This second book in the series featuring Matthew Shardlake has two more very interesting puzzles for the reader to try to solve. The first involves a young woman who refuses to enter a plea in court and is therefore sentenced to being "pressed" until such time as she either states her innocence or guilt or dies under the weight of the stones pressing down on her. There are so many witnesses to Elizabeth Wentworth committing the murder that everyone believes her guilty, but she must enter her own plea. Suddenly Thomas Cromwell exerts his influence to force a postponement of Elizabeth's pressing, but only if Shardlake will undertake an extremely secret and deadly mission for him. Cromwell has promised King Henry that he will give him a demonstration of the weapon known as Dark Fire in two weeks time. Cromwell assigns his man Barak to work with Shardlake to locate this Dark Fire and secure it for the use of the monarch.

I think that I may be giving this series of books the wrong classification. Instead of mysteries they are probably best described as thrillers. C. J. Sansom doesn't sprinkle clues throughout the pages of his book for the reader to gather up in order to solve the riddle. Rather, these two completely separate situations are solved by having Shardlake and Barak compile one bit of information after another and by then assembling all that information into a workable solution. Always assuming that they manage to live through their investigations. It seems that others are watching their every move and trying to keep them as far from the secrets of Dark Fire as possible. I have to confess that I wasn't even in the ballpark when it came to solving the political problem, but I did at least know what was happening in the murder investigation.

Set in 1540's London this story very cleverly uses historical fact paired with fiction to paint a picture of the great city of London, the Court intrigues which were a constant daily occurrence, and the incredible contrasts between the lives of rich and poor in this difficult world. How anyone managed to survive is a great surprise to me, with it's susceptibility to plagues, fires, criminal activities, death for political reasons, and corrupt court systems it surprises me that London and its inhabitants didn't all perish. This time period is described in very vivid terms by this author. Three years have passed since book one Dissolution (Matthew Shardlake Mysteries) and Matthew Shardlake is continuing to question his own religious beliefs and to earn his very good living as a lawyer despite the drawback of being a hunchback. I liked the character of Barak and particularly enjoyed the verbal skirmishes these two engaged in. It made them seem much more realistic than to have two characters who always agreed or having one constantly defer to the other. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in this series, Sovereign: A Matthew Shardlake Mystery (Matthew Shardlake Mysteries). But I do think I will allow some time to pass before I try to walk those London streets again with her beggars and open sewage so prominently displayed.

The second of a four book historical fiction, crime series based in the tudor period. Once again the man character is Matthew Shardlake, a London lawyer who is dragged into a mysterious adventure which turns out, once again, to put his life in danger. The sub-plot in this book is Thomas Cromwell and his impending down-fall. While the story revolving around Shardlake, the main character, is fiction, the sub-plot is based in history. 1540 was when Thomas Comwell's influence began to wane, and with the disastrous marriage to Anne of Cleaves failing, Cromwell feared that he would soon fall. Samson writes this thriller with skill. You are taken to London in the 16th century and in the midst of the excellent story telling in the riches of the descriptions of tudor England and its struggles between the Catholic and Protestant faiths. Samson weaves in the tension and problems which had occured after the dissolution of the monasteries, and the political infighting between Cromwell, Richard Rich and the Duke of Norfolk. Excellent novel. Great read.

I liked this book even more than "Dissolution". It is a very good atmospheric and evocative historical thiller with faultless characterization. The author created an interesting cast of different characters, described London during the Reformation so well that made me feel there and then, I could almost hear the sounds, feel the smells of that long-gone time, go about London streets with Shardlake and Barak. The plot kept me turnung pages, making it hard for me to put the book down. The way Sansom used small details, even weather, to create the atmosphere in this book, is outstanding. His characters are three-dimensional, have their own motivations, passions and weaknesses. From book to book this series seems to become better and better. It's definitely worth reading.

This is the second in the Shardlake Series of books that take place during the time of Henry VIII. Matthew Shardlake is a former reformer and a lawyer. He also does "odd jobs" for Cromwell, who during this book is about at the end of his tour of power under Henry. Dark Fire, is a name for a substance that was discovered by the Greeks over a hundred years before and came to England with an old sailor. Cromwell has promised a demonstration to Henry and cannot find the Fire. Matthew is set to find it and get the formula. Lots of subplots along with the main theme.

If magic is just undiscovered science, then Sansom's alchemy in recreating Tudor England is the formula for exploring how this century lurched toward the Age of Enlightenment. It provides a fascinating recreation of the minds and hearts of Henry VIII's realm. Sansom takes the time to develop his characters with sharp distinction, and uses weather and smell to give readers a visceral experience of the day. His blend of historical events and the characters playing them out, both real and fictional, is well crafted and exciting. I hope he keeps Matthew Shardlake alive and well for many more installments!

This second book in the Shardlake series is even better than the excellent debut, Dissolution (which you should certainly read first). Our lawyer-hero returns a couple of years later, and the outstanding, you-are-there historical fiction with him. Sansom not only does an outstanding job with the 16th century setting and detail, but goes beyond standard historical fiction by giving you a sense of the constant change and upheaval during Henry VIII's reign. You get a sense of how different 1540, the year of this book, was from 1538, and how potentially different it could be from 1541. In short, great historical fiction on both the micro and macro level.

What raises this book above the first in the series (though you should definitely read them in order) is Sansom's greater mastery of the whodunit form. In this book he develops sidekicks for the hero and adapts to other conventions of the classic form that lifts the book up another level. Plus, it is a twofer on the mystery side: with two independent puzzles for our hero to solve.

This book was very good. Second hand, but in very good condition. The story was excellent, presenting the Reformation in authentic terms.

Highly recommended for fans of murder mystery and historical fiction.

London in the time of Henry the VIII; dirty, smelly, crowded, exciting, political, and dangerous. England has booted out the Catholic Church so King Henry could marry Ann Boylen (who by now has been beheaded): the catholic countries of Spain and France ally with the Pope to plot the conquest of England. A new weapon has been discovered, the atom bomb of the late medieval times, but murder occurs and the weapon goes missing. The main character, lawyer who happens to be a hunchback, is called into service to try to save the day against a deadline.
The plot is good, the story moves apace, the twists and turns are believable and the ending quite unexpected and historically accurate. The sense of time and place is very well done.
Read the first in the series, Dissolution, before this as the plots follow historical-chronological events.

Dark Fire is set in 16th century London. In this story the main character, lawyer, Matthew Shardlake has to recover the formula of a mysterious flammable liquid, known as 'Dark Fire', for his master, Thomas Cromwell, and at the same time prove a young girl is innocent of a horrible crime.

This book is a highly enjoyable read. The author really brings the Tudor era to life, with his detailed descriptions of the sights, the sounds, the clothes, the people, the London streets, and the political/religious strife of the time.

A great storyline, with great characters. I would highly recommend this book and it predecessor, Dissolution.

An entertaining sequal to his first novel- if you liked the first then reading the second helps make sense of the third "Sovereign" which is being pushed now. I found "Dark Fire" fast moving and filled with historical facts that were well researched and enlightening. An excellent read- J. Kornfeld

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 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.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THOMAS CROMWELL'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Thomas Cromwell came from humble beginnings son of a blacksmith/brewer, born in Putney, London, in 1485. As a young man he lived in Europe and served in the French Army in Italy, on his return to England he worked as a Lawyer which led him into the service of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (King Henry VIII's Chief advisor). By 1523 Cromwell was elected to the House of Commons and two years later became Wolsey's Chief Agent. By Late 1530 Wolsey's was disgraced and on his journey to the Tower of London he died. Thomas Cromwell was sworn into the King's council and he rose rapidly thereafter.

Cromwell set about changing the course of History, unlike Cardinal Wolsey's, Cromwell was not a priest or a papist; he was a lawyer, his own character, methodical, detached and above all calculating upon government issues. Cromwell's first reform was to make the government effective and efficient; it was a modern form of government; based on a bureaucracy staffed by capable people who worked to a series of rules and procedures. Departments were created that dealt with the specifics associated with that department and only those specifics. Each department's received money from pre-specified sources and in turn were rigorously audited so there was no over lapping on money paid out.

In 1531 Cromwell became a member of the King's Privy Council this was his second reform. Henry had one hundred men as advisors, however, not everyone turned up for a meeting, and they were normally dominated by one person. Cromwell arranged to have the Privy Council made up of twenty men of choice; dealing with the day to day running of government, in theory, no individual could dominate the proceedings.

Cromwell became Chancellor of the Exchequer by 1533, each year after he continued to gain a new title. The main thing for Henry around this time was to receive his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Cromwell made it possible with a planned Break from Rome followed by making Catherine's marriage to Henry Invalid. 1534 onwards, motions were in place for the dissolution of the monasteries and establishment of the Royal supremacy. Cromwell's rise was vastly helped by supporting the ambitious Anne Boleyn, but a few years after, Anne became a liability. Boleyn no longer held the King's favour, Cromwell was given the task of getting rid, it was a complete betrayal on Cromwell's part he produced some trumped up charges of adultery, incest and witchcraft, Anne Boleyn was executed May 19th 1536.

Cromwell founded the most famous departments Ministries of Augmentations and First Fruits, to handle income from the dissolution to the King's treasury. Also in use at this time were the two courts of Wards and Surveyors which allowed more efficient taxation and leasing. Cromwell then put his power and deviousness into full force with a new invention the printing-press, spinning the first propaganda campaign in English history. He quickly moved to politically integrate the Kingdom, by extending sovereign authority into northern England, Wales and Ireland, but by this action he had angered the great feudal lords.

Since 1531 Cromwell had received unfavourable attention from Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk and Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk. Two powerful Dukes, Gardiner had worked with Cardinal Wolsey's, but after Wolsey's dismissal all three expected in their own way to be placed in the King's highest favour but Cromwell rose to overtake them all.

Cromwell would have faired better to have stuck to his job of being a great statesman and stayed far from the King's marriage affairs. By April 1540, Henry gave Cromwell the title Earl of Essex, but powerful enemies had already hatched plans, reward of any Earldom was about to be short lived.

C.J SANSOM - DARK FIRE REVIEW

In this Second novel Dark Fire, two stories have been entwined over a twelve day period; C. J Sansom has brought us forward three years to 1540, the hottest summer of the 16th century. Based in London where brutality of life is harsh, noisome, sweat, stench and greed is everywhere. Thomas Cromwell's position as chief of staff for King Henry VIII is filled with great uncertainty, for the King is preparing to dump yet another wife Anne of Cleves. Sansom has also questioned Hunchback London lawyer Matthew Shardlake views after his Dissolution experience, he is now less sure of his political position, religious convictions and more sceptical of others.

Shardlake had been trying to keep a low profile; business had not been great since he had been out of favour with Cromwell. A case had come his way unexpectedly by helping an old friend's niece. Even though the Judge ruled against Shardlake in court, he suddenly had a change of heart outside of it; the Judge agreed to a stay of execution for two weeks. But Shardlake was about to realise darker forces had intervened, Cromwell's network had been doing overtime and the girl was only to keep a longer life span if Shardlake was to help his old nemesis, another pressing matter awaited.

Cromwell had witnessed with his own eyes a demonstration of Greek fire or Byzantine fire of liquid. It was capable of discharging a stream of burning fluid effective on both sea and land, inextinguishable, dreaded and feared by any enemy on attack. The secret behind Greek fire was handed down from one emperor to another and no one else had been able to produce it, but in history the formula had been lost long ago. What a war weapon to behold, not to mention it would put Cromwell back in favour with the King, whom he'd already promised a demonstration to, in two weeks. The problem was these men who had held the liquid formula were shrewd, willing for it to go to the highest bidder either in England or overseas; this was conspiracy against the King. Shardlake's commission was to find out about these men, quietly, also obtain the formula and source of Dark Fire, Cromwell appointed a minder for this dangerous mission one Jack Barak, the chase across London Begins.

Fantastic! Sansom gives us a broad view of politics in the Tudor era, conspiracies of court, a political system based on birth not merit, the division between church and state, prisoners who are tried without representation, housing and sewage problems, even Jack Barak is mocked for being the descendant of Jews. Shardlake is given plenty of scope to debate the morality of the world. Sansom does a great job of weaving real history with fiction so it flows remains easy to read and understandable.

This book is longer than Dissolution, but it's so enjoyable it's not noticeable, with its history and mixes of real names in history such as Richard Rich, Thomas Cromwell and the Duke of Norfolk even an overview of Henry VIII and his wives entwined with fictitious characters. Mathew Shardlake is a great fiction character at last given the opportunity for some sexual tension between him and a lady of higher standing. But adding the character Jack Barak to this novel is a wonderful touch of writing; Shardlake and Barak complement each other. Shardlake's quiet, logical and has formality, Barak's younger, slightly arrogant, rough and ready with touches of violence if needed and an eye for the ladies, the two get into no end of trouble.

Thoroughly enjoyable History. Highly Recommended!

Andrea Bowhill

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THOMAS CROMWELL'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Thomas Cromwell came from humble beginnings son of a blacksmith, born in Putney, London, 1485. As a young man he lived in Europe and served in the French Army in Italy, on his return to England he worked as a Lawyer which led him into the service of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (King Henry VIII's Chief advisor). By 1523 Cromwell was elected to the House of Commons and two years later became Wolsey's Chief Agent. By Late 1530 Wolsey's was disgraced and on his way to the Tower of London but died on the Journey there. Thomas Cromwell was sworn into the King's council and he rose rapidly thereafter.

Cromwell set about changing the course of History, unlike Cardinal Wolsey's, Cromwell was not a priest or a papist; he was a lawyer, his own character, methodical, detached and above all calculating upon government issues. Cromwell's first reform was to make the government effective and efficient; it was a modern form of government; based on a bureaucracy staffed by capable people who worked to a series of rules and procedures. Departments were created that dealt with the specifics associated with that department and only those specifics. Each department's received money from pre-specified sources and in turn were rigorously audited so there was no over lapping on money paid out.

In 1531 Cromwell became a member of the King's Privy Council this was his second reform. Henry had one hundred men as advisors, however, not everyone turned up for a meeting, and they were normally dominated by one person. Cromwell arranged to have the Privy Council made up of twenty men of choice; dealing with the day to day running of government, in theory, no individual could dominate the proceedings.

Cromwell became Chancellor of the Exchequer by 1533, each year after he continued to gain a new title. The main thing for Henry around this time was to receive his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Cromwell made it possible with a planned Break from Rome followed by making Catherine's marriage to Henry Invalid. 1534 onwards, motions were in place for the dissolution of the monasteries and establishment of the Royal supremacy. Cromwell's rise was vastly helped by supporting the ambitious Anne Boleyn, but a few years after, Anne became a liability. Boleyn no longer held the King's favour, Cromwell was given the task of getting rid, it was a complete betrayal on Cromwell's part he produced some trumped up charges of adultery, incest and witchcraft, Anne Boleyn was executed May 19th 1536.

Cromwell founded the most famous departments Ministries of Augmentations and First Fruits, to handle income from the dissolution to the King's treasury. Also in use at this time were the two courts of Wards and Surveyors which allowed more efficient taxation and leasing. Cromwell then put his power and deviousness into full force with a new invention the printing-press, spinning the first propaganda campaign in English history. He quickly moved to politically integrate the Kingdom, by extending sovereign authority into northern England, Wales and Ireland, but by this action he had angered the great feudal lords.

Since 1531 Cromwell had received unfavourable attention from Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk and Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk. Two powerful Dukes, Gardiner had worked with Cardinal Wolsey's, but after Wolsey dismissal all three expected in their own way to be placed in the King's highest favour but Cromwell rose to overtake them all.

Cromwell would have faired better to have stuck to his job of being a great statesman and stayed far from the King's marriage affairs. By April 1540, Henry gave Cromwell the title Earl of Essex, but powerful enemies had already hatched plans, reward of any Earldom was about to be short lived.

C.J SANSOM - DARK FIRE REVIEW

In this Second novel Dark Fire, two stories have been entwined over a twelve day period; C. J Sansom has brought us forward three years to 1540, the hottest summer of the 16th century. Based in London where brutality of life is harsh, noisome, sweat, stench and greed is everywhere. Thomas Cromwell's position as chief of staff for King Henry VIII is filled with great uncertainty, for the King is preparing to dump yet another wife Anne of Cleves. Sansom has also questioned Hunchback London lawyer Matthew Shardlake views after his Dissolution experience, he is now less sure of his political position, religious convictions and more sceptical of others.

Shardlake had been trying to keep a low profile; business had not been great since he had been out of favour with Cromwell. A case had come his way unexpectedly by helping an old friend's niece. Even though the Judge ruled against Shardlake in court, he suddenly had a change of heart outside of it; the Judge agreed to a stay of execution for two weeks. But Shardlake was about to realise darker forces had intervened, Cromwell's network had been doing overtime and the girl was only to keep a longer life span if Shardlake was to help his old nemesis, another pressing matter awaited.

Cromwell had witnessed with his own eyes a demonstration of Greek fire or Byzantine fire of liquid. It was capable of discharging a stream of burning fluid effective on both sea and land, inextinguishable, dreaded and feared by any enemy on attack. The secret behind Greek fire was handed down from one emperor to another and no else had been able to produce, but in history the formula had been lost long ago. What a war weapon to behold, not to mention it would put Cromwell back in favour with the King, whom he'd already promised a demonstration to in two weeks. The problem was these men who had held the liquid formula were shrewd, willing for it to go to the highest bidder either in England or overseas; this was conspiracy against the King. Shardlake's commission was to find out about these men, quietly, also obtain the formula and source of Dark Fire, Cromwell appointed a minder for this dangerous mission one Jack Barak, the chase across London Begins.

Fantastic! Sansom gives us a broad view of politics in the Tudor era, conspiracies of court, a political system based on birth not merit, the division between church and state, prisoners who are tried without representation, housing and sewage problems, even Jack Barak is mocked for being the descendant of Jews. Shardlake is given plenty of scope to debate the morality of the world. Sansom does a great job of weaving real history with fiction so it flows remains easy to read and understandable.

This book is longer than Dissolution, but it's wasn't noticeable because it's so enjoyable with it's history and mixes of real names in history entwined with fictitious characters, Richard Rich, Thomas Cromwell and the Duke of Norfolk even an overview of Henry VIII and his wives. Mathew Shardlake is a great fictitious character at last given the opportunity for some sexual tension between him and a lady of higher standing. But adding the character Jack Barak to this novel is a great touch of writing; Shardlake and Barak complement each other. Shardlake's quiet, logical and has formality, Barak's slight younger, arrogant, rough and ready, touches of violence if needed and an eye for the ladies, the two get into no end of trouble.

Wonderful and intelligent, a page turning historical crime novel.

Andrea Bowhill

CJ Sansom introduced an appreciative reading audience to Matthew Shardlake, a crafty 16th century attorney specializing in property law, in his well received debut novel, "Dissolution". In "Dark Fire", Shardlake has been asked by a family friend to defend his niece, young Elizabeth Wentworth, accused of viciously killing her step-brother by pushing him into a deep, abandoned well. Elizabeth, verging on the loss of her reason, simply refuses to speak in her own behalf and will not even enter a plea in court. Under English law of the day, unless she enters a plea, she will be pressed - cruelly crushed to death under a load of stone that is added to daily until she expires.

Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's feared vicar general, has offered a stay of execution of this sentence if Shardlake will promise to investigate the existence of "dark fire" - a fabled weapon mysteriously resurfaced from the misty past of ancient Greek history that would make the British navy all but invincible. Cromwell's political future is on the line as he has promised this weapon to his king and Shardlake is acutely aware of what this pressure means for his future and, indeed, his life as well.

Death and destruction follow Shardlake through a brilliantly portrayed squalid, poverty stricken 16th century London as he searches for Cromwell's mysterious weapon of mass destruction. Sansom has not only crafted a compelling murder mystery but he has also wonderfully woven it into the frightening politics and legal machinations of the day. Cromwell's political future is hanging by a thread as he makes promises he may not be able to keep and foolishly makes known his views against Cromwell's pending divorce of Anne of Cleves. It's every man for himself with backstabbing corruption prevailing at the highest levels of King Hal's court as gentle nobles and ladies seek to secure their positions. It's out with Anne of Cleves and in with the tarty young Catherine Howard.

Much recommended for lovers of historical fiction and murder mysteries.

Paul Weiss

Another wonderful and suspenseful mystery set in Tutor London.

This is the second Matthew Shardlake Mystery. I read the first and enjoyed it very much and I was not at all disappointed with this second installment.

Once again Master Shardlake is in a tight spot. He has been called upon to help defend 18 year old Elizabeth Wentworth, who has been accused of murder but refuses to speak in her own defense. Shardlake fears he has lost the case and the girl may die as a result. Then he is suddenly granted a two week reprieve to investigate the case further and try to convince the accused to speak of the crime. The Earl of Essex, Thomas Cromwell, the king's powerful vicar general, is the man who has granted the reprieve and in return for this favor tells Shardlake that he must locate the only remaining 'Dark Fire', an ancient weapon of mass destruction before he is to meet with the king in twelve nights.

There are many gruesome details of the period, both fascinating and frightening. Punishment for criminals, heretics and traitors was harsh in Tudor times. They had their heads lopped off and stuck on spikes over London Bridge for all to see, prostitutes were branded with W for whore, heretics burned at the stake. There are many gruesome details of medieval times perfect for a fiction writer to weave into a dark mystery.

I really enjoyed our heroes Matthew Shardlake and his brutish assistant Jack Barak. I enjoyed the two separate puzzles that they are trying to figure out. I thought Sansom did a wonderful job of creating realistic characters, and believable relationships while blending in the characters of real historical figures.

I really liked this and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy this period in history and those who like reading Philippa Gregory's novels .
Well done!

I found "Dark Fire" to be a satisfying read that I frankly did not want to put down. As a mystery it succeeds with interesting plot twists. And, the author gives the reader an unsettling but believeably gritty sense of the harshness of 16th Century London life as the backdrop for the drama. If one enjoys a hearty dose of history with his who-dun-its, this book will not disappoint.