I am in mourning! On 27 April my favourite living author died. C.J. Sansom was the author of the amazing Shardlake series of murder mysteries, set in Tudor England, and featuring the character Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer who was born with a hunched back, who is called on by Thomas Cromwell and others to solve various crimes. He’s a fabulous character and Sansom’s knowledge of the era (he studied history at university) ensures that the reader feels he or she is walking the streets of Tudor London.
The first book in this stunning series is Dissolution which will be coming out as a TV series this month (I believe on the Disney channel) and it continues for another six novels. Evidently Sansom was working on an 8th novel, Ratcliff, which will now tragically remain unfinished. In my view, the best way to enjoy his books is to listen to them on unabridged audio, read by Anton Lesser (though he is not the reader for the last one) who reads them superbly. If you have never read them, then I envy you the treat you have in store.
Here is the trailer for the new Shardlake TV series. It looks fabulous.
Sansom was born in Edinburgh. He trained as a lawyer so was able to use that legal knowledge to solve some complex legal issues in his novels. His books have won many awards, and been read with delight by millions. You can even book for a Shardlake Walk in London (something I did a few years ago). He did write two other books which were not mystery novels – both are good, but not wonderful. One of the Shardlake novels (Heartstone) concerns the sinking of the Mary Rose and Sansom donated a great deal of money to the restoration of that famous warship.
I have read many crime and mystery novels throughout my life but, in my opinion, the Shardlake books are the best ever! I have recommended them to so many people, many of whom have thanked me profusely afterwards as they too have been converted into Shardlake fans. P.D. James was a huge admirer of the novels.
I wish I had written to the author to thank him for the huge pleasure his books have given me, my dear Dad and my sister. He has been ill with cancer for some years, and sadly he died, aged only 71, a few days ago. Such good authors should not be allowed to die. There is a nice obituary for this wonderful writer on The Guardian website.
I will miss the splendid fictional world and character he created and I thank him posthumously for the joy he has given me.
Give yourself a treat, get the first audio book in the series, Dissolution, and keep going with the ones that follow. Let me know by leaving a comment.
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