a murder mystery set in Tudor England (third in the "Matthew Shardlake" series). It's a little long, but it's a fabulous read. Not to give away too much, but the author really makes you feel the terror and pain of being faced with torture, and also charactor studies of those who would use it as a means of political and religious intimidation. It was truly a scary time and place.
http://www.amazon.com/Sovereign-Matthew-Shardlake-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/B000X1FCTA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203367535&sr=1-1