Shardlake series Books in Order

mystery novel series by C. J. Sansom

Publication order

In the order the books were originally released.

  1. Cover of Dissolution

    Dissolution

    2003 · C. J. Sansom

    Dissolution (2003) is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom. It is Sansom's first published novel and the first in the Matthew…

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  2. Cover of Dark fire

    Dark fire

    2004 · C. J. Sansom

    It is 1540 during the hottest summer of the sixteenth century. Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer, believes he is out of favor with Thomas Cromwell. He is…

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  3. Sovereign

    2006 · C. J. Sansom

    Sovereign is a 2006 historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom, his fourth novel and the third in the Matthew Shardlake series. Set in…

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  4. Cover of Revelation

    Revelation

    2008 · C. J. Sansom

    In Revelation, the third novel in the Shardlake series, the year is 1543, and King Henry VIII is pursuing Lady Catherine Parr, a woman who supports…

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  5. Cover of Heartstone

    Heartstone

    2010 · C. J. Sansom

    Summer, 1545: England is at war after Henry VIII's invasion of France goes badly wrong, and a massive French fleet prepares to sail across the…

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  6. Cover of Lamentation

    Lamentation

    2014 · C. J. Sansom

    In this 2014 novel by C. J. Sansom, set in summer 1546, King Henry VIII is dying while Protestant and Catholic councillors fight for control of his…

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  7. Cover of Tombland

    Tombland

    2019 · C. J. Sansom

    In 1549, during a time of political turmoil in England, lawyer Matthew Shardlake faces a difficult choice. The country is in chaos under the rule of…

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Frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Shardlake series books in?

Read them in publication order, starting with “Dissolution”. Start with “Dissolution.”

How many books are in the Shardlake series series?

We list 7 books by C. J. Sansom , published between 2003–2019.

Where can I buy the Shardlake series books?

Each title above links to Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.