Customer Reviews

AN Experiment In Treason

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

AN EXPERIMENT IN TREASON is a rather weak addition to this fine series. Basing the case on actual historical events involving Franklin and some rather interesting letters that became available for public consumption in the states; Alexander had a good idea, but the execution is lacking. Franklin comes off as a caracature of himself, a bit of an old lech, (which he may have been but I believe he may have been a bit more circumspect in an unfamiliar environment like Sir John's home.)who was rather lacking in the wit or the intellect that is so celebrated in many of his biographies. Even the tales involving Sir John's household were particularly weak, involving an unfortunate return of Lady Fielding's son from the navy. While I appear to be in the minority on this one; I feel this book is lacking the quality of mystery and character development that is the norm for Alexander's generally excellent historical mysteries.

The story "An Experiement in Treason" was by no means the best of the series. The story is a little slow and not much excitement is happening. The reader is left with little sympathy for the murder victim and thus not much interest in solving this crime.
Benjamin Franklin is being portrayed as a bumbling fool who at best is just full of air. He was apparently terribly afraid of the magistrate, to be found in the worst of pubs, drinking and in the company of whores (several at a time!) and at other times making advances to an underage girl while eating at her guardians dinner table. His scientific experiements where foolish and, of course, did not amount to much. Even I, who is not an american citizen, must say, that Alexander seems to have a chip on his shoulder about this particular part of Anglo/American history. I loved almost all the other stories in this series.

This series has replaced Anne Perry's series as my choice for the best historical detective fiction around. The mysteries are always tightly plotted and believable and the characters, from the stars to the supporting players, are intricately drawn and unforgettable. These books are just a tremendous reading experience.

Most series go into a decline long before they reach the ninth installment. Not so with Bruce Alexander's wonderful creation. This latest volume is my personal favorite thus far. The characters and richness of period detail would be enough to make the books worth reading, even without the mystery plots. The characters have become like old friends. The books have an appeal much like Sherlock Holmes, which make you want to visit just for the atmosphere and interaction among the characters. Jeremy is back, but alas, he has outgrown his green coat. Sir John is as formidable and perceptive as always. Bruce Alexander has the ability to include actual historical figures (Ben Franklin in this case) without seeming contrived. Since the plot has already been summarized, I will only add that these books are worth buying--in hardback--because you will want to re-read them and pass them to friends. I hope this series continues, because I am hooked!

This is the ninth entry in the Sir John Fielding mystery series and will be the penultimate as the author passed away earlier this year. There is a tenth, and last, book available.
In the book, Fielding and his apprentice Jeremy Proctor are investigating the theft of some letters from the residence of a high-ranking official in London, an official that is dealing with the American colonies. The time period being pre-Revolutionary War means that the letters are related to the Americans creating problems. Benjamin Franklin appears and plays quite a major role in the book and I like the way the author fleshed out his character, showing both his genius and his faults (mainly his womanizing).
While there is not a lot of action in this book, the period descriptions make up for that. As well, the furthering of Jeremy's personal relationships makes this one of the better and more interesting books in the series and that is saying a lot considering most of the series has been excellent.

Like most other reviewers of "An Experiment in Treason," I have also read all of the earlier books in this series. I too found this one to be one of the best in the series. Bruce Alexander (who are you, anyway?) is an excellent writer, who combines well-crafted mysteries with an evocative feel for eighteenth-century London. It has been interesting to see how the relationship between Sir John Fielding and Jeremy Proctor has evolved. I especially enjoyed this volume in the series because of the introduction of Benjamin Franklin. Earlier this year I visited Philadelphia and I bought the first in a series of mysteries featuring Benjamin Franklin as the detective ("Benjamin Franklin Takes the Case," by Robert Lee Hall). That book reminded me of Bruce Alexander's series because Franklin has a young assistant, Nick Handy, who plays a similar role to that of Jeremy Proctor. So in this book, it was fun seeing Franklin as the subject of an investigation, rather than the instigator of one. I highly recommend all of the books in this series, with "An Experiment in Treason" near the top of my list for favorites.

I discovered the Sir John Fielding series by Bruce Alexander through Books-on-Tape. As entertainment while driving on the freeway, they were quite good. The storylines and characterizations were interesting enough that miles flowed past, but without the complexity that would have caused me to rewind the tape every time I lost attention in traffic. Unfortunately, Books-on-Tape ended their rental operation before I could complete the series. I was sufficiently interested in how the series would continue that I secured the full set of books and started again from the beginning.

However, what is satisfying at 65 miles per hour is more meager under a reading lamp. "An Experiment in Treason" is the first book in the series which I didn't first experience while driving. Nonetheless, I'm sure that it would have been improved by the divided attention that comes with listening while driving. Under full attention while sitting in an easy chair, the book seems pallid and unsatisfying. Adding to that feeling is that fact that, unlike the earlier books in the series, there is less mystery to the book, at least none that ever receives a full denouement.

This addition to the series also includes an interesting, but ultimately unfulfilled, departure from earlier books as it is includes a character and historical incident that are well-known in American history. The description of Benjamin Franklin is off-putting. We know that Franklin's character was not always of the highest quality. But here, he seems to be overly categorized as a vainglorious and somewhat addled lecher. The "oil on troubled water" scene that opens the book and the brief scene in the bawdy house seem to have little role in advancing the plot, but perhaps were only included to poke fun at Franklin.

With all that said, there is still something to be said about the book in its role within the series. Long-time characters Black Jack Bilbo and Annie Oakum both reach plot resolution. Perhaps the author was beginning to wind up affairs in preparation for the series coming to a close. For those two plot points, if little else, this book is a competent addition to the series.

Though not his best in the outstanding Sir John Fielding series, Alexanders ninth provides a lively view of British outrage and bafflement at the fractiousness of the American colonies as well as a rich portrait of crime and policing in 18th century London as the blind Bow Street Court magistrate Fielding oversees his Bow Street runners and investigates a murder/robbery with ominous political overtones. Young narrator Jeremy Proctor, Fieldings eyes and legs and increasingly mature assistant, tells the tale with verve, initiative, and wit, indulging in a little romance of his own along the way.

The case involves the theft of inflammatory letters and the collateral murder of a footman at the home of an arrogant British lord, secretary of state for the American colonies. Though Lord Hillsborough refuses to divulge the letters contents, its clear they connect with the rising colonial foment. Dinners with Samuel Johnson and Benjamin Franklin speed Fieldings cogitations while Jeremy scouts the back alleys and low taverns for the hired miscreants. The central mystery is a bit weak, but it hardly matters as Alexander brings history to life from the perspective of those making it and Jeremy continues to charm and provide the action, from disarming a mob to battling a ruthless assassin. Franklin appears in all his warts and brilliance and only the British aritsocracy comes off worse. Well-written, atmospheric and intirguing, the series continues to delight.

#9 Sir John Fielding mystery in which Jeremy and Sir John become involved in a plot involving Benjamin Franklin and the American colonies. Someone has stolen a packet of letters from the home of a prominent member of Parliament, believed to be damning to certain British officials with regard to the rights of the Colonials. A footman was brutally coshed on the head and killed during the burglary, therefore it's a murder case as well. Mr. Franklin is high on the suspect list as having hired certain thugs to perform the deed, but without proof, Sir John and Jeremy are stuck at a standstill.

Several changes are in the works with regards to secondary characters as well, as the Fieldings' former cook, Annie, stars in a production of Romeo and Juliet, Molly (the new cook) settles in and is courted by Dr. Donnelly (the medical examiner) and Jeremy and Clarissa's relationship begins to change. Enjoyable entry in the series as always; the author's notes indicate that he played fast and loose with known historical fact in this book with regard to Ben Franklin's involvement, but I thought he did it very well. It *is* historical fiction after all!

At some point I knew that Alexander would get the American Revolution into these books. He has taken a true situation (purloined letters written by Governor Hutchinson of Massachusetts) and Ben Franklin's involvement with them and the Mass House of Representatives and turned it into an interesting speculation. We also get an inkling into the culture of the Royal Navy of the time through a visit from Lady Fielding's son who is now a nineteen year old leftenant. We also see the growth of the relationship between Jeremy and Clarissa which has been foretold for quite a few books.

The involvement of Ben Franklin gives Alexander a chance to speculated on what he was doing in London during this time when he represented four of the colonies (MA, VA, PA and GA). The reaction of 'men of high office' to Franklin and their comments about the "Colonials" is in itself enlightening. That most of the upper class in England looked at the 'Americans' as one level about the 'red savages' explains in many ways how they miscalculated in their treatment of them. It would end up costing them an empire of unquestionable wealth.

Zeb Kantrowitz