ISBN: 0-425-18203-7 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
A conventional and competent crime investigation is made the richer by solid portrayal of 18th-century London and likable and realistic continuing characters.
Reviewed by David on June 11, 2005
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, Historical)
Synopsis: The blind Sir Fielding, Magistrate of the Bow Street Court in 18th Century London, investigates a series of armed robberies, remarkable by their efficiency and ruthlessness. They are also remarkable by the race of the perpetrators—they are all black. As more rich homes are robbed, the racial tension run high. Even more disturbing, an attempt is made on Sir John himself. With the help of his assistant Jeremy, Sir John uncovers the ruthless and well-organized criminal organization.
Full Review: Similar to other books in the series, the personal development of core characters, including Sir John, Jeremy and the rest of Sir John's household and staff form a major, and enjoyable, part of the mystery. The characters are nicely rounded, with strengths, flaws, and emotions.
Along with Jeremy's coming of age is his observation and participation in a criminal investigation process, which proceeeds through the usual examination of untruthful witnesses, plentitude of suspects and theories, and the eventual tense resolution.
With the unusual and well-detailed mileau of eighteenth-century London, the elements of the mystery combine into a solidly enjoyable book, both on its own, and even more contributing the Sir John series.
Copyright: 2000
Series Name: Sir John Fielding Mysteries
Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6.5;
Berkely Publishing Group (Berkeley Prime Crime), October 2001, Mass-market paperback
ISBN: 0-425-18203-7 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com