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brandypainter's review
2.0
I really enjoyed this series when I first started it but as I've continued it my enjoyment has been steadily decreasing. I skipped and skimmed great chunks of this one without missing anything and keeping up with both mysteries just fine. In the previous novel I noticed some places where 2oth century ideals and thoughts were being unrealistically spouted by the characters and this continues in this volume as well. I think maybe I need to take a break from the series for a while before moving on to the sixth volume.
eososray's review
5.0
When a lord unexpectedly dies at a concert, Sir John and Jeremy immediately look for foul play. But the murderer seems to have covered his tracks to well. And when a head is fished out of the Thames it is imperative to identify it before a proper investigation can begin.
It's fascinating to get an idea how brutal it was to be poor in this era and how lawless the streets could be. I constantly find that my impressions of this era and city have been formed by the rich and genteel, and they were really a very small part of the population.
The author has done another fabulous job of bringing the street of 1770's London to life without drowning you in details and extra information.
It's fascinating to get an idea how brutal it was to be poor in this era and how lawless the streets could be. I constantly find that my impressions of this era and city have been formed by the rich and genteel, and they were really a very small part of the population.
The author has done another fabulous job of bringing the street of 1770's London to life without drowning you in details and extra information.
weaselweader's review
4.0
Not so much mystery as historical police procedural
JACK, KNAVE AND FOOL, Bruce Alexander's fifth novel in the highly acclaimed Sir John Fielding series, is neither the cozy, lightweight mystery (à la Agatha Christie or Susan Wittig-Albert) nor the historical thriller that many readers might expect. It might more accurately be categorized as an atmospheric and compelling police procedural set within a graphic description of 18th century Georgian England.
JACK, KNAVE AND FOOL will treat its readers to extraordinary characterization and atmospheric embellishment that brings people, time and place to life with a sparkling vitality and a sense of realism that can hardly be rivaled - the sights, the smells, the sounds, the slums, the prisons, the docks, pubs, outdoor markets, dark alleys, upstairs, downstairs, courts, gaming houses, bordellos, street walkers, poor houses, pickpockets, scamps, cut purses, thieves, murderers and even a police sting operation designed to snag the fencing operations of a less than scrupulously honest pawn shop. In short, Bruce Alexander brings a very nervous gaslit Georgian London to life with an unrivalled clarity.
It's also quite exciting to witness the early growth of modern jurisprudence and police work through the fictionalized account of Sir John Fielding's experiences as the magistrate of Bow Street Court; the experiences of England's first police force, the "Bow Street Runners"; and the early political realities faced by a coroner as opposed to the forensic realities and limitations of 18th century medicine.
Two mysteries, both workmanlike and well-constructed, run side by side. The first arises when Lord Laningham dies in a very public and rather obnoxious manner at a concert. Although an inquest rules that his death is due to natural causes, Sir John Fielding persists in believing the death to be a murder by poison. When Lord Laningham's wife dies in a similar manner, Sir John directs his sights and suspicion to the heir to the Laningham seat in the House of Lords, Arthur Paltrow.
The second mystery (and, for my money, the more interesting of the two) revolves around the escape of a Bow Street court prisoner. Thomas Rowntree, temporarily in the custody of a rapidly maturing Jeremy Proctor (who with each book has been given more air time, more responsibility and more respect), effectively plays the harmless, friendly fool and slips out of Proctor's clutches. Tracking him down leads Sir John and Jeremy through murder, a major fencing operation and a police sting. Thomas Rowntree's daughter, Clarissa, a feisty and positively enchanting character, is set up for what will almost certainly be return appearances in future novels.
JACK, KNAVE AND FOOL, preceded by PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN, WATERY GRAVE, BLIND JUSTICE, and MURDER IN GRUB STREET is the fifth entry in Alexander's highly successful Sir John Fielding series. While it does stand alone as a satisfactory mystery, readers will derive the most enjoyment if they dig into the series from the start so they can revel in Alexander's wonderful multi-story character development as well as the mystery.
Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
JACK, KNAVE AND FOOL, Bruce Alexander's fifth novel in the highly acclaimed Sir John Fielding series, is neither the cozy, lightweight mystery (à la Agatha Christie or Susan Wittig-Albert) nor the historical thriller that many readers might expect. It might more accurately be categorized as an atmospheric and compelling police procedural set within a graphic description of 18th century Georgian England.
JACK, KNAVE AND FOOL will treat its readers to extraordinary characterization and atmospheric embellishment that brings people, time and place to life with a sparkling vitality and a sense of realism that can hardly be rivaled - the sights, the smells, the sounds, the slums, the prisons, the docks, pubs, outdoor markets, dark alleys, upstairs, downstairs, courts, gaming houses, bordellos, street walkers, poor houses, pickpockets, scamps, cut purses, thieves, murderers and even a police sting operation designed to snag the fencing operations of a less than scrupulously honest pawn shop. In short, Bruce Alexander brings a very nervous gaslit Georgian London to life with an unrivalled clarity.
It's also quite exciting to witness the early growth of modern jurisprudence and police work through the fictionalized account of Sir John Fielding's experiences as the magistrate of Bow Street Court; the experiences of England's first police force, the "Bow Street Runners"; and the early political realities faced by a coroner as opposed to the forensic realities and limitations of 18th century medicine.
Two mysteries, both workmanlike and well-constructed, run side by side. The first arises when Lord Laningham dies in a very public and rather obnoxious manner at a concert. Although an inquest rules that his death is due to natural causes, Sir John Fielding persists in believing the death to be a murder by poison. When Lord Laningham's wife dies in a similar manner, Sir John directs his sights and suspicion to the heir to the Laningham seat in the House of Lords, Arthur Paltrow.
The second mystery (and, for my money, the more interesting of the two) revolves around the escape of a Bow Street court prisoner. Thomas Rowntree, temporarily in the custody of a rapidly maturing Jeremy Proctor (who with each book has been given more air time, more responsibility and more respect), effectively plays the harmless, friendly fool and slips out of Proctor's clutches. Tracking him down leads Sir John and Jeremy through murder, a major fencing operation and a police sting. Thomas Rowntree's daughter, Clarissa, a feisty and positively enchanting character, is set up for what will almost certainly be return appearances in future novels.
JACK, KNAVE AND FOOL, preceded by PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN, WATERY GRAVE, BLIND JUSTICE, and MURDER IN GRUB STREET is the fifth entry in Alexander's highly successful Sir John Fielding series. While it does stand alone as a satisfactory mystery, readers will derive the most enjoyment if they dig into the series from the start so they can revel in Alexander's wonderful multi-story character development as well as the mystery.
Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
amphipodgirl's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
What can I say? These books continue to be awesome. I was relieved that this was not as gory as the previous volume -- which isn't to say that there's no gore; the previous volume had a man selling off parts of his murdered wife's corpse so there's still plenty of room for something to have *some* gore but still be less gory.
Anyhow, the two mystery subplots run well in parallel and have interesting similarities and contrasts -- one is in high life, and the other much more of the streets, but the motives are similar at base.
I enjoy watching Jeremy grow up and grow into himself and the gentle slowly evolving story of Sir John's household.
I recommend the series if you like mysteries and history. Start at the first volume because the flow of Jeremy's liffe, and the household's, is worth following.
Anyhow, the two mystery subplots run well in parallel and have interesting similarities and contrasts -- one is in high life, and the other much more of the streets, but the motives are similar at base.
I enjoy watching Jeremy grow up and grow into himself and the gentle slowly evolving story of Sir John's household.
I recommend the series if you like mysteries and history. Start at the first volume because the flow of Jeremy's liffe, and the household's, is worth following.
plantbirdwoman's review
3.0
Another winner in this fine series set in 18th century London. Reading these books will make you feel you are there, but read them in order so that you can savor the full flavor!
mslaura's review
4.0
Another solid book in the series
Ratings:
Writing 4
Story line 4
Characters 4
Emotional impact 3
Overall rating 3.75
Ratings:
Writing 4
Story line 4
Characters 4
Emotional impact 3
Overall rating 3.75
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