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Book Reviews of Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1)

Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1)
Dissolution - Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1
Author: C. J. Sansom
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ISBN-13: 9780142004302
ISBN-10: 0142004308
Publication Date: 4/27/2004
Pages: 400
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 94

3.9 stars, based on 94 ratings
Publisher: Penguin Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

12 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

esjro avatar reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on + 945 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Matthew Shardlake is sent to unravel the mystery of a murder at a monastery. While there, he uncovers corruption, perversion, greed, and an additional couple of bodies.

Dissolution is clearly researched and gives an interesting glimpse into the conflict between Catholicism and the Church of England. The author has a doctorate in history, and his obsession with Tudor England is clear. If you, like I, do not enjoy reading about things of that time (hunchbacks, smelly monks, floggings, etc.) you will likely not enjoy this book. If hair shirts are your thing you will like it.
reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I like historic fiction and mysteries, and this was both. I enjoyed it very much. The period of the Dissolution seems to be comparable to the corruption in politics in every generation.
reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on + 42 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is an excellent, well-written novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn't put it down.
reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
It seemed a little slow at the begining, but then I was hooked! Very interesting mystery.
katekat avatar reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
If you're an English history buff, and especially if you love the reign of Henry VIII period, don't miss this wonderful mystery! Set in the time frame just after the execution of Ann Boleyn, the main character, Matthew Shardlake, embarks on a secret mission, ordered by none other than the King's man, Thomas Cromwell. The story is very tightly woven, laced with excellent historical fact and a lot of fun to read. What I liked is that I couldn't see the ending coming halfway through the book! It kept me guessing, all the while enjoying the ambiance of early Renaissance England during the time of the dissolution of the monasteries. Wonderful mixture of mystery and history. Loved it!
YahtzeeQueen avatar reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
This is a great mystery that takes place in Tudor England.
Nedheadz avatar reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on + 128 more book reviews
Rich details and characterization...a window into the upheaval of the Reformation on all. Keeps you engaged and guessing right up until the end.
reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on
It's a good who done it set in the upheaval of Tudor England. The characters are engaging and intriguing. It was a great read for my commute.
reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
This is a great series; I've loved all five books.
catbookmom avatar reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on + 52 more book reviews
Last night I finished Dissolution by C.J. Sansom. This is the first of the Matthew Shardlake books. After all the favorable comments Ive read about this series, I have to say I was quite disappointed.

The overall story is generally somewhat interesting, but the Shardlake character was rather narrow-minded and insensitive, particularly in how he deals with his protege Mark Poer, to whom he never seems to make an encouraging or positive remark. At the end, as a matter of fact, Mark comments that Shardlake never really listened to him, just used him as a sounding board for Shardlakes own opinions and prejudices. I was also surprised that, for a man who had some reputation at solving mysteries, many times Shardlake failed to follow up on an idea or a clue, being diverted to something else (often trivial), and apparently losing that thread of thinking for quite a time. At one point, for instance, hes climbed up onto a workmans scaffolding sort of thing in the church and sees a big basket of tools; you think hes going to look in it for the missing church relics, you can almost see the thought going through his mind, and then he moves right past it.

If this had been more poorly written, because the author is pretty skillful with language and bits of what we have to think are fairly authentic glimpses of Tudor life, or if the book had been longer, Id never have finished it. As it was, I read it in bits and pieces over 3 weeks, which is a long, long time for me to take over one book.
mary-d avatar reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
I have always been a fan of books about Tudor England. This series combines that era with a terriffic mystery. I read this book in two days and couldn't wait to start the next in the series!
reviewed Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake, Bk 1) on + 522 more book reviews
Tudor England - first book in series