Dissolution

Great mediaeval murder mystery set during the reformation

The hints, the protagonist's thoughts and doubts about his own beliefs and the way you feel the reform environment. Can't wait to read the following...

A good word of historical fiction, a bit slow at times but overall I enjoyed it. It did take me quite a long time to read thought.

Decent!

Monastery mysteries never fail to bring back memories of The Name of the Rose. This was shorter but satisfyingly puzzling, and a bit of a thriller, closing with an ending that leaves me reeling and thoughtful. The historical backdrop is vividly alive with architectural detail, lively conversations and sights and smells. Shardlake is an intriguing narrator: he's clever, burdened by his disability (which is well-written about; it never becomes an overbearing focal point of the plot but the emotions that come with it, mostly tortured and bitter, drives a continued interest in his thoughts), and very humanly flawed in ways that the reader can sympathise with, without becoming overly frustrated whenever he stalls. What he balks at and resists (violence, gore, putrid smells) are very relatable. He may be frequently emcumbered by his burdens both physical and emotional, but the result is acceptance, affection, and an effort at patience as the eager reader waits for him to undo the knot of murder with persistent hands.

My Mum has been a massive fan of CJ Sansom for a while now, but this was my first foray into medieval murder mystery. Admittedly, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I don't normally read historic fiction, although Pillars of the Earth is one of my favourite books. However, I do absolutely love murder mysteries, so it should go well. Luckily, it did! I generally like the character of Matthew Shardlake, although he's a very negative person, this isn't always against him and quite appropriate for the time considering his condition. What I love most about Dissolution is the fact that it's set in the medieval era. You don't get bogged down in forensics or modern technology. It really is an old (very old) fashioned murder mystery. All the characters are interesting and you can't help but emotionally involved in their lives and the story, getting a history lesson along the way.

Monastery mysteries never fail to bring back memories of The Name of the Rose. This was shorter but satisfyingly puzzling, and a bit of a thriller, closing with an ending that leaves me reeling and thoughtful. The historical backdrop is vividly alive with architectural detail, lively conversations and sights and smells. Shardlake is an intriguing narrator: he's clever, burdened by his disability (which is well-written about; it never becomes an overbearing focal point of the plot but the emotions that come with it, mostly tortured and bitter, drives a continued interest in his thoughts), and very humanly flawed in ways that the reader can sympathise with, without becoming overly frustrated whenever he stalls. What he balks at and resists (violence, gore, putrid smells) are very relatable. He may be frequently emcumbered by his burdens both physical and emotional, but the result is acceptance, affection, and an effort at patience as the eager reader waits for him to undo the knot of murder with persistent hands.

Slow, but good. 🖤

I didn't know much about this book other than seeing it recommended in a YouTube video, but it was a pretty enjoyable read - definitely one of the more satisfying mysteries I've picked up so far this year. A mysterious murder occurs in a monastery in England during the 16th century, at the point in history when Jane Seymour has just died and Henry VIII is dissolving monasteries and consolidating their assets. Lawyer Matthew Shardlake is sent by Thomas Cromwell to investigate, and what he finds only leads him to more questions as bodies continue to pile up. What made this book stand out for me is that it's not just a well-written murder mystery full of intricate details and complex characters. It's also a thoughtful snapshot of how monastic life was changing during a tumultuous period of history in England. When we learn about historical events, it's so often from the perspective of those in power. This book provides beautifully imaginative context for how regular people in the midst of these changes experienced them, how it impacted the way they thought about and practiced their faith, and how they grappled with adjusting to a new way of life.