Blind Justice (A Sir John Fielding Mystery) ANNOTATION
First of a series featuring Sir John Fielding, a magistrate who in the 18th Century co-founded London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners. The narrator is Jeremy Proctor, a 13-year-old orphan who serves as Fielding's eyes. Fielding is blind. The series opens with the "suicide" of a lord known for his gambling and extra-marital affairs.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Blind Justice marks the debut of a delightful mystery series featuring the legendary eighteenth-century London judge Sir John Fielding. In eighteenth-century England, Fielding was famed not only as a co-founder (with his half brother, the novelist Henry Fielding) of London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners, but 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. Blind Justice introduces one of the most memorable mystery heroes in years, as, accompanied by his "eyes" (and the series' narrator), thirteen-year-old Jeremy Proctor, Fielding probes into every stratum of London society in pursuit of the truth. In this case, the truth has to do with the death of a lord, whose suicide soon begins to look like something very different indeed. A widow with no tears, a room with no exit, a servant with no past, a corpse with clean hands - these are but a few of the elements that will lead Fielding into a dark labyrinth of deception, greed and murder...a labyrinth, he will find, with a very unusual monster at its center.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
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.)
School Library Journal
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
BookList - George Needham
Sir John Fielding was a legendary eighteenth-century British jurist who, despite his blindness, helped create London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before someone discovered this fascinating character and built a series of mystery novels around him; if so, we can be very glad that the someone turned out to be Alexander. Let's hope this terrific debut is only the beginning of a long and successful series about Fielding and his young assistant (and our intrepid narrator), the orphan Jeremy Proctor. The plot centers on the apparent suicide of Lord Richard Goodhope, philanderer, gambler, and former friend of His Majesty King George III. Along the way, we meet such notables as Dr. Samuel Johnson, the rather obnoxious James Boswell, and noted actor David Garrick. The mystery element is not overly complicated, but the novel offers much to treasure: wonderful use of language, a rich cast of characters, and an intoxicating evocation of time and place. Expect the pseudonymous Alexander to attract a wide following in public libraries.
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