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4.0 out of 5 stars
Not so much mystery as historical police procedural, Jan 31 2009
"Jack, Knave and Fool", Bruce Alexander's fifth novel in the highly acclaimed Sir John Fielding series, is neither the cozy, lightweight mystery (à la Agatha Christie or Susan Wittig-Albert) nor the historical thriller that many readers might expect. It might more accurately be categorized as an atmospheric and compelling police procedural set within a graphic description of 18th century Georgian England.
"Jack, Knave and Fool" will treat its readers to extraordinary characterization and atmospheric embellishment that brings people, time and place to life with a sparkling vitality and a sense of realism that can hardly be rivaled - the sights, the smells, the sounds, the slums, the prisons, the docks, pubs, outdoor markets, dark alleys, upstairs, downstairs, courts, gaming houses, bordellos, street walkers, poor houses, pickpockets, scamps, cut purses, thieves, murderers and even a police sting operation designed to snag the fencing operations of a less than scrupulously honest pawn shop. In short, Bruce Alexander brings a very nervous gaslit Georgian London to life with an unrivalled clarity.
It's also quite exciting to witness the early growth of modern jurisprudence and police work through the fictionalized account of Sir John Fielding's experiences as the magistrate of Bow Street Court; the experiences of England's first police force, the "Bow Street Runners"; and the early political realities faced by a coroner as opposed to the forensic realities and limitations of 18th century medicine.
Two mysteries, both workmanlike and well-constructed, run side by side. The first arises when Lord Laningham dies in a very public and rather obnoxious manner at a concert. Although an inquest rules that his death is due to natural causes, Sir John Fielding persists in believing the death to be a murder by poison. When Lord Laningham's wife dies in a similar manner, Sir John directs his sights and suspicion to the heir to the Laningham seat in the House of Lords, Arthur Paltrow.
The second mystery (and, for my money, the more interesting of the two) revolves around the escape of a Bow Street court prisoner. Thomas Rowntree, temporarily in the custody of a rapidly maturing Jeremy Proctor (who with each book has been given more air time, more responsibility and more respect), effectively plays the harmless, friendly fool and slips out of Proctor's clutches. Tracking him down leads Sir John and Jeremy through murder, a major fencing operation and a police sting. Thomas Rowntree's daughter, Clarissa, a feisty and positively enchanting character, is set up for what will almost certainly be return appearances in future novels.
"Jack, Knave and Fool", preceded by "Person or Persons Unknown", "Watery Grave", "Blind Justice" and "Murder in Grub Street" is the fifth entry in Alexander's highly successful Sir John Fielding series. While it does stand alone as a satisfactory mystery, readers will derive the most enjoyment if they dig into the series from the start so they can revel in Alexander's wonderful multi-story character development as well as the mystery.
Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
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4.0 out of 5 stars
As Good as the Others, May 7 2003
Readers looking here for a land-locked Patrick O'Brian series will be disappointed, for this series of historical mysteries is not nearly as strong or well-researched as the Aubrey/Maturin books. Having said that, the series gets incrementally better with each installment. The first of Alexander's books, "Blind Justice", was laughably simplistic. Everyone actually gathered in the drawing room in the final scene, a la Agatha Christie, to unmask the villain.This is the fifth book in the series, and Alexander capably keeps two separate investigations humming along. A few minor characters are developed, and Jeremy is becoming a young man. It's a good story, I'll read the next one. It's as good as the others, but no matter how long this series runs, I don't think it will ever become worthy of buying in hardcover. It's a pop mystery, enjoy it or not. There's always another one to read.
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2.0 out of 5 stars
Jack, Knave and Fool, Jan 8 2002
By A Customer
I have read several books in this series but found this installment disappointing.Alexander seems unable to break out of the "someone's been murdered and the characters must find the culprit" plot mode -- even within the mystery genre, surely it's possible to be more creative than that. Jack, Knave and Fool is talky and forgettable, with much of the action and drama happening offstage. The characters change little and never seem personally challenged. Jeremy's "voice" has developed somewhat, but that's not enough to save this honestly rather boring book. Strange pseudo-archaisms on the order of "Nicely dressed she was" add an annoying touch.
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by Bruce Alexander
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