Bruce Alexander Cook (1932–2003)

I'm fortunate to have run across the four books in the Sir John Fielding Mystery series by Bruce Alexander at the library book sale. The series is based on Sir John Fielding, a magistrate in 18th century London and the co-founder of the Bow Street Runners with his half-brother, writer Henry Fielding.

Thirteen-year-old orphan Jeremy Procter arrives in London with no money and no prospects. Gullible about the ways of city people, he is quickly tricked and accused of theft. He is taken before show more the Bow Street Magistrate Sir John Fielding, who quickly ascertains Procter is innocent and instead of convicting him, takes him home. Procter had been taught the printing trade by his father and Fielding plans to find an apprenticeship for him. Before a placement is made, Fielding becomes embroiled in investigating the locked room murder of a titled and well known London citizen. Because he is blind, Jeremy is enlisted as his helpmate and Fielding soon learns Jeremy is well suited for the art of detection. Both characters are charming and Alexander creates a believable setting of 1768 London. The mystery itself is interesting but experienced mystery readers may figure it out. Still, the characters and the setting are so entertaining, the fact that the mystery is a little weak doesn't matter that much.

Curious to see if the author was an historian I discovered that he was a journalist and writer. Before his death he was the book editor of USA Today as well as a senior editor of Newsweek. Among the books he wrote was the biography of Dalton Trumbo that became the 2015 movie. I like this guy and his characters and look forward to the next, Murder in Grub Street. show less

I got this as an audiobook ER win, as the book has been re-released to accompany the movie that's just come out recently (which looks great). Interestingly, to me, there don't seem to be any revisions to the book which was originally published in the 1970s. The audiobook was generally well done, though the reader is very slow (I sped mine up and that worked fine).

Cook is forthcoming about his admiration for Trumbo, and tries to bring this up when it would appear to be coloring the book's show more content. He's open about his process and who he's spoken to, and what their relationship with Trumbo was/influences on their opinion.

I read Johnny Got His Gun in high school and it has certainly stayed with me over the years. However, I didn't know much else about Trumbo or the fact that he was blacklisted. Good biography, up-front, honest writing, recommended. show less

Another good entry in an excellent series, Sir John soldiers on as the blind justice of London tackling cold cases and current murders with a colonial twist for some foreign savor. His prodigy and amanuensis, Jeffrey grows older and more capable but still has uncertainties about his place in the Fielding household. Delightful vignettes about books, bookstores and learning delightfully flavor this look into Old England,

Book two in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. Young Jeremy Proctor has been apprenticed to a printer on Grub Street, but the night before he was to move to Mr Crabbs’ establishment to begin his training, the entire Crabb family and the two apprentices to lived with them were brutally murdered. A poet who also resided there was found with the likely weapon in his hand and taken into custody. But he maintains he is innocent. Sir John, though he is blind, is an astute investigator and show more Jeremy along with some of the colorful residents of Covent Garden help Sir John ferret out the truth.

This was much more complicated than the first book, and I admit my attention wandered a bit. There is religious fervor, multiple personalities, professional jealousy, anti-semitism, dreadful conditions of tenement buildings, and a light-fingered imp of a thief to complicate the case. Still, I love the way that Alexander has taken bits and pieces of history and woven them into these mysteries. Set in 1765 London, the protagonists must rely on their wits and old-fashioned investigative techniques. Sir John is, of course, further hampered by being blind, but Jeremy is an astute observer and honestly relates what he sees to his mentor.

I’ll keep reading this series. show less