ISBN: 4882772-004 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com Books on Tape
Combination of a solid procedural investigation, sympathetic narrator, colorful characters and a wealth of historical detail make this a satisfying mystery.
Reviewed by David on January 19, 2005
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, Historical)
Synopsis: Prostitutes are being murdered around London. And Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate of Bow Street Court, and his constables are facing increasing panic as more gruesome remains are found. Sir John, and his young ward and assistant Jeremy Proctor will have to take desperate steps to identify the murderer before he kills again.
Full Review: The historical Sir John Fielding is a legendary figure, famous for in essence creating London's first police force. Being blind since his youth, he relied on the eyes of others as his witnesses. The series of novels is written from the point of view of young Jeremy Proctor, who served as Sir John's assistant and frequently his eyes in these mysteries.
In a grim procursor of Jack the Ripper, London's prostitutes face a shadowy serial killer, and the investigation, filled with personal details for Jeremy is pleasantly tense and melodramatic. There are losses on the way, and yet the end of the book is both fitting and satisfying.
Copyright: 1997
Series Name: Sir John Fielding Mysteries
Overall: 6; Plot: 6; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6.5;
Books on Tape, 1999, Audio tape, 7 cassettes
ISBN: 4882772-004 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com Books on Tape