Dark Fire Audiobook By C. J. Sansom cover art

Dark Fire

A Matthew Shardlake Mystery

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Dark Fire

By: C. J. Sansom
Narrated by: Steven Crossley
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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 Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Mystery
Engaging Mystery • Historical Authenticity • Excellent Narration • Intriguing Plot Twists • Rich Period Detail

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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.

Wow, these books are wonderful

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

Great historical mystery

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

Narrator makes average book Great<br />

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

Addictive book

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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.

Even if you are tired of the Tudors.

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