DEATH OF A COLONIAL [Paperback]

Bruce Alexander (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Unknown (1999)
• ASIN: B001NDPU2G
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alexander Brings Interesting Historical Period to Life, November 4, 2001

By 

booknblueslady (Woodland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of a Colonial (Sir John Fielding) (Paperback)

Death of a Colonial by Bruce Alexander brings to life an interesting historical period. Sir John Fielding a blind magistrate in London helped to develop the Bow Street Runners, the first professional police organization in England . Sir John, the brother of Henry Fielding was a famed and gifted magistrate who compensated for his lack of sight by developing other skills. It is said that he never forgot a voice and could recognize a criminal by his voice alone.

Sixteen year old Jeremy Proctor assists Fielding in this pursuit of justice in Death of a Colonial. Fielding is commissioned to ascertain the validity of the claim of a fortune by Lawrence Paltrow the brother of an executed murderer, Arthur Paltrow. Arthur had been a wealthy man when he was executed and it was thought that there were no heirs to his estate. Together Jeremy and Fielding travel to Bath to meet the man's mother. It is at this point that the plot thickens. Jeremy and Fielding work together as a formidable team in discovering the conspirators.

Death of a colonial is rich in description of the feeling and times of England from Bath to London to Oxford. The reader is intrigued by Fieldings and Jeremy's journey through England and is ready to assist them in their search for criminals. The characters in the book are well developed and entertaining.

This is an entertaining book for those who love historical mysteries. Those who want fast paced action may wish to avoid this book

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A winner, September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Death of a Colonial (Sir John Fielding Mysteries) (Hardcover)

In 1771, London Magistrate Sir John Fielding's sentencing led to the execution of Arthur Paltrow. Since Arthur was the last claimant to the Laningham title, the monarchy claims ownership of the entire estate including the deceased,s personal fortune. However, there remains some controversy since Arthur's death occurred before the House of Lords officially recognized him as Lord Laningham. Adding to the question of ownership is the fact that a person has stepped forward to claim the entire estate by insisting he is Arthur's younger brother Lawrence, who vanished seven years ago.

Sir Patrick Spenser, solicitor to King George III, has assembled a committee to substantiate Lawrence's claim. John and his assistant Jeremy Proctor tries to prove that Arthur's mother lies when she insists Lawrence is her other son just returning from the colonies. However, neither John nor Jeremy expected their inquiry would soon have them investigating the murder of Arthur's mother.

DEATH OF A COLONIAL is an interesting entry in one of the better historical mystery series of the nineties. The entertaining story line centers on the legality of Lawrence's claim leading to murder (past and present), but the plot pales when compared to some of Bruce Alexander,s previous tales. John keeps his aristocratic charm and Jeremy, who narrates the events, retains his energy and enthusiasm. The tours of pre Regency Bath and Oxford provide an authentic feel to an enjoyable novel that sub-genre fans will gain pleasure from reading.

Harriet Klausner

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, not Great, February 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Death of a Colonial (Sir John Fielding Mysteries) (Hardcover)

I have read each of the Sir John Fielding mystery books. I enjoy them all. I don't worry too much about subplots, but enjoy a mystery. This book allowed me to know to much too soon, but overall it is a good book. If you didn't like his earlier ones you won't like this one. If you have liked them, then you will enjoy this one.