Dissolution by C. J. Sansom (Paperback, 2007)

I bought this book because a friend highly recommended it and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. I couldn't put the book down and read until midnight on a couple of occasions. I don't think there was anything about the book that I disliked. Mathhew Shardlake is s 16th Century Lawer and detective ( who happens to be disdabled) who is sent to discover who had murdered one of Cromwell's Commissioners at a monastery.
It is full of suspense and intrigue and even if you think that you have worked out who has done the dastardly deed (beheaded the Commissioner), you will soon be convinced it is someone else. I thought I'd worked it out on several occasions but couldn't work out why. Luckily it all becomes clear in the end.
This murder mystery is set at a time of fear, when Henry VIII, with the help of Cromwell are set on ripping apart the fabric of the Catholic Church in order to raise monies for other things! A great historical read.

Excellent book with a story set around the main events (the dissolution)rather than tampering with history. Feels very authentic, no false love stories, characters to like, love and hate.

Superb historical murder mystery. Great descriptions, Shardlake a character who steals the show. This book is unputadownable.