Dissolution

Was Matthew Shardlake a truly naïve character, or was he simply in a deep state of denial with regard to Thomas Cromwell’s style of governing?

What feelings did the author’s depiction of the dissolution of the monasteries evoke in you? Were you conflicted? Did you empathize with the brothers?

Can you imagine what your life might have been like during this period of history? Elaborate on the different ways in which the author evoked Tudor England, particularly London.

Do you think an individual with a humpback could have risen to a commissioner’s position at a time when his physical handicap was—to many people—bad luck? Why do you think the author chose to saddle Shardlake with this deformity? Did you feel sorry for him? Why or why not?

Did you feel sexual tension between Alice and Shardlake? If so, was it authentic or do you think Alice manufactured a faux physical attraction to manipulate Shardlake? Cite examples from the novel that support your theory.

Choose one word, as quickly as possible, to describe each of the three main characters: Shardlake, Mark Poer, and Alice. Once you have done this, elaborate on the complexities, or lack of complexities, of these individuals.

How effective was the author in maintaining suspense? At what point in the novel did you have an inkling as to who Singleton’s murderer was, and when did you see the murders as separate events as opposed to being committed by one culprit?

A “red herring” is a device used in mysteries to throw the reader off the track of the true perpetrator. What, or who, were Mr. Sansom’s red herrings?

What characters from Dissolution would you be interested in seeing again in future Matthew Shardlake mysteries? Why?

Did you feel relief upon learning that Mark Poer and Alice survived? Why or why not?