C.J. Sansom Books in Order

C.J. Sansom is a renowned English writer of crime novels, drawing on his historical expertise honed through a BA and PhD in history from the University of Birmingham. His storied career has taken him from working in various jobs to retraining as a solicitor, with a stint practising law in Sussex on behalf of the disadvantaged. Ultimately, he chose to dedicate himself full-time to writing. His critically acclaimed Shardlake series has captivated audiences, set against the backdrop of Henry VIII's tumultuous reign. The series follows the hunchbacked lawyer Matthew Shardlake, initially working on commission from Thomas Cromwell, and later from Thomas Cranmer. The BBC has commissioned an adaptation of Dissolution, with Kenneth Branagh set to star as Shardlake, with the remainder of the series expected to follow. C.J. Sansom has been consulted on the project, now in its final stages of negotiation. In addition to the Shardlake series, he has written the thriller Winter in Madrid, set in 1940s Spain amidst the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. His work has earned him significant recognition, including the 2005 Ellis Peters Historical Dagger for Dark Fire, and a "Very Highly Commended" nod for the Shardlake series in the 2007 CWA Dagger in the Library award.