Helpful Score: 3
This was my first historical fiction attempt. I have always feared that it would be annoying to read, filled with "proper" English words. I have also never been a fan of any history, finding most of it to be boring to me.
Bruce Alexander brought these characters to life! I feel as if I have personally met each and every one of them. I found myself involved in each of their activities, and feeling the emotions they were feeling. The mystery was not the same old same old that I have found in newer mystery novels, and was a fresh breath of air for me.
I will certainly be reading the rest of this series, and thank a fellow PBS'r for turning me on to another new author.
Bruce Alexander brought these characters to life! I feel as if I have personally met each and every one of them. I found myself involved in each of their activities, and feeling the emotions they were feeling. The mystery was not the same old same old that I have found in newer mystery novels, and was a fresh breath of air for me.
I will certainly be reading the rest of this series, and thank a fellow PBS'r for turning me on to another new author.
Charlie M. (bookaddicted) -
Helpful Score: 3
A really good beginning to a series. Alexander mixes both fictional characters and real people to create a mystery series set in London during the later part of the 1700's. John Fielding was a Magistrate, brother to Henry Fielding (Tom Jones), co-founded the Bow Street Runners - the first organized police force and blind since age 19. An orphaned boy is taken under his wing and narrates the story as an adult, remembering his adventures with Fielding. The writing style is wonderfully picturesque without being overpowering or flowery and the characters three dimensional.
You might figure out the ending but it doesn't detract from the overall pleasure of reading.
You might figure out the ending but it doesn't detract from the overall pleasure of reading.
Helpful Score: 2
I think this is in the tradition of The Alienist; a historical mystery set in teh gritty underbelly of cities past.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Alexander has created enjoyable and plausible characters beautifully integrated with true historical figures. I am definitely looking forward to reading more in this series
IN 1768 thirteen year-old jeremy arrived in London,The City streets ,bustling with gamblers,prostitutes,and thieves,no place for a boy on his own,And trouble wasted no time in finding the lad,He was falsely charged with theft and arrested, but he was saved only by wisdom and compassion of Sir JOHN FIELDING WAS A MAN OF GREAT REPUTATION AND FOR GOOD reason, He had founded the Bow Street Runners a police force that had reduced nighttime crime in London He was as any magistrate in ENGLAND,And Sir John was UNIVERSALLY REOWNED FOR HIS SKILLS AS A DETECTIVE,And there was nothing lacking in his sense of justice, and after clearing Jeremy of all the charges Sir John and his new helper began a career of solving some of Londons MOST WICKED crimes copyrights1997this book was very clever and plotting A very good Mystery
