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book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Alexander has written a mystery featuring a real historical figure. Sir John Fielding was a celebrated magistrate in 18th century London. Blinded in a navy accident, he presided over the Bow Street Court, and was known for his ability to recognize criminals by the sound of their voices. He was also instrumental in founding London’s first professional police force, the Bow Street Runners.
Alexander’s novel relies on a young narrator. Thirteen-year-old Jeremy Proctor is an orphan who arrives in London and is the victim of scam artist who makes a living “catching thieves.” Sir John sees through the plot and offers to help Jeremy find a suitable position. But a “locked room” murder demands immediate attention, and Jeremy proves his worth as an assistant to Sir John.
I loved the characters in this book, and found myself looking up various references to real people to get more back story. Alexander paints a vivid picture of 18th century London and the many injustices that her poor endured. Jeremy is a wonderful narrator – intelligent, studious, dedicated, eager to please, and observant. The supporting cast is top notch, especially: Mr Bailey, one of the constables in the Bow Street Runners; Mrs Gredge, the housekeeper; and Mr Donnelly, an Irish surgeon. There are several suspects and a few twists that keep the reader guessing.
I’ll read more of this series.
Alexander’s novel relies on a young narrator. Thirteen-year-old Jeremy Proctor is an orphan who arrives in London and is the victim of scam artist who makes a living “catching thieves.” Sir John sees through the plot and offers to help Jeremy find a suitable position. But a “locked room” murder demands immediate attention, and Jeremy proves his worth as an assistant to Sir John.
I loved the characters in this book, and found myself looking up various references to real people to get more back story. Alexander paints a vivid picture of 18th century London and the many injustices that her poor endured. Jeremy is a wonderful narrator – intelligent, studious, dedicated, eager to please, and observant. The supporting cast is top notch, especially: Mr Bailey, one of the constables in the Bow Street Runners; Mrs Gredge, the housekeeper; and Mr Donnelly, an Irish surgeon. There are several suspects and a few twists that keep the reader guessing.
I’ll read more of this series.
kendra_sonogal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Sir John Fielding was the half brother of British novelist, Henry Fielding. Together they started the first London police force known as the Bow Street Runners. After Henry's death, John took over as the Bow Street Magistrate. His ability to discern truth and learn the facts of crimes was extraordinary given that he was blinded in an accident in the Navy when he was 19. Bruce Alexander wrote 11 fiction novels in which the historical figure of Sir John is the protagonist. Blind Justice is the first volume of the series. I am looking forward to reading the others as well.
The narrator of the story is a 13 year old by the name of Jeremy Proctor who finds himself standing before the famous magistrate after he is accused of a theft he didn't commit. Sir John dismisses the charges against Jeremy but at the same time brings him under the custody of the court. While trying to sort out Jeremy's future Sir John is called to investigate a death. In the course of gathering information the extremely observant Jeremy proves useful as a pair of eyes for Sir John when needed and helps during the rest of the investigation.
The mystery is an interesting puzzle though not tricky or surprising. The plot unfolded in a way that was never boring. The characters are memorable, some for being rather stereotypical of the time period. The two things that made the book a great read for me were the historical integrity of the novel and Jeremy's voice.
Georgian London is represented in all its glory and grit from the upper class to the Covent Garden prostitutes and everything in between. The job the Magistrate and the Bow Street Runners had before them is shown clearly through the eyes of the innocent country boy Jeremy. The historical figures who make appearances in the novel are not trifled with. They remain true to the historical accounts of their lives with no embellishment. This is true of the ones who are merely small players and of Sir John, who is the main protagonist. I found the book to be a clear window on what life in London at the time was like.
Jeremy is a newcomer to London so seeing the world through his eyes allows even those not well versed in London history to gain a clear picture of what it was like. The novel is written very much in the style of the times so it reads like something Henry Fielding himself might have written. Jeremy's story reads genuine as a result. I found this made it easier to get caught up in the time period even more. I also enjoyed Jeremy's observations on the world around him and is innocent obliviousness to many things was amusing.
The narrator of the story is a 13 year old by the name of Jeremy Proctor who finds himself standing before the famous magistrate after he is accused of a theft he didn't commit. Sir John dismisses the charges against Jeremy but at the same time brings him under the custody of the court. While trying to sort out Jeremy's future Sir John is called to investigate a death. In the course of gathering information the extremely observant Jeremy proves useful as a pair of eyes for Sir John when needed and helps during the rest of the investigation.
The mystery is an interesting puzzle though not tricky or surprising. The plot unfolded in a way that was never boring. The characters are memorable, some for being rather stereotypical of the time period. The two things that made the book a great read for me were the historical integrity of the novel and Jeremy's voice.
Georgian London is represented in all its glory and grit from the upper class to the Covent Garden prostitutes and everything in between. The job the Magistrate and the Bow Street Runners had before them is shown clearly through the eyes of the innocent country boy Jeremy. The historical figures who make appearances in the novel are not trifled with. They remain true to the historical accounts of their lives with no embellishment. This is true of the ones who are merely small players and of Sir John, who is the main protagonist. I found the book to be a clear window on what life in London at the time was like.
Jeremy is a newcomer to London so seeing the world through his eyes allows even those not well versed in London history to gain a clear picture of what it was like. The novel is written very much in the style of the times so it reads like something Henry Fielding himself might have written. Jeremy's story reads genuine as a result. I found this made it easier to get caught up in the time period even more. I also enjoyed Jeremy's observations on the world around him and is innocent obliviousness to many things was amusing.
rachelhelps's review against another edition
3.0
This is a murder mystery set in late 1700s England. It was written in modern times though, so some of the writing style came across as really unnatural and pompous to me. It was kind of annoying how the narrator would congratulate himself on being polite and obedient. The mystery was ridiculous enough to completely surprise me, but it wasn't quite as satisfying as an Ace Attorney mystery where you can gradually solve the mystery yourself. Most of the characters were pretty shallow too, but I feel like I can forgive that in a mystery novel.
jvilches's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
roshk99's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable mystery where Fielding along with young Jeremy solve a seemingly incomprehensible mystery in which everyone is not who they seem.
weaselweader's review against another edition
4.0
A mystery lover's mystery!
In 1768, a recently orphaned Jeremy Proctor arrives in London and promptly finds himself in the dock facing false charges of theft under the gavel of the blind magistrate, Sir John Fielding. The justice, wisdom and perspicacity of Sir John prevails and Jeremy, cleared of all charges, finds himself, despite his youth, in the enviable position of assisting Sir John in investigating the details of the messy suicide of a member of the House of Lords, Sir Richard Goodhope.
BLIND JUSTICE is a mystery lover's mystery. Anybody who enjoys a classic mystery with that time-honoured formula ending that places all of the characters into a single room for the explosive climactic finish in which the canny sleuth reveals the grim details of the crime to all and sundry will howl with delight at Alexander's debut to what will prove to be an enduring, exciting series. Despite having much in common with the puzzles of Agatha Christie and her calm, gentle approach to their solution, this locked room head-scratcher will also appeal to grittier, more contemporary readers as it takes a peek under the covers of every stratum of Georgian England society - the slums, the prisons, the docks, pubs, the theater, outdoor markets, upstairs, downstairs, the courts, gaming houses, bordellos, the street walkers, the pickpockets, scamps, cut-purses and thieves.
Alexander's brilliant characterizations, his often humorous and always vivid dialogue, and atmospheric descriptions of an astonishingly wide variety of colourful settings bring Georgian England to life in an easy-reading eminently enjoyable historical mystery. Two thumbs up!
Paul Weiss
In 1768, a recently orphaned Jeremy Proctor arrives in London and promptly finds himself in the dock facing false charges of theft under the gavel of the blind magistrate, Sir John Fielding. The justice, wisdom and perspicacity of Sir John prevails and Jeremy, cleared of all charges, finds himself, despite his youth, in the enviable position of assisting Sir John in investigating the details of the messy suicide of a member of the House of Lords, Sir Richard Goodhope.
BLIND JUSTICE is a mystery lover's mystery. Anybody who enjoys a classic mystery with that time-honoured formula ending that places all of the characters into a single room for the explosive climactic finish in which the canny sleuth reveals the grim details of the crime to all and sundry will howl with delight at Alexander's debut to what will prove to be an enduring, exciting series. Despite having much in common with the puzzles of Agatha Christie and her calm, gentle approach to their solution, this locked room head-scratcher will also appeal to grittier, more contemporary readers as it takes a peek under the covers of every stratum of Georgian England society - the slums, the prisons, the docks, pubs, the theater, outdoor markets, upstairs, downstairs, the courts, gaming houses, bordellos, the street walkers, the pickpockets, scamps, cut-purses and thieves.
Alexander's brilliant characterizations, his often humorous and always vivid dialogue, and atmospheric descriptions of an astonishingly wide variety of colourful settings bring Georgian England to life in an easy-reading eminently enjoyable historical mystery. Two thumbs up!
Paul Weiss
elisekalika's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kiramke's review against another edition
4.0
Quite delighted! This is a great tribute to golden age mysteries and sort of dickensian literature, it's cozy and entertaining and easy to slip into. Definitely a cup of tea and window bench read. I couldn't be happier if I discovered an unread Christie or Marsh.