In the second case recorded by Benjamin Franklin's young charge and assistant Nick Handy, the great Doctor Franklin is confronted with a shocking event. While attending a mummers' play at the home of a popular merchant Roddy Fairbrass on Christmas Eve 1757, their host suddenly collapses and dies. Although the bereaved family denies it, Franklin is convinced that he has witnessed a murder. Franklin had been to the Fairbrass home one time before to investigate the report of a ghost and now believes that there must be some sinister connection between the two events. Determined to uncover the truth, the intrepid inventor and statesman, accompanied by Nick, unravels a tangled plot of intrigue and scandal while matching wits with some of London's most notorious criminal minds.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In his second mystery convincingly featuring Benjamin Franklin as a sleuth, Californian author Hall ( Ben Franklin Takes the Case ) proves himself a dab hand at recreating the atmosphere of 18th-century London, with all of its harsh realities and fragile comforts. Here Franklin and his young companion Nicholas Handy, who records the adventures, visit the home of popular merchant Roddy Fairbrass, who is entertaining friends and family with a mummers' play on Christmas Eve. When Roddy suddenly drops dead, Benjamin Franklin is more than saddened at losing a friend. The perspicacious American--who has already been asked to investigate the sighting of a "ghost" on the Fairbrass premises--is certain that this is a case of murder most foul. A gambling son, distant relatives, exotic poison, an enigmatic black servant and a well-drawn sea captain all play their parts as Franklin applies his wit and powers of invention. Our hero, along with earnest Nicholas, sets out to lay a ghost, explain a murder and survive the scrutiny of some of London's most dangerous criminals. Franklin's aphorisms and joie de vivre serve as extra plums in a tale as delicious as Christmas pudding.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"A tale as delicious as Christmas pudding."—Publishers Weekly
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas in Old London,
By A Customer
This review is from: Benjamin Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder (Hardcover)
Benjamin Franklin and his young apprentice (illegitimate son) are off on another adventure in 18th c London -- this time during the Christmas season in "Benjamin Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder." I enjoyed the mystery on several levels. First, it's an old-fashioned mystery with enough clues given for readers to try to guess the outcome. Second, the holiday traditions of stirring the pudding, decorating with greenery and Morris dancers, add an additional colorful element. And third, there are numerous references to actual people and concerns of Franklin's years in England.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not very much of a Christmas novel and only mildly entertaining mystery.,
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This review is from: Benjamin Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder (The Benjamin Franklin Mysteries) (Pine Street Books) (Paperback)
An interesting concept but only marginally entertaining mystery whereby the lead detective is American Ben Franklin living as a boarder in London. He investigates the death of a pub-buddy and the fact that the man's daughter saw her father's ghostly appearance in her home the night before he actually died.Hall tries to make Franklin like Sherlock Holmes in this novel, however, a bad case of gout keeps him from physically doing anything so he must really on a young colleague named Nick (his Watson?). The Christmas season only provides back-drop and has no real significance on this decent mystery/historical fiction read.
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