Dissolution

By: C. J. Sansom

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Now a major Disney+ original series, Shardlake – airing this summer on ITV.

'C. J. Sansom’s books are arguably the best Tudor novels going' – The Sunday Times

Dissolution is the first novel in C. J. Sansom’s phenomenal bestselling Shardlake series, perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel and Phillipa Gregory. After one of Cromwell's commissioners is brutally murdered, Matthew Shardlake is drawn into an investigation that becomes darker than he could have ever imagined . . .

England, 1537. It is 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 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 Shardlake's investigation soon forces him to question everything that he hears, and everything that he intrinsically believes . . .

Follow Shardlake into the dark heart of Tudor England with the next book in the series, Dark Fire.

Critic reviews

When it comes to intriguing Tudor-based narratives, Hilary Mantel has a serious rival

Matthew Shardlake combines engrossing historical detail with a first-rate murder mystery. A really satisfying page-turner.

Sansom has a greater talent for animating period details than most of his contemporaries, his rendering of the Tudor winter in the first of the Shardlake series makes you reach for thick fleece blankets.

Remarkable . . . The sights, the voices, the very smell of this turbulent age seem to rise from the page. (P.D. James, author of the Adam Dagliesh series)

Extraordinarily impressive. The best crime novel I have read this year. (Colin Dexter, author of the Inspector Morse series)

Terrific . . . a remarkable, imaginative feat. It is a first-rate murder mystery and one of the most atmospheric historical novels I’ve read in years.

Terrific. Historical fiction at its finest. (Peter Robinson, author of the Roy Grace series)

Dissolution is not just a fascinating detective story, but a convincing portrait of a turbulent period.

I don’t read historical novels any more — it’s a busman’s holiday — but I make an exception for C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake books, which are set amid the uncertainties of the 16th-century Henrician Reformation. (Bernard Cornwell, author of the Sharpe series)

Setting

.. is a closed-room mystery—initially slow but immersive. Clarity emerges as Shardlake uncovers evidence, interviews suspects, and decodes financial documents.

feels like A tribute to Umberto Eco

Interesting murder mystery with good historical research - good narrator but he has long pauses.

Dissolution

A bit shit. Not great. Wouldn’t bother annoying voice. Six more words are required to send this reviewed