52 in 2011

[lumineaux]

10.  Dissolution
11.  Dark Fire
12.  Sovereign
13.  Revelation
14.  Heartstone
             all by C.J. Sansom

These books are a historical mystery series set in Henry VIII's England starring the hunchbacked lawyer Matthew Shardlake.  The series features a heavy dose of Tudor politics and history along with the mysteries and character sketches.   Shardlake is a smart, flawed sleuth, burdened by ethics in an uncertain time.

Dissolution starts off the series with Shardlake's being sent to a monastery that is on the eve of being dissolved by the King in order to investigate the murder of a Crown agent.  Shardlake himself is also an agent of Thomas Cromwell and the politics of religion and the dissolution are a recurring theme amid the murders.

Dark Fire  continues the series, as Shardlake and another of Cromwell's agents, the streetwise Jack Barak, try to uncover the mystery surrounding the fabled formula for Greek Fire. 

In Sovereign, Shardlake and Barak join the King's progress to the troubled city of York with two missions: (1) act as a lawyer hearing pleas and arbitrations; and (2) safeguard a political prisoner due to be transported to the Tower for torture and questioning.  Shardlake himself ends up spending a harrowing time in the Tower before the story is done.

Revelation is the inevitable serial killer story that every mystery author seems contractually obligated to write.  Nevertheless, it is a strong entry in the series with meditations on the nature of faith and relationships. 

The latest entry, Heartstone, has Shardlake investigating two mysteries, one concerning an allegedly abused ward, the other concerning the mysterious past of his friend Ellen.  Complications include a brewing war with France and a sojourn on the Mary Rose.

Sansom's history is solid; when he deviates from the written record he explains why in the author's notes.  I'm also pleased to report that this is not the "mud, grime and awfulness" version of the past.  The dirt is there, but it's not treated as a character, as so many historical mystery authors seem to feel obliged to do in order to remind their readers that the story is set in the past.  Shardlake's world is rich in the details that history fans will enjoy without lapsing into obtrusive modernisms even when dealing with the concept of a serial killer.

Readers who like more mystery and less political intrigue and history may be disappointed.  I found the mix just about right.

Comments

[harpduchess.livejournal.com]

I've read Sovereign, but not the rest. Perhaps I'll see if my library has the first one.

[shaunacarrick.livejournal.com]

Just checked - all of them are in my local library. Your review is intriguing enough for me to go get the first four (the latest one is not yet available)!

[oaken-glen.livejournal.com]

Dammit...they sound like fun. I sent myself a sample of the first in the series.

I need more hours in the day to be able to read for fun.

[lumineaux.livejournal.com]

Insomnia and unemployment provide me with ample reading opportunities.

[oaken-glen.livejournal.com]

Valid points.

I'd much prefer reading something "fun" than reading about skin, hair and nails. It's just not that riveting.