This book was a long time in coming. The first installment, Wolf Hall came out in 2009 and Bringing up the Bodies was published in 2012. Possibly the reason for the delay is the length of this final installment. It brings the total pages of the trilogy to over 1700 pages. This part of the fictionalized life of Thomas Cromwell begins with the beheading of King Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn and Henry's immediate marriage to Jane Seymour. Cromwell, the king's most trusted adviser quickly rose in rank in Henry's Cabinet, eventually rising to the office of Lord Privy Seal, given membership in the Order of the Garter, and named the first Earl of Essex. However, Cromwell had many enemies in the king's court with many resenting Cromwell's common background. They ultimately led to his downfall and execution with Henry blaming Cromwell for his unfortunate marriage to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Of the three books I liked this one the best. It goes into much more detail of Cromwell's personal life and beliefs. While it is helpful to read the first two, this volume could be read as a stand alone since there are flashbacks to events earlier in Cromwell's life. I listened to the audiobook which is very well performed by Ben Miles and clocks in at a hefty 38+ hours.
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