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Dark Matter: The Private Life of Sir Isaac Newton: A Novel Kindle Edition

4.2 out of 5 stars 312

I swore not to tell this story while Newton was still alive.

1696, young Christopher Ellis is sent to the Tower of London, but not as a prisoner. Though Ellis is notoriously hotheaded and was caught fighting an illegal duel, he arrives at the Tower as assistant to the renowned scientist Sir Isaac Newton. Newton is Warden of the Royal Mint, which resides within the Tower walls, and he has accepted an appointment from the King of England and Parliament to investigate and prosecute counterfeiters whose false coins threaten to bring down the shaky, war-weakened economy. Ellis may lack Newton’s scholarly mind, but he is quick with a pistol and proves himself to be an invaluable sidekick and devoted apprentice to Newton as they zealously pursue these criminals.

While Newton and Ellis investigate a counterfeiting ring, they come upon a mysterious coded message on the body of a man killed in the Lion Tower, as well as alchemical symbols that indicate this was more than just a random murder. Despite Newton’s formidable intellect, he is unable to decipher the cryptic message or any of the others he and Ellis find as the body count increases within the Tower complex. As they are drawn into a wild pursuit of the counterfeiters that takes them from the madhouse of Bedlam to the squalid confines of Newgate prison and back to the Tower itself, Newton and Ellis discover that the counterfeiting is only a small part of a larger, more dangerous plot, one that reaches to the highest echelons of power and nobility and threatens much more than the collapse of the economy.

Dark Matter is the lastest masterwork of suspense from Philip Kerr, the internationally bestselling and brilliantly innovative thriller writer who has dazzled readers with his imaginative, fast-paced novels. Like An Instance of the Fingerpost, The Name of the Rose, and Kerr’s own Berlin Noir trilogy, Dark Matter is historical mystery at its finest, an extraordinary, suspense-filled journey through the shadowy streets and back alleys of London with the brilliant Newton and his faithful protégé. The haunted Tower with its bloody history is the perfect backdrop for this richly satisfying tale, one that introduces an engrossing mystery into the volatile mix of politics, science, and religion that characterized life in seventeenth-century London.
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Holmes and Watson provide the template for this very satisfying historical thriller from Kerr (The Grid, etc.), with Sir Isaac Newton acting as great detective and one Christopher Ellis serving as narrator. It's 1696, and a series of murders are plaguing the Tower of London, where the middle-aged Newton has recently assumed (as in real life) the position of warden of the royal mint, with the younger Ellis (again as in real life) serving as his assistant. Like Holmes, the cold and cerebral Newton relies on rationalism the scientific method to solve the crimes, while Ellis, quick with sword, pistol and temper, brings the emotional counterweight provided by Conan Doyle's Watson. The murders are accompanied by esoteric clues, most notably encrypted messages and alchemical references, that spur Newton to their resolution as forcefully as does his intense sense of duty, for the killings seem to involve not only a plot to disrupt a recoinage necessary to continue England's war with France, but also a conspiracy to commit religious genocide against a backdrop of incessant tensions between Catholics and Protestants. The mystery elements of the novel provide a sturdy spine for the book's main flesh: its robust recreation of life at the end of the 17th century. Ellis's fluid narration sets the tone, illuminating a London beset by pestilence, poverty, whores and ruffians, noblemen grave or foppish, opium dens, brothels and grisly executions, and a bright array of historical figures including, in the role of blackguard, Daniel Defoe. There's an erotic/romantic subplot involving Ellis and Newton's niece, but the main focus is on the two leads. Both are well drawn, though Newton, ostensibly the novel's center, is less compelling than Ellis's full-blooded youth. That disparity, and an overly complex plot, are the drawbacks of what is, withal, a most gripping and well-appointed entertainment.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

There have been many mysteries featuring famous historical figures as protagonists, among them Elliot Roosevelt's crime-solving First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Stephanie Barron's investigative Jane Austen, and Karen Harper's sleuthing Queen Elizabeth I. Now comes Sir Isaac Newton and his assistant, Christopher Ellis (also an actual person). It is 1696 in London, and Ellis has been hired to help Newton in his job as Warden of the Royal Mint. Ordered by the king to find and prosecute counterfeiters whose false coins threaten the war-shaken British economy, the two men get more than they bargained for when they uncover a much more dangerous conspiracy. Plot devices such as secret coded documents, the pseudoscience of alchemy, and a string of strange murders make for an exciting read. Using as backdrop the Tower of London, the Royal Mint, Bedlam madhouse, and Newgate Prison, the ever-versatile Kerr, author of sophisticated science-based thrillers like The Second Angel and Esau, weaves a rich tapestry of interesting characters and period details. Highly recommended. Fred Gervat, Concordia Coll. Lib., Bronxville, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003FCVEY6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crown; Reprint edition (April 19, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 19, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 14898 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 333 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 312

About the author

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Philip Kerr
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For most novelists, the city where the action takes place is a backdrop or a stage set, nothing more than scenery. But the Berlin of Philip Kerr’s stories is a character in the books – a personality as complex and troubled as his private-investigator protagonist. ‘When I started writing I was after the character of the Berliner rather than the history of Berlin,’ says Kerr. ‘Berlin people have always been awkward-squad Germans, which is probably why I admire them. Hitler didn’t like them at all, and Berliners are the same now as then – they haven’t changed.’

Read more here: philipkerr.org/about

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
312 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2014
Well researched and well written - two good things !! This story is a work of "fiction" but very much based in fact. Since I am a fan of historical fiction, something this fact based is a special treat. Really good historical fiction is almost like time-travel - the closest we can come. This authors interesting writing style contributed to the feeling of "being there".
Sir Issac Newton was truly a genius of his time and a ground-breaking thinker, a renaissance man in every sense of the word. The background facts concerning the coinage crisis of that time were extremely interesting, as was the handling of it.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2013
As a fan of Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels ( Berlin Noir: March Violets; The Pale Criminal; A German Requiem ), and on the recommendation of Amazon readers, I gave _Dark Matters_ a read. Set in 1690s London, it focuses on Sir Issac Newton's tenure as Master of the Mint, a position the ensured the purity of coinage and the person who was responsible for the pursuit and conviction of counterfeiters. The story is told through the voice of his assistant clerk, Christopher Ellis who, on the death of Newton, reflects back on their work together (not unlike the narrator in  The Name of the Rose: including the Author's Postscript .

The story revolves around a complex counterfeiting operation during the Great Recoinage, when old currency was being replaced by new silver coins, trust in the new currecny and its circulation of critical national importance. As the counterfeit ring is investigated, the conspirators begin to cover their tracks by murdering their low-level lackys; further investigation shows that there may be much more than counterfeiting going on, with much higher stakes and more sinister objectives.

Kerr is a very talented writer, who can spin a complex story that is both convincing to readers as well as be broadly historically plausible. He does so here. Yet I struggled with the stylistic decisions he made in his telling of the story - as enjoyable as it was uncovering the plot(s), Kerr's narrator writes in a style that is strongly reminiscent of the early 18th century. While this makes sense and lends an air of authenticity, the syntax was a bit odd to the ear and sometimes (although not often) was a bit laborious. In terms of the story, its larger historical context, and the characters, the book warrants 5 stars. The wit of Newton (and the street-smarts of Ellis) make for enjoyable "odd-couple" banter, and the blending of science, religion, social class and political intrigue was very well done. In spite of my issues with Ellis' voice, I'm certain fans of historical fiction would enjoy _Dark Matter_. If you liked _The Name of the Rose_, you are sure to want to read this as well.
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2015
Not up to Kerr's usual high standard. In an attempt to mime the sensibilities of 17th century England (a period as alien to modern tastes as one could imagine), he had produced a book that is both unconvincing and tiresome. I was tempted to call it quits half way through, but out of loyalty to this otherwise wonderful author trudged to the end. There was, alas, no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Kerr should stick to the noir tales that he can write better than anyone and leave the age of Cromwell and Newton to someone else.
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2022
The great Philip Kerr now has all the answers…read it, and through his mortal talent get a few of your own.
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2012
The most enjoyable aspect of this novel is the insight it provides into life in another era. Kerr writes (faithfully to my ear)in the style of the era. While writing this way is not easy I'm sure, it adds immensely to the authenticity. The plot is satisfyingly complex and holds the reader well. The book is peopled with a great many characters and you have to read carefully to keep track of who's who, but it is worth it. The organization of the Tower of London's bureaucracy is skillfully delineated, but it cries out for footnotes or an appendix. This novel is a worthwhile read and you'll finish it knowing you learned something.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2013
This is not like other Phillip Kerr novels but a very interesting historical treatise... you get to learn a lot about London in 1690's and the fiscal crises they faced 300 years ago... the fiscal cliff was different but still similar to what we have faced recently in the US... you also get to know a different Isaac Newton than you find in textbooks... this is very interesting if you have read Neal Stephenson's System of the World novels that also portray Newton back then...
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2013
I like Kerr's novels. Easy to read and good stories. I like how he weaves historical information in the stories (the lives of everyday people, the city--London in this case). This one was interesting and moved but spots were a tad slow, and at times characters are a bit superficial--maybe too many easy skills (law, warrior, etc.) for a 20 year old assistant, for example.

I liked the book for a summer's read, but I prefer the Bernie Gunther novels overall.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2013
This is a fascinating reconstruction of life in 17th century England and provides brilliant insight into the thinking if a famous man who is well known for his scientific discoveries but not especially well known for his work for the Royal Mint. As with his Bernie Gunther series, Kerr's historical recreation of a place and an era is extraordinary and his plot and character development are very well done. I couldn't put it down.

Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Passionnant
Reviewed in France on August 25, 2019
Lecture. J'ai apprécié l'intrigue et le style d'écriture.
Andrew Johnston
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant period piece, with a Sherlock Holmes feel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2007
It is historical fact that Sir Isaac Newton held senior positions at the royal mint from the late 1690s, and with his assistant Christopher Ellis he was involved in detecting and prosecuting numerous offences during a turbulent period in which Britain replaced its money.

Philip Kerr has taken this Newton and his assistant, and turned them into Holmes and Watson, placing them at the centre of a serious intrigue involving financial crimes, political battles and religious atrocities.

It's a brilliant period piece which explains a great deal I didn't understand about Restoration Europe. Like his other historical novels Kerr has also carefully used the language of the time, writing in a style reminiscent of Newton's contemporaries such as Pepys, but always readily understandable.

Some of the period detail is quite gruesome, and can be little uncomfortable. This is not a book for the young or seriously squeamish. However the content is appropriate given the quite dark nature of the story.

I haven't enjoyed all of Kerr's more recent works. For example "The Shot", which was a similar kind of period piece, was just too complicated. I have no such complaints about "Dark Matter" - a brilliant historical thriller.
14 people found this helpful
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rosie featherstone
4.0 out of 5 stars Little heavy going
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2018
An unusual novel which is fast paced and has many characters Very different to the normal 'who done it' and the close writing style means you have to pay attention when you read it Enjoyable and interesting
Didier
3.0 out of 5 stars Strange book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2007
I honestly don't really know what to think of this book. One would say that it has all the necessary ingredients of a great read: an original premise in Isaac Newton (who really did work for the Royal Mint) stumbling on a plot of counterfeiters with links to alchemy, Huguenots, and even the Templars. The tale is told by his assistant Christopher Ellis 30 years later after Newton has died.

And yet, and yet... somehow this story never really gripped me as I expected it to. Is it because of the language? Maybe so, because I found it to be written almost as if it wasn't only about Newton but also BY Newton, with everything described in a very detached, almost scientific way which doesn't help to get one involved in the story.

So however eagerly I read the book (somehow always expecting it to start living up to my expectations) I finished it with mixed feelings (because it never really did).
9 people found this helpful
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Chris Milligan
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical novel strangely unpublished in UK
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2013
I was aware of this book for some time before purchasing it as at first I thought this was a non fiction book. It is an excellent novel based on fact and has similarities in theme to Umberto Ecos 'Name of the Rose'. I am a big fan of Philips Bernie gunter series and this is of similar high standard. The copy I bought is an American import and it is inexplicable as to why this book has not been published in the Uk as it was published in 2002. This is a similar to Kerr's also excellent 'Hitler's Peace' published in 2005 which has again still to be published in the UK and could be initially be mistaken for a non fiction book but is a blend of fact and fiction.
One person found this helpful
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