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1. Dissolution. (2003)
"It is1537 & Thomas Cromwell has ordered that all monatries should be dissolved. Cromwell's commissioner is found dead, his head severed from his body. Dr Shardlake is sent to uncover the truth behind what has happened. His investigation forces him to question everything that he himself believed".
2. Dark Fire. (2004)
"The year is 1540. Shardlake has been pulled, against his better judgement, into defending Elizabeth Wentworth, charged with murdering her cousin. He is powerless to help the girl, yet she is suddenly given a reprieve - courtesy of Cromwell. The cost of the reprieve to Shardlake is 2 weeks once again in his service".
3. Sovereign. (2006)
"Autumn 1541. A plot against the throne has been uncovered, & Henvry V111 has set off on a spectatular progress from London to York, along with a thousand soldiers, the cream of the nobility, & his 5th wife, Catherine Howard, to quell his rebellious northern subjects. Awaiting his arrival are lawyer Matthew Shardlake & his loyal assistant Jack Barak. In addition to processing petitions to the King, Shardlake's task is to protect a dangerous conspirator while he is transported back to London for interrogation. But when a local glazier is murdered, things get a little more complicated as the murder seems to be not only connected to Shardlake's prisoner but also to the royal family itself. Then Shardlake stumbles upon a cache of secret papers that throws into doubt the legitimacy of the entire royal line, & a chain of events unfolds that threatens Shardlake with the most terrifying fate of the age : imprisonment in the Tower of London".
4. Revelation. (2008)
"It is Spring 1543 & King Henry V111 is wooing Lady Catherine Parr, whom he wants for his 6th wife - but this time the object of his affections is resisting. Archbishop Cranmer & the embattled Protestant faction at court are watching keenly, for Lady Catherine is known to have reformist sympathies. Matthew Shardlake meanwhile is working on the case of a teenage boy, a religous maniac, who has been placed by the King's council in the Bedlam hospital for the insane. Should he be released as his parents want, when his terrifying actions could lead him to being burned as a heretic. Then, when an old friend is horrifically murdered, Shardlake promises his widow - for whom he has long had complicated feelings - to bring the killer to justice. His search leads him to connections not only with the boy in Bedlam, but with Archbishop Cranmer & Catherine Parr, & with the dark prophecies of the Book of Revelation. As London's Bishop Bonner prepares a purge of protestants, Shardlake, together with his assistant Jack Barak, & his friend Guy Malton, follow the trail of a series of horrific murders that shake them to the core. Murders which are already bringing about frenzied talk of witchcraft & a demonic possession, for what else would the Tudor mind make of a serial killer ?"
Any historical fiction readers have to read the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. There's about 7 or 8 in the series and each book is pretty thick, which I love! I hate when 1 book ends and having to let go of the characters so it's nice to find a nice long series. I love Sharon Kay Penman and Philippa Gregory as well so those of you who mentioned being fans should check out Outlander. It's love story set in both 18th and 20th century Scotland (time travel is involved). Here's a link to the wikipedia summary...
1. Dissolution. (2003)
"It is1537 & Thomas Cromwell has ordered that all monatries should be dissolved. Cromwell's commissioner is found dead, his head severed from his body. Dr Shardlake is sent to uncover the truth behind what has happened. His investigation forces him to question everything that he himself believed".
2. Dark Fire. (2004)
"The year is 1540. Shardlake has been pulled, against his better judgement, into defending Elizabeth Wentworth, charged with murdering her cousin. He is powerless to help the girl, yet she is suddenly given a reprieve - courtesy of Cromwell. The cost of the reprieve to Shardlake is 2 weeks once again in his service".
3. Sovereign. (2006)
"Autumn 1541. A plot against the throne has been uncovered, & Henvry V111 has set off on a spectatular progress from London to York, along with a thousand soldiers, the cream of the nobility, & his 5th wife, Catherine Howard, to quell his rebellious northern subjects. Awaiting his arrival are lawyer Matthew Shardlake & his loyal assistant Jack Barak. In addition to processing petitions to the King, Shardlake's task is to protect a dangerous conspirator while he is transported back to London for interrogation. But when a local glazier is murdered, things get a little more complicated as the murder seems to be not only connected to Shardlake's prisoner but also to the royal family itself. Then Shardlake stumbles upon a cache of secret papers that throws into doubt the legitimacy of the entire royal line, & a chain of events unfolds that threatens Shardlake with the most terrifying fate of the age : imprisonment in the Tower of London".
4. Revelation. (2008)
"It is Spring 1543 & King Henry V111 is wooing Lady Catherine Parr, whom he wants for his 6th wife - but this time the object of his affections is resisting. Archbishop Cranmer & the embattled Protestant faction at court are watching keenly, for Lady Catherine is known to have reformist sympathies. Matthew Shardlake meanwhile is working on the case of a teenage boy, a religous maniac, who has been placed by the King's council in the Bedlam hospital for the insane. Should he be released as his parents want, when his terrifying actions could lead him to being burned as a heretic. Then, when an old friend is horrifically murdered, Shardlake promises his widow - for whom he has long had complicated feelings - to bring the killer to justice. His search leads him to connections not only with the boy in Bedlam, but with Archbishop Cranmer & Catherine Parr, & with the dark prophecies of the Book of Revelation. As London's Bishop Bonner prepares a purge of protestants, Shardlake, together with his assistant Jack Barak, & his friend Guy Malton, follow the trail of a series of horrific murders that shake them to the core. Murders which are already bringing about frenzied talk of witchcraft & a demonic possession, for what else would the Tudor mind make of a serial killer ?"
Gripping !
I concur. Sansom's writing is superb, engrossing and takes you right down to the heart of Tudor life. The smells, sounds and culture of the time richly described. One could almost feel oneself in the stews of London.
I am going to a lecture by CJ Sansom at the Oxford Literary festival and really looking forward to it.
Although not a historic novel, Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror" is a historical narrative. Not what you would expect of a history of the Hundred Year War between France and Britain. The characters really come alive, along what life was like in that time.
This was probably the best history book I've ever read. Highly recommended!
She writes excellent books--Barbara Tuchman.
I believe I used to have one about Chaucer or maybe it was A Distant Mirror. At one point I belonged to the History Book Club and got some decent books, including one of hers.
The only thing that I've read that would even come close to medieval historical fiction is Fever 1793. Can anyone guess what the story is about from the title?
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Medieval mystery recommendations
