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... read full description
1696, young Christopher Ellis is sent to the Tower of London, but not as... read full description
reviews
Aug 02, 2010
Rowland
rated it: 
Dark Matter is sub-titled: The Private Life of Sir Isaac Newton. Newton was a brilliant but odd fellow, and there's little enough known about his varied public life; a novel focussing on the private affairs of the man sounds like it might be good fun. Told by Christopher Ellis, who worked as an assistant to Newton at the Royal Mint (where Newton was Warden at the time most of this story takes place), Dark Matter unfortunately doesn't bother much with Newton's private life: the man remains a ciph
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Apr 28, 2011
Julie
rated it:
This book disappointed me only in that I thought it would be more about Dark Matter of space. It hinted about the science vaguely, but used Sir Isaac Newton as a character in a murder mystery. It could have been such a great book, if the story would have focused even more on Newton and his perspectives, his life, his passion of science, etc… As it was, the main character was a soldier working for Newton, and the murder mysteries were solved by Newton and the main character, which reminded me o
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Jan 25, 2012
Sean
rated it:
This is a fun book with some of the best dialogue I have enjoyed in a while. This is a fiction story where Issac Newton is the chief investigator fighting forgery for the British Mint during the great re-coining effort of the 1600s. Newton is portrayed in the model of Sherlock Holmes, a supremely observant person with a sharp mind for details. The narrator hold true as he is in the model of Watson, a brave companion constantly shocked by the revelations of his 'master'.
Only 3 st More...
Only 3 st More...
Aug 11, 2011
David
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 03, 2009
Diana
rated it: 
Excellent. A fictional treatment of Sir Isaac Newton during his time at the Royal Mint, very well done, most engaging. Some differences of opinion about some of the events in Newton’s life – compared to the author of the biography I just read – but fine with me. In fact, I think this author's explanation of Newton's mysterious episode just prior to coming to London - mercury poisoning - was somewhat more plausible than the biographer's theory of disappointed love. The setting of this work is
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Nov 29, 2011
Mark
rated it:
The day I finished this book I gave it 3 stars...it was enjoyable on several levels, had a good beat and you could dance to it. The next day I downgraded it to 2 stars...after mulling it over, I thought it had too much gratuitous sex, violence and unbelievable intrigue for who I could imagine Newton to really be. But now a week later I'm back to 3. Its stuck with me, and surprisingly for the insights into Newton's religious beliefs, as well as the historical details that did ring true which i
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Jun 19, 2011
Lissa
rated it:
Thankfully I didn't buy this book-- I "rented" it, based on the title it shares with a great PBS series about Isaac Newton. The novel is a mystery worthy of Doyle, but only if A. Conan Doyle was in detox. The setting is Newton's time at the Mint, definitely a cloak and dagger opportunity. But it allies Galileo with the martyred "scientist"; I believe this distinction belongs to Bruno, burned to a crisp. Newton's knighthood is the result of bartering his niece, Catherine Barto
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Jan 04, 2008
Daniel
rated it:
Although it took me a while to get into this novel, I rather enjoyed it, for the most part.
I never really had any sense that this was Isaac Newton, other than the fact that other characters would refer to him as such, and occassionally make reference to one of his scientific theories. He was, however, an interesting "detective" for a crime novel. He seemed to be quite masterful at observation and with a pretty good sense of human character (despite being pretty terrible at More...
I never really had any sense that this was Isaac Newton, other than the fact that other characters would refer to him as such, and occassionally make reference to one of his scientific theories. He was, however, an interesting "detective" for a crime novel. He seemed to be quite masterful at observation and with a pretty good sense of human character (despite being pretty terrible at More...
Oct 02, 2007
Brooke
rated it: 
I finished reading this book by Philip Kerr a little over a week ago. I picked it up because it was on the "if you liked the DaVinci Code" library book list. I was stranded in lower Queen Anne about a month back without any reading material, so I wasted an hour in Twice Sold Tales until I decided on this one.
At first, it was hard to get past the stylized 17th-century British writing style. Considering the book was written about four years ago, but was supposed to be writte More...
At first, it was hard to get past the stylized 17th-century British writing style. Considering the book was written about four years ago, but was supposed to be writte More...
Apr 05, 2008
Writerlibrarian
rated it:
Un des maîtres du thriller , Philip est renommé pour ces thrillers à saveur intellectuelle. Il se lance avec “Le chiffre de l’alchimiste” dans le polar historique. Un mariage mi figue mi raisin.
On suit Sir Isaac Newton, alors gardien de la Monnaie, un rôle qu’il avait cru honorifique à la poursuite de faux-monnayeurs, meurtriers et quelques dégénérés de service. Newton est accompagné d’un fidèle assistant, Christopher Ellis. Le scénario vous semble familier? Avec raison, même si Kerr More...
On suit Sir Isaac Newton, alors gardien de la Monnaie, un rôle qu’il avait cru honorifique à la poursuite de faux-monnayeurs, meurtriers et quelques dégénérés de service. Newton est accompagné d’un fidèle assistant, Christopher Ellis. Le scénario vous semble familier? Avec raison, même si Kerr More...
Sep 10, 2009
Paul
rated it:
We all know that Sir Isaac Newton was a genius, Cambridge professor, Priest, mathematician and scientist. But the Warden of the Mint in London? It's true that he served in this position during the last years of his life with Christopher Ellis as his assistant.
The novel jumps off from here with gruesome murders in the Tower where the Mint was located. "Sherlock" Newton uses his power of observation and intelligence to discover the plot to silence these men.
This w More...
The novel jumps off from here with gruesome murders in the Tower where the Mint was located. "Sherlock" Newton uses his power of observation and intelligence to discover the plot to silence these men.
This w More...
Oct 14, 2009
Mike
rated it:
Not the usual way we think of "SIN" (i.e. Sir Issac Newton). But, a bit fun to see a man whose intelligence and erudition laid many of the foundations of the modern world (at least in mathematics and physics, although Lebniz did simultaneously concieve of the calculus and we use his, not Newton's nomenclature today). But enough of that true history diversion!
Sit back and enjoy the ride as Sir Issac attempts to sleuth his way through a few murders and a state crisis or two.
Sit back and enjoy the ride as Sir Issac attempts to sleuth his way through a few murders and a state crisis or two.
Oct 11, 2010
Dick
rated it:
Set in London in 1696 when Isaac Newton, former Lucasian Prof of Math at Cambridge [note that this is the position that Steven Hawking occupied 300 years later], becomes Warden of the Mint in the Tower of London. An interesting historical mystery novel based upon the real events of Newton's life. Fascinating account of the conflicts between protestants and Catholics in England and France. Even throws in a bit of physics, alchemy, and cryptography. Worth reading.
Jul 31, 2011
Otak
rated it:
enjoyable historical thriller from the time newton managed the royal mint. writen as 1st person narrative by newton's assistant, seemingly well-documented although casts the great man in rather a frienly light for someone responsible for a number of executions. touches on newton's unorthodox religious views which is iteresting and will probably make me dig around for some bography. the book would make a good movie, let's see how long before someone takes it up :)
Dec 07, 2011
Kate
rated it:
As several others have noted, this read more like a Holmes and Watson adventure, only with less character development or wit. I slogged through the first third, waiting for something to happen. Things briefly became lively and interesting, then nothing for another long while. There was potential here, but it wasn't developed. By the end of the book, I didn't care any more. The book just didn't work for me, although the historical tidbits scattered throughout the book were terrific. Evidence of o
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Jul 21, 2010
Mark
rated it:
This historical novel succeeds due to Philip Kerr's ability to immerse the reader fully into unfamiliar societies, cultures and times. Kerr has proven once again with Isaac Newton that he can provide a seemingly full account of what it must have been like to live, breathe and survive in times past. Dark Matter suffers only from being a bit of Holmes and Watson set a few centuries earlier.
Jan 29, 2012
Mazel
rated it:
objectif pal...
Présentation de l'éditeur !
En 1696, le jeune Christopher Ellis, que l'on a surpris à livrer un duel illégal, est envoyé à la Tour de Londres pour servir d'assistant à sir Isaac Newton, gardien de la Monnaie et chargé par le roi d'enquêter sur un réseau de faux-monnayeurs. Le tandem formé par le savant de grand renom et son assistant rusé et débrouillard va se révéler des plus performants. Au cours de leur enquête, ils découvrent un mystérieux message codé sur le More...
Présentation de l'éditeur !
En 1696, le jeune Christopher Ellis, que l'on a surpris à livrer un duel illégal, est envoyé à la Tour de Londres pour servir d'assistant à sir Isaac Newton, gardien de la Monnaie et chargé par le roi d'enquêter sur un réseau de faux-monnayeurs. Le tandem formé par le savant de grand renom et son assistant rusé et débrouillard va se révéler des plus performants. Au cours de leur enquête, ils découvrent un mystérieux message codé sur le More...
Sep 03, 2007
LJ
rated it:
DARK MATTER (Amateur Sleuth-London-1600s) – Okay-
Kerr, Philip – 11th book
McArthur & Company, 2002- Paperback
Christopher Ellis has been hired and clerk and protector to Sir Issac Newton, now Warden of the Royal Mint. In their efforts to track down counterfeiters, they uncover murders, ciphers and a much more dangerous plot.
*** In spite of the length of the book, it did read quickly, probably because I did a lot of skimming. Kerr's detail of the period is fascinating and More...
Kerr, Philip – 11th book
McArthur & Company, 2002- Paperback
Christopher Ellis has been hired and clerk and protector to Sir Issac Newton, now Warden of the Royal Mint. In their efforts to track down counterfeiters, they uncover murders, ciphers and a much more dangerous plot.
*** In spite of the length of the book, it did read quickly, probably because I did a lot of skimming. Kerr's detail of the period is fascinating and More...
May 22, 2010
Jimmy
rated it:
I finally got an Ipod. I wasn't sure whether I'd like running with an ipod but definitely have become a convert. I run less than I used to but listening to a book when I'm running gives me something to look forward to when I'm pushing myself out there. This is a fun historical suspense story about Isaac Newton's tenure as head of the British mint where he and his assistant uncovers a plot of villains who are countefeiting coins. Even if the plot isn't as good as you would like, one learns a
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Sep 07, 2008
Michel
rated it:
A crucible of secret plots and horrid murders, counterfeiters and French spies, heresy and religious hatred, alchemy and secret knowledge, deceit and political ambition, science and codebreaking, against the meticulously reconstructed background of London, pre-1700.
A gordian knot beautifully untied by Newton (elementary, my dear Chritopher).
All this distilled by a master storyteller, who devotes his talent to character as well as plot: after reading this book, you will feel as if you More...
A gordian knot beautifully untied by Newton (elementary, my dear Chritopher).
All this distilled by a master storyteller, who devotes his talent to character as well as plot: after reading this book, you will feel as if you More...
Mar 16, 2009
Petra
rated it:
A Victorian murder mystery with Isaac Newton and his assistant as the Detectives. The book is written very much in the style of The Name Of The Rose but not as long winded. The story revolves around a string of murders taking place in the Royal Mint. I enjoyed the book and found it to be easy reading.
Jun 14, 2011
Hasan
rated it:
Newton and his assistant at the British Mint, Christopher Ellis, work to solve crimes rather than physics equations one might expect from the book’s title. It is a well told story even if it has little insight into Newton. Dark Matter is more detective story than one would expect, but interesting enough.
Jan 10, 2012
Penny
rated it:
This book is about Sir Isaac Newton and his work as head of the Mint located in the Tower of London. While the book touches on his many contributions to mathematics and science, it is more correct to call it a murder mystery.
Mar 12, 2011
Jacquelynn
rated it:
Sir Issac Newton must solve the murders, but his reasoning reminds me of Sherlock Holmes. The mystery was good, didn't like the rest of the story or the characters.
Dec 31, 2007
Jrobertus
rated it:
This is a really fun book. Isaac Newton, in his later years, was head of the mint; in this story he plays this role. THe author has the great genius play the role of Sherlock Holmes and his Watson, a capable young man, tells the story. The Crown fears that devaluation of the coins of the realm, by trimming etc, will undermine England in its war with France. Newton is on the job though, and the case allows the author to expand unpon many interesting historical events that cross theri paths. T
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Aug 16, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Like any good historical fiction, this adventure takes place within the framework of fact. The story was entertaining and the action was vivid. The Isaac Newton in his crime fighting role was somewhat Sherlock Holmes-eque, yet retained elements of orginality because he remained true to the nature of Isaac Newton as he was revealed in historical accounts.
Oct 28, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
This topic had so much potential, but I was sadly disappointed. The book dragged on, and it was difficult to finish reading because the intrigue just wasn't there. I found the end to be anticlimactic and rushed. The private life of Sir Issac Newton should have been fascinating, which was why I picked up the book, but there wasn't enough "dark matter" in there to keep the reader hooked.
My MIL recommended the book, though, and she enjoyed it; thus, I gave it 2 stars instea More...
My MIL recommended the book, though, and she enjoyed it; thus, I gave it 2 stars instea More...
Feb 03, 2011
bought this to kill time before a show that had been pushed back from 7 to 8:30...and it worked reasonably well in that respect. It's a quick read, not terribly demanding. I'll probably use it to kill time some more. It's a little clunky, in that historical novel way...where you have to somehow prove that people back then were *just like us* except they wore funny clothes and went to church more. But Isaac Newton is an interesting character, and I do have a weakness for murder mysteries.
Feb 29, 2008
Kirsten
rated it:
This was a well-written, absorbing mysetery/thriller set in the seventeenth century, with Sir Isaac Newton as one of the main characters. Still, for some reason it didn't engage me entirely; I think I found the narrator, Newton's clerk, to be a bit unsympathetic. If you're into ciphers and such, though, you might enjoy it.
