By 1535 Cromwell is the Chief Minister to Henry VIII, his fortunes having risen with those of Anne Boleyn. But the split from the Catholic Church has left England dangerously isolated, and Anne has failed to give the king an heir. Cromwell watches as Henry falls for plain Jane Seymour. He must find a solution... An astounding literary accomplishment, "Bring up the bodies" is the story of a terrifying moment of history, by the great novelist Hilary Mantel.