I did not want this book to end because I became so attached to the characters, which is largely due to the way Sansom wrote this first novel of the Shardlake series. Just when you think you know who did it, Sansom throws another twist that will leave you guessing until the bitter end. The details in this book are exquisite as they are compelling. They show that the struggle between reform and sticking with the Catholic Church was never straight forward. The characters are raw and real they are not cookie-cutter characters. It has been a while since I have been blown away by such a vivid and dark portrayal of the Tudor world that is away from the glamorous and glittering court life that we all expect from Tudor novels. It is simply a masterpiece of intrigue and drama. I did not know what to expect before I started reading this book, but I am so glad I decided to read it. However, things are much darker and sinister at this monastery than Matthew could ever imagine and it will test everything he believes in.

It is up to Matthew and his assistant, Mark Poer, to find out the truth to why he was murdered and which one of the monks killed him. Donatus at the seaside town of Scarnsea, Robin Singleton, has been found murdered. The commissioner that Cromwell has sent to investigate the monastery of St. We are introduced to our protagonist, Matthew Shardlake, as he receives a new mission from his boss, Thomas Cromwell. A lot of people have recommended that I should read the Shardlake series, but no one has spoiled the series, which I am thankful for as it made reading this book extremely enjoyable. I know the general format because my mom is a huge Agatha Christie and Murder She Wrote fan, but I have never really been that interested in reading this genre myself. It has been a very long time since I have read a murder mystery book. Sansom has chosen to create in the first book of his Tudor mystery series, aptly named, “Dissolution”. Henry VIII’s right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell, sends an unlikely man to investigate the situation the hunchback reformer lawyer, Matthew Shardlake. As monasteries and monks alike adjust to the new ways of life, the monastery at Scarnsea buzzes with activity and murder. Henry VIII’s reign marked the changing point in societal and religious norms, none more so than the dissolution of the monasteries.

Religious reformers are clashing with the Catholic Church after Henry VIII has declared himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England. Anne Boleyn was executed a year earlier and Henry’s third wife, Jane Seymour recently passed away after giving birth to Edward VI. The Tudor dynasty marked tons of changes in society and religious norms.

Dissolution by cj sansom