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Dark Fire

Dark Fire

Best price now

$2.49at alibrisObserved at 2:25 PM

83% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 4 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

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Our take on the Dark Fire

Dark Fire is C. J. Sansom's second Matthew Shardlake novel, a Tudor mystery set in 1540 London. Lawyer Shardlake is pressed by Thomas Cromwell to find the secret of Greek fire and clear a young woman accused of murder, with a deadline hanging over him. The paperback is widely read as a strong follow-up to Dissolution. At $2.49 at alibris as of November 7, 2026, it is a low-cost way into the series, and 4 stores list it new.

Best forReaders of historical mystery and Tudor fictionFans of the Shardlake series who read Dissolution firstBuyers who want a cheap paperback entry to the seriesReaders who like courtroom and political intrigue mixed with crime
Pros
  • Shardlake is a sympathetic, sharply drawn lead
  • Tudor London feels researched and lived-in
  • The Greek fire plot and murder case keep the pace moving
  • Cromwell's political pressure adds real stakes
  • Works as a standalone, though richer after Dissolution
Cons
  • Some readers find the middle stretch slow
  • Tudor politics and names can overwhelm newcomers
  • Less tightly focused than Dissolution
  • Paperback copies at this price may show wear

Dark Fire prices at every store

  • alibrisNew

    In stock

    $2.49Observed at 2:25 PM
    Visit alibris
  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $14.49+ $5.99 shippingObserved at 2:25 PM
    Visit Target
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $14.43+ $6.99 shippingObserved at 2:25 PM
    Visit Walmart
  • BooksamillionNew

    In stock

    $24.00+ $7.98 shippingObserved at 2:25 PM
    Visit Booksamillion

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

Dark Fire price history

Lowest price we've seen: $2.49 on Nov 7 at alibris. Tracked across 4 stores since Nov 7.

What reviewers say

Readers of the Shardlake series generally rate Dark Fire highly, often placing it close to Dissolution. They praise the period detail and the two intertwined mysteries, while some say the plot drags in the middle.

What people mention
  • Period detailPraisedReaders say the Tudor setting feels authentic and carefully researched.
  • PacingMixedMany find it gripping, but some say the middle drags.
  • ShardlakePraisedOwners like the lead's decency and detective instincts.
  • Plot complexityMixedThe double mystery is praised, though some find it hard to follow.
  • Series orderMixedSome readers say it works better after Dissolution than as a first book.

Specifications

Format
PaperbackSource
Language
EnglishSource
Release Year
2005Source
Genre
Contemporary FictionSource
Publisher

Questions and answers

Do I need to read Dissolution first?
No, Dark Fire stands on its own. Reading Dissolution first helps with Shardlake's backstory and his history with Cromwell.
How does it compare to Dissolution?
Most readers rate it close to Dissolution. It has a broader plot with two cases, and some find it slightly less tight.
What is Dark Fire about?
Shardlake is ordered by Cromwell to recover the secret of Greek fire and defend a girl accused of murder, with only days to do both.
Is this the first Shardlake novel?
No. It is the second, published in 2005 after Dissolution.
What edition is this?
It is the Penguin Books paperback in English, released in December 2005.
When is the price lowest?
Used and new paperback prices for this title swing widely; the current best new price is $2.49 at alibris as of November 7, 2026.
Where is the Dark Fire cheapest?
At alibris, for $2.49, 83% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the Dark Fire?
4 stores we checked sell it, including alibris, Walmart, Target, Booksamillion.

Stores we've priced the Dark Fire at

  • Target deals and prices
  • Walmart deals and prices
PENGUIN BOOKSSource
Release Date
2005-12Source