Dark Fire | Litsy

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

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3/5 stars for this “Barely a Bitsy” (just made it !) level in #ChunksterChallenge2025. I liked it well enough. I did. It just seemed … bloated. The action takes place over a 14-day period and it felt like I was reading every minute in real time. I did enjoy the descriptions of the Tudor period, though. Perhaps I‘ll pick up a nonfiction history of the era next. I‘ll probably continue with the series, but I‘m not in a hurry to do so.

Cuilin, dabbe

Amiable #chunksterchallenge 3w

Cuilin Perfect description, I‘m halfway and only a few days have passed. 3w

dabbe Sansom can get carried away with the daily deets! 🤩 3w

60 likes3 comments

Amiable

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

@Cuilin — spotted this in my library and figured it must be a sign to read it ! Either that or @dabbe is hiding in the stacks and sending covert messages via hardcovers. 😀

Cuilin 😂🤣😂 if there‘s a cipher it‘s definitely Denise, I‘ll start mine this week. @dabbe we‘re catching up. 4w

dabbe @Amiable @Cuilin You can't help it! You're now officially Shardlakians! 🤩😂😘 4w

Amiable @Cuilin @dabbe I don't know how fast I'll be catching up -- I still have 100 pages left of “Anna Karenina.“ 😄 I'm moving at the speed of molasses in a New England winter over here. My concentration is shot. And so are my nerves. And my sanity. 4w

dabbe @Amiable No hurries and no worries--at least where Shardlake is concerned. 😅 Totally get it. I think that's why most of my books lately have been complete escapism. Anywhere but here and now. 🩶🩷🩶 4w

Cuilin @Amiable I‘m in New England too and expecting another storm. I don‘t think we‘re built for this constant news cycle. Take care. I‘ve so many buddy reads I‘ll be like molasses myself. 🩷 4w

66 likes5 comments

jenniferw88

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#12booksof2024 #august @Andrew65

Andrew65 A great series. 2mo

40 likes1 comment

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel 2 | C. J. Sansom

#HauntedShelf
@PuddleJumper @Jadams89 #FrightClub
#BookScavengerHunt
#dark

Playing catch-up. A fantastic read, btw.

Cheryl_Russell_BookNotes I‘m working on this series. It‘s fantastic! 4mo

dabbe @Cheryl_Russell_BookNotes If you'd like to join our online group, I'll happily add you to our list. It's very low key. We take 2 months for each book. I post a few questions if anyone wants to chime in. That's it. We've been having lots of fun with it. Our hashtag is #ShardlakeSeriesBR. Let me know if you want to be added to the list. 🤩 4mo

kspenmoll You gave the first book, Dissolution, which is on my November list.❤️ 4mo

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dabbe @kspenmoll I noticed it was on your Litsy TBR list, so of course I had to get it for you! I hope you like it. And if you want to join our group, too, just let me know. We are as low-key as it gets, and so far, everyone's loving the series! 🖤🧡🖤 4mo

Cheryl_Russell_BookNotes @dabbe That sounds like fun! Sure, add me to the list. Thanks for inviting me. 🙂 (edited) 4mo

dabbe @Cheryl_Russell_BookNotes Yay! You are now “officially“ a Shardlakian! 🤩 Here is the link to our reading schedule: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eAN-x05PKdbqTWefMq92zc88GYESi46e/view?usp=shari...

Glad to have you in our group! 🤩😀🤗 4mo

Cheryl_Russell_BookNotes @dabbe Yay! 😊 4mo

33 likes1 stack add7 comments

AnneCecilie

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

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In this book Shardlake is looking into two cases. The first is a young girl who is accused of killing her nephew. In order to get Shardlake to help him, Cromwell gets a 2 week extension on this case, so Shardlake will investigate dark fire, how to make it and who has it. Shardlake also gets a new assistant, Barak. I also liked that we meet Guy again

I loved this reread and Sansom‘s descriptions of this era.

#ShardlakeBR

dabbe

AnneCecilie The last half of this was my #DoubleSpin for September @TheAromaofBooks 5mo

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 5mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 5mo

42 likes3 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Hello, Shardlakians!
Book 2 is fun and done! Thoughts?

Daisey, PurpleyPumpkin, Texreader, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Centique, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, dabbe, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

LiseWorks I was so happy that we will see Barak again. 8 was hoping he would stick around as he makes Shardlake better. 5mo

OutsmartYourShelf In real life things aren\'t always tied up neatly so it was realistic in that way. The conclusion did pave the way for Barak working for Shardlake & the adjustment of their working relationship from being more or less equals to Barak being subordinate. 5mo

AnneCecilie I liked to ending and are happy that we get to meet Barak again. What happened to Cromwell came in a little fast, but I guess I was too wrapped up in the cases 5mo

See All 6 Comments

dabbe @LiseWorks @OutsmartYourShelf @AnneCecilie Again, agree 💯. Barak and Guy are definite characters that will stay with Shardlake--at least into the next novel. I tried to pay more attention throughout the book, and there were allusions to Cromwell\'s downfall (which we all knew was coming). But still, when it happens, it is like a bomb that just exploded. Shardlake even wept for him. 5mo

lil1inblue I think the book ended how it needed to. I wished a little more vengeance on Elizabeth\'s cousins and grandmother, but that says more about me than the book. 🤣 I liked how Sansom handled the Cromwell downfall. We knew it was coming, but he managed to still make it kind of surprising. It all felt very bittersweet.
I am beyond happy that we get more Barak, though. He\'s such a intriguing character. 5mo

Mollyanna Glad we get to see more of Barak! It was okay that everything didn‘t have a bow on top. 5mo

27 likes6 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Hello, Shardlakians!
Book 2 is fun and done! Thoughts?

LiseWorks Nope! I would have destroyed it, too. That stuff was bad. 5mo

AnneCecilie I think Shardlake did the right thing in destroying the dark fire, and I hope I would have done the same. It‘s hard to go against the wishes of someone that can literally have you killed for not doing what they want 5mo

dabbe @LiseWorks Bad news all around! 😂 5mo

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dabbe @AnneCecilie Throwing the vase at Marchamount was a nice touch. 😱 5mo

lil1inblue I was so glad that Shardlake destroyed Greek Fire! I nearly cheered aloud while reading. I know that part was fiction, but could you imagine if Henry VIII had it? The idea is horrifying. Given all the people involved in the whole debacle, it seems obvious that not many of them would have made the same decision. I think it ties back to money and power. Many (most?) of the characters care more about status and power than doing the moral thing. 5mo

lil1inblue I think that Shardlake\'s decision to get Skelly glasses was another moral conundrum. And most at that time would simply have dismissed Skelly. But he did do the right thing for him. 5mo

dabbe @lil1inblue It would be like giving a megalomaniac access to the nuclear button. 🤔 5mo

lil1inblue @dabbe Right? One can\'t help but think of our upcoming election in the US. 😱 5mo

dabbe @lil1inblue The results could be worse than anything dark fire would have done. 😱 indeed! 5mo

Mollyanna I do like how Sansom made Shardlake think about the Greek Fire though… and in the end kind of take the decision out of his hands. It was his only real option to Barak. 5mo

23 likes10 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Hello, Shardlakians!
Book 2 is fun and done! Thoughts?

LiseWorks I think the Howard's were playing a dangerous game. I felt like the woman were pawns for the men of the family. I felt bad for Anne of Cleves and for Catherine Howard. 5mo

AnneCecilie I think what will stick with me after reading this is the descriptions of he prison, Newgate, and the treatment of the prisoners. But also the use of the monasteries that didn‘t get destroyed after the dissolution. I had no idea and the descriptions make it sound like the housing could collapse at any moment 5mo

dabbe @LiseWorks I read a book about Anne of Cleves years ago, and she made out alright. Because she was smart and gave Henry what he wanted, he set her up in a nice estate and visited her quite frequently. They loved to play cards together and truly did act like brother and sister. 5mo

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dabbe @AnneCecilie What sticks with me also is the total description of the underbelly of London and the Thames--how it was the \“freeway\“ of its day but completely disgusting and squalid. Oh, and the smells! 👃 5mo

AnneCecilie I can‘t even imagine the smells. I understand why Shardlake covered his face/ nose 5mo

lil1inblue I don\'t think I was necessarily surprised, but I was struck by the cruelty of the time. Also, I know people tend to romanticize London and royalty, but this really did show the nasty underbelly of it all. 5mo

dabbe @lil1inblue Boy, did it! 😱 5mo

Mollyanna To add to the Cleves conversation, Henry ended up even going to her for advice on governing and policy. Although used as a pawn she was intelligent enough to make the best of the situation and use it to her advantage. 5mo

24 likes8 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Hello, Shardlakians!
Book 2 is fun and done! Thoughts?

LiseWorks There was no justice. Everything was about power. Who you knew and above all how to please the king. He had all the power. Every one was terrified. 5mo

OutsmartYourShelf Money, power, & status absolutely mattered when it came to justice in Tudor times (it still does to an extent). Even down to the fact that wealthier criminals could pay for better rooms & food, whilst the poorest were kept in appalling conditions. 5mo

Karisimo Shardlake‘s willingness to help a powerless girl and buck the system of power in the name of justice is why we love him! 5mo

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AnneCecilie Justice depends on money and power. The poor people in court can‘t be said to have gotten any justice at all. While the rich could get away with anything. You needed money to use someone like Shardlake to fight for you, and most people wouldn‘t have that. 5mo

dabbe @LiseWorks 🎯! Anyone\'s head could be boiled and stuck on a spike at any given moment. Who could live like that? 😱 5mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf And the irony of Lady \“HONOR\“ who flirted and led Shardlake on but once she had no more use of him was like \“It\'s all about class and not your hump--bye bye baby.\“ 5mo

dabbe @Karisimo And to do so, he always has to put himself out there and risk physical and verbal abuse due to his back. He is our man! 🤩 5mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie So true because to even get to a man like Shardlake took money and position. 5mo

lil1inblue I think the novel did a great job of showing how there were essentially 2 systems of justice, though neither seems very just. The wealthy and powerful were treated one way, while those without means were subjected to far worse. The difference in treatment between Elizabeth and her cousin is a perfect example. But I did see the theme repeated in so many other relationships, too. 5mo

dabbe @lil1inblue And thank goodness Shardlake has some $$$ to put Elizabeth in a better room. 5mo

Mollyanna The justice system was harsh when it was used by the powerful! Even the rich couldn‘t buy their way out if a more powerful person wanted them out of the way. That is until the power structure changed again. The poor had no chance. 5mo

23 likes11 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Hello, Shardlakians!
Book 2 is fun and done! Thoughts?

LiseWorks Absolutely better. Barak opens up to him about himself. I think it might be because he is way more mature and has been through some stuff. 5mo

OutsmartYourShelf I didn\'t like Mark much, Barak is a better \'fit\' as a character although he\'s still rough around the edges. Their working relationship is changing at the end of the book so we\'ll see how that works out in the next one. 5mo

Karisimo This relationship is much more entertaining than with his assistant in the first book. Sounds like he might be sticking around, which is great! 5mo

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AnneCecilie He added more action and discussion. Thinking back on Mark I feel like he was more broody and didn‘t add much. 5mo

dabbe @LiseWorks It seems that Barak has definitely seen some darker days than Mark had for sure. 5mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf Mark was a bit of a prig IMHO and kind of a blank slate. With Barak, you know exactly where you stand! 5mo

dabbe @Karisimo They are fun together, aren\'t they? I love how they bicker like an old married couple! 😂 5mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie \“Broody\“ is an excellent word to describe Mark. He didn\'t seem fit for adventure, either, whereas Barak is like \“Bring it on!\“ 5mo

AnneCecilie I know. Mark was more settled and wasn‘t too excited by going out of London for work. Barak seems to be more up for anything, but he hasn‘t lived as sheltered as Mark either. 5mo

lil1inblue Mark was really kind of a doofus. Barak has a wisdom about him, and is able to challenge Shardlake in ways that expand his thinking. I appreciated his character far more than Mark\'s. I think the storyline about Skelly\'s eyesight was a great example of how Barak influences Shardlake for the better and challenges his thinking. 5mo

dabbe @lil1inblue Excellent point about Skelly. Barak looks out for the downtrodden, and he helps remind Shardlake to do the same. 5mo

Mollyanna I like Barak‘s common sense knowledge. It adds a lot to Shardlake‘s book knowledge. They work very well together! Excited to see their relationship grow. 5mo

dabbe @Mollyanna They both help and learn from one another. And their fighting is sometimes the comic relief we need! 🤩 5mo

23 likes13 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR
#DarkFire

Hello, Shardlakians!
Book 2 is fun and done! Thoughts?

LiseWorks I loved this one better than the first one, I really liked Barack 5mo

OutsmartYourShelf I enjoyed this one a lot more, thought it was faster paced. Could have done without the animal cruelty bits but at least they were fairly brief. 5mo

Karisimo I love the combo of mystery and history! It‘s fun to discover an older series that I haven‘t read before. So thanks @dabbe ! 5mo

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AnneCecilie I enjoyed book 1, but this was so much better and a reminder of why I love these books so much. It‘s like Sansom knew his characters and put us in the action of things so much sooner than in the first book (edited) 5mo

dabbe @Liseworks @OutsmartYourShelf @Karisimo @AnneCecilie Agree 💯 with all of you! The relationships between Shardlake and Guy (taken over from the 1st book) and now Shardlake and Barak are the mainstays of this book. That\'s what I love most about these characters, and I can\'t wait to see them move on to the next one! 5mo

lil1inblue I really liked this one. Barak was a great character, and I just love how he challenges Shardlake. The pacing was excellent. I\'m looking forward to the next one. 5mo

dabbe @lil1inblue Boy, he does challenge Shardlake, doesn\'t he? 🤩 5mo

Mollyanna I agree with everyone‘s comments. I liked this one more and loved the addition of Barak! 5mo

dabbe @Mollyanna He is a stitch and a half, isn\'t he? 😂 5mo

24 likes9 comments

Daisey

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

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I finished the last chapters of this book with supper tonight. This was actually the first book of the series I read, and I think it might still be my favorite. We‘ll see as I continue this series reread. I found both mysteries absolutely fascinating, and the historical setting as vivid as well. I like the continuing friendship between Shardlake & Guy, and Barak definitely adds an interesting dynamic and useful investigative skills.

Daisey #ShardlakeBR #ShardlakeSeriesBR
#reread #ReadAndEat

📷: Sourdough cheesy bread and pizza! 5mo

Daisey @dabbe Thanks so much for hosting this buddy read and getting me back into this series again. 5mo

dabbe YAY! I\'m thoroughly enjoying the rereads myself. Your food looks DIVINE! And Barak is a crack-up, isn\'t he? #arsehole 🤩😂🤗 5mo

51 likes3 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#weeklyfavorites @Read4Life

Forgot to post last week. 🤩

Read4life That‘s ok! I was counting on SH being your pick last week. If I remember correctly, it‘s one of your all time favorites. 5mo

dabbe @Read4life You are correct! It\'s my #1 of all time. 🤩🤗🤩 5mo

59 likes2 comments

Mollyanna

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

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Second book in the Matthew Shardlake series (#SeriesLove2024). It was phenomenal. I really enjoyed the two mysteries and the intricacies. I think Jack Barak added a nice counter to Shardlake. I look forward to the next book, and our discussion of this for #ShardlakeSeriesBR

Andrew65, TheSpineView, dabbe

dabbe YAY! I enjoyed it even more than the 1st book. Discussion coming up soon! 🧡🤎💛 5mo

Mollyanna @dabbe I think I did too. Both were good stories. Looking forward to the discussion. 5mo

TheSpineView Fantastic! 5mo

26 likes3 comments

OutsmartYourShelf

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

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This was a better book than the first in the series. The plot was much more interesting & moved at a slightly faster pace. Jack Barak is also an improvement on Shardlake's previous assistant, Mark Poer, although he is still a little rough around the edges. It was lovely to see Guy again - now the owner of an apothecary shop - & I hope he will be a recurring character. He seems to be the only one with a lick of sense!

OutsmartYourShelf I would like to warn anyone who has triggers from animal cruelty/death that there are several references in this book to those subjects although they are mercifully quite brief. For example, Shardlake reluctantly heads to a bear baiting but thankfully chooses to go for a walk instead so the reader is spared most of that spectacle. This is one part of life that I would not like to see if time travel were possible. 5mo

OutsmartYourShelf Overall though, I\\\'m thinking that this series will continue to improve. 3.5🌟

TWs: animal cruelty, animal death, violence, death, misogyny, ableism.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4092301616
Read 29 Aug - 27 Sept 2024

#192025 (2004) @LibraryBelle
#Readaway2024 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES @andrew65
#ShardlakeSeriesBR @dabbe (edited) 5mo

Librarybelle I‘m really enjoying this one! 5mo

dabbe Excellent review and warning about the horrors in Tudor England. Looking forward to our discussion! 🧡🤎💛 5mo

31 likes4 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

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A fabulous reread, and even better than the first book. Tudor history, sugar and belladonna as cosmetic enhancements, heads boiled and displayed on spikes at London Bridge, bear-baiting ... oh, and two incredible mysteries for Shardlake to solve: one involving Cromwell trying to regain good standing with Henry VIII after the Anne of Cleves debacle. Love Tudor history and mystery? Time to meet Shardlake and his sidekick Barak! #ShardlakeSeriesBR

curiouserandcurioser @dabbe loved this! Definitely kept me on the edge of my seat! Thank you, Denise, for introducing me to this series:) 5mo

LiseWorks I second @curiouserandcurioser 5mo

dabbe @curiouserandcurioser @Liseworks YAY! I\'m so glad you\'re both enjoying this series. Next to Sherlock, it\'s my fave! 🧡🤎💛 5mo

73 likes1 stack add3 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR
#LitsyEvents

Looking forward to our discussion over the second half of this book on 9/30! 💜

Daisey, PurpleyPumpkin, AnneCecilie, Gissy, Centique, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, dabbe, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

Librarybelle I fell behind—still reading the first part—but I‘m hoping to be caught up by Monday! 5mo

dabbe @Librarybelle No worries! I\'ve seen your booklist! 🤩🤗🤩 5mo

Mollyanna Two chapters left! Looking forward to the discussion 😊 5mo

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dabbe @Mollyanna YAY! 🤩🤩🤩 5mo

kspenmoll This series sounds great! 5mo

dabbe @kspenmoll It is! I think someone we both know has DISSOLUTION on her TBR. 🤔 Hmmm. Wonder who that could be? 🤩🤗😂 5mo

51 likes6 comments

LiseWorks

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

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This book was really good, much better than the 1st one. #ShardlakeSeriesBR #Shardlakians @dabbe I can't wait for the discussion at the end of this month. I found one bingo spot with another edition of this book. #ISpyBingoJuly @Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks #SeriesLove24 #ReadAway24 @Andrew65 @TheSpineView @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES #ChunksterChallenge2024 Chunkster Mini for sure @Amiable

DieAReader 🥳Awesome!! 5mo

dabbe Yahoo! 🩶🧡🩶 5mo

TheSpineView Excellent! 5mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 5mo

21 likes4 comments

jenniferw88

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Best book for August!

41 likes

Centique

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

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Sometimes you need a side trip to the sixteenth century to solve a few murders. Loved being back in this world with Matthew Shardlake. Just realised there is a buddy read of this happening right now so i wont breathe a word more about it! 😂 Enjoy guys

Photo: WW2 tunnels at Fort Stony Batter. NZ never got invaded but it was a possibility so we built some defences like this one.

dabbe

dabbe Feel free to join us if you like! Let me know if you'd like to be added to our list. #ShardlakeSeriesBR 😊 6mo

Centique @dabbe sounds like a good idea! Ive just been reading the posts 👍 6mo

dabbe @Centique You're on it! Welcome! 🤗 6mo

51 likes3 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on these quotes, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

Daisey, PurpleyPumpkin, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, dabbe, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

AnneCecilie I have no idea who‘s the guilty one in either of the cases. 6mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie I've read it, and I can't remember, so it's like reading it for the first time! 😂 6mo

AnneCecilie @dabbe I‘ve read it too, some 10 yrs ago and can‘t remember either. 6mo

lil1inblue I have no hunches thus far. Right now, they all seem suspect. 6mo

39 likes4 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on this quote, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

LiseWorks Definitely Catherine Howard 6mo

AnneCecilie I also had a feeling hi was there with Catherine Howard 6mo

dabbe @LiseWorks @AnneCecilie ... that was my vibe, too. Also, who would go on a so-called lovely river cruise with a wife you can't stand or the guy that set you up with her? 😂 6mo

lil1inblue Apparently gossiping about royals has been a tradition for centuries! 😂 6mo

dabbe @lil1inblue #truth! 6mo

34 likes5 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on this quote, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

rwmg Greek Fire was real. Usually thought to be naphtha or petroleum. See

Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World

6mo

LiseWorks Although the recipe was never found. And it was lost. 6mo

Karisimo I was wondering the whole time if it was something that we take for granted today, such as petroleum. 6mo

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dabbe @rwmg @LiseWorks @Karisimo According to C.J. Sansom, the author: I had heard of the mysterious ancient weapon known as “Greek Fire“ used by the Byzantine armies against the Arabs in the seventh century, the formula for which had been lost but which modern scholars believe was based on petroleum and could even be something like napalm. I thought having the formula appear in one of the monasteries dissolved by Henry VIII would make a good story.“ 6mo

lil1inblue Researching this almost sent me down a rabbit hole. How terrifying, especially in that time period! 6mo

dabbe @lil1inblue No wonder Henry VIII wants it to fight the French. 6mo

30 likes6 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any additional thoughts, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

LiseWorks Too bad Shardlake needs to work for Cromwell. 6mo

AnneCecilie I‘m wondering what Dark Fire actually is. And was it real? 6mo

Karisimo The tension between these competing demands on his time/energy really drive the narrative! 6mo

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dabbe @AnneCecilie Some good thoughts are posted on Slide 12. 🤩 6mo

dabbe @LiseWorks Agree 💯, especially when we know what's going to happen to him. 😱 6mo

dabbe @Karisimo 🎯! 🤩 6mo

AnneCecilie @dabbe I saw some of them after my post here 6mo

lil1inblue @Karisimo Indeed they do. So much tension! 6mo

lil1inblue I'm wondering if there's going to be a moral conundrum arising. Should he find it, how will Shardlake feel about putting such a lethal and terrifying weapon in Cromwell's hands? Especially in light of his new views of Reform? 6mo

dabbe @lil1inblue Good point. Sharklake hasn't even addressed that fact ... yet. 6mo

28 likes10 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on this quote, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

OutsmartYourShelf I have a feeling Ralph was a complete & utter psychopath. 6mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf Driving your mom to an early grave can't be good. And Joseph and the sisters explaining how violent Elizabeth would get every time Ralph was around definitely has one wondering, doesn't it? 6mo

OutsmartYourShelf @dabbe The missing pets & the goading things he said raised immediate red flags for me. I guess their remains are in the well. 6mo

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dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf Excellent deduction, Sherlock! 🤩 6mo

LiseWorks I think the family killed pets, and Elizabeth knows. Didn't someone disappear from that household? She is terrified, and something happened to her for her behavior to be like that 6mo

AnneCecilie Something is not right in that household, and all the family members have decided to blame the girl that is standing alone. Ralph was definitely not the perfect child they made him out to be, and I have a feeling the girls isn‘t either. Didn‘t it say somewhere that the well smelled? 6mo

dabbe @LiseWorks I also think something had to have happened to her personally for her to be so violent. 6mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie Oh, yeah. That's what Barack and Shardlake are going to check out. We stopped at an extremely pivotal moment! 😀 6mo

AnneCecilie @dabbe I know. It was very hard to stop on the right chapter, but it would have been very easy to spoil something otherwise. 6mo

lil1inblue @OutsmartYourShelf Ditto. 6mo

28 likes10 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on these quotes, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

LiseWorks She is terrified and traumatized 6mo

AnneCecilie Apparently the keeping silent and being pressed is better than speaking her truth. Makes you wonder what she‘s seen and experienced in that house. 6mo

dabbe @LiseWorks 🎯!. 6mo

See All 6 Comments

dabbe @AnneCecilie It truly does, doesn't it? To rather get pressed to death? What the heck? 😱 6mo

lil1inblue It definitely seems like a trauma response, and I don't think it's the trauma of Ralph's death that caused it. 6mo

dabbe @lil1inblue Heck no! 🤩 6mo

30 likes6 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any additional thoughts, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

OutsmartYourShelf Absolutely shocking that the accused was not allowed representation during the trial. The practice of pressing is horrific - also it's a bit macabre to think that this is where we get the English saying of “I must press you for an answer“. 6mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf What a softening of a word! And Elizabeth's plight is simply horrendous. What will they find in the well? 6mo

LiseWorks I really want to know what's in the well. I can't believe these methods of torture. 6mo

See All 7 Comments

AnneCecilie That shocked me too @OutsmartYourShelf. I‘m also wondering about the well. But something seems off in the family. The girls were too well behaved and the family friend that talked too much during the dinner. Makes you wonder what Ralph really was like and why Elizabeth changed so much after moving in. 6mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie @LiseWorks ... makes me excited to read on! 🤩 6mo

lil1inblue @annececilie I agree about the family. I have a bad feeling about Ralph and my current hunch is that he hurt Elizabeth in some way and that's why she was so withdrawn. 6mo

dabbe @lil1inblue Agree 💯. 6mo

28 likes7 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on these quotes, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

Karisimo I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction between these two! 6mo

OutsmartYourShelf Don't particularly like him at present, hope his character improves. 6mo

Deblovestoread I am enjoying their relationship so far. 6mo

See All 13 Comments

dabbe @Karisimo It's like one of the best bromances ever! First they hate each other, now it's grudging respect. We still have half a book to go! 😀 6mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf He's just a wee bit rough around the edges, isn't he? 6mo

dabbe @Deblovestoread Things are definitely not boring when these two are together! 🤩 6mo

OutsmartYourShelf @dabbe To use one of his favourite words he‘s an arsehole 😂 6mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf And he seems to love being that! 😂 6mo

LiseWorks I love Barack ❤️ 6mo

AnneCecilie Me too @LiseWorks. I‘m not sure if they bring out the best or worst in each other. 6mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie @LiseWorks He is a stitch, isn't he? He truly does provide some comic relief and lightens up our dark Shardlake. I love the two of them together. 😀 6mo

lil1inblue I can't wait to see how their relationship progresses. I like that Barak challenges Shardlake a bit, and brings him out of his shell, so to speak. @annececilie is spot on. 😂 6mo

dabbe @lil1inblue He definitely keeps Shardlake on his toes--while saving his life more than once, too! 😂 6mo

30 likes13 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on these quotes, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

OutsmartYourShelf The Dukes of Norfolk seem to be a thorn in the side whatever monarch is reigning. The above Duke's grandson was supposedly involved in plots against Elizabeth I. 6mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf He was definitely Catholic and pro advancing the Howard name. 6mo

LiseWorks All these people are so greedy for power that it makes you wonder. Always plotting must have been so tiring so no wonder they all died before 50. 6mo

See All 6 Comments

AnneCecilie Money, greed and position brings out the worst in people. Cromwell, Richard Rich, The Duke of Norfolk. It doesn‘t matter which side their on, they are scrupulous. (edited) 6mo

dabbe @LiseWorks And that would have been considered ancient! Plus the stress of worrying about being pressed, hung, head cut off, etc. for just looking the wrong way would add a wee bit of stress to one's daily life! 😂 6mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie That quote attributed to Lord Acton certainly seems to hold true: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” 6mo

26 likes6 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on these quotes, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

Daisey, PurpleyPumpkin, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

OutsmartYourShelf Probably quite a few people vying for that title at this time, Henry VIII amongst them. The punishment (burning alive) meted out is horrifying. 6mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf That, pressing, the rack, your head on a pole for all to see ... what a time period! 6mo

LiseWorks Good Lord people were stupid 6mo

See All 6 Comments

AnneCecilie Apparently it took a certain kind of personality to reach the top. I find that it‘s a lot of scrupulous people at the top. 6mo

dabbe @LiseWorks And didn't seem to value life that much--except their own. 6mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie #truth 6mo

23 likes6 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on these quotes, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

Daisey, PurpleyPumpkin, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

LiseWorks I totally agree with Shardlake 6mo

AnneCecilie That‘s true 6mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie @LiseWorks Agree 💯! 6mo

22 likes3 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Any thoughts on these quotes, Shardlakians?
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

Daisey, PurpleyPumpkin, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

OutsmartYourShelf When Shardlake saw 'behind the curtain' of the push for reformation, he realised that for those at the top it wasn't driven by religion or morality as he thought so he has lost his zeal for reform. Shardlake still believes in the CoE but he seems to have a bit more sympathy for Catholics caught up in the changes. 6mo

dabbe @OutsmartYourShelf And he definitely sees that all sides seem to want profit/power above a relationship with God. Brother Guy seems to be the only one to offer him any sort of religious solace at this point. 6mo

AnneCecilie At the end of Dissolution, at least I, had a feeling that Shardlake was changed. Not only did the people on the top care more about the money, but he also found out that they would turn to torture to get confessions to get their way. That really made Shardlake see the light. But he still believe in an English bible and that everyone should read it. Maybe the Catholic Church hurt him too much for him to change sides completely 6mo

See All 8 Comments

LiseWorks I feel for Shardlake when the religious people want to kill the others. More wars between Catholics and Protestants are yet to come with King Henry children. It's such a shame 6mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie We humans are a messy lot, aren't we? 6mo

dabbe @LiseWorks Think of all the wars in history, and most have been fought over power, property, or religion. When will we learn? 6mo

lil1inblue It is interesting to see how Shardlake has changed since Dissolution. Without the fervor of his commitment to reform, he seems more weary and jaded. In ch. 1 he says “Truly, as the ancients taught us, there is nothing under the moon, however fine, that is not subject to corruption.“ 6mo

dabbe @lil1inblue #jadedindeed 🎯 6mo

21 likes8 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Let's go, Shardlakians!
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

24 likes

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeSeriesBR

Hi, Shardlakians~
A little different type of discussion today, one involving quotes! I have each slide numbered 1-14, but some are just to read. Feel free to comment on any slide, any quote, ANYTHING! I can't wait to read what you're all thinking about! I've also linked the entire presentation below in the correct order in case the slides are out of order on the feed. Time for fun! 🤩
Link to slides: https://shorturl.at/lHSWQ

Daisey, PurpleyPumpkin, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

Librarybelle I‘m still reading through the first section—enjoying it so far! I‘ll come back to the quotes and respond once I‘m through part one. Thanks for hosting this! 6mo

Deblovestoread I have read a ton of nonfic and historical fic set in this time period but it‘s mostly been through the royal perspective. This is grittier, with more emphasis on the common folk, with a side of royal intrigue. I like it! 6mo

dabbe @Librarybelle And I just finished QUEEN HEREAFTER last night and can't wait to go comment on your posts--thanks for bringing that book to my attention, too! I loved it! 🤩 6mo

See All 8 Comments

dabbe @Deblovestoread Yay! Me, too. I love how Shardlake is a step above the common folk but still has access to the way-upper people. We definitely get to view all walks of life. 6mo

AnneCecilie I‘m enjoying this. The mysteries are introduced right away. Dissolution took a little more time to get started which makes sense if Samson was thinking about writing a series. I agree with both of you @Deblovestoread and @dabbe when it comes to Shardlake position in Tudor society. 6mo

dabbe @AnneCecilie Yay! So glad you're liking it! 🤩 6mo

lil1inblue I'm really digging this one so far. I really like the setting in London. Like @deblovestoread mentioned, it's grittier, and the city almosts becomes a character. 6mo

dabbe @lil1inblue The Thames, too. Stinky, grimy, brown ... it definitely reflects the less-lovely places in London, too. 6mo

23 likes8 comments

LitsyEvents

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Reposting for @dabbe
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2770003

dabbe Thanks! 🤩 6mo

29 likes1 comment

LiseWorks

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

I finished the first half of Dark Fire #ShardlakeBR @dabbe A great start for the weekend #ForTheLoveOfBooks @TheSpineView

TheSpineView Very good start! Great job 6mo

dabbe #woohoo! 🤩😀🤗 6mo

18 likes2 comments

dabbe

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

#ShardlakeBR
#ShardlakeSeriesBR @LitsyEvents

Hi, Shardlakians~
2 days until our midway discussion of DARK FIRE.
Are you as excited as I am? see y'all on 8/31! 🤩

Daisey, PurpleyPumpkin, AnneCecilie, Gissy, OutsmartYourShelf, jenniferw88, Deblovestoread, Librarybelle, batsy, Chrissyreadit, kwmg40, Mollyanna, curiouserandcurioser, Fr3NcHtOaSt, RaeLovesToRead, bthegood, lil1inblue, PageShifter, LiseWorks, The_Book_Ninja, Karisimo, BookWrym

Karisimo I *had* to read the whole thing- it was my bookspin book! 6mo

dabbe @Karisimo I hope you liked it! 🤩 6mo

Librarybelle Yay! 6mo

See All 17 Comments

dabbe @Librarybelle 🤩 6mo

curiouserandcurioser @dabbe its so good!! I have a funeral so i wont be around💔 but i really love this series, so thanks fir that, Denise❤ 6mo

dabbe @curiouserandcurioser You can jump in at any time! Glad you're loving it and sorry about your funeral. 🧡🩶🧡 6mo

Mollyanna So excited. I‘m really enjoying it so far 😊 6mo

dabbe @Mollyanna Yay! 🤩 I'm loving the reread, too! 6mo

LiseWorks I really like this one better than the first . It was hard to stop half way lol 6mo

Karisimo @dabbe yes, loved it! 6mo

lil1inblue @LiseWorks I like this one better so far, too! @dabbe really knows how to find the suspenseful moments to stop at! 😉 6mo

Deblovestoread I have a few more chapters to listen to today but I‘ll be ready. 😀 6mo

AnneCecilie I‘m ready and looking forward to it 6mo

dabbe @LiseWorks I've read it before, and I'm also finding it hard to stop! 🤩😂🤩 6mo

dabbe @Karisimo #woohoo! 🤩😂😀 6mo

dabbe @lil1inblue I swear it was totally by size of the book! 🤩😂😀 6mo

dabbe @Deblovestoread Yay! 🤩😀🤗 6mo

51 likes17 comments

AnneCecilie

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Finished with this month‘s chapters for #ShardlakeBR

You know how to stop right in the middle of things @dabbe I really have to restrain myself to not keep reading

dabbe Sorry about that! What a fun pickle to be in, though! 🤩😀😍 6mo

43 likes1 comment

Daisey

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

It‘s the first week of school and my to do list is so long, but I took a short break this evening for supper and one chapter. Maybe I can fit in another later tonight.

#ShardlakeBR #ShardlakeSeriesBR #ReadAndEat

Tamra I feel you. 💪🏾 6mo

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 6mo

51 likes1 stack add2 comments

jenniferw88

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel 2 | C. J. Sansom

pick

This is a definite new favourite series! I can't say too much about this because we haven't discussed it yet, but I feel for Shardlake. He doesn't seem to get a break from some of his problems!

I'm doing the series on Audible, and Steven Crossley does a fab job of doing different voices for the characters.

#52bookclub24 #bibliosmiaasmellybook #flameonthecover
#aty24 #abookinvolvingacrimeotherthanamurder

Librarybelle I‘m really enjoying this series too! 6mo

dabbe Yay! I think I like this one even better than the first! Can't wait to discuss! 🤩🤗😊 6mo

49 likes1 stack add2 comments

Daisey

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

There are quite a few interesting words in these Shardlake novels.

#WeirdWords #WeirdWordWednesday
#ShardlakeBR #ShardlakeSeriesBR

Texreader Love these novels!! 7mo

39 likes1 comment

LiseWorks

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

August 5 #AboutABook New to you author @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Excellent 👌🏼 7mo

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 7mo

lil1inblue 🌟🌟🌟 7mo

23 likes3 comments

kwmg40

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

pick

Second book in the Shardlake series. Excellent character development and lots of interesting historical detail, along with two suspenseful plotlines.

This is my #2004 entry for the #192025 challenge and second book finished for the #AwesomeAugust readathon.
@Librarybelle @Andrew65

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Librarybelle Excellent! 3y

Ruthiella I still have the last book in the series to read, but overall all I really enjoyed the Shardlake books. Solid historical mysteries. 👍 3y

kwmg40 @Librarybelle Thanks for stopping by! 3y

See All 6 Comments

kwmg40 @Ruthiella Glad to hear that the rest of the series is just as good! I'm looking forward to reading more. 3y

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y

Andrew65 Love this series and it only gets better. 3y

34 likes6 comments

Blueroseis

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

pick

7 years after reading the 1st in this series which I somewhat enjoyed it was time for me to read the 2nd. Describing what it was like in 16th Century London along with some of its execution methods and a good storyline that kept me interested throughout its 600 pages I learnt a lot about those times. Being quite graphic in places I started getting nightmares as the Epilogue approached. I will view those London streets differently now.

17 likes

RaeLovesToRead

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

I saw a photo online of a woman wearing patterned tights and Doc Martens and decided I needed both of these things in my life ❤ Love my new boots of stomping!!! 😁😁 (I am so easy to advertise stuff to!)

Above said boot of stomping is my Mum's TBR. Mostly books that I have read and insisted that she reads too. Faves include Factfulness, Wolf Hall and Dark Fire. I'm also waiting for her to read the Father Brown stories so I can steal the book 😅😁

CaffeineAndCandy ❤️❤️❤️ 4y

RaeLovesToRead @CaffeineAndCandy thank you! 😁😁❤ 4y

TheSpineView Cute!💙 4y

See All 10 Comments

RaeLovesToRead @TheSpineView thank you! 😊😊😊 4y

TrishB Everyone needs a pair of DMs to stomp in 😁 4y

RaeLovesToRead @TrishB I can't believe I've never had them before!!! 😁 (I also bought a pair of Chelsea boots while I was the store, cause they were sooo comfy! 😋 ) 4y

TrishB I have 54 pair. I‘m a bit obsessed with them. 4y

RaeLovesToRead @TrishB oh wow!!! 54?! That's amazing!!! 🙀🙀🙀 4y

TrishB I love them. I got my first pair in my teens and have loved them ever since (I‘m 54 this year so one per year 😁😁). 4y

RaeLovesToRead @TrishB I'm impressed!! 😍😊 4y

38 likes10 comments

Ruthiella

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

pick

The 2nd in the Matthew Shardlake series set in Tudor England. Lawyer Matthew has two cases: 1 is the defense of a young woman accused of murder; she refuses to talk/defend herself. 2 is an undertaking for Cromwell who is desperate to keep power. With another Cromwell associate, the rough Jack Barak, he must find who has the secret to an ancient weapon “Greek Fire”🔥. It was a good mystery and Jack a welcome addition.

#FabulousFebruary book two

47 likes1 stack add

Ruthiella

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel 2 | C. J. Sansom

Who‘s in for the #FabulousFebruary readathon hosted by the equally fabulous @Andrew65 ?

I have a number of books on the go that I‘d like to finish, including the tagged book which I‘ve been listening to on audio.

This week long, choose your own goals readathon is the perfect opportunity to get stuck in a good book! 😀

Andrew65 Great to have you with us, good luck 😊👍 4y

PaperbackPirate Your stack is impressive! Have fun! 4y

28 likes2 comments

Grrlbrarian

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Got my #DoubleSpin wrapped with the tagged! I haven‘t gotten a #BookSpinBingo yet but having fun (mostly) so far. Dark Fire itself was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️CJ Sansom writes great characters, and the plots are twisty too. I‘m looking forward to the next in the series!

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! It's always amazing to me how many books you can read without scoring a bingo - I think I'm at 16 😂 4y

20 likes1 comment

SharonGoforth

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

Anyone else participating in the R.I.P. (Readers Imbibing in Peril) challenge on Instagram and/or Twitter? It begins September 1 and goes through October 31. The idea is to read as many mystery/horror/gothic books, stories, etc. as you‘d like. This is the 15th anniversary of the challenge. It‘s something I look forward to every year. Picture is my “pile of possibilities” and of course is subject to change. #RIPXV

29 likes

TrishB

Dark Fire: A Shardlake Novel | C. J. Sansom

pick

Good, massively detailed historical mystery. I think my only tiny complaint is that these are long books because of all the detail. Maybe could be 100 pages less. But the story and the setting are fantastic and the writing is very good.
#historicalmystery #jennyis30

jenniferw88

97 likes1 stack add

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