Dissolution
A Matthew Shardlake Novel
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Dissolution
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Narrated by:
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Anton Lesser
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By:
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C. J. Sansom
About this listen
Abridged edition.
Dissolution is the first in the phenomenal Shardlake series by bestselling author, C. J. Sansom.
It is 1537, a time of revolution that sees the greatest changes in England since 1066. Henry VIII has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church and the country is waking up to savage new laws, rigged trials and the greatest network of informers ever seen. Under the order of Thomas Cromwell, a team of commissioners is sent through the country to investigate the monasteries. There can only be one outcome: the monasteries are to be dissolved.
But on the Sussex coast, at the monastery of Scarnsea, events have spiralled out of control. Cromwell's Commissioner Robin Singleton, has been found dead, his head severed from his body. His horrific murder is accompanied by equally sinister acts of sacrilege - a black cockerel sacrificed on the altar, and the disappearance of Scarnsea's Great Relic.
Dr Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and long-time supporter of Reform, has been sent by Cromwell into this atmosphere of treachery and death. But Shardlake's investigation soon forces him to question everything he hears, and everything that he intrinsically believes . . .
Follow Shardlake into the dark heart of Tudor England with Dark Fire, Sovereign, Revelation, Heartstone, Lamentation and Tombland.
Critic Reviews
"Having hugely enjoyed Anton Lesser's reading of Sovereign, the third of C.J. Sansom's Tudor mystery series starring the hunchbacked lawyer Matthew Shardlake, I backtracked to hear the first two in the series, Dissolution and Dark Fire.. . As a trio, they reveal just how skilled Sansom is in creating convincing characters in a fully imagined historical world, and it is no surprise that a television series featuring Shardlake is planned. I'm not sure if Anton Lesser will star in it, but after hearing him narrate all three books, I can't imagine anyone better suited to the role... Following the text in a paperback, I let my eyes chase what my ears were hearing and was impressed at how little had to be lost." Christina Hardyment (The Times Books)
What listeners say about Dissolution
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 05-05-2024
History brought to life with rich detail and characters that feel like they carry on out of the boundaries of the page
Great murder mystery set against the backdrop of a turbulent period of history that's fantastically brought to life in this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-02-2020
Sansom & Lesser are a perfect duet.
Sansom is a skilled and well informed writer who brings this period of history to life with great plots & characters. Anton Lesser is a masterly narrator and this was pure pleasure to listen to.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Julie Swanepoel
- 11-06-2017
Gripping tale!
what a fantastic tale of murder, greed and devilish treatment of fellow humans. So interesting. ......
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Helen Esdaile
- 11-05-2016
Gripping
What did you like most about Dissolution?
The narration was so good I will be searching out anything Anton Lesser has read based on this book.
What does Anton Lesser bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The book is a gripping yarn which comes alive with Anton Lesser reading it.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Absolutely
Any additional comments?
I will now be reading all the Matthew Shardlake series. A wonderful story.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MISS
- 12-12-2023
Cracking read
A 15th century ‘who done it’ great characters. Wonderful way to learn history. I would recommend this book and therefore the whole series.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- LouFish
- 17-04-2020
Excellent narration of an intriguing story!
This was the second time I'd read 'Dissolution' but the first time I'd listened to it as an audio book. Anton Lesser is a fabulous narrator and brings to his reading all the skills of his thespian experience and talents. Having recently finished 'The Mirror and the Light', it was interesting to read Sansom's much harsher and less humane characterisation of Cromwell. It is a shame that it was abridged as it lacked all the details of the original novel. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Now to re-read / listen to the next 5 in the series before I read 'Tombland' for the first time. If only Anton Lesser were narrating this one too!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- soo jay
- 28-04-2020
Best narration I have heard on Audible.
I can tell I am going to enjoy the Matthew Shardlake series for its historical setting and entertaining mysteries. But it is the wonderful narrator, Anton Lesser, who will keep me coming back for more. I'd give his performance ten stars if I could.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 22-03-2019
Enjoyable
I enjoyed the story, probably not what I normally listen but did enjoy it very much
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lyla
- 26-08-2022
Brilliantly entertaining!
The narration was SUPERB! I'm not one for historical novels usually, but this was so well written. The story was engaging, many twists and turns, and moments that made me gasp aloud! There was sorrow and darkness, but somehow I didn't feel overwhelmed by it all... and of course, who doesn't love a good murder mystery!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-01-2023
Brings England in the Time of Henry VIII Alive
Very good historical who-dun-it that blends great story twists with a commentary on the tragedy of England in the time of Henry VIII. The novel addresses how the corruption practiced by the great and powerful causes great suffering for the the little people. It is a warning against fanaticism and revolution. The story is engaging, the characters strong and the narration excellent.
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