- Hardcover
- Publisher: Putnam Pub Group (T) (August 1996)
- ISBN-10: 0614130239
- ISBN-13: 978-0614130232
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Two days out of Cape Town in 1767, the captain of a British frigate falls overboard and drowns during a violent storm. Surprisingly, seven months later, charges of murder are brought against highly regarded Lieutenant William Landon, alleging that he pushed the captain overboard. When blind magistrate Sir John Fielding, well known for his shrewd, relentless interrogations (and last seen in Murder in Grub Street) is called in for further investigation, this engrossing story expands to encompass the byzantine workings of maritime and urban justice against a rich backdrop of the teeming, scoundrel-infested streets of 18th-century London. Fielding is ably guided by his bright, streetwise assistant, 14-year-old narrator Jeremy Proctor, who grimly discovers, while scouring the seamier side of the city for eyewitnesses, that the reluctant seamen from the frigate are being killed off one by one. Questions abound: Why is Lieutenant Landon so apathetic in his own defense? Why are the ship's garrulous doctor and its unctuous chaplain so wary? Although many characters are stereotypical (a whore with a heart of gold, for example), Jeremy and Sir John make a formidable team and eventually serve both the letter and the spirit of the law in this busy, unpredictable and intriguing story. BOMC alternate.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Sir John Fielding, a blind magistrate in 18th-century England, is called upon to help in a naval inquiry involving a possible murder on the high seas. One fact is indisputable. During a storm Capt. Josiah Markham was thrown overboard. A witness to this event, the first officer, claims the captain was pushed over the side by Lt. William Landon. Others, including the accused, say Landon was trying to save Markham but fierce seas yanked the captain from his grasp. This intriguing tale is told from the perspective of 14-year-old Jeremy Proctor, who works as an apprentice to the magistrate. The life as lived in this often harsh period is vigorously portrayed in Alexander's third Sir John Fielding novel (e.g., Murder in Grub Street, LJ 4/1/96). Recommended for most suspense collections.?Patricia Altner, Information Seekers, Bowie, Md.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Much better than the 2d book,
By "rmmcid" (Miami Beach, FL United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Watery Grave (Paperback)
Like the first in the series, good fun historical fiction mystery. Not as weighty as Follet's Pillars of the Earth, but doesn't need to be. It is not timeless literature, but an engrossing adventure with great historical detail for added flavor. An excellent plane or beach read.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Alexander is Getting Better,
By richard_t "richard_t" (Overseas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Watery Grave (Paperback)
"Watery Grave", the third in Bruce Alexander's series of Georgian-era mystery novels, shows the writer's and characters' progress. The captain of a naval ship goes overboard in a storm, and it is the job of protagonist, blind magistrate Sir John Fielding to discover whether it is murder or misadventure. After the cardboard plotting of his first book, and the overly-convenient plot twists of the second, "Watery Grave" shows that the author is capable of more complicated plotting and characterization. The conflict between naval and civil justice is developed, and the underlying theme of homosexuality provides a dark motive. While it is true that, as some critics point out, Patrick O'Brien's British nautical series, set a few decades after this series, is far superior in characterization, dialogue, and historical research, perhaps that sets the standard too high. This series is not brilliant or deeply-researched, it is simply a string of fun, readable whodunits. The interest is provided by the Fielding and his young assistant, Jeremy Proctor, and by the historical color of 18th century London. The greatest flaw in these books, I believe, is not the thin historical research, but the weakness of the courtroom scenes. After spending chapters exposing lies and hunting down witnesses, readers should rightfully expect better and more dramatic trial scenes. It's far from perfect, but it's pretty enjoyable all the same.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Watery Grave,
By A Customer
This review is from: Watery Grave (Paperback)
Watery Grave is the continued story (the third installment) of the story of Jeremy Proctor and his mentor Sir John Fielding. One does not have to read the second book (I hadn't) to understand the events.Alexander's writing and plotting have improved and become more ambitious in the interim. Watery Grave involves a murder (perhaps) committed on board a ship during a storm; the subsequent investigation turns up a rat's nest of corruption and pits land- and sea-based legal jurisdictions against one another. We also learn how Fielding lost his sight. I wanted to see more of what happened on the ship, and I felt that the end of the novel was quite disappointing. What should be devastating courtroom scenes are skipped over, given little impact, and largely told rather than shown. Careful readers will also find at least one minor continuity error. Nevertheless, this is an entertaining book featuring some interesting characters, particularly the perceptive Fielding. After having written this review I noted that another reviewer thought there were historical errors. I don't know enough about the period to judge whether that's correct or not, but if so it should be counted as a serious flaw in the book.
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