C. J. Sansom

Having worked to establish laws that protect the interests of the crown in 1537, Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's feared vicar-general, enlists fellow reformer and lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his young protégé to investigate a commissioner's murder, which may be tied to an impending rebellion. Reprint.

Dissolution

In an age of treachery and turmoil, brutal murder brings the ultimate test of faith ..."A first-rate murder mystery" Independent on Sunday"Shardlake is a character to treasure" James Naughtie, Sunday Times"Terrific. Historical fiction at its finest" Peter RobinsonHenry VIII has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church and the country is waking up to savage new laws, rigged trials and the greatest network of informers ever seen. Under the order of Thomas Cromwell, a team of commissioners is sent through the country to investigate the monasteries. There can only be one outcome: the monasteries are to be dissolved. But on the Sussex coast, at the monastery of Scarnsea, events have spiralled out of control. Cromwell's Commissioner Robin Singleton, has been found dead, his head severed from his body. His horrific murder is accompanied by equally sinister acts of sacrilege - a black cockerel sacrificed on the alter, and the disappearance of Scarnsea's Great Relic. Dr Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and long-time supporter of Reform, has been sent by Cromwell into this atmosphere of treachery and death. But Shardlake's investigation soon forces him to question everything he hears, and everything that he intrinsically believes ...Dissolution is the first in the phenomenal Shardlake series by bestselling author, C. J. Sansom, followed by Dark Fire, Sovereign, Revelation, Heartstone and Lamentation.

Jemima Scott

“In worshipping their nationhood men worship themselves and scorn others, and that is no healthy thing.”

Great mediaeval murder mystery set during the reformation 

Jaclyn Rye

Lugo

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. 

Lucy Mills-Taylor

Sarah Christine Gill

Emmett

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.

Sian Wadey

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.

From the bestselling author of Winter in Madrid and Dominion comes the exciting and elegantly written first novel in the Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery series Dissolution is an utterly riveting portrayal of Tudor England. The year is 1537, and the country is divided between those faithful to the Catholic Church and those loyal to the king and the newly established Church of England. When a royal commissioner is brutally murdered in a monastery on the south coast of England, Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s feared vicar general, summons fellow reformer Matthew Shardlake to lead the inquiry. Shardlake and his young protégé uncover evidence of sexual misconduct, embezzlement, and treason, and when two other murders are revealed, they must move quickly to prevent the killer from striking again. A "remarkable debut" (P. D. James), Dissolution introduces a thrilling historical series that is not to be missed by fans of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies.

A Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mystery

Sara 

Christine Liu

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.

Wonko the Sane

Daniel Feldt

Alan

Barbara

The 1st instalment in the wildly popular Matthew Shardlake mystery series, now available from Vintage Canada. It is 1537, a time of revolution that sees the greatest changes in England since 1066. Henry VIII has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church. The country is waking up to savage new laws, rigged trials and the greatest network of informers it has ever seen. And under the orders of Thomas Cromwell, a team of commissioners is sent throughout the country to investigate the monasteries. There can only be one outcome: dissolution. But on the Sussex coast, at the monastery of Scarnsea, events have spiralled out of control. Cromwell's commissioner, Robin Singleton, has been found dead, his head severed from his body. His horrific murder is accompanied by equally sinister acts of sacrilege. Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and long-time supporter of Reform, has been sent by Cromwell to uncover the truth behind the dark happenings at Scarnsea. But investigation soon forces Shardlake to question everything that he hears, and everything that he intrinsically believes...

Dissolution

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