In this second installment, we find Matthew Shardlake, humanist lawyer, confronted with the barbarity of his time. This time he is in his normal environment, in London, where he will have to investigate a terrifying weapon, which produces the fire of hell: "Greek fire". We in the 21st century readers quickly understand that it is oil, but for Londoners in the 16th century, it is the tears of the devil (the title of the novel in French). Thomas Cromwell, the Prime Minister of Henry VIII is determined to recover the formula because he feels that his disgrace and his end is close. The possession of such a weapon could do it regain favor, save his skin and allow England to destroy enemy fleets. Our hunchback investigator has also promised to save a girl accused of murdering his cousin. There will be twelve days to find the formula, first and save the young Elizabeth on the other. Lord Cromwell will impose an associate in very different appearance of the young Marc who had accompanied him during his investigation to the monastery of Scarnsea. Jack Barack rudeness and insolence of a bad boy, but he lacks neither intelligence nor courage. Soon horrible crimes will be committed, and our two friends will face deadly assassins.
Far from the mysterious atmosphere and ice monastery Scarnsea we are in London, teeming city, smelly and dangerous. We also see how to work the court at that time in the famous "Inns of Court" where Matthew Sharlake work surrounded by colleagues of all kinds, idealistic, fanatical, corrupt or criminal.
As with "Dissolution", it says "Dark Fire" with great pleasure and interest. The novel leads us to think a lot about our history, the depths of which we have and the progress that despite everything, we have made since this cruel time.
