My Goodreads review: Dark Fire

[ankh_hpl]

Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another meaty, detail-rich Tudor mystery for Sansom's somewhat unusual detective: a hunchbacked lawyer more comfortable with property cases than murder most foul. This time around, it's a double investigation set during the waning days of Thomas Cromwell's career in service to Henry VIII. Reluctantly assisting Cromwell, Matthew Shardlake must investigate the disappearance of a formula for Greek Fire -- while also attempting to save the life of a young woman accused of murdering her cousin. What could possibly go wrong?

As it turns out, nearly everything. Sansom was a master at combining deep historical information with nonstop anxiety and frequent action scenes, & Dark Fire does not disappoint. Those particularly interested in or informed about this period in Tudor England will probably be even more anxious than the average reader. A brief (5 minutes' listening time) but comprehensive historical endnote helps separate fact from fiction, which I also found useful.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys English historical mysteries, & isn't afraid of extensive detail.



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