A new character was introduced that I assume will become a regular in the series. I’m not sure I like her. This tale is set in the year AD 1541, and King Henry VIII heading for the North on his Progress accompanied by his new wife, Catherine Howard.

Having said that, this is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery novel, suitably labyrinthine in its plot, as was so typical of the goings-on in the court of Henry VIII. This gripping new novel by the inventive C. J. Sansom shows that, when it comes to intriguing Tudor-based narratives, Hilary Mantel has a serious rival . . . Lamentation is sure to give Sansom's many fans further cause for jubilation.

Duffy, Stella (6 November 2004). "A wherry across the Thames: A review of Dark Fire". The Guardian. UK. A fine setting for crime fiction and CJ Sansom exploits it superbly . . . Never mind the crime: this is a terrific novel. -- Peter Green * TLS * Tensions are running high in the city, and soon Shardlake is called to investigate a suspicious death - and stumbles upon a daring plot that has the potential to shake England to its core Of course this is historical fiction, so I really appreciate C.J. Sansom's Historical Note at the end of the book, which provides some helpful information. Book Review: “The Last Days of Henry VIII: Conspiracies, Treason, and Heresy at the Court of the Dying Tyrant” by RobertHutchinson

Shardlake badly misjudges the motives and characters of Jennet Marlin and Giles Wrenne for much of the novel. What in his personal life made him so vulnerable to their deceits? Authors of the caliber of P. D. James, Ruth Rendell, Ian Rankin, and Minette Walters remain rare. C. J. Sansom’s Sovereign . . . deserves as wide a readership as any of the above. . . . It’s deeper, stronger, and subtler than most novels in the genre.” Even if heart-pounding suspense and stomach-tightening tension were all Sansom's writing brought to the table, few would feel short-changed. Added to these gifts is a superb approximation of the crucible of fear, treachery and mistrust that was Tudor England, and a memorably blood-swollen portrait of the ogreish Henry's inhumane kingship. A parchment-turner, and a regal one at that. * Sunday Times *Very long, immensely detailed with the physical, mental, spiritual of that Henry VIII on his 5th wife (Catherine Howard) period. Shardlake is sent on an extremely dangerous mission. And he cannot say no. Falsely accused of treason and unable to answer the gaoler's questions, Shardlake awaits his fate in the Tower of London. Can Barak convince Archbishop Cranmer that the allegations are false and save him from the torture chamber? The King's Progress to the North after the Rebellion. Poor Kitty Howard! Once again, Post- Anne Boleyn Britain and the era of religious reform has an atmosphere eerily similar to our own time. Culture wars, fanatics, opportunists,mad conspiracy theories, dangerous tyrants; The Mouldwarp.

to 4.5 stars. Okay, okay, that was a bit much and the Holmes stories are actually quite good. However, I find the Matthew Shardlake series and the writing of C.J. Sansom to be substantially better. These are true blue historical mysteries that pull you completely into the time of the story (in this case 1541). For most histories, the Progress to the North of 1541 is given little comment. Yet, this was a critical time for Henry VIII in securing his rule after he had disposed of his “handyman” Thomas Cromwell. C.J. Sansom gives us many of the intimate details of this procession, through his character, Matthew Shardlake and his task which sends him from London to meet the Progress at York, the center for the previous rebellion.After a career as an attorney, C. J. Sansom now writes full time. His previous novels include Dissolution and Dark Fire, both Matthew Shardlake mysteries, and Winter in Madrid, a thriller set around the Spanish Civil War. He lives in Brighton, England.

It's like a cult. A cult devised to excuse divorce, and eventually excused everything. As Archbishop Cranmer says: Sunday Times Not only a great detective novel but also a fabulous insight into the historical happenings of the Tudor period, this book is an absorbing read. This is a series that just seems to get better and better. In this third book in the Shardlake series, lawyer Matthew Shardlake is now working for Archbishop Cranmer, with Lord Cromwell now executed. Shardlake and his manservant Barak are sent north to York, where they are to assist with petitions to King Henry VIII on his great Progress to visit northern cities. In addition to this Shardlake is to oversee the welfare of a political prisoner who must be returned safely to London Tower for professional interrogation. After the second attempt upon his life, Shardlake is convinced that the stolen papers - with their allegations against the King - hold the key to the whole mystery. With the Great Progress arriving in York, Shardlake and Barak will find a cache of important papers that can bring danger to the King's throne, and all these dangerous events will lead to Shardlake having to face the most terrifying fate of the age.The third in the Matthew Shardlake series takes us to York , in the midst of Henry VIII's brutal supression of Northern England known as the Progress.