The Shardlake series, also known as the Matthew Shardlake Tudor Mysteries, is a historical detective series featuring a hunchbacked lawyer-detective serving in the court of Henry VIII. Set in Tudor England, Shardlake solves mysteries against the backdrop of King Henry VIII’s reign.

Dedicated fans marvel at the incredible historical detail and depth that C.J. Sansom weaves into the mysteries, often featuring real-life historical figures and events. Many readers say they get so wrapped up in the stories that they can’t put the books down.

Each novel has its own standalone mystery set within historical events of the time and can be enjoyed individually. However, as Shardlake navigates the political world around him, he grows and evolves. Therefore, fans recommend reading the books in order to fully appreciate the character arcs, historical progression, and references to earlier events.