Cracking follow-up - Rated 
Matthew becomes more of an action hero than in the first novel, Dissolusion, as his life is threatened more frequently and intensly. However, he now has a dashing new assistant, Barak. There are two mysteries to solve. His own personal desires are also in need of attention. The pace of the novel is intense as he is under continual pressure from Lord Cromwell who is keen to save his own head.
The atmosphere of Tudor England is evoked with great skill and the reader experiences the vulnerabilities of all, from the lowest to the highest on the social ladder.
Some of the escapes from situations which Matthew and Barack become entwined in are quite fanciful, and will make better film (hopefully this will happen), than written word.
I enjoyed the first novel more, but this is a fantastic read. The plot is incredibly clever as the task Cromwell sets him has massive implications for the military power balance of a very tense Europe.
FABULOUS.............................................. - Rated
I am rapidly becoming a fan of Matthew Shardlake!
This book is a worthy successor to "Dissolution".
Lord Cromwell, now Earl of Essex, is in a panic as he has promised to demonstrate a horrible substance which could prove to be the ultimate war weapon, to Henry VIII and as he is not in Henry's good books, his head is balancing on the block. However, the secret substance has gone missing and Cromwell is in a sweat.
He calls on Matthew to find it. Before long, our hero finds himself deep in dead bodies and mystery and up to his eyes in suspects.
He is ably assisted by Cromwells representative, Barak, and Guy the apothecary is back from the first book.
This is a very promising series and I look forward to it going on for a long time.
There has been talk of a TV series, with Kenneth Branagh in the role of Matthew, well it cannot come quickly enough for me.
I couldn't lay this book down.
READ IT!!!!!!
Supoib - Rated
I was delighted to find another historial murder mystery author and this book did not dissapoint. The only annoying point was I realised about a quarter of the way through I had picked up the second in the series although its great there is a series and I can read the rest. An un-putdownable page turner one is cast into Tudor London with its tense politics and huge rich/poor divide. The descriptions of the city and characters are so evocative I was hard pressed to get up and make a cup of tea. A brilliantly drawn out suspense with an unexpected ending, even with a history degree I was expecting the 'goodies' to triumph completely, a la Suzanna Gregory, its a riveting read only not recommended if you do not have a good long period of time to devote utterly to it.
I can thoroughly recommend this book. - Rated
This is a brilliant book, with all the key ingredients of a good mystery. It has investigations - two, both very interesting, both being investigated at the same time. It has mysteries - none of which have an obvious solution, and all of which are unfolded with clever, deft and vivid storytelling. It has characters, both historical (the powers of the day such as Thomas Cromwell and Richard Rich) and fictional (the intriguing duo at the centre of the story). It has history itself, with interesting and accurate (as far as dramatic license allows) details of the day.
The main strength, as with most novels, is in the telling. Sansom cleverly and clearly describes the mystery unfolding in what feels a thoroughly convincing Tudor setting. The story unfolds and although it is not quite a page-turner in the traditional can't-put-it-down sense, it is told with such vigour and enthusiasm that the book is a pleasure to read in so many ways, and is therefore difficult to put down.
And in Shardlake and Barak, the duo charged to solve the mysteries of Greek Fire and Elizabeth Wentworth, Sansome creates a wonderful partnership in the most classic sense. They are each individually very enjoyable to read about, and their relationship is a joy to behold.
Incidentally, you don't need to have read the first Shardlake book first, as this story is completely self contained, and contains barely a reference to the first book. The overall impression clearly, though, is that I thoroughly recommend this book.
I Enjoyed it Immensely - Rated
I enjoyed this book very much. It will certainly please the myriads of historical crime novel readers. Period crime novels are probably at their highest level for many years and this is certainly one of the better ones. Not a classic but certainly a very enjoyable and interesting read.
1540 and Mathew Shardlake, believes that he has put himself out of favour with the flinty Thomas Cromwell. Matthew is trying to give his full attention to his legal practice and stay out of the way of one of England's most powerful men without success. His involvement in a murder case once again brings him into close contact with the King's chief minister and a new assignment.
The secret formula for Greek Fire, a legendary substance that creates fire that cannot be extinguished by any known means has been uncovered in a London monastery and Matthew is sent to recover it, but he soon finds out that everything is not as it would seem . . .
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