Dissolution by CJ Sansom

Rowan · Post by **Rowan** » Mon October 25th, 2010, 4:38 pm

I was given this book by my friend with whom I stayed while in England a few months ago and just now got around to reading it. It is an historical mystery so the focus is, of course, on the mystery with the backdrop of the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

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.

I enjoyed this story if for no other reason than it gave me deeper insight into an area of history I know little of, while also appealing to another favourite genre of mine: mystery. I know better than to take all of the historical information at face value, especially as this is simply a mystery set in an historical period, but it piqued my curiosity enough that I will actively seek out further reading regarding the dissolution.

Miss Moppet · Post by **Miss Moppet** » Mon October 25th, 2010, 7:06 pm

I've heard this recommended quite a few times and plan to order it from the library soon.

Leo62 · Post by **Leo62** » Mon October 25th, 2010, 9:42 pm

It's great. In fact, the whole series is fantastic. They just keep on getting better. His latest, Heartstone, has just come out and I'm gnashing my teeth waiting for my library copy.

annis · Post by **annis** » Mon October 25th, 2010, 10:57 pm

I can't recommend this series highly enough. Excellent characterisation and wonderfully atmospheric.

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Tue October 26th, 2010, 10:17 am

I've read the first two books and they're excellent.

Rowan · Post by **Rowan** » Tue October 26th, 2010, 11:00 am

Glad to see I'm in good company liking the first book. I've asked my friend to send me #2 if she doesn't want to keep it and I'm passing on #1 to another friend.