C. J. SANSOM

England, 1537. It is a time of revolution that sees the greatest changes in England since 1066. Henry VIII has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church of England. The country is waking up to savage new laws, rigged trials and the greatest network of informers it has ever seen. And, under the orders of Thomas Cromwell, a team of commissioners is sent throughout the country to investigate the monasteries.
There can only be one outcome dissolution. On the Sussex coast, at the monastery of Scarnsea, events have spiralled out of coritrol. Cromwell's commissioner, Robin Singleton ; 'has been found dead, hi's head severed from his body. His horrific murder is accompanied by equally sinister acts of sacrilege. Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and long-time supporter of the Reformation, has been sent by Cromwell to uncover the truth behind the dark happenings at Scamsea.
But the investigation soon forces Shardlake to question everything he hears, and everything he fundamentally believes...