Book Series: Matthew Shardlake Mysteries - A Hunchback Lawyer in Henry VIII’s England
Today
I finished the 5th book in this remarkable series of historical
fiction by C. J. Sansom. “Heartstone”, which takes place during the attack by
the French Armada at Portsmouth in 1546. In this most recent entry, Shardlake
has been retained by Queen Catherine Parr to investigate a ward ship that may
have been exploited for financial gain.
For anyone who enjoys a good mystery combined
with the fascinatingly solid historical research that vividly describes the
fear, corruption, filth, and intrigue of mid 16th Century England,
this is a series for you.
Sansom’s
inaugural work, “Dissolution”, which was published in the UK in 2003, is set in
1537 and involves Matthew Shardlake, a hunchback lawyer, who is working for
Cromwell, who has dispatched him to investigate a murder on the grounds of a
monastery during the English Reformation. I am an unapologetic fan of anything Tudor and
found myself immersed in the political intrigue and machinations of the time.
After my
first taste of Shardlake, I wanted more and eagerly awaited each new
installment. The character development
is excellent. Shardlake begins his career as an idealist. He believes in right
over might. He is an honest man in a time where expediency and political
advantage reign supreme. His closest friend is a Moor named Guy. He is shunned
because of his disability. But he soldiers on to do what he must for his
clients, who are generally among the more disadvantaged.
I like
Shardlake. His experiences bring him into the midst of contentious situations.
He has powerful people among his enemies – among them, Sir Richard Rich. But he never loses his resolve to do what is
right in the dangerous world of Tudor England.
For anyone
with a fascination of Tudor England and a love of mystery and intrigue, I
highly recommend giving these books a try.
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