ISBN: 0-425-15007-0 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
A pleasant mystery of investigation, with historical detail, and a classically convoluted plot.
Reviewed by David on December 05, 2004
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, Historical)
Synopsis: The thirteen-year-old Jeremy's arrival in London was not happy. After just becoming an orphan, his hopes of becoming an apprentice to a printer are dashed when he is accused of theft and brought before a magistrate. Luckily, the magistrate is Sir John Fielding, who despite losing his sight is well known for his perspicacity.
Exonerated, Jeremy gratefully serves as Sir John's assistant while employment is found for the boy. Between drudgery of cleaning, Jeremy is tasked with observation and errands when Sir John investigates a most puzzling death, with the body found in a chamber locked from the inside.
Full Review: This is a classic locked-room mystery, with other classic elements of suspicion and villainy. The characters are colorfully portrayed, with Jerry having a lively voice and Sir John beset by his own troubles. The investigation proceeds in expected but entertaining manner, with puzzling clues finally assembled in a classic meeting of the suspects.
The book is entertaining both in the investigation and in the detail and atmosphere of Eighteenth-Century London, with its embryonic police force just forced by Sir John and his late brother.
Copyright: 1994
Series Name: Sir John Fielding Mysteries
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 6;
Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley Prime Crime), November 1995, Mass market paperback, 314 pages
ISBN: 0-425-15007-0 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com