The third book in the brilliant Shardlake historical crime series.  Lawyer Matthew Shardlake is caught up in the mysterious murder of a local glazier, an event which turns out to be linked to work he is undertaking for the King.  Set in the reign of Henry VIII, Sansom's vivid writing style will have you believing you've been sent back in time.  Great stuff.
 
To find out more about the first two books in the Shardlake series click on the links below.

1. Dissolution
2. Dark Fire

Synopsis

Autumn, 1541. Following the uncovering of a plot against his throne in Yorkshire, King Henry VIII has set out on a spectacular Progress to the North to overawe his rebellious subjects there. Accompanied by a thousand soldiers, the cream of the nobility, and his fifth wife Catherine Howard, the King is to attend an extravagant submission of the local gentry at York.

Already in the city are lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his assistant Jack Barak. As well as assisting with legal work processing petitions to the King, Shardlake has reluctantly undertaken a special mission – to ensure the welfare of an important but dangerous conspirator being returned to London for interrogation.

But the murder of a local glazier involves Shardlake in deeper mysteries, connected not only to the prisoner in York Castle but to the royal family itself. As the Great Progress arrives in the city, Shardlake and Barak stumble upon a cache of secret papers that holds danger for the King's throne, and a chain of events unfolds that will lead Shardlake facing the most terrifying fate of the age.

About the Author

C. J. Sansom was educated at Birmingham University, where he took a BA and then a Ph.D. in history. After working in a variety of jobs, he retrained as a solicitor and practised in Sussex, until becoming a full-time writer. He lives in Sussex. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation