Search - Death of a Colonial (Sir John Fielding)

Sixth in the Sir John Fielding historical mystery series set around the Bow Street Court in late 1700's London. Sir John is commissioned to investigate a claimant to the estate of a very wealthy nobleman--an estate that was left without heir because the previous owner was sent to the gallows by Sir John himself. It’s suspected that the claimant is a false one--a long lost brother who has not been seen nor heard from, having disappeared to the American Colonies eight years previous. Sir John and his sixteen-year-old assistant Jeremy, from whose POV the stories are told and the rest of the family are off to Bath to interview the mother of the supposed claimant and then things start to get interesting. This was a typically interesting, enjoyable visit back in time and with well-loved and well-fleshed characters. Excellent entry in the series.

Bruce Alexander's splendid series about Sir John Fielding, the blind 18th century London magistrate, moves along from strength to strength....As usual, Alexander's eye for period detail is sharp and subtle.

A who-is-it rather than a who-dun-it. Alexander's same finely reasoned, well characterized type of engrossing story.

Another in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. The late author, who was the former books editor of USA Today, has captured London's streets of the late 18th century in this fascinating series of page-turners about the city's first organized police force, led by Fielding,and called the Bow Street Runners. The second book in the series was a "NY Times Notable Book" but many others, including this one, deserved the same praise. Highly recommended for anyone who likes historical fiction, especially people who enjoyed Patrick O'Brien's seafaring tales.Great writing and historical detail throughout.