Dissolution by C. J. Sansom
Penguin, 2003
Published in 2003, this is the first in Sansom's Matthew Shardlake mystery series, set in Tudor England during the Reformation period. The title refers to Henry VIII's dissolution of the Catholic nunneries and monasteries. It is Sansom's first published novel. It was nominated for two of the Crime Writers' Association Dagger awards in 2003.
Matthew Shardlake is a unique character, a hunchbacked lawyer in 16th c. England. He is also a religious reformer. It opens with Matthew being summoned by Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's vicar-general who is in charge of dissolving the Catholic monasteries to protect the new Church of England. One of Cromwell's commissioners, Robin Singleton, was murdered while trying to convince the abbot of Scarnsea Abbey to voluntarily surrender his house. Matthew is sent to investigate Singleton's murder, accompanied only by Mark Poer, the son of Matthew's father's steward. Mark is an intelligent but argumentative young man who at times proves more hindrance than help.
The situation at Scarnsea proves more complicated than Matthew anticipated, and before he can solve one murder, another has happened. That one leads to the revelation that a young servant girl had also been murdered several years eariler. There is no dearth of suspects among the monks. Is it stern Prior Mortimus, who runs the abbey with a firm, and at times, brutal hand? Or Abbot Fabian who has much to lose? Then there's Brother Edwig, the burser, who seems to be hiding something in the account books. And sensitive Brother Gabriel who fights his "unnatural" passions. Matthew finds assistance from the infirmarian, Brother Guy, a Spaniard of Moorish descent, and his assistant Alice, a beautiful young servant girl. But is it possible one of them is hiding a murderous heart?
I really enjoyed this book, as much for the religious aspects as the mystery, which kept me guessing. Matthew Shardlake is a great character: intelligent, thoughtful, compassionate yet eaten up by frustration and resentment because of his physical disability. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.
Author bio:
C. J. Sansom earned a Ph.D. in history and, before becoming a full-time writer, was a lawyer. Dissolution is his first novel. He lives in Sussex, England, where he is working on further Matthew Shardlake mysteries.
You can read an interview with him at the Penguin USA website.
Linda
Click icon for more
book review blogs
@Barrie Summy
Posts
11 comments:
My husband has been reading a bunch of Tudor histories, I wonder if he might like this series. Thanks for the recommendation.
Good work. This sounds like another to put on my list...
Creepy cover, isn't it?!
Cheers from S.E. Ontario Cottage Country!
Great review, Linda. It sounds like a fun book. I have read some of the Matthew Shardlake books, but I think that I missed this one.
That sounds amazing!
Oh, this sounds like it's right up my alley. A little like The Name of the Rose, perhaps. Thank you so much for the discovery!
What a fascinating period in history. I'm not a regular reader of historical fiction but I love novels written by historians because I feel like I'm learning something useful while I'm enjoying a good story.
This is a period in history I really like! Thanks for reviewing, Linda!
This sounds very interesting. I read (and I think reviewed for this Book Review Club) a book set during the Reformation. I found it utterly fascinating.
And a good sleuth is always a good find!
Sounds like a fascinating book! I usually read contemporary mysteries, but I do love historical fiction, too, so a combination of both sounds like a perfect match for me.
I seldom leave comments on blog, but I have been to this post which was recommend by my friend, lots of valuable details, thanks again.
This content ought to be praised as it succeeds in making us trust as it true. I follow a number of posts but I have never visited such an amazing blog before. To tell the truth I cherish following your work as it gives me inspiration.And yes i have bookmarked your site flightsafancy.blogspot.com .
Post a Comment