The Shardlake Series Collection 6 Books Set By C.J. Sansom, Dissolution Dark Fire

The Shardlake Series Collection brings together six novels by C.J. Sansom, set against the upheaval of Tudor England during the reign of Henry VIII. Spanning the years 1537 to 1546, the collection follows lawyer Matthew Shardlake as he is drawn into legal work and dangerous assignments amid political change, religious conflict and shifting power at court.

Across the set, Shardlake encounters investigations ordered by Thomas Cromwell, a murder case that leads to a new commission, and a mission connected to Archbishop Cranmer. As England faces war, economic crisis and factional struggle, the stories move from monastic visitations to royal progresses, court intrigue and the pursuit of alleged heresy in London.

Included titles

• Dissolution
• Dark Fire
• Sovereign
• Revelation
• Heartstone
• Lamentation

Key details

• Six-book collection by C.J. Sansom
• Set during the reign of Henry VIII, from 1537 to 1546
• Centres on lawyer Matthew Shardlake
• Includes titles listed above

Synopses

Dissolution

In 1537, Henry VIII has declared himself Supreme Head of the Church and England is gripped by harsh new laws, rigged trials and widespread informing. Under Thomas Cromwell’s orders, commissioners travel the country to investigate the monasteries, with dissolution the inevitable outcome.

Dark Fire

In 1540, during an exceptionally hot summer, Matthew Shardlake believes he has fallen out of favour with Thomas Cromwell and keeps a low profile while maintaining his legal practice. A murder case, defending a girl accused of killing her young cousin, brings him back into Cromwell’s orbit and towards a new assignment connected to the lost secret of Greek Fire.

Sovereign

In autumn 1541, Henry VIII travels north on a grand Progress to York. Shardlake and his assistant Jack Barak are in the city handling petitions and legal work, while Shardlake also undertakes a reluctant mission for Archbishop Cranmer to safeguard a dangerous conspirator being taken to London for interrogation.

Revelation

In spring 1543, Henry VIII courts Lady Catherine Parr, who resists his advances as Cranmer and Protestant allies watch closely due to her reformist sympathies. Shardlake works on the case of a teenage boy held in Bedlam, and must consider whether he should be returned to his parents when his actions could lead to a charge of heresy.

Heartstone

In summer 1545, England is at war and a French fleet threatens the Channel as forces gather at Portsmouth. With the currency debased and the country facing inflation and economic crisis, Shardlake is given a legal case by an old servant of Queen Catherine Parr.

Lamentation

In summer 1546, Henry VIII is dying and Protestant and Catholic councillors fight for control of the government that will follow. As heretics are pursued in London and Anne Askew is burned, the Catholic faction turns its attention to the King’s sixth wife, Queen Catherine Parr, who is linked to Shardlake’s past.