Shardlake: Dissolution

BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

By: C. J. Sansom

Narrated by: Jason Watkins, Mark Bonnar

A thrilling BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation based on CJ Sansom's best-selling Tudor crime novel.

Winter, 1537. Henry VIII has declared himself Supreme Head of the Church and instructed his Chief Minister, Thomas Cromwell, to dissolve England's religious houses and seize their wealth. But Cromwell's plot to bring down the abbeys has hit a snag - one of the King's Commissioners has been found brutally murdered in Scarnsea monastery, on the south coast of Kent.

If news of the killing were to get out, the consequences could be disastrous. Desiring a quick, discreet result, he sends his trusted lawyer-detective, Matthew Shardlake, to investigate. However, as Shardlake interviews the prime suspects and delves deeper into the mysteries of Scarnsea, it soon becomes clear that the case will not be as simple to solve as he had hoped.

Which of the terrified monks is the murderer? And can Shardlake catch him before he strikes again?

CJ Sansom's Shardlake series has sold over two million copies, and this atmospheric dramatisation starring BAFTA-winning actor Jason Watkins (The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries) brings his debut novel to electrifying life. Fast paced and suspenseful, it is both an engrossing murder mystery and a brilliantly realised portrayal of Tudor England.

©2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Enjoyable mystery

Story a little hard to follow at times, assumes that you have a prior understanding of Henry the 8th and the history of all that he did.

Good story with interesting history, but difficult to listen to because of the volume issues mentioned below

Poor audio quality with too much quiet to loud range, a challenge to listen to on headphones or in the car because of Frequent volume adjustment

Love Shardlake

Would you listen to Shardlake: Dissolution again? Why?

Yes, especially if the rest of the series is made available as a BBC radio production. Having read the books and love them, I very much enjoyed a full cast production. Jason Watkins is terrific as Shardlake.

What other book might you compare Shardlake: Dissolution to and why?

The Shardlake series represent the closest I have come to finding books with all the elements i like to read. Quality writing, good mysteries, historical setting, and character development. And Sansom is a wonderful writer.

Which scene was your favorite?

The final act between Shardlake and the murderer. The dramatization was so well done, I might have been holding my breath while driving.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It's always when Shardlake gives readers a peek at his emotions, especially when talking about his disability and his love for others.

Any additional comments?

I hope there are more in this series to come! A great book with great narrators and production elevates every story.