was still struggling with a national conversion to Protestantism, thus the religion of the sitting monarch has bearing on the plot. Mr Claranceaux, being of the old religion, or Catholic, was identified by the villain to be the mastermind behind the plot as the Queen was Protestant and many sought to return England to Catholicism. The story takes a much deeper turn rooting itself in the story of Anne Boleyn and the potential illegitimacy of Elizabeth's reign alongside deep rooted spite for past personal transgressions. Despite the religious overtones I found the book wonderfully written, characters realistic, and the ending perfect in that it was not a perfectly happy ending but more true to imperfect human resolutions.