Death at St James's Palace is the eighth novel the highly acclaimed Georgian mystery series featuring sleuthing apothecary, John Rawlings. In 1761, famous magistrate John Fielding is to be honoured with a knighthood. Founder of the Runners, London's metropolitan police force, John Fielding is one of several important members of the community who gather at St James's Palace for the investiture. As the invited audience eagerly crane for a first glimpse of the new queen, a terrible accident occurs when one of the crowd tumbles down the great staircase to his death. But not one person saw him begin to fall; even those standing closest to him had their eyes fixed on the royal entrance. Only one person witnessed anything untoward - John Fielding, a blindman. A whispered sentence, an exhalation of breath - these are the only clues available to suggest the fall was no accident. Apothecary John Rawlings, accompanying his friend Fielding to the ceremony, sets out to investigate and is soon drawn into a very intriguing mystery, in which suspicious characters abound.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
John Rawlings (Death in the West Wind), a prosperous London apothecary, investigates a death deemed suspicious only by his blind friend, popular magistrate John Fielding. Shortly before Fielding is to be knighted by young King George III, an untoward, apparently accidental death occurs in the crowded palace. Fielding nonetheless hears enough for Rawlings to begin sleuthing. Rawlings already has his hands full, what with a pregnant wife, a rescued wayward girl, and a soon-to-be-released apprentice ready to sow some wild oats. In her 13th Rawlings mystery, the author offers a masterly Georgian historical with a keen sense of time and place, fully fledged characters, and comfortable prose. Strongly recommended for most collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
This is the eighth entry (following Death in the West Wind, 2001) in an underappreciated series featuring the sleuthing apothecary John Rawlings. Set in 1761, the novel pivots on the knighting of magistrate John Fielding (brother to Henry) at St. James Palace. When Queen Charlotte is spotted at the investiture, the crowd in attendance is abuzz with excitement. While they crane to catch a glimpse of the new queen (to determine if she is really as ugly as rumor has it), a corpulent figure clothed in salmon pink plummets to his death. And it appears that someone has pushed him. Rawlings is recruited to track down the murderer, and his investigation brings him into contact with some of the celebrities of his day--the seductive mistress of the duke of Kingston, a suave black bon vivant elevated from servant to adopted son by a white duchess, and a dwarfish, immensely talented portrait painter. Told with an infectious enthusiasm and a sly wit, Lake vivifies the period through her portrayal of the courtly, ever-witty John Rawlings. Joanne Wilkinson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Eighth Book in the John Rawlings Series,
By J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Death at St. James's Palace (John Rawlings Mystery) (Paperback)
Deryn Lake is a pseudonym of a well know historical novelist. Among the books she has written are the popular John Rawlings Mysteries, Death on the Romney Marsh, Death in the Peerless Pool, Death at the Apothecaries' hall, Death at the Devil's Tavern and others. As all her titles are preceded by the word death, this is a pretty good indication regarding the contents of the books and very good historical murder mysteries they are. `Deryn Lake' live near Hastings, in East Sussex For those who read Deryn Lake's excellent Georgian mysteries the character of John Rawlings is now an old and trusted friend and the author's clean writing style makes the pages fly by. The books are good, well researched historical murder mysteries, they are what they are and do not pretend to be anything else. Good escapism for the reader, away from the bumps and grinds of everyday life. The newly married and soon to be a father, John Rawlings, Apothecary and sometime sleuth is delighted when his friend, John Fielding the famous magistrate, known to one and all as the Blind Beak invites him to be his companion to the investiture at St. James's Palace where Fielding is to be knighted. John knows it will give him a chance to show off his tailor`s latest efforts. One of John's few weaknesses is his love of good clothes. A trait no doubt picked up from his father. Unfortunately the investiture is marred by the accidental, or so it seems, death of a nobleman, George Goward, who falls down the great staircase. Although the room was crowded, no one actually saw him start to fall as all eyes were awaiting the entrance of the queen. However John Fielding, although blind, his other senses are razor sharp and he believes that the fall was more than just an accident and as he has on occasions before, John Rawlings with the blessing of the Blind Beak sets out to try to solve the mystery of Goward's death.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good mystery and nice 18thC details,
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This review is from: Death at St. James's Palace (John Rawlings Mysteries) (Hardcover)
I may be at a disadvantage in reviewing this since I haven't read any other books in this series, so bear this in mind!
Apothecary John Rawlings, based on a historical figure, after settling down with his new wife and having no murders to investigate for two years, is feeling his age. Happily, his friend John Fielding is about to be rewarded for his years of service by a Knighthood and Rawlings is pleased to be able to accompany him to St. James's Palace for the ceremony. When the newly knighted George Goward takes a fatal tumble down the palace stairway, Fielding suspects it was no accident and Rawlings is glad to investigate. Luminaries from the period make brief appearances along with many fascinating characters--particularly Jack Morocco, the dashing black former-page who is treated like a son by a Duchess. Descriptions of the various entertainments and sites of London added to the interest. The mystery was complex with a number of likely suspects. While this was not one of the most engrossing, suspenseful or moving mysteries I've read, I thought it a worthwhile read.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fine historical details--unadmirable character,
By
This review is from: Death at St. James's Palace (John Rawlings Mysteries) (Hardcover)
Apothecary John Rawlings attends the St. James Palace knighting of his friend and collegue Sir John Fielding thinking that all will be pomp and circumstance. Instead, one of the new knights falls to his death from the stairs. A terrible accident? Rawlings suspects that someone might have given the knight a push. Together with Fielding, Rawlings sets off through the upper crust of Georgian England society to find the truth. There is no lack of suspects. George Goward might have been knighted for his charity, but he left enemies everywhere. No one who knew him much regrets his death. Yet, Rawlings knows his job and the veniality of the victim doesn't impact that. Author Deryn Lake has obviously researched the Georgian period and blends plenty of fun historical tidbits into her story. The gardens, champagne breakfasts, and love affairs of the period all ring true. Lake uses a wealth of historical characters to add authenticity and that spark of recognition to her story, starting with Fielding himself, the founder of the Bow Street Runners (beloved in regency romance) and of modern policing. An interesting historical period and a clever crime are important ingredients in a mystery. Rawlings, himself, however, is less than sympathetic as a character. He is barely tolerant of his newly pregnant wife, condescending to her wish to mingle with society, ignoring her for days at a time while he runs about his detecting, and openly lusting over other women. Lake also brings in a bit too much coincidence--distracting the reader from the story.
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