Raskol

Shardlake, a hunchbacked lawyer and humanist, works for Thomas Cromwell, the king's powerful advisor, who is enforcing the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Matthew is sent to Scarnsea Abbey in the south of England to investigate the brutal murder of the royal commissioner Robin Singleton, who was there negotiating the monastery's surrender.

At Scarnsea, Shardlake finds an atmosphere of fear, secrecy, and corruption. The monks live in luxury, far from their vows, while rumors of heresy, sexual scandals, and embezzlement spread among them. Shardlake, with the help of young Mark Poer, investigates the murder, but soon faces new crimes and dangers. As he delves deeper, he uncovers complex relationships between the monks, their connections to local power, and clues that point to political intrigues behind the scenes. His faith in the Reformation begins to weaken as he realizes that Cromwell's agenda may not only be moral, but also deeply pragmatic.

The novel combines historical accuracy with a suspenseful detective story, depicting England at a time of religious and political turmoil. Sansom masterfully portrays moral dilemmas, conflicts between faith and power, and Shardlake's inner struggle with his own ideals. The Schism is the introduction to a multi-layered series about justice, loyalty, and humanity in the turbulent 16th century.