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CJ Sansom - Dark Fire


Debbie

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This is a murder mystery set in the time of Henry VIII, and it a sequel to 'Dissolution'. A lawyer in London, Matthew Shardlake, is asked to defend a girl, Elizabeth, accused of murdering her young cousin by pushing him down a well. It seems hopeless as she is to be pressed for refusing to plead when the judge unexpectedly gives Shardlake 2 weeks to investigate. He soon discovers that Thomas Cromwell has need of his services again, and buys his cooperation by arranging the respite.

 

The investigation for Cromwell is to find the formula for Greek Fire, the dark fire of the title. Cromwell has been approached by two brothers who tell him they have discovered the formula and given a demonstration of it's powers. Cromwell has agreed to pay them for it, but wants Shardlake to visit them to explain that they must give it up without paying as not to do so would be treason. Shardlake has limited time to persuade tehm as Cromwell has promised the king a demonstation of dork fire in 2 weeks.

 

When Shardlake and Cromwells man Barak visit the brothers they find them both horrifically murdered and this starts a trail back and forth across London to try to find the formula and save Cromwell, as well as Elizabeth.

 

I have not read the previous book but I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and will look out for Dissolution. The historical accuracy was very good, I checked with my father who is an amateur historian specialising in the Tudors, and he couldn't fault it, although it is of course fictionalised.

 

I did find some of the detail of the period tedious, and wanted to get on with the story rather than read how bodily waste was disposed of in Tudor London for instance, but generally it was a good book with a slightly signposted but still surprising end.

 

Debbie

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