Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

C. J. Sansom was educated at Birmingham University, where he took a BA and then a PhD in history. After working in a variety of jobs, he retrained as a solicitor and practised in Sussex, until becoming a full-time writer. He lives in Sussex.

Shardlake Series
Dissolution
Dark Fire
Sovereign
Revelation
Heartstone
Lamentation
Tombland

Standalone Novels

Winter in Madrid
Dominion

I have the first two books in this series. One of my book friends keeps telling me I need this author, she loves his books. I guess I will finally get to try him.

I own the first one, have also heard good things so hope to finally start the series.

I have also ready that Mr. Sansom is suffering with cancer and Tombland will be the last novel.

That is very sad to hear Alice. I have read the whole series except for Tombland (which is on my bookshelf). It really is a great series and I love Sansom's writing!

That is very sad! I've read the first two & really enjoyed them. The books are long but worth it.

Hello. I have all of Sanson’s Shardlake books and am currently reading LAMENTATION. So sorry to hear he is ill. My Spouse powered through all but the latest, since it’s only recently arrived in our house.

I've read all except Winter in Madrid and Tombland, and they're all very good to excellent.

can't wait for October to read Dissolution!!

Okay I cheated a little bit and started Dissolution late last night. I have to have a book to read when I go to bed. Wow really well written, deep in history. I only read chapter one but I am enjoying it so far.

Alice wrote: "Okay I cheated a little bit and started Dissolution late last night. I have to have a book to read when I go to bed. Wow really well written, deep in history. I only read chapter one ..."

I finished it . Very well researched and written. A lot of history often over shadows the mystery. Main characters are well developed and you feel like you start to know them. Good description of the times, clothes, religious ceremony.  A bit gloomy though.

I started reading Dissolution and quickly realized I needed to know more about what was going on in this time period. After reading the author's historical note I re-read the first chapter and felt I had a good grip on what was happening.

This was not a quick read for me. I found myself getting distracted after reading a few pages. I ended up stopping 60% of the way through the book and skipped to the last couple chapters. Although I liked Matthew Shardlake as a character I never felt hooked on the writing. I don't plan on reading more of the series. I may try and find another book set during Tudor times to see a different perspective.

I've read them all, and the historical research is exemplary. They are definitely not quick reads, as everyone is saying. I do like Matthew, but he has an increasingly annoying habit of getting beat up in some way in every single book. And although he does bring whatever he's doing to an somewhat agreeable solution, there is always an aura of depression about it.

One quick story about Mr. Sansom. I "attended" the St Hilda's Crime Fiction weekend this year, which centered on historical mysteries. Highlight was William Shaw enthusing on "Chris" Sansom, who was in his first writing class and read the class members the first chapter of "Dissolution." "Our jaws all dropped," Shaw said, as well they might. He said that Chris spends weeks and months getting the research right, and won't go on until it's correct. Mentioned that Sansom corresponded with an academic specializing in how East Anglian sheep looked in Tudor times. From William Shaw: "Get your sheep right and everything follows." All of us at the talk decided we should have that put on a t-shirt.

Helen wrote: "I've read them all, and the historical research is exemplary. They are definitely not quick reads, as everyone is saying. I do like Matthew, but he has an increasingly annoying habit of getting bea..."

What a great lecture! Shaw sounds like a very interesting speaker,

I can see this in his Dissolution. His descriptions are very precise and bit heavy. I do appreciate his level of research

I've started this now. Am only a couple of chapters in, and like it so far. I have the TV / Wolf Hall version of Cromwell in my head.

I've finished now and enjoyed it tremendously. I have already requested the second book from the library.

I'm bumping up this thread as I found out that the first book in the Matthew Shardlake series Dissolution is being made into a miniseries. Suppose to be released later this year and shown on Disney Plus. If you google this on YouTube there is a trailer available. I'm giddy with excitement as Sean Bean has been cast as Thomas Cromwell!

Sad news from The Guardian today. RIP, Mr. Sansom:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

Helen wrote: "Sad news from The Guardian today. RIP, Mr. Sansom:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202..."

Helen; Thanks for posting this. In my opinion a very talented author.

Yes, indeed. And just as his books are being made into a series and premiering on Disney+.

All kinds of accolades from HM authors (and others) on Twitter (never mind that "X" business, I refuse to use it) coming through today. A real loss.

That is such sad news.

Helen wrote: "Sad news from The Guardian today. RIP, Mr. Sansom:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202..."

So sorry to hear this. Love the Shardlake series. Sovereign was my first first 5 star read this year.

I just finished Sovereign last week. It was excellent as were the first two I read. Yes, very sad about Sansom's death especially as it came just 2 days before the series came out. (On Hulu in U.S.)

Patricia wrote: "I just finished Sovereign last week. It was excellent as were the first two I read. Yes, very sad about Sansom's death especially as it came just 2 days before the series came out. (O..."

Patricia; Glad you posted this as in an earlier post I said in error that the series would be on Disney+.

Yes, Disney+ in the U.K.