By C. J. Sansom. A Matthew Shardlake story.
We met lawyer Matthew Shardlake for the first time in Dissolution, where we find him acting for Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex, in the closing down of the monastery at Scarnsea.
Dark Fire once again brings Shardlake into Cromwell’s service. The Chief Minister to King Henry VIII, sends him searching for a weapon with which to equip the King forces. The Dark fire of the title, also known as Greek Fire.
Dark Fire is not a new weapon, rather it is an ancient one, the secret of which has been re-discovered. Shardlake has just twelve days to discover the secret, or a young girl, accused of murder, who he is defending in court and who has refused to plead, will be subjected to The Press , either until she pleads or is dead.
Two brothers discovered the secret of Greek Fire, or Dark Fire as in the title, and have provided a demonstration to Cromwell. Cromwell in turn has informed the king, who’s demonstration is to be in 12 days time, hence the limited time to save the girl.
The two cases are unconnected, except as a lever by Cromwell, who stayed the press, to ensure Shardlake’s cooperation, which gives nothing away of the story. But the press is only delayed, so Shardlake still has to solve the girl’s case and prove her innocence at the same time he is searching for the greek fire.
Along with Shardlake’s case for Cromwell, comes a new assistant. Jack Barak is foisted on Shardlake by Cromwell to help him but also to provide reports to Cromwell himself on Shardlake’s progress with the Greek Fire. Can Shardlake trust Barak?
In Sansom’s second outing of Matthew Shardlake, we are once again woven a complex, involved plot with plenty of twists and turns. Sansome captures the imagery, sights, sounds and smells of the time, with his rich descriptions of London’s life in Henry VIII’s era and machinations of the ‘brotherhood’ of lawyers at Lincoln’s Inn, where Matthew Shardlake has his offices.
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