Dark Fire

A Matthew Shardlake Mystery

By: C. J. Sansom

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Winner of the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award, Dark Fire revisits acclaimed master of historical fiction C. J. Sansom's colorful and rapier-witted lawyer, Matthew Shardlake.

Set in 1540, this beguiling tale of murder and mayhem is set against a rich backdrop of medieval London. Here, hunchbacked Matthew Shardlake is called upon to investigate the peculiar case of a young woman accused of murder.

©2004 C. J. Sansom (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC

Wow, these books are wonderful

What did you love best about Dark Fire?

I loved the atmosphere and the detail of 1540's London, yuk, glad I don't live there, but what endless intrigue and double dealing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dark Fire?

The dark fire encounter and the narrow escape for Matthew and Jack.

What about Steven Crossley’s performance did you like?

Steven Crossley is a treasure. He does not miss a beat and that isn't easy in a book that is nearly 19 hours.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My extreme reaction was to its quality and interesting history. It is a pleasure to be able to immerse yourself in another time and place so completely.

Any additional comments?

Read it and then get all the other books in the series and prepare not to sleep until you are done with the last page! Enjoy yourself.

Great historical mystery

A truly great listen! A grand mystery, that kept me stumped to the very end, combined with fantastic narration makes this a winning combination!

Narrator makes average book Great<br />

I did anticipate the story getting better, but I got to the last page without that transpiring. The Narrator made the book.

Addictive book

This book is very addictive. It is a great story with memorable characters that brings the listener into London under Henry VIII.

Even if you are tired of the Tudors.

This is the second in the Matthew Shardlake mystery series, and I loved it! I have put off reading these because I was just Tudored out. But a few years have gone by and I have come back to the time period, but I will avoid anything directly to do with any of Henry’s queens. Anyhow…

Cromwell’s career is in jeopardy, and Shardlake is no longer in favor.

What I liked: I like Shardlake, a good man in a system so archaic and broken that it seems there is no such thing as justice. I love the cast of characters, his new side kick is one of Cromwell’s men and I he makes me laugh. Sansom’s a master at drawing complex characters. The story is beautifully woven within real events.

What I didn't like. I think that most people get that 16th century London was filthy, but the descriptions of it gets a bit tiresome. Still 5 stars!

Steven Crossley is a wonderful narrator and I enjoyed his characterizations very much.

Gripping mystery, fascinating history

This is my favorite sort of book: one which weaves a fictional tale and characters into historical events. The basis for the plot of this book seems unlikely but the author makes it sound completely plausible. Wonderful historical details abound, and if you are a fan of the Tudor period, you will be enchanted by the vivid portrait of Henry VIII's London. There is only one thing which detracts from the book and forces me to give it four stars instead of five: the author's tendency to filter the protagonist's point of view through a more politically correct, 21st-century lens; for example, I find it highly doubtful that the phrase "social justice" would have been part of a 16th-century conversation. It is a minor quibble, however, and wouldn't stop me from strongly recommending this series to any lovers of historical mysteries or period fiction in general.

Great

I love this book and I am sure I will read the whole series. It’s an excellent historical mystery, if you like Brother Cadfael I think you will like this. It is darker than that- but not so much as to be repugnant. Although I did fast forward for 30 seconds twice in this book to avoid graphic details. I’m pretty sensitive about that, and the parts I skipped probably wouldn’t bother most people. Anyway I enjoyed the characters and all the historic scenes. The suspense was great! But not over done. I am thrilled to have found this series.

Thoroughly enjoyable in every measure! Don't miss this one.

This book is a must for any lover of historical fiction. The performance is wonderful and the story engaging in narrative as well as setting.

Politics, Corruption, Murder aren't new bedfellows

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to aficionadoes of historical fiction - but they have to be patient. C J Sansom takes time to describe the background of his plot, the scene of Tudor London, and the nature of his characters. Anyone seeking a "quick read" or light froth decorated with descriptions of ladies' fashion will find his work tiresome. No sex either, so viewers of popular ersatz fantasy-history shows won't enjoy it. If, however, one is seeking a mystery populated by characters who are historically accurate in thought, speech, and beliefs, and who enjoys the visual images created by an author who takes pains to create the Tudor world in the mind's eye, this is a good mystery. I do recommend, however, starting with the first book in the series, "Dissolution," to learn about the main character, his motivations, and his reasons for melancholy.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that the main characters didn't quickly solve the challenges with which they were presented. They had to engage in a lot of back and forth - over their hypotheses, over the evidence presented and sought, and over London - in order partially accomplish their goals. I thought Sansom skillfully wove the main mystery in the plot line within historical fact concerning the events of late spring and early summer 1540.

What about Steven Crossley’s performance did you like?

His portrayal of the character Jack Barak was amusing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The description of the "hole" in Newgate Prison is appalling.

Any additional comments?

This is not a book one could imbibe in one sitting. Not only is it very long, but the level of detail is such that the listener would have difficulty absorbing all evidence presented because of the enormity of it.

Dark Fire well performed

Superb reading performance, engaging story. I look forward to more adventures from this reader and this author