Review by Booklist Review
Sir John Fielding was a legendary eighteenth-century British jurist who, despite his blindness, helped create London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before someone discovered this fascinating character and built a series of mystery novels around him; if so, we can be very glad that the someone turned out to be Alexander. Let's hope this terrific debut is only the beginning of a long and successful series about Fielding and his young assistant (and our intrepid narrator), the orphan Jeremy Proctor. The plot centers on the apparent suicide of Lord Richard Goodhope, philanderer, gambler, and former friend of His Majesty King George III. Along the way, we meet such notables as Dr. Samuel Johnson, the rather obnoxious James Boswell, and noted actor David Garrick. The mystery element is not overly complicated, but the novel offers much to treasure: wonderful use of language, a rich cast of characters, and an intoxicating evocation of time and place. Expect the pseudonymous Alexander to attract a wide following in public libraries. ~--George Needham
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This launch of a projected series set in 18th-century England introduces Sir John Fielding--blind, brilliant, compassionate magistrate of London's Bow Street Court--and Jeremy Proctor, the narrator, a penniless, intelligent 13-year-old orphan whom Sir John has taken into his household. Exercising the broad magisterial powers of the era, the judge investigates the death of wealthy Lord Richard Goodhope, who was discovered shot through the head, gun at his feet, behind the locked door of his library. Though the initial finding is suicide, Jeremy notices a clue that points to murder, a conclusion bolstered by the findings of surgeon Gabriel Donnelly. The investigation of Lord Richard's dissolute life, including extramarital affairs and gambling forays (sometimes shared with his Jamaica-based half-brother during his visits to London), seems to lead nowhere until Sir John commands all interested parties to gather at the murder scene, where he engineers a shocking solution to the crime. Lively characters, vivid incidents, clever plotting and a colorful setting make for a robust series kickoff from Alexander, a pseudonymous ``well-known author of fiction and nonfiction.'' (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
YAIn the rough-and-tumble world of London in 1768, Jeremy, orphaned at the age of 13, is rescued from the streets by Sir John Fielding, a prominent judge who is known for his uncanny ability to dispense justice and ferret out evidence even though he is blind. Jeremy becomes Fielding's errand boy and assistant and helps him investigate the murder of Lord Goodhope, a man with many enemies. The complicated story is told by Jeremy as he remembers the case many years later. Details of the time period are accurate, including the personage of Sir John himself and the formation of the Bow Street Police. The narrator's wit, curiosity, and youthful energy make it easy for YAs to identify with him. However, the cover is drab, which may discourage young people from choosing the novel on their own.Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Sir John Fielding, co-founder with his late half-brother Henry (author of Tom Jones) of the Bow Street Runners, has been dead for 200 years, but he's just now getting his first starring role in a detective story. Here, in 1768, the blind magistrate rescues orphaned printer's apprentice Jeremy Proctor from a trumped-up robbery charge just in time to take Jeremy along as his youthful Watson while he investigates the apparent suicide of Lord Richard Goodhope, shot inside a locked library. Surprises abound, even for the seasoned Sir John: Lord Goodhope, who was on distant terms with his wife, died of poison, not his gunshot; the library is not quite so hermetically sealed as it appears; notorious gambler Black Jack Bilbo claims to hold Goodhope's markers for £12,000; one of his footmen left Goodhope's employ very recently, only to turn up in quite another connection. Even Mary Deemey, the invincibly English dressmaker who supplied widow's weeds to Goodhope's current actress companion, is masquerading as one Mlle. Claudette. But though he constantly has to ask Jeremy to describe things and places and people for him, nothing fools Sir John, and his clever identification of a suspect sets the stage for an old-fashioned denouement in the Goodhope library. Pseudonymous Alexander's debut wraps a competent mystery in a historical narrative of vivacity and charm. The final paragraph promises a sequel, perhaps a series.
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