Set two years after the death of King Henry VIII, Tombland explores the northern rebellion of 1549. Our lawyer hero, Matthew Shardlake, has grown white-haired and feels defeated by his nemesis, Sir Richard Rich - until an unexpected investigation for Princess Elizabeth draws him deep into the murky waters of the rebellion.
As with all CJ Sansom's books, even Shardlake seems to forget about the need to solve the murder mystery, as the sub-plots are much more interesting. I particularly like the way the author builds an 'ensemble cast' of richly drawn characters, each representing another facet of their dangerous and complex situation.
I found myself wondering what I would have done in Shardlake's position, as the social injustice is hard to ignore - yet the treatment of the nobility by the rebels is also questionable. Caught up on both sides of the conflict, Shardlake seems doomed whichever way he turns.
It's well worth reading the author's essay at the back of the book about re-imagining Kett's Rebellion, as I'd been so swept up in the narrative I hadn't realised how faithfully the story follows actual events.
This is a book I would like to have written. Highly recommended.
Tony Riches
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About the Author
Born in 1952, Christopher John Sansom grew up in Edinburgh, the only child of an English father and a Scottish mother. Educated at Birmingham University, he took a BA degree and a PhD 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. Find out more at his website www.cjsansom.com
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