Dark Fire

Dark Fire by C. J. Sansom

Second book in the Shardlake series.

This book was even better than dissolution which was the first in the series. This time Matthew Shardlake has to contend with an even more gruesome set of assassins and attempt to keep Thomas Cromwell in power. Then he also has to find out whether a friends daughter which has been accused of murder is really guilty. This novel shows the details of every thing that it passes in London: the smells, the sights and also the atmosphere. Sansom has written this novel brilliantly and I hope that his next books will be just as good if not better. I am giving it 9/10.
MB

It is now three years since Matthew Shardlake the hunch back lawyer worked for Cromwell at Scarnsea Abbey.  He goes to the defence of a young woman accused of murdering her Cousin by pushing him down a well.  The call comes from his old master Cromwell who offers him assistance in the case if he will undertake an investigation for him.   Again you get a full flavour of the times and the way life was lead in the reign of Henry VIII.  I fully recommend this story and as the author writes more he understands the complexity and melancholy of the character he has created.  I give this a 9 out of 10.

JB

Overall it is 9/10.