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203rd out of 738 books
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1,614 voters
Person or Persons Unknown (Sir John Fielding #4)
John Fielding was famous not only as cofounder of London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners, but also as a magistrate of keen intellect, fairness and uncommon detective ability. When a crime was committed, he often took it upon himself to solve it. What made this all the more remarkable was that he was blind. Now the blind magistrate and his young assistant and w...more
Paperback, 325 pages
Published
October 1st 1998
by Berkley Prime Crime Books
(first published 1997)
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Ein Krimi aus der Reihe um die historische verbürgter Person John Fielding, Bruder des Schriftstellers Henry Fielding, Richter und Begründer der so genannten Bow Street Runners, einer zu der Zeit, also der zweiten Hälfe des 18. Jahrhunderts, ungewöhnlich modern arbeitenden Polizeieinheit. Es geht um eine Serei von brutalen Morden von Prostituierten, die alle um Coven Garden herum stattfinden und die dem Autor Gelegeneheit geben, diese wenigen Straßenzüge genau zu beschreiben: Den Markt bei Coven...more
While this book is not as strong as the earlier works in the Sir John Fielding mystery series, it is still a solid entry in an engaging series. However, readers should be warned that this book contains some very gruesome details and be prepared for some of the violence and descriptive language. The book contains plot twists that have made this series interesting and make the books such good mysteries. Jeremy Proctor's voice as a narrator does at times grow tiring in his continuous praise for Sir...more
It seems strange that a book about the murder and mutilation of prostitutes can be a book one can enjoy or recommend, but that in fact is true. This is the fourth book in Alexander’s series about Sir John Fielding, a magistrate and social reformer in 18th century England who with his brother, novelist Henry Fielding, organized the Bow Street Runners, Britain’s first police force. The main fictional character in these novels is Jeremy Proctor, a teen-ager who Fielding had taken in to his home an...more
Actually I think I would give this 3.5 stars but that isn't an option. It's the first Sir John Fielding mystery I have read and did like it. A bit gruesome in parts, which I don't really expect in these historical mysteries. Doing anything to a dead body, besides burying it decently, is a bit hard to take in any time period's language. I expect I'll read others in this series in the future though. The relationship between the narrator and Sir John Fielding keeps your attention.
I didn't like this book nearly as much as I have the others in the series. Jeremy's voice is starting to grate on my nerves and his hero worship for Sir John is beginning to get tedious. This is a personal preference objection. I prefer anti-heroes or at least heroes who flirt with being anti, and Jeremy is just far too well behaved. I also felt in this novel that the historical integrity was being sacrificed for twentieth century political correctness and thought.
My fourth of the series and as enjoyable as the first. I particularly enjoy keeping up with the progress of Jeremy and watching the development of the other regulars. I suppose that this is similar to the admiration that some have for soaps.
I have the fifth of the set ready as my next read. Definitely 4* but pushing for the fifth.
I have the fifth of the set ready as my next read. Definitely 4* but pushing for the fifth.
I've been reading very slowly and sporadically of late because of a non-book project I've been spending time at, so it took me a while to get through this book. It's the fourth in Alexander's series about Sir John Fielding, who began the Bow Street Runners, the forerunners of the British bobby. The tales are told by Jeremy Proctor, a young orphan who's taken under Sir John's wing. In this book they deal with a series of murders of prostitutes a la Jack the Ripper, but of course with even fewer r...more
Jun 09, 2009
LJ
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
1700s,
england,
georgian_1714-1811_1820-37,
historical,
male_author,
london,
mystery,
traditional_mystery
PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN (Hist Mys/Trad-Jeremy/Sr. John Fielding-London-1700s/Geor)- VG
Alexander, Bruce - 3rd in series
A wonderfully written book rich with historic detail and great characters.
Alexander, Bruce - 3rd in series
A wonderfully written book rich with historic detail and great characters.
I don't remember reading the book, but the story is facinating because I have seen it in a movie series. It was interesting how Fielding used his assistant's eyes and instincts to solve crimes.
Mar 11, 2013
Jina Howell-Forbes
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
british-historical-fiction,
great-series
This book is the continuation of a series of fictionalized accounts of Sir John Fielding, Magistrate of the Bow Street Court in London in the 1760's and 70's, as told through the eyes of his fictional teen-age ward, Jeremy Proctor. John fielding was blinded in an accident at the age of 19 while in the Royal Navy, so he was blind during his career as a judge.
This series is filled with historical detail of the time and place, the adventure of crime and the legal system, and the relationships of al...more
This series is filled with historical detail of the time and place, the adventure of crime and the legal system, and the relationships of al...more
Enjoyable mystery set in 18th century London. Plot was a bit predictable and you could spot the murderer from a mile off but good fun though.
Meh, not bad, not great. I did think it odd that a magistrate would eat with his servants, even though lawyers and business men weren't high society, still not too realistic for the times.
Probably my favorite in the series thus far, excpet perhaps the first one.
The fourth in the series of Sir John Fielding books. Someone is killing the prostitutes of London, but the killer is not being consistent. Why is that?
This is a charming series in which the narrator begins as a street urchin, taken in by Sir John. He tells you in the beginning that he grows to be a barrister, but the fun and excitement of this book is in seeing how the narrator grows. The late Mr. Alexander also had a taste for the atmosphere and personalities of 18th Century London.
Truly, an e...more
This is a charming series in which the narrator begins as a street urchin, taken in by Sir John. He tells you in the beginning that he grows to be a barrister, but the fun and excitement of this book is in seeing how the narrator grows. The late Mr. Alexander also had a taste for the atmosphere and personalities of 18th Century London.
Truly, an e...more
Jeremy Proctor is growing up. Sir John trusts him with more of the delicate matters of the court investigations and he thinks he's falling in love.
When several prostitutes are murdered, Jeremy, Sir John and a cast of well known and new characters work to solve the mystery.
The author continues to bring the atmosphere of the common mans London to life and his characters are just as good as ever, in other words, this book delivers everything I have come to expect from this series.
When several prostitutes are murdered, Jeremy, Sir John and a cast of well known and new characters work to solve the mystery.
The author continues to bring the atmosphere of the common mans London to life and his characters are just as good as ever, in other words, this book delivers everything I have come to expect from this series.
This is such a wonderful series: great texture and compelling characters and mysteries. This one was a bit more gory than I like, but it does work.
another good one in a great series. i love that jeremy is growing in his role with sir john and his newfound family. it's interesting to see a 15 year old boy with such amazing manners and maturity ( haha). i also like that there are some new characters who are now recurring and also progressing with the times. the author has a great ability to paint a picture of the era.
Donna, you were right! This one was a little bloody--literally! I love the way Bruce Alexander is telling the stories from Jeremy's point of view--looking back on the events. This was an intriguing story--a little sad for Jeremy. But it is nice to see him growing and learning from his episodes with Sir John. Loved the book!
I love this series. This one had some interesting plot twists at the end.
Late 18th century London is brought vividly to life in Bruce Alexander's Fielding series. If you are interested in that era and place and if you love good character development, you will love this series. Just be sure to read the books in order.
The fourth entry in the Sir John Fielding historical series. Not the greatest plot and the sleuthing was a bit minimal but the characters and the setting in the England of around 1770 made this a worthwhile rea...more
Nov 17, 2007
Cindy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of historical mysteries
Shelves:
mysteries,
18th-century
A solid entry in this series. Sir John Fielding and his newly formed police force is investigating a series of murders among the prostitutes in 18th century London.
Jumping forward in time a little to 1770, Sir John Fielding and his formerly-urchin ward Jeremy investigate a series of sordid deaths in Covent Garden.
A 3.5. Nice character development for a mystery series. And the setting (late 1700s London) keeps me intrigued.
See my review of the initial novel in the series, Blind Justice.
May 14, 2013
Anya
marked it as to-read
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Pseudonym of American journalist and author Bruce Cook.
Bruce Alexander Cook (1932–2003) was an American journalist and author who wrote under the pseudonym Bruce Alexander, creating historical novels about a blind 18th century Englishman and also a 20th century Mexican-American detective.
More about Bruce Alexander...
Bruce Alexander Cook (1932–2003) was an American journalist and author who wrote under the pseudonym Bruce Alexander, creating historical novels about a blind 18th century Englishman and also a 20th century Mexican-American detective.
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Aug 31, 2011 02:57pm