Matthew Shardlake mysteries by C.J Sansom a brief review

 

I have Just finished the Shardlake series of books by C. J Sansom. This is a series of medieval Murder mysteries/Thrillers deeply mired in the religious turmoil of Henry VIII's England.

 

Shardlake is a lawyer who becomes embroiled in the dissolution of the monasteries. Through the six books he is drawn in to various political plots along with his assistant Barak who is the equivalent of the Detective Sergeant and Bagman in modern books. Shardlake is not always willing to investigate and is manipulated by several patrons. Through the books his own religious convictions are compromised on many occasions. He also feels responsible for many other people who come into his sphere of influence and their stories are expanded over one or more of the books.

 

The description of Medieval London and other cities is vivid and believable even if you know something of real life in that era. It is a 'warts and all' description, emphasising not just the effects of  life on the nobility and royalty, but noting the terrible burden on the common people and the underclass of the time.

 

The plots are well crafted and convoluted and, with one exception, the endings are surprising.

 

I am not sure if the last book 'Lamentation' signals the end of the series. I have no wish to spoil things but the book involved strained relationships between many main characters. Shardlake himself contemplates retirement and the ending hints that he no longer wishes to involve himself in more politics. However some issues are left unresolved. On balance I feel the author wishes to move on.

 

I would recommend the series because you follow Shardlake on his personal journey and see his principals give way to a more jaded view of life over the 6 books. Each book can be read as stand alone but previous plots are mentioned in each one. Not having read the previous stories does not detract from the current story, however. Here are the details in order. Most libraries will be likely to keep them. I hope you will enjoy them as I did.

 

Title	Year	Publisher	ISBN	Awards
Dissolution	2003	London:Macmillan	1-4050-0542-4	Nominated for the 2003 Crime Writers' Association (CWA) John Creasey Memorial Dagger, for first books by previously unpublished writers. It was also nominated for the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger in the same year.[2]
Dark Fire	2004	London:Macmillan	1-4050-0544-0	Awarded the Crime Writers' Association Ellis Peters Historical Dagger award in 2005.[3]
Sovereign	2006	London:Macmillan	0-3304-3608-2
Revelation	2008	London:Macmillan	0-3304-4710-6	Shortlisted for the Books Direct Crime Thriller of the Year 2009[4] and the Crime Writers Association Ellis Peters Historical Dagger in 2008.[5]
Heartstone	2010	London:Mantle	1-4050-9273-4	Shortlisted for the 2011 Walter Scott Prize[6]
Lamentation	2014	London:Mantle	978-1447260257