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Review
C. J. Sansomas highly atmospheric and well-crafted sixteenth-century thriller... vividly describes the turbidity of Tudor London. (Jasper Fforde)
Stella Duffy, The Guardian
Sansom appears to have entirely beaten the second novel blues.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
175 of 178 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having raced through DIssolution last weekened, I'm thrilled to discover Dark Fire, also featuring the hunchback Tudor lawyer Matthew Shardlake, just as compelling. Set three years after the events of the first novel, it has the honest barrister once again forced to work for Lord Cromwell - a man who still strikes terror into all, but who is on the verge of losing his power and his head thanks to his attempts to shore up Henry Vlll's dismal marriage to Anne of Cleves. Cromwell intervenes to allow a young girl, accused of murdering her cousin, two weeks' grace in order for Shardlake to track down the secret of "Greek Fire", a fearsome weapon believed to have been rediscovered by two alchemists, now brutally murdered. To assist him in this Shardlake not only has the enchanting Arab physician (now apothecary) and former monk, Brother Guy, but a Jewish man, Barak, loyal to Cromwell. Their difficult relationship and reluctant respect for each other form a most entertaining and thoughful part of a race against time to solve two murder cases. Once again, what is so captivating about this new star of historical fiction is the intelligence and compassion with which he writes. I highly recommend this to all who love really good detective fiction, historical fiction and an intelligent, literate novel that does not disdain a strong plot and characters.
110 of 112 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you have even a passing interest in historical fiction, particularly Tudor London, and you enjoy a gripping mystery replete with twists, turns and colourful characters, you're likely to have a good time with this book. C.J. Sansom's Shardlake character is a little on the obvious side, with his pure heart and indefatigability overcoming the constraints of his flawed physical being (he's a hunchback lawyer in case you're wondering). Still, it's impossible not to become enthralled by this tale of political intrigue and murder with its adroit descriptions of the machinations of the nobility, corrupt lawyers and officials, and vivid portrayal of the sights and sounds of Tudor London. To my mind, one of the best compliments a book like this can have is that it makes you want buy the next one before you've even finished it, just to be able to delve straight back into Shardlake's world.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are three elements to this excellent book.
The title story is a vaguely credible political thriller about Cromwell's last days attempting to cling on to power.
The intrigue running in parallel with this is the investigation of a child's murder with a fascinating picture of the values that were held in the sixteenth century in relation to criminal law.
The background throughout is the stage itself - mid-Tudor London, with a focus on the Inns of Court, but a marvellous view of the commercial, residential, social and institutional elements of London at the time, with all the smells, contexts, sights and horrors that Sansom vividly portrays.
I rate each of these elements highly. The background is first rate - double-starred. As a barrister I was fascinated by the proceedings at both the civil and criminal courts in Westminster and London. The crime itself was not difficult to work out, but that's by the by in the context of how the authorities view it. The political background is great although the concept of "Dark Fire" itself was a bit daft. Without giving too much away, it seems inconceivable that the French or Spanish at the time hadn't already got it.
The history and the setting is six stars. Therefore an overall five.
The title story is a vaguely credible political thriller about Cromwell's last days attempting to cling on to power.
The intrigue running in parallel with this is the investigation of a child's murder with a fascinating picture of the values that were held in the sixteenth century in relation to criminal law.
The background throughout is the stage itself - mid-Tudor London, with a focus on the Inns of Court, but a marvellous view of the commercial, residential, social and institutional elements of London at the time, with all the smells, contexts, sights and horrors that Sansom vividly portrays.
I rate each of these elements highly. The background is first rate - double-starred. As a barrister I was fascinated by the proceedings at both the civil and criminal courts in Westminster and London. The crime itself was not difficult to work out, but that's by the by in the context of how the authorities view it. The political background is great although the concept of "Dark Fire" itself was a bit daft. Without giving too much away, it seems inconceivable that the French or Spanish at the time hadn't already got it.
The history and the setting is six stars. Therefore an overall five.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dark Fire
Dark Fire is another adventure for the hunchback lawyer set in Tudor England.It sets the reader in times of political uncertantity where status and weath count more than truth and... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Andy
Better than Dissolution
I found 'Dissolution,' the first of the Matthew Shardlake series interesting but a little slow. However I liked it enough to read this sequel and I am glad I did as it is much... Read more
Published 19 days ago by lordbrett
Dark Fire
worth a read you can almost smell and taste the history as you read very difficult to put down will make a good holiday read.
Published 1 month ago by Malcolm I. D. Carr
Dark fire
I am very pleased that a friend recommend this book , I find the historical theme very interesting and have purchased other books by this author.
Published 1 month ago by Phillip
Memorable and enjoyable visit to Tudor London
Matthew Shardlake is for the second time charged by Cromwell with getting to the heart of a tricky problem. Read more
Published 1 month ago by William Jordan
Great Read
Like all of C J Sansoms (Shardlake series)books there is little I can say that others have not said before me! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ms. J. F. Mace
A good series to get into.
The C.J. Sansom books (Shardlake) are just the thing in bed for a good read at the end of the day. Good plots, and some ghoulish history make it all the more interesting. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs Furley
Amazing
Amother great novel in the Shardlake series. Exciting plots and sub plots have you wondering what will turn up next and the historical references brought into what is happening at... Read more
Published 4 months ago by elliecat
C.J. Sanson - my 2011 Discovery
Dark Fire - I loved it, loved it, loved it. I could not put it down. I became so engrossed in the book, from the first to the last page, that I got very, very cross when... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Shaz Dyer
Dark Fire
I first met Shardlake in "Dissolution" and was immediately captivated by his honesty and endeavour. He is a Tudor lawyer, working in London, who has a small practice which provides... Read more
Published 4 months ago by George Jones
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