Blind Justice (Sir John Fielding Series #1)

by Bruce Alexander

Overview

Now in trade paperback, the very first John Fielding historical mystery.

Falsely charged of theft in 1768 London, thirteen-year-old orphaned printer's apprentice Jeremy Proctor finds his only hope in the legendary Sir John Fielding. Fielding, founder of the Bow Street Runners police force, then recruits young Jeremy in his mission to fight London's most wicked crimes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780425232743
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/29/2009
Series:	Sir John Fielding Series , #1
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	659,405
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Bruce Alexander is the pseudonym for a well-known author of fiction and non-fiction. The previous books in this series are Blind Justice, Murder in Grub Street (Named by The New York Times Book Review as a Notable Book in 1995), Watery Grave, Person or Persons Unknown (named by the Chicago Tribune as one of the best novels of 1997), Jack, Knave and Fool, and Death of a Colonial.

Editorial Reviews

This launch of a projected series set in 18th-century England introduces Sir John Fielding--blind, brilliant, compassionate magistrate of London's Bow Street Court--and Jeremy Proctor, the narrator, a penniless, intelligent 13-year-old orphan whom Sir John has taken into his household. Exercising the broad magisterial powers of the era, the judge investigates the death of wealthy Lord Richard Goodhope, who was discovered shot through the head, gun at his feet, behind the locked door of his library. Though the initial finding is suicide, Jeremy notices a clue that points to murder, a conclusion bolstered by the findings of surgeon Gabriel Donnelly. The investigation of Lord Richard's dissolute life, including extramarital affairs and gambling forays (sometimes shared with his Jamaica-based half-brother during his visits to London), seems to lead nowhere until Sir John commands all interested parties to gather at the murder scene, where he engineers a shocking solution to the crime. Lively characters, vivid incidents, clever plotting and a colorful setting make for a robust series kickoff from Alexander, a pseudonymous ``well-known author of fiction and nonfiction.'' (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

YA-In the rough-and-tumble world of London in 1768, Jeremy, orphaned at the age of 13, is rescued from the streets by Sir John Fielding, a prominent judge who is known for his uncanny ability to dispense justice and ferret out evidence even though he is blind. Jeremy becomes Fielding's errand boy and assistant and helps him investigate the murder of Lord Goodhope, a man with many enemies. The complicated story is told by Jeremy as he remembers the case many years later. Details of the time period are accurate, including the personage of Sir John himself and the formation of the Bow Street Police. The narrator's wit, curiosity, and youthful energy make it easy for YAs to identify with him. However, the cover is drab, which may discourage young people from choosing the novel on their own.-Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

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