Status
Available
Series
Description
When a friend's niece is charged with murder and threatened with torture for her refusal to speak, 1540 lawyer Matthew Shardlake is granted a reprieve to investigate the case if he will also accept a dangerous assignment to find a legendary weapon.
User reviews
LibraryThing member baswood
[Dark Fire] by C J Sansom
[Sovereign] by C J Sansom
Beach reading - well from the balcony overlooking the beach which was far more comfortable. Two books in the Mathew Shardlake crime series and both of them kept me up reading well into the night. Shardlake is a lawyer in 16th century England whose
The world building, scene setting, historical reconstruction or whatever you like to call it is the main reason I have got hooked on this series. Sansom is careful not to stray too far from the known facts of the period and his murder mysteries enable him to bring his own interpretations to the characters that were the power brokers in Henry VIII court. The struggle between the catholic traditionalist and the protestant reformers who made up the factions containing the great families of the realm provide a stunning background to the stories. Shardlake was seen to be a reformer when working for Cromwell but with the rise of the Howard family at court following the execution of Ann Boleyn he must tread a more wary path when the traditionalists were gaining the upper hand. Sansom superbly captures the deadly intrigue surrounding the King and his coutiers in a world that was all too easily, likely to spill over into violence. Shardlake the crookbacked lawyer spends most of the books in fear of his life.
Dark Fire is set in London and there are thrilling descriptions of Shardlake riding on horseback through the streets of Cheapside, Fleet street, Ludgate, St Pauls, and Newgate. There are horrific descriptions of Newgate goal and the poorer areas around Thames Street, but it is the bustle, the crowds, the sense of a city bursting at the seams that fires the imagination. Shardlake seems to be constantly battling through the hubbub, pursuing or being pursued by mysterious forces intent on stopping his investigations. Sovereign is set largely in York, perhaps the second city of Tudor England, but a much poorer place compared to London. The city seems to be going backwards despite its collection of marvellous buildings. Both London and York are suffering the effects of the dissolution of the monasteries and while London seems to be embracing the change York as a city is suffering. What is clear however in both cities is that there is money to be made from the sale of land belonging to the church and those is favour with the King will benefit. A feature of Sovereign is the descriptions of the Kings Progress. In Tudor times it was still customary for the government led by the king to tour the kingdom usually during the summer months. In the great progress to York in 1541 Henry was intent on displaying his power, his government and all its followers was literally on the road cutting a huge swathe across the country and the purpose of the York progress was for Henry to receive oaths of allegiance from the great Northern families. The stately progress hampered by an appalling English summer and fraught with tension is brilliantly conveyed as is Shardlake’s return to London where he is arrested thrown in the Tower and suffers at the hands of the torturers.
Mathew Shardlake’s character has been set from the first novel in the series. His crookbacked deformity is mocked by many of the people with whom he has to deal, leading him to hide behind a gruff exterior. He is hard working and as honest as his predicaments allow him to be. He is trustworthy and together with his attention to detail and painstaking following through in his investigations makes him a useful tool to his paymasters, however it is these very characteristics that constantly get him into trouble. I was reading these two novels in conjunction with a history of the battle of Flodden 1513 and I had difficulty in telling apart the history from the historical novel.
Looking over the balcony at the people on the Mediterranean beach, relaxing, perhaps escaping from the drama and intrigues of their daily lives, there could hardly have been a greater contrast than with Mathew Shardlake’s desperate attempts to save himself and his friends from death or worse in Tudor England - 4 stars.
[Sovereign] by C J Sansom
Beach reading - well from the balcony overlooking the beach which was far more comfortable. Two books in the Mathew Shardlake crime series and both of them kept me up reading well into the night. Shardlake is a lawyer in 16th century England whose
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services are used by the power makers in the Tudor Court. In Dark Fire he is Thomas Cromwell’s man who is tasked with solving the mystery of the re-discovery of Greek Fire: a combustable material that could burn on water and which had been lost for centuries. Shardlake is soon the target for assassination attempts and with his assistant the streetwise Barak he must solve the mystery to save Cromwell’s skin. Sovereign finds Shardlake after the fall of Cromwell when he is tasked by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer to ensure the safe passage of the man Broderick, who has important information as one of the leaders of the Revolt of the North - the so called Pilgrimage of Grace. Shardlake must meet King Henry VIII progress at York and escort the prisoner back to London. Shardlake and Barak again find themselves in far deeper waters that they anticipate as this time the fate of Catherine Howard: Henry’s Queen, is also involved.The world building, scene setting, historical reconstruction or whatever you like to call it is the main reason I have got hooked on this series. Sansom is careful not to stray too far from the known facts of the period and his murder mysteries enable him to bring his own interpretations to the characters that were the power brokers in Henry VIII court. The struggle between the catholic traditionalist and the protestant reformers who made up the factions containing the great families of the realm provide a stunning background to the stories. Shardlake was seen to be a reformer when working for Cromwell but with the rise of the Howard family at court following the execution of Ann Boleyn he must tread a more wary path when the traditionalists were gaining the upper hand. Sansom superbly captures the deadly intrigue surrounding the King and his coutiers in a world that was all too easily, likely to spill over into violence. Shardlake the crookbacked lawyer spends most of the books in fear of his life.
Dark Fire is set in London and there are thrilling descriptions of Shardlake riding on horseback through the streets of Cheapside, Fleet street, Ludgate, St Pauls, and Newgate. There are horrific descriptions of Newgate goal and the poorer areas around Thames Street, but it is the bustle, the crowds, the sense of a city bursting at the seams that fires the imagination. Shardlake seems to be constantly battling through the hubbub, pursuing or being pursued by mysterious forces intent on stopping his investigations. Sovereign is set largely in York, perhaps the second city of Tudor England, but a much poorer place compared to London. The city seems to be going backwards despite its collection of marvellous buildings. Both London and York are suffering the effects of the dissolution of the monasteries and while London seems to be embracing the change York as a city is suffering. What is clear however in both cities is that there is money to be made from the sale of land belonging to the church and those is favour with the King will benefit. A feature of Sovereign is the descriptions of the Kings Progress. In Tudor times it was still customary for the government led by the king to tour the kingdom usually during the summer months. In the great progress to York in 1541 Henry was intent on displaying his power, his government and all its followers was literally on the road cutting a huge swathe across the country and the purpose of the York progress was for Henry to receive oaths of allegiance from the great Northern families. The stately progress hampered by an appalling English summer and fraught with tension is brilliantly conveyed as is Shardlake’s return to London where he is arrested thrown in the Tower and suffers at the hands of the torturers.
Mathew Shardlake’s character has been set from the first novel in the series. His crookbacked deformity is mocked by many of the people with whom he has to deal, leading him to hide behind a gruff exterior. He is hard working and as honest as his predicaments allow him to be. He is trustworthy and together with his attention to detail and painstaking following through in his investigations makes him a useful tool to his paymasters, however it is these very characteristics that constantly get him into trouble. I was reading these two novels in conjunction with a history of the battle of Flodden 1513 and I had difficulty in telling apart the history from the historical novel.
Looking over the balcony at the people on the Mediterranean beach, relaxing, perhaps escaping from the drama and intrigues of their daily lives, there could hardly have been a greater contrast than with Mathew Shardlake’s desperate attempts to save himself and his friends from death or worse in Tudor England - 4 stars.
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LibraryThing member cbl_tn
In 1540 London’s early summer heat, lawyer Matthew Shardlake races against time to fulfill a commission for Thomas Cromwell. Will he locate the rumored stash of an ancient weapon of war, “Dark Fire”, before time runs out?
Author C. J. Sansom successfully conveys the atmosphere of political and
The development of the mystery surrounding “Dark Fire” and Shardlake’s secondary investigation of a criminal case had so many twists and turns that it lost me for a while in the middle of the book. Shardlake was racing against time, yet it soon became difficult to keep track of the days. One day seemed to run into another. The only clue to the passage of time came from the occasional reminders from Shardlake’s assistant about the number of days remaining to solve the mystery. Adding dates to the chapter or section headings might help the reader to keep better track of time, and might create more suspense for the reader.
According to the historical afterword, the summer of 1540 was the hottest summer recorded in the 16th century. In the midst of our current heat wave in the South, it didn’t take a lot of imagination for me to sympathize with the characters in their heat-related misery!
Author C. J. Sansom successfully conveys the atmosphere of political and
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religious uncertainty of the time. Reformer Cromwell’s influence with Henry VIII is waning due to his facilitation of the unsuccessful marriage between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves. The Duke of Norfolk’s influence is on the rise, helped by Henry VIII’s fondness for the duke’s young niece, Catherine Howard. The break with the Roman Catholic Church is less than a decade old. Will Norfolk’s influence lead to a reunion with the Roman church, endangering the lives of those who have openly embraced Reformation views?The development of the mystery surrounding “Dark Fire” and Shardlake’s secondary investigation of a criminal case had so many twists and turns that it lost me for a while in the middle of the book. Shardlake was racing against time, yet it soon became difficult to keep track of the days. One day seemed to run into another. The only clue to the passage of time came from the occasional reminders from Shardlake’s assistant about the number of days remaining to solve the mystery. Adding dates to the chapter or section headings might help the reader to keep better track of time, and might create more suspense for the reader.
According to the historical afterword, the summer of 1540 was the hottest summer recorded in the 16th century. In the midst of our current heat wave in the South, it didn’t take a lot of imagination for me to sympathize with the characters in their heat-related misery!
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LibraryThing member brenzi
What sets this series above others that involve an investigator and crime is that author C.J Sansom is a professional historian and, as such, is able to weave a lot of his knowledge of 16th century Tudor England into his stories. Oh and of course there's the fact that the man spins a crackerjack
At the same time, Matthew has to solve the case of a young girl, Elizabeth, who is accused of killing her cousin, yet refuses to offer a plea, leaving herself open to being pressed as a punishment for this refusal. Being pressed is one of those old Tudor torture methods that were so prevalent during the 1500s along with other pleasant experiences like being drawn and quartered, burned at the stake or losing your head, literally. Not a good time for being seen as an enemy of the King.
Sansom writes beautifully and is able to impart the feel of the filthy city of London in the 16th century when sanitation was, er, lacking. His characterization of the mighty and the meek, the rough and the upper class, the haves and the have-nots is just superb. And, oh dear, Matthew and Jack do get themselves into some pretty nasty skirmishes and the question all along is one of time. Can they find the Greek Fire formula and apparatus and can they discover who actually killed the young cousin before time runs out? Sansom keeps us guessing, for the most part, right up until the end. Highly recommended, although I thought the author could have trimmed the almost 600 page tome by about a hundred pages without diminishing its effectiveness.
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tale. Once again, Thomas Cromwell has assigned a task to lawyer Matthew Shardlake and to help out he gives him the rather rough Jack Barak. The two of them have exactly ten days to discover the formula for Greek Fire, an ancient legendary substance that Cromwell will be able to use in a demonstration for Henry VIII, that will enable the King's navy to rule the seas and conquer his foes. Cromwell is worried about losing the King's favor and this will save him. At the same time, Matthew has to solve the case of a young girl, Elizabeth, who is accused of killing her cousin, yet refuses to offer a plea, leaving herself open to being pressed as a punishment for this refusal. Being pressed is one of those old Tudor torture methods that were so prevalent during the 1500s along with other pleasant experiences like being drawn and quartered, burned at the stake or losing your head, literally. Not a good time for being seen as an enemy of the King.
Sansom writes beautifully and is able to impart the feel of the filthy city of London in the 16th century when sanitation was, er, lacking. His characterization of the mighty and the meek, the rough and the upper class, the haves and the have-nots is just superb. And, oh dear, Matthew and Jack do get themselves into some pretty nasty skirmishes and the question all along is one of time. Can they find the Greek Fire formula and apparatus and can they discover who actually killed the young cousin before time runs out? Sansom keeps us guessing, for the most part, right up until the end. Highly recommended, although I thought the author could have trimmed the almost 600 page tome by about a hundred pages without diminishing its effectiveness.
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LibraryThing member eleanor_eader
Dark Fire finds Matthew Shardlake, reformist lawyer, leading a quiet life and glad of it, when he is asked to look into the circumstances regarding a girl’s murder of her young cousin. As this reveals itself to be a tangle of worrisome proportions, Cromwell once again summons his most useful
I was delighted to find that this book has even better pace than the previous one, but retains its wealth of historic detail, and works very well against the backdrop of recorded events. I was also thrilled that ‘Brother’ Guy was reintroduced and, better still, Shardlake’s new sidekick, Barak, brings a great dynamic to this second book. The story is also subtly infused with the presence of evil that Shardlake feels within the city.
A most minor complaint: Matthew Shardlake’s love interest and plot-distraction, Lady Honour, was the weak point of this book, for me. The lawyer’s loneliness is a large part of his character but this time Sansom overplays his vulnerability a little, and with someone who I found read as completely patronising. I do, however, enjoy the lawyer’s ongoing self-awareness arc… his humility in interrogating himself, breaking down his own attitudes, makes him more a whole person than many I’ve read in any genre, never mind one that doesn’t need a lot of character growth to work.
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investigator and commands him to resolve another matter, one upon which their careers and lives hang; the disappearance of the formula for the alchemical wonder ‘Dark Fire’. They have just two weeks to apprehend the thieves and find/remix the substance for a promised demonstration in front of King Henry.I was delighted to find that this book has even better pace than the previous one, but retains its wealth of historic detail, and works very well against the backdrop of recorded events. I was also thrilled that ‘Brother’ Guy was reintroduced and, better still, Shardlake’s new sidekick, Barak, brings a great dynamic to this second book. The story is also subtly infused with the presence of evil that Shardlake feels within the city.
A most minor complaint: Matthew Shardlake’s love interest and plot-distraction, Lady Honour, was the weak point of this book, for me. The lawyer’s loneliness is a large part of his character but this time Sansom overplays his vulnerability a little, and with someone who I found read as completely patronising. I do, however, enjoy the lawyer’s ongoing self-awareness arc… his humility in interrogating himself, breaking down his own attitudes, makes him more a whole person than many I’ve read in any genre, never mind one that doesn’t need a lot of character growth to work.
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LibraryThing member foolplustime
I have actually read this book before, but it's summer, and it's hot, and my concentration is *rubbish* at the moment, so: a re-read.
I remember this as being one of the weaker Shardlake novels, but it's still better than Revelation (which felt like it had a structure shoehorned onto it rather too
Despite a certain repetitiveness in the events (the action largely involves Shardlake and Barak riding across London to have a conversation with somebody they spoke to a couple of days before, interspersed with peril) it's very readable if not the best of the series.
I'm not a great historical fiction buff, but I like things which read as though they could be true, even if they're gubbins. This, for me, managed that. If you've not read a Shardlake novel before, don't start with this one - either read them in order, or my pick would be Sovereign, book 3.
I remember this as being one of the weaker Shardlake novels, but it's still better than Revelation (which felt like it had a structure shoehorned onto it rather too
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firmly - Heartstone was a return to form) and it is. Initially, it all feels a bit *too* convenient, the way Shardlake is tasked with investigating the Dark Fire of the title, and that convenience feels weak, as does the time limit imposed - yet it still manages to ratchet the tension. Once it gets going it goes well enough. Despite a certain repetitiveness in the events (the action largely involves Shardlake and Barak riding across London to have a conversation with somebody they spoke to a couple of days before, interspersed with peril) it's very readable if not the best of the series.
I'm not a great historical fiction buff, but I like things which read as though they could be true, even if they're gubbins. This, for me, managed that. If you've not read a Shardlake novel before, don't start with this one - either read them in order, or my pick would be Sovereign, book 3.
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LibraryThing member infjsarah
I actually enjoyed this Shardlake novel better than the first. The main character grows on you and his new "sidekick" is gold in a rough exterior.
The history is also fascinating. Will carry on with series.
The history is also fascinating. Will carry on with series.
LibraryThing member thornton37814
Matthew Shardlake takes on a case of a girl accused of killing her cousin. Although the judge sentences the girl to be pressed for her refusal to plead, Cromwell assists in a 12-day reprieve because he needs Shardlake to locate a mysterious substance known as "Greek fire" (often called "Dark Fire"
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because of its dark color). It is able to burn things and even works on water. Cromwell wants it for its potential use in naval warfare. Shardlake does not really want to do Cromwell's bidding, but he has no choice because of the time he has been bought on the case of young Elizabeth. Cromwell lends Shardlake a man named Barak to assist in his inquiries. A recurring character from the previous installment is Guy, the former monastic doctor who is now working as an apothecary in London. It's another great installment in one of my new favorite series. It gives me a glimpse into some of the reasons some of my ancestors migrated to America during this period. Show Less
LibraryThing member cathyskye
First Line: I had left my house in Chancery Lane early, to go to the Guildhall to discuss a case in which I was acting for the City Council.
Lawyer Matthew Shardlake may have too many irons in the fire. His scribe can't seem to do anything right, and not having the documents he needs when he needs
With the help of one of Cromwell's trusted servants, Shardlake finds himself traveling all over London tracking down clues-- interviewing alchemists, aristocrats and lawyers alike. Not only that-- he also finds himself trying to avoid the assassins who seem intent on killing everyone who's ever heard of the elusive "dark fire".
I read the first book in this series shortly after it was published and for the most part I loved it. The only real quibble I had was that the main character, Matthew Shardlake, whined too much about his hunchback keeping him from scoring with the babe of his choice. Yes, his affliction would be a tough one to bear, especially during that era, but I come from a long line of people who do not believe in whining. (And from their devotion to that rule, I have to believe that it's been in place for a few centuries.) Be that as it may, Shardlake scarcely whines at all in Dark Fire, and I appreciated that.
Shardlake is a fully fleshed character. He's a sharp, intelligent lawyer. He can circumnavigate the dangerous circles that do the king's bidding. He's a genuinely caring person-- even though he's blind to those around him at times.
The magic starts to happen when a character like Shardlake is put in charge of solving two very complicated puzzles in the fantastically rich and treacherous tapestry of Henry VIII's London. Sansom's character is a lawyer with his normal caseload, but he's also worked for the government during the dissolution of the monasteries and in other projects for the king. Shardlake can ride through the streets of London and see how the city has changed. He can tell us of these changes-- and the reasons for them-- without it sounding like a history lesson. He's merely commenting on the passing scenery. If you're not familiar with Tudor England, you're learning and enjoying; if you are familiar with it, you sigh with satisfaction and sink deeper into the story.
Although this is the second book in this series, you don't need to read the first to be able to make sense of everything in Dark Fire. So... if you enjoy rich, meaty, multi-layered historical mysteries with excellent characterization and plotting, by all means make the acquaintance of Matthew Shardlake!
Lawyer Matthew Shardlake may have too many irons in the fire. His scribe can't seem to do anything right, and not having the documents he needs when he needs
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them makes Shardlake grumpy. A friend's young niece has been accused of murder and is facing a death sentence. Even though the young girl refuses to speak, after visiting her in prison,Matthew believes she's innocent. However, before he can mount any sort of defense for her, Henry VIII's vicar general, Thomas Cromwell, postpones the trial in order for Shardlake to track down a cache of and the recipe for "dark fire"-- the liquid weapon of mass destruction dating from the time of the Greeks-- that Cromwell has promised to a very irritable king.With the help of one of Cromwell's trusted servants, Shardlake finds himself traveling all over London tracking down clues-- interviewing alchemists, aristocrats and lawyers alike. Not only that-- he also finds himself trying to avoid the assassins who seem intent on killing everyone who's ever heard of the elusive "dark fire".
I read the first book in this series shortly after it was published and for the most part I loved it. The only real quibble I had was that the main character, Matthew Shardlake, whined too much about his hunchback keeping him from scoring with the babe of his choice. Yes, his affliction would be a tough one to bear, especially during that era, but I come from a long line of people who do not believe in whining. (And from their devotion to that rule, I have to believe that it's been in place for a few centuries.) Be that as it may, Shardlake scarcely whines at all in Dark Fire, and I appreciated that.
Shardlake is a fully fleshed character. He's a sharp, intelligent lawyer. He can circumnavigate the dangerous circles that do the king's bidding. He's a genuinely caring person-- even though he's blind to those around him at times.
The magic starts to happen when a character like Shardlake is put in charge of solving two very complicated puzzles in the fantastically rich and treacherous tapestry of Henry VIII's London. Sansom's character is a lawyer with his normal caseload, but he's also worked for the government during the dissolution of the monasteries and in other projects for the king. Shardlake can ride through the streets of London and see how the city has changed. He can tell us of these changes-- and the reasons for them-- without it sounding like a history lesson. He's merely commenting on the passing scenery. If you're not familiar with Tudor England, you're learning and enjoying; if you are familiar with it, you sigh with satisfaction and sink deeper into the story.
Although this is the second book in this series, you don't need to read the first to be able to make sense of everything in Dark Fire. So... if you enjoy rich, meaty, multi-layered historical mysteries with excellent characterization and plotting, by all means make the acquaintance of Matthew Shardlake!
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LibraryThing member soliloquies
Second in the Shardlake series and this one was an improvement on the first - the author really seemed to settle in with the character, which made the writing flow better. The introduction of Jack Barak is a good one, as he's street savvy. Loved the intrigue between Norfolk, Rich and Cromwell and
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how easy it was for Shardlake to get sucked into the politics of a Tudor court. Show Less
LibraryThing member ponsonby
Like other books in the series (this is the second), it has a compulsively readable quality of plot, strong characterisation and a very good sense of authenticity. The author makes clear what is factual and what he has invented to further the story - something other historical novels could so with!
LibraryThing member ChelleBearss
Book two in the Shardlake series. He is involved in a murder trial of a young female accused of murdering her cousin but throwing him down a well. She is refusing to plead innocent or guilty by staying completely silent. Shardlake has promised her uncle that he will attempt to find out what really
Meanwhile Shardlake has been summoned to Thomas Cromwell and given an investigation even though he thought he was out of the good graces of Cromwell. Shardlake has only two weeks to solve Cromwell's mystery and help the young girl.
"Why does faith bring out the worst in so many, Guy?’ I blurted out. ‘How is it that it can turn men, papist and reformer both, into brutes?"
"Man is an angry, savage being. Sometimes faith becomes an excuse for battle. It is no real faith then. In justifying their positions in the name of God, men silence God."
I enjoyed this much more than the previous book in the series. I found Shardlake easier to like this time around and it's always great when I don't figure out the ending ahead of time!
3.5*
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happened and save her even though she is refusing to speak out to save herself. Meanwhile Shardlake has been summoned to Thomas Cromwell and given an investigation even though he thought he was out of the good graces of Cromwell. Shardlake has only two weeks to solve Cromwell's mystery and help the young girl.
"Why does faith bring out the worst in so many, Guy?’ I blurted out. ‘How is it that it can turn men, papist and reformer both, into brutes?"
"Man is an angry, savage being. Sometimes faith becomes an excuse for battle. It is no real faith then. In justifying their positions in the name of God, men silence God."
I enjoyed this much more than the previous book in the series. I found Shardlake easier to like this time around and it's always great when I don't figure out the ending ahead of time!
3.5*
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LibraryThing member Bookmarque
Plot-wise and historical detail wise, this kept me very intrigued, informed and entertained. Historical mysteries can get hung up in too much detail and explanation or too little; assuming the reader has as much knowledge as the author when it comes to the time period described. Sanson adroitly
Brother Shardlake, a lawyer, is our central figure. He has a disfigurement in the form of a hunched back and doesn’t hide his great intelligence or perception. Class-wise he’s middling. A professional man with some standing, but he’s not high enough to retain the esteem of a certain woman of nobility. There is definite attraction on both sides, but because of his low birth and dim prospects for elevation, they go their separate ways. It was a sad testament to the way things were when the classes were bound and separated.
There were a lot of unfortunate things about the times then. Infuriating things that I’m so glad the western culture has moved beyond. Suspicion of science. Religious intolerance. Oppression of women. Religious entanglement in secular law and order. Rampaging ignorance. Amazing we got anything done at all.
All my life I’ve been vaguely aware of the Protestant Reformation and King Henry VIII’s part in it, but I hadn’t understood the scope of what happened. I’m sure this novel only scratched the surface, but it was enough to give me a new perspective on those events. Sure, the Catholic Church has been one of the most corrupt entities in the history of the world, but the dismantling of their infrastructure in Great Britain was painful and unjust to the least of the population. Basically the monasteries, churches, orphanages and hospitals were sold off and some just plain given away and dismantled. When this happened many of the church officials were executed. Those who gave up their vows and allegiance to the Pope were spared, but not always. Worst of all were the patients and orphans who were just turned out into the streets. Of course then the nobles and officials complained of the subsequent crowding, disease and crime. Define irony.
Then there is the upper crust wrangling for power. Cromwell is Henry’s chief minister and advisor, recipient of the Order of the Garter. For over a decade he’s served his king and his own interests. But now there are others who want a return to Catholicism; ostensibly to avoid a war with the allied countries of France and Spain. None of Henry’s marriages has been able to secure England against the Papists. Some want to capitulate and return to the old order. But Henry is having too good a time being King and head of the Church to possibly do that. Sickly and at the end of his reign, he also wants an heir. Of course we know what happens, but it is interesting to see it from Shardlake’s perspective. It was also interesting to see how Sanson would cover Cromwell’s arrest and execution which loomed so close during the story.
He does this by inserting the quest for Dark Fire. Also known as Greek Fire. Again, I’d heard of it, but didn’t know its historical context. Invented by the Greeks, harnessed somewhat by the Romans, but pivotal to the Byzantines, this substance was lost and became mythic. Then rumors surfaced that some survived and various alchemists were employed to essentially reverse-engineer the stuff and try to make more. It would be especially useful against the Papists. Cromwell saw it as his last chance to keep his head. If he got Henry Greek Fire, maybe the Cleves marriage debacle would be mitigated. He sends Shardlake out to find the stuff and reprieves Elizabeth’s Pressing for 12 days; the time in which he promised Henry to produce Greek Fire. Little does he know it’s all a plot to bring his downfall. Shardlake only figured it out in the end. A nice little exercise of alternative thought process. Even though he resents Cromwell’s power over him, he feels a scrap of left-over allegiance and really does try to keep Cromwell from the executioner.
I really felt for the guy. He was truly between a rock and a hard place. Cromwell or any other nobleman of his rank could make Shardlake’s life hardly worth living. They could destroy his career, confiscate his property and throw him in jail. Hanging on a trumped up charge is totally conceivable as well. It’s frightening how vulnerable everyone was to the whims of those higher up. Sure, there were laws, but many of those were made and enforced only to protect those in power. Even if there was a hearing, the judges were often corrupt. It was funny to see lawyers as sneered at and slandered as they are now. Poor Shardlake. He was a rare good one.
The case of Elizabeth’s imprisonment is a perfect example. I’m not sure that the crime itself isn’t a bit too modern to fit here, but it would be as horrific a thing as anyone could have seen in those days. Here in the 21st century, psychopathic killers are too commonplace to be as shocking.
That’s basically what we have; evidence of a child’s torture and murder of animals and another boy are found at the bottom of a well. Because basically the whole household is against her, Elizabeth has no one to turn to when she discovers the grisly remains. She didn’t push her cousin down the well, but his sisters conspire to frame her and everyone else just falls into line. Because she doesn’t speak in her own defense she will be sentenced to Pressing; the practice of placing heavier and heavier weights on a person’s chest to make them either speak or die. This is in lieu of a trial. Logical and brilliant to be sure.
Of course Shardlake and Barak solve her case and save her skin; outing the real murderers at the same time. He’s made enemies though; the judge and some nobles. They’re sure to rear their ugly heads in future installments. I like the disparate pairing of Shardlake and Barak though. It works. Shardlake needs a guy of Barak’s talents. He’s educated, but his intelligence is more shrewd than strictly clever. He’s also physical and knows weapons and how to use them. Crafty, but sensitive (he points out poor Skelly’s myopia and Shardlake berates himself for not recognizing it earlier) he’s a complementary force to Shardlakes and I’m looking forward to seeing what they get up to in future novels.
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sidestepped both pitfalls. I was neither bored nor patronized. Sanson also avoided hero-worship by placing a fictional character central in the story and allowing real historical figures to play supporting roles only.Brother Shardlake, a lawyer, is our central figure. He has a disfigurement in the form of a hunched back and doesn’t hide his great intelligence or perception. Class-wise he’s middling. A professional man with some standing, but he’s not high enough to retain the esteem of a certain woman of nobility. There is definite attraction on both sides, but because of his low birth and dim prospects for elevation, they go their separate ways. It was a sad testament to the way things were when the classes were bound and separated.
There were a lot of unfortunate things about the times then. Infuriating things that I’m so glad the western culture has moved beyond. Suspicion of science. Religious intolerance. Oppression of women. Religious entanglement in secular law and order. Rampaging ignorance. Amazing we got anything done at all.
All my life I’ve been vaguely aware of the Protestant Reformation and King Henry VIII’s part in it, but I hadn’t understood the scope of what happened. I’m sure this novel only scratched the surface, but it was enough to give me a new perspective on those events. Sure, the Catholic Church has been one of the most corrupt entities in the history of the world, but the dismantling of their infrastructure in Great Britain was painful and unjust to the least of the population. Basically the monasteries, churches, orphanages and hospitals were sold off and some just plain given away and dismantled. When this happened many of the church officials were executed. Those who gave up their vows and allegiance to the Pope were spared, but not always. Worst of all were the patients and orphans who were just turned out into the streets. Of course then the nobles and officials complained of the subsequent crowding, disease and crime. Define irony.
Then there is the upper crust wrangling for power. Cromwell is Henry’s chief minister and advisor, recipient of the Order of the Garter. For over a decade he’s served his king and his own interests. But now there are others who want a return to Catholicism; ostensibly to avoid a war with the allied countries of France and Spain. None of Henry’s marriages has been able to secure England against the Papists. Some want to capitulate and return to the old order. But Henry is having too good a time being King and head of the Church to possibly do that. Sickly and at the end of his reign, he also wants an heir. Of course we know what happens, but it is interesting to see it from Shardlake’s perspective. It was also interesting to see how Sanson would cover Cromwell’s arrest and execution which loomed so close during the story.
He does this by inserting the quest for Dark Fire. Also known as Greek Fire. Again, I’d heard of it, but didn’t know its historical context. Invented by the Greeks, harnessed somewhat by the Romans, but pivotal to the Byzantines, this substance was lost and became mythic. Then rumors surfaced that some survived and various alchemists were employed to essentially reverse-engineer the stuff and try to make more. It would be especially useful against the Papists. Cromwell saw it as his last chance to keep his head. If he got Henry Greek Fire, maybe the Cleves marriage debacle would be mitigated. He sends Shardlake out to find the stuff and reprieves Elizabeth’s Pressing for 12 days; the time in which he promised Henry to produce Greek Fire. Little does he know it’s all a plot to bring his downfall. Shardlake only figured it out in the end. A nice little exercise of alternative thought process. Even though he resents Cromwell’s power over him, he feels a scrap of left-over allegiance and really does try to keep Cromwell from the executioner.
I really felt for the guy. He was truly between a rock and a hard place. Cromwell or any other nobleman of his rank could make Shardlake’s life hardly worth living. They could destroy his career, confiscate his property and throw him in jail. Hanging on a trumped up charge is totally conceivable as well. It’s frightening how vulnerable everyone was to the whims of those higher up. Sure, there were laws, but many of those were made and enforced only to protect those in power. Even if there was a hearing, the judges were often corrupt. It was funny to see lawyers as sneered at and slandered as they are now. Poor Shardlake. He was a rare good one.
The case of Elizabeth’s imprisonment is a perfect example. I’m not sure that the crime itself isn’t a bit too modern to fit here, but it would be as horrific a thing as anyone could have seen in those days. Here in the 21st century, psychopathic killers are too commonplace to be as shocking.
That’s basically what we have; evidence of a child’s torture and murder of animals and another boy are found at the bottom of a well. Because basically the whole household is against her, Elizabeth has no one to turn to when she discovers the grisly remains. She didn’t push her cousin down the well, but his sisters conspire to frame her and everyone else just falls into line. Because she doesn’t speak in her own defense she will be sentenced to Pressing; the practice of placing heavier and heavier weights on a person’s chest to make them either speak or die. This is in lieu of a trial. Logical and brilliant to be sure.
Of course Shardlake and Barak solve her case and save her skin; outing the real murderers at the same time. He’s made enemies though; the judge and some nobles. They’re sure to rear their ugly heads in future installments. I like the disparate pairing of Shardlake and Barak though. It works. Shardlake needs a guy of Barak’s talents. He’s educated, but his intelligence is more shrewd than strictly clever. He’s also physical and knows weapons and how to use them. Crafty, but sensitive (he points out poor Skelly’s myopia and Shardlake berates himself for not recognizing it earlier) he’s a complementary force to Shardlakes and I’m looking forward to seeing what they get up to in future novels.
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LibraryThing member otterley
Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and odd job man around Henry VIII's London, is like Inspector Morse in at least one respect - when he starts getting fond of women, we know he's in for a bad time. This is well plotted, with two different main plots intersecting and playing off one another (the death of a
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child in a well, the disappearance of the eponymous 'Greek fire'), both needing to be solved with real urgency. Shardlake and his new sidekick Barak travel backwards and forwards across the new city of London, encountering merchants, displaced priests, beggars and prostitutes, nobles and fine ladies - as the country quakes with the impending fall from grace of Thomas Cromwell. The period detail is beautifully done and meticulous and the characterisation quite as good as it needs to be. Show Less
LibraryThing member cathymoore
The second in Sansom's Shardlake series sees our hero back in his home city of London trying to defend a young girl accused of the murder of her cousin as well as solve the mystery of Dark Fire, an alchemical substance, for an increasingly desparate Thomas Cromwell. The author paints life in Tudor
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London beautifully in the minds eye, this is a book you can really immerse yourself in. Shardlake's quiet, methodical and dignified character is wonderfully juxtaposed in this story by his new assistant Jack Barak. Barak is handsome, heroic and blunt to the point of vulgarity and his developing relationship with Shardlake was one of my favourite parts of the book. Once again Sansom perfectly blends fictional characters and storylines with real historic events. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member sabbiemv
A Christmas present from from a friend a couple of years ago, I was rather sceptical about it. Reading the publisher's blurb, I felt bored, but fixed the widest grin on my face while giving my friend the most upbeat 'thanks!' I could muster.
I pretty much decided to read it just to get the pain
I never imagined I could be gripped by a book about a lawyer (an overly sweaty one at that...) who was solving a case in pre-electricity times.
I almost cried when I came to the end of the book until I realised that, not only was the author was writing the next installment, but there was a previous Shardlake book to dive straight into.
Hurrah for the (well written) historical crime genre!
I pretty much decided to read it just to get the pain
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over and done with - but have become an historical novel convert as a result. I never imagined I could be gripped by a book about a lawyer (an overly sweaty one at that...) who was solving a case in pre-electricity times.
I almost cried when I came to the end of the book until I realised that, not only was the author was writing the next installment, but there was a previous Shardlake book to dive straight into.
Hurrah for the (well written) historical crime genre!
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LibraryThing member keywestnan
I liked this book quite a bit ... until the very end when he just had to have a Scooby Doo moment (where the villain inexplicably decides to confess all about the crime and his/her own part in it) AND the good guys took an action that even I could tell was a bad idea. But overall an entertaining
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read in the Tudor thriller genre in which our hero the hunchback lawyer Matthew Shardlake has to navigate political London in all its uncertainties in the time of Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell. Show Less
LibraryThing member Pirongia
Very good series about Mathew Shardlake (lawyer), becoming involved in a mystery at the highest levels in very dangerous times.
LibraryThing member carolanne5
Fiction, read 2010, historical, tudor, crime, London, Shardlake
LibraryThing member Mireille4m
who dunnit met achtergrond England in de 16e eeuw
LibraryThing member dougwood57
CJ Sansom continues the investigations of Matthew Shardlake, the hunchbacked attorney in Dark Fire, an historical detective novel set in 16th century Tudor England. This time around the story centers on London and its immediate environs. As book opens Shardlake is quickly retained to represent a
Just when Shardlake despaired of saving his client, the judge strangely allows a two-week reprieve. Shardlake soon learns that his benefactor is none other than Lord Thomas Cromwell, recently elevated to Earl of Essex by the grace of Henry VIII. Three years earlier at the time of the events set forth in Dissolution, the first Shardlake novel, Matthew was still an ardent reformer and devoted servant of the Vicar-General. By 1640, however, he has become disillusioned by Cromwell's slavish service to Henry.
But, the price to save his young client a horrible death is cooperation in Cromwell's investigation into the secrets of Greek Fire, also known as Dark Fire. With the aid of Cromwell's rough-edged helper Jack Barak, our man Shardlake delves into many an odd corner of London's streets, including a trip to the pleasures offered in the brothels of Southwark, dining at an aristocratic table with the Duke of Norfolk, exploring old Roman texts, digging in church graveyard, and seeking the secrets at the bottom of a horrid-smelling well. The Greeks surely knew the secrets of Greek Fire, but has it been rediscovered in Tudor London? If it has, who will benefit? Cromwell or his enemies?
Sansom weaves another intricate historical tale - perhaps a bit longer than necessary with, some may think, too many references to the (historically accurate) sweltering summer of 1640 - but all-in-all an interesting and entertaining piece of work. Dark Fire won the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Ellis Peters Historical Dagger in 2005. Highly recommended.
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young woman accused of murdering her cousin. The girl refuses to speak, which can present a challenge to even the most accomplished defense attorney (although in truth many a finely crafted defense has been wrecked by a client's indiscreet disclosures of fact!). In 16th century English criminal law, however, a capital defendant who refused to enter a plea was subjected to `the press' - a board being placed on top of the prostrate defendant and weights were added until the defendant plead or died. Just when Shardlake despaired of saving his client, the judge strangely allows a two-week reprieve. Shardlake soon learns that his benefactor is none other than Lord Thomas Cromwell, recently elevated to Earl of Essex by the grace of Henry VIII. Three years earlier at the time of the events set forth in Dissolution, the first Shardlake novel, Matthew was still an ardent reformer and devoted servant of the Vicar-General. By 1640, however, he has become disillusioned by Cromwell's slavish service to Henry.
But, the price to save his young client a horrible death is cooperation in Cromwell's investigation into the secrets of Greek Fire, also known as Dark Fire. With the aid of Cromwell's rough-edged helper Jack Barak, our man Shardlake delves into many an odd corner of London's streets, including a trip to the pleasures offered in the brothels of Southwark, dining at an aristocratic table with the Duke of Norfolk, exploring old Roman texts, digging in church graveyard, and seeking the secrets at the bottom of a horrid-smelling well. The Greeks surely knew the secrets of Greek Fire, but has it been rediscovered in Tudor London? If it has, who will benefit? Cromwell or his enemies?
Sansom weaves another intricate historical tale - perhaps a bit longer than necessary with, some may think, too many references to the (historically accurate) sweltering summer of 1640 - but all-in-all an interesting and entertaining piece of work. Dark Fire won the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Ellis Peters Historical Dagger in 2005. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member mooknits
Another stonking read from old CJ. This one was not as good at the first book "Dissolution" but still a good read. There was so much going on and so many characters sometimes it was hard to keep up with what was going on. However you feel as though you are right there in the action - I was totally
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gripped and couldn't put the book down - always a good sign. I have the next one all lined up ready to go. Can't wait ! Show Less
LibraryThing member readafew
Dark Fire is the second book the the Mathew Shardlake series. This book has improved quite a bit over the first Dissolution and I really enjoyed reading it. Sansom has a great way of making you see and feel the time period in which the story is taking place. He also does a great job of twinning his
Here we find Shardlake asked by a friend, to help represent a niece accused of murdering her cousin. Lord Cromwell steps in and gets Shardlake's client a 12 day reprieve, in exchange for another favor. Once again Shardlake gets into a trouble he would rather have avoided. Someone has found the ancient Greek Fire and Cromwell wants our protagonist to secure it. There are plots and plots afoot and Shardlake needs to separate out the truth from the lies and he doesn't have much time to do it in.
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story through real historical events that took place at during the story.Here we find Shardlake asked by a friend, to help represent a niece accused of murdering her cousin. Lord Cromwell steps in and gets Shardlake's client a 12 day reprieve, in exchange for another favor. Once again Shardlake gets into a trouble he would rather have avoided. Someone has found the ancient Greek Fire and Cromwell wants our protagonist to secure it. There are plots and plots afoot and Shardlake needs to separate out the truth from the lies and he doesn't have much time to do it in.
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LibraryThing member firebird013
Sanson at his powerful best. His novels do not have to be read in order - but if you have not read any then read this after Dissolution.
LibraryThing member uncultured
I have a big weakness for this mystery series starring a hunchback lawyer working in the dangerous times of the English Reformation. Shardlake, the main character, is wonderfully sympathetic and interesting, and Sansom couldn't have picked a better time to set a mystery. With so many rival factions
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both at court and in the country at large, the list of suspects is never short. This particular book, second in a series of three (so far), concerns attempts by the government to acquire a quasi-mystical Greek weapon that sounds to modern ears like a long-distance flamethrower. Throw in some whores, alchemists, assassins, and treacherous courtesans, and you've got yourself a helluva mystery. Good stuff. Must add, though, that it is not short. It doesn't drag, though, so never fear. Show Less
LibraryThing member libraryliz2
A great read. Sansom makes the time period come to life. The main character, Matthew Shardlake, is so moving, a man of conscience in a violent and uncertain time. Just wonderful!