C.J. Sansom was a British master of historical crime fiction who brought Tudor England to vivid, authentic life through his Matthew Shardlake series. With a PhD in history and meticulous research, Sansom created gripping murder mysteries set against the dangerous backdrop of Henry VIII’s court, the dissolution of the monasteries, and the religious upheaval that defined 16th-century England.
C.J. Sansom published nine novels between 2003 and 2018, including seven Shardlake mysteries and two acclaimed standalone works. His books have sold over four million copies worldwide, won major awards, including the prestigious Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement, and have been adapted for both BBC Radio and Disney+ television. Although he passed away in April 2024, his legacy endures through his meticulously crafted historical mysteries, which continue to captivate readers worldwide.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.About C.J. Sansom
Early Life and Background
Christopher John Sansom was born on December 9, 1952, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He attended George Watson’s College but left with no qualifications, later writing about the bullying he suffered there. This difficult experience would inform his creation of Matthew Shardlake, a protagonist who faces discrimination and cruelty due to his physical disability.
Sansom went on to the University of Birmingham, where he earned both a BA and a PhD in history. His academic background in Tudor history would become the foundation for his meticulous historical novels, providing the deep knowledge that made his fiction so authentic and richly detailed.
Writing Career
After completing his education, Sansom worked various jobs before retraining as a solicitor. He practiced law in Sussex, focusing on helping disadvantaged individuals. This legal experience proved invaluable when creating Matthew Shardlake, enabling him to authentically portray the workings of Tudor law and the role of the legal profession in 16th-century society.
In 2003, at age 50, Sansom published his first novel, Dissolution, launching the Shardlake series. The book’s success allowed him to become a full-time writer, dedicating himself to historical crime fiction for the next two decades.
Sansom published nine novels between 2003 and 2018, including seven Shardlake mysteries and two standalone works. His meticulous research and gripping narratives earned him critical acclaim and a devoted readership. Dark Fire won the 2005 Ellis Peters Historical Dagger, and the Shardlake series was “Very Highly Commended” for the 2007 CWA Dagger in the Library award. His alternate history novel Dominion won the 2013 Sidewise Award for Alternate History. In 2022, Sansom received the Crime Writers’ Association’s Cartier Diamond Dagger, their highest honor, recognizing his outstanding contribution to crime fiction.
In 2012, Sansom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting bone marrow cells. Despite his illness, he continued writing, publishing Tombland in 2018 and working on the eighth Shardlake novel, Ratcliff, until his death. C.J. Sansom passed away at a hospice near his home in Brighton on April 27, 2024, at age 71, just four days before the Disney+ television adaptation of Dissolution premiered on May 1, 2024.
Writing Style and Approach
Sansom’s PhD in Tudor history and decades of research provided the foundation for his authentic period detail. He consulted primary sources, historical chronicles, and academic scholarship to ensure accuracy in events, settings, and social conditions. His novels accurately depict Tudor law, religious conflicts, political machinations, and daily life. Unlike some historical fiction writers who prioritize plot over accuracy, Sansom strikes a balance between the two, including author’s notes that explain what is documented history and where he took creative liberties.
Sansom excelled at creating atmospheric period settings with detailed descriptions of sights, sounds, and smells. His Tudor England is viscerally real but never romanticized. The period is often dirty, dangerous, and brutal, with religious persecution, casual violence, and political paranoia pervading the novels. This unflinching portrayal makes the historical setting feel authentic rather than sanitized.
Matthew Shardlake evolved over seven novels from an idealistic young reformer to a more cynical, experienced man who has seen too much political corruption and violence. His physical disability adds complexity, forcing him to navigate a world that discriminates against him while using his intelligence and legal expertise. Sansom constructed intricate mysteries that play fair with readers while remaining unpredictable, weaving fictional crimes into real historical contexts with solutions that avoid simple answers.
C.J. Sansom Series in Reading Order
Series 1: The Matthew Shardlake Series
Setting: Tudor England, 1537-1549
Number of Books: 7 novels (complete)
Main Character(s): Matthew Shardlake, a hunchbacked lawyer with scoliosis navigating Henry VIII’s dangerous court; Jack Barak, his loyal assistant
The Shardlake series follows lawyer Matthew Shardlake as he investigates murders and conspiracies while trying to survive the treacherous politics of Tudor England. The series begins with Shardlake working for Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s ruthless minister, then shifts to serving Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, Queen Catherine Parr, and finally Princess Elizabeth. Each novel combines a compelling murder mystery with authentic historical events, bringing Tudor England to life through detailed period atmosphere and complex characterization.
Reading Order:
- Dissolution (2003) – Shardlake investigates a murder at a Sussex monastery during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, working for Thomas Cromwell. A commissioner has been found dead with his head cut off, and Shardlake must find the killer while navigating the tension between his reformist beliefs and the human cost of Cromwell’s policies.
- Dark Fire (2004) – Three years later, Cromwell summons Shardlake for one last mission to recover a formula for Greek Fire, a legendary incendiary weapon. Shardlake gains Jack Barak as his assistant, racing through London’s underworld as murders pile up. Won the 2005 Ellis Peters Historical Dagger.
- Sovereign (2006) – Following Cromwell’s execution, Shardlake now serves Archbishop Cranmer and travels to York ahead of Henry VIII’s royal progress. When a local man with mysterious connections to a dangerous prisoner is murdered, Shardlake uncovers a conspiracy threatening the royal succession.
- Revelation (2008) – As Henry VIII prepares to marry Catherine Parr, Shardlake investigates a serial killer following the pattern of the seven seals from the Book of Revelation. The darkest and most psychologically intense novel in the series, exploring religious mania and including disturbing scenes set in Bedlam asylum.
- Heartstone (2010) – Shardlake travels to Sussex to investigate a disputed inheritance and wardship, uncovering fraud, murder, and a conspiracy connected to preparations for war against France. The novel culminates with the Battle of the Solent and the sinking of the Mary Rose, which Shardlake witnesses firsthand.
- Lamentation (2014) – In Henry VIII’s final year, Queen Catherine Parr asks Shardlake to recover a stolen manuscript that could send her to the stake for heresy. Shardlake races to find the manuscript before Catherine’s enemies do, navigating court factions and investigating murders connected to the theft.
- Tombland (2018) – Two years after Henry VIII’s death, Shardlake serves Princess Elizabeth and travels to Norwich during Kett’s Rebellion, a massive uprising against land enclosures. At over 800 pages, this sweeping historical epic recounts the largest rebellion in Tudor history, examining class conflict and economic injustice.
Standalone Novels by C.J. Sansom
C.J. Sansom published two standalone novels that showcase his range beyond Tudor mysteries:
- Winter in Madrid (2006) – A spy thriller set in post-Civil War Madrid in September 1940. Harry Brett, a British soldier turned reluctant spy, is sent to Madrid to investigate his old school friend, while Barbara Clare searches for her lost lover who fought for the Republicans. The novel explores the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War and the collaboration between Franco’s regime and Nazi Germany.
- Dominion (2012) – An alternate history novel imagining Britain after surrendering to Nazi Germany in 1940. Set in 1952, twelve years after Lord Halifax negotiated peace instead of Churchill leading resistance, the novel follows multiple characters as Britain lives under fascist governance. Won the 2013 Sidewise Award for Alternate History.
Where to Start with C.J. Sansom
Best First Book
Recommendation: Dissolution
For most readers, starting with Dissolution is ideal. It’s the first Shardlake novel, requires no prior knowledge, and introduces the series’ characters, setting, and tone. The monastery murder mystery is compelling, the historical backdrop fascinating, and Shardlake’s character immediately engaging. Dissolution establishes the series formula: a well-crafted mystery set against authentic historical events, with Shardlake navigating both the crime and the dangerous political landscape.
If You Want…
Pure historical mystery: Dissolution and Dark Fire are the tightest, most focused mysteries in the series.
Epic historical scope: Tombland is the series’s most ambitious, depicting Kett’s Rebellion with massive scale and numerous subplots at 800+ pages.
Court intrigue: Lamentation offers intense political scheming as factions battle for control during Henry VIII’s final year.
Serial killer thriller: Revelation is the darkest Shardlake novel, with a psychologically intense cat-and-mouse hunt for a religious fanatic.
His most acclaimed work, Dark Fire, won the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger and is considered by many the series’s masterpiece.
A standalone novel, Winter in Madrid showcases Sansom’s historical research and atmospheric writing without requiring commitment to a series.
Alternate history: Dominion offers Sansom’s speculative vision of Nazi-occupied Britain in a massive, meticulously detailed novel.
Books by Time Period
Tudor England (1537-1549)
- The Matthew Shardlake Series (7 novels)
- Dissolution (1537)
- Dark Fire (1540)
- Sovereign (1541)
- Revelation (1543)
- Heartstone (1545)
- Lamentation (1546)
- Tombland (1549)
World War II Era
- Winter in Madrid (1940 – post-Spanish Civil War)
- Dominion (1952 – alternate history)
Explore more books about Best Medieval Historical Fiction
Awards and Recognition
- Ellis Peters Historical Dagger for Dark Fire (2005)
- CWA Dagger in the Library – Shardlake series “Very Highly Commended” (2007)
- Sidewise Award for Alternate History for Dominion (2013)
- Cartier Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in crime fiction (2022)
- Over four million books sold worldwide
- BBC Radio 4 adaptations (2012-2021) – six Shardlake novels adapted as radio dramas
- Disney+ television adaptation of Shardlake starring Arthur Hughes and Sean Bean (2024)
Writing Schedule and Upcoming Books
Latest Release
Tombland (2018)
Sansom’s final published novel, Tombland, is an 800+ page historical epic depicting Kett’s Rebellion in 1549 Norwich. The longest and most ambitious Shardlake novel, it follows Shardlake as he investigates murder during the largest rebellion in Tudor history, exploring class conflict, economic injustice, and the human cost of Tudor reforms.
Upcoming Releases
C.J. Sansom passed away on April 27, 2024, while working on the eighth Shardlake novel, tentatively titled Ratcliff. The book would have presumably taken Shardlake further into the turbulent reign of Edward VI or possibly into Mary I’s reign. Given Sansom’s meticulous writing process and the complexity of his plotting, it remains unfinished and is unlikely to be completed by another author. His existing bibliography of nine novels continues to captivate readers and stands as his complete legacy.
Similar Authors You’ll Enjoy
If you enjoy C.J. Sansom’s work, you might also like:
- Sharon Kay Penman – For readers who appreciate Sansom’s meticulous historical research and complex political intrigue, Penman’s medieval novels offer similar depth. Her Welsh Princes Trilogy and Plantagenet Saga combine political machinations with character-driven storytelling.
- Susanna Gregory – The Matthew Bartholomew series, set in 14th-century Cambridge, features a physician-detective solving medieval mysteries. Like Sansom, Gregory (a pseudonym for academic Bev Scott) brings scholarly research to historical mystery.
- Rory Clements – The John Shakespeare series follows a spy in Elizabethan England, serving Elizabeth I’s spymaster. Clements continues the Tudor period where Sansom left off, with similar political intrigue and period detail.
- S.J. Parris – The Giordano Bruno mysteries feature the real historical figure investigating murders in Elizabethan England. Parris combines religious conflict, espionage, and intellectual history with murder mystery in the Tudor period.
- Andrew Taylor – The Ashes of London series, set during the Great Fire of London, combines historical mystery with detailed period atmosphere. Taylor’s research and plotting are reminiscent of Sansom’s approach.
- Ken Follett – While less mystery-focused, Follett’s medieval novels (The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End) offer similar epic scope and meticulous historical detail to Sansom’s longer novels like Tombland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shardlake series about?
The Shardlake series follows Matthew Shardlake, a hunchbacked lawyer in Tudor England, as he investigates murders and conspiracies during Henry VIII’s reign and beyond. Spanning 1537-1549, the seven novels combine historical mystery with authentic period detail, depicting the Dissolution of the Monasteries, court intrigue, religious persecution, and political scheming.
In what order should I read C.J. Sansom’s books?
Read the Shardlake series in publication order: Dissolution, Dark Fire, Sovereign, Revelation, Heartstone, Lamentation, Tombland. The books follow a chronological timeline with recurring characters and developing relationships. The standalone novels Winter in Madrid and Dominion can be read anytime and don’t connect to the Shardlake series.
Is C.J. Sansom historically accurate?
Yes, Sansom was known for meticulous historical research. With a PhD in history and deep knowledge of Tudor England, he consulted primary sources and historical scholarship. While he invented his mysteries and some characters, the historical events, settings, and major figures are accurately portrayed. His author’s notes explain where he took creative liberties.
What time periods does C.J. Sansom write about?
Sansom primarily wrote about Tudor England from 1537-1549 in his Shardlake series. His standalone novels cover post-Spanish Civil War Madrid in 1940 (Winter in Madrid) and an alternate history Britain in 1952 under Nazi occupation (Dominion).
Are C.J. Sansom’s books appropriate for young adults?
The Shardlake series is written for adult readers and contains violence, torture, murder, and mature themes appropriate for the brutal Tudor period. The mysteries involve serial killers, religious persecution, and graphic crime scenes. While there is no explicit sexual content, the books deal with adult themes and historical violence. Suitable for mature readers aged 16 and above.
Has C.J. Sansom’s work been adapted for TV or film?
Yes, the Shardlake series has been adapted into a film twice. BBC Radio 4 adapted six novels as radio dramas between 2012 and 2021. Disney+ produced a four-episode television series based on The Dissolution, starring Arthur Hughes as Thomas Cromwell and Sean Bean as Shardlake, which premiered on May 1, 2024. The series received positive reviews but was cancelled after one season in January 2025. It will broadcast on ITV in the UK starting in June 2025.
What is C.J. Sansom’s best book?
Dark Fire is widely regarded as Sansom’s finest work, having won the 2005 Ellis Peters Historical Dagger. Set during Thomas Cromwell’s fall from power in 1540, it combines a race to recover Greek Fire, multiple murders, and the dramatic backdrop of Cromwell’s execution. However, Dissolution (the series opener), Revelation (the darkest entry), and Tombland (the most ambitious) are also highly acclaimed. “Best” is subjective, but Dark Fire receives the most consistent praise from fans and critics.
Will there be more Shardlake novels?
No. C.J. Sansom died in April 2024 while working on the eighth novel, Ratcliff, which remains unfinished. Given his meticulous writing style and the complexity of his plotting, it’s unlikely another author will complete it. The seven published Shardlake novels are the complete series.
How many books are in the Shardlake series?
There are seven completed Shardlake novels: Dissolution (2003), Dark Fire (2004), Sovereign (2006), Revelation (2008), Heartstone (2010), Lamentation (2014), and Tombland (2018). Sansom was working on an eighth novel when he died, which remains unfinished.
Is C.J. Sansom dead?
Yes, C.J. Sansom died on April 27, 2024, at age 71 from multiple myeloma (cancer). He passed away at a hospice in Brighton, England, just four days before the Disney+ television adaptation of Dissolution premiered.
What is Matthew Shardlake’s disability?
Matthew Shardlake has scoliosis, a condition characterized by a curvature of the spine that causes him to have a hunched back. He also has limited use of his right hand due to birth complications. In Tudor England, his disability marks him as different and subjects him to prejudice and cruelty, though he overcomes discrimination through his intelligence and legal skill.
Was there a Shardlake TV series?
Yes, Disney+ produced a four-episode series based on Dissolution, starring Arthur Hughes as Matthew Shardlake and Sean Bean as Thomas Cromwell. It premiered on May 1, 2024, four days after Sansom’s death. The series received generally positive reviews but was cancelled after one season in January 2025. It will broadcast on ITV in the UK starting June 2025.
Conclusion
C.J. Sansom mastered the art of combining gripping mystery plots with meticulous historical research, creating a body of work that both entertains and educates. The Shardlake series stands as his crowning achievement, seven novels that bring Tudor England to vivid life while telling compelling detective stories. Matthew Shardlake’s journey from idealistic reformer to experienced, cynical investigator mirrors England’s own tumultuous transformation during the most dramatic period in its history.
Sansom’s influence extends beyond his own books. He inspired numerous authors to pursue historical crime fiction with similar dedication to research and period authenticity. The success of the Shardlake series helped establish Tudor England as one of the most popular settings in historical mystery. His greatest achievement was creating Matthew Shardlake, one of historical fiction’s most memorable protagonists, whose physical disability, moral integrity, and complex character development made him feel like a real person rather than a genre archetype.
Though C.J. Sansom’s death in 2024 prevented him from completing his planned arc into Elizabeth I’s reign, his seven Shardlake novels and two standalone works form a complete and satisfying body of work. From the dissolution of the monasteries to Kett’s Rebellion, from the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War to an imagined Nazi Britain, Sansom brought historical periods to life with unmatched vividness and depth.
Ready to start your C.J. Sansom reading journey? Begin with Dissolution and experience Tudor England’s dark and dangerous world, where Matthew Shardlake seeks truth and justice amid political intrigue and religious persecution. With seven Shardlake novels awaiting, you’ll have plenty of reading ahead.