Tombland
Tombland is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom. It is the seventh book in the Matthew Shardlake series, following 2014's Lamentation.[1] Set in the summer of 1549, the story deals with the investigation of a murder in Norfolk. Matthew Shardlake is entrusted by Princess Elizabeth, later Elizabeth I, to investigate the murder of the wife of a distant relative of hers. During the course of the investigation Shardlake gets involved in Kett's Rebellion.
 First edition cover | |
| Author | C. J. Sansom |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Matthew Shardlake Series |
| Subject | Crime |
| Genre | Historical mystery |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
Publication date | 18 October 2018 |
| Media type | Hardback |
| Pages | 880 |
| ISBN | 9781447284482 |
| Preceded by | Lamentation |
The title comes from the Tombland area of Norwich which is just situated outside Norwich Cathedral. Tombland's etymology is Danish in origin meaning 'empty space' or 'open land', and in the 11th century the area was home to an Anglo-Scandinavian marketplace.[2]
Reception
Critical reception for Tombland has been positive. Stephanie Merritt writing for The Guardian commented that the novel is 'more of a grand historical epic than a tightly packed whodunnit.'[3] In a similar vein Andrew Taylor writing for The Spectator praised the book as 'a Tudor epic disguised as an historical crime novel.'[4]
References
- "Lamentation". Fantasticfiction. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- "The Viking Norwich Trail". Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- Merritt, Stephanie (28 October 2018). "Tombland by CJ Sansom review – royals and revolting peasants". The Observer. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
- "Kidnapped by Kett: Tombland, by C.J. Sansom, reviewed". The Spectator. 20 October 2018.