C. J. Sansom

[Mitch]

Excellent series of six novels set during the reign of Henry the eighth. The main character is a quiet unheroic lawyer with a slightly hunched back, Matthew Shardlake. Called upon to solve various murders and other mysteries. In the first one, Dissolution, he is sent by Cromwell to investigate the murder of an agent sent to a monastery to encourage it to dissolve. The latest one, Lamentations just came out and more are promised. Great down to earth writing style without a lot of gratuitous action or violence, more of a thoughtful, sensitive person caught up in treacherous scenarios.

[Jerry]

I agree with everything you said Mitch. He is one of the few authors that inspire me to buy his latest book almost as soon as it is available. In my opinion, his is the best historical fiction set in the Tudor period (and that is a very competitive field). Outstanding writing!

[Emma]

I think the books are actually improving if that is possible.

[Mitch]

I think the Shardlake series is the best> I haven't read a better series by any author - Matthew is almost an anti-hero type, always reluctant to take on a new case but gets there in the end. Love his character - not the macho type at all. Also, I am partial to British authors of historical fiction set in England. They seem to get the tone right for my ear, better than authors from other parts of the world.

[Zoe]

I totally love the Matthew shard lake series still need to read the latest one sacrilege lol