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12 Reviews

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
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Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a Review, A Sad Good-bye, November 26, 2003

By

"mcmc52" (West Van Nuys, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Price of Murder (Sir John Fielding Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Bruce Alexander (AKA Bruce Cook)died this month. His books have brought me so much enjoyment, I feel like I've lost a good friend. Reading this last book will be bitter-sweet to say the least.

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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable but lacks suspense, October 15, 2003

By

tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Price of Murder (Sir John Fielding Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Even though I didn't think that the last few Sir John Fielding mystery novels have been as good as the first four mysteries in the series ("Blind Justice," "Murder in Grub Street," Watery Grave" & "Person or Persons Unknown"), I will admit that this latest installment in the series was an enjoyable read -- especially if you enjoy books that are full of historical detail and that are character driven.

The discovery of a body of a little six year old girl (Maggie Plummer) pulled from the Thames introduces Sir John and his trusted assistant, Jeremy Proctor to a new kind of criminal horror: the sexual abuse of children. Both Sir John and Jeremy are determined to discover and apprehend those responsible for the Maggie's death -- from the mother who sold her, to the people who brokered the deal, to the monster responsible for violating and murdering Maggie. But their mission is confounded with the mysterious disappearance of the Maggie's mother and the murder of a the Plummer's nosy neighbour. What did the neighbour know? Was she somehow involved in the selling and murder of Maggie? The murderer seems constantly to be one step ahead of Sir John and Jeremy, but both are determined to see justice done, no matter the cost...

The problem with "The Price of Murder" was that in spite of the promising plot premise, there was actually very little of it. The focus of the novel was more on the mysterious disappearance of a serving maid, horse racing and Jeremy's relationship with Clarissa (a series regular), and whether or not they would be able to marry soon. The search for the probable child selling ring in the underbelly of London never really materialized, to my disappointment, nor were there any surprising plot twists and turns (essential to a good mystery novel) or red herring suspects. However Bruce Alexander did a wonderful job of bringing seventeenth century England to life, especially that of the horse racing circuit. And I did enjoy the subplot dealing with the missing servant and how Sir John and Jeremy resolved that matter.

On the whole, I do think that if you're a fan of the series then "The Price of Murder" should prove to be enjoyable reading (though you might want to get your copy from the library); but if you're new to this series and are looking for a gripping read, try the first few books in this series instead.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elegant writing, wonderful history, April 9, 2005

By

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Price of Murder (Paperback)

Sadly, Bruce Alexander passed on shortly after the release of this book, but has left us one more book after this. What this book may have lacked in suspense and plot twists, it more than made up for interesting, fully-developed characters and providing a picture of the period and, being a huge fan of Dick Francis, the racing world turning that time. I've always thought of his books as somewhat elegant reads. I do highly recommend this series for those who love elegant writing and period history.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Blind but Sherlock Holmesy
The blind judge has remarkable insight. You'd swear he could see. Murder and mayhem does not win in his court. Read more

Published 18 months ago by Candice Warriner

3.0 out of 5 stars A Very Pedestrian Story, Not Up to Alexander's Standards
One of the problems with reading a 'series' is that at some point it seems that the author ends up going through the paces for no other reason than that he has a deadline to meet... Read more

Published on March 8, 2009 by Grey Wolffe

4.0 out of 5 stars Moving Toward a Series Finish with a Moderately Secure Stride
After the misstep that was "An Experiment in Treason", this is a return to the safe grounds on which the Sir John Fielding series established its success. Read more

Published on July 26, 2008 by David Alden

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful writing, but not as much suspense as previous books
I am a huge fan of Bruce Alexander's Sir John Fielding series. I have enjoyed watching young Jeremy grow up, and also watching the sharp mind of Sir John himself. Read more

Published on September 5, 2007 by S. Schwartz

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Historical details
I've read the entire Sir John series and am a strong admirer. I think Alexander is highly talented in his abilities to bring to life the gritty, dirty,and often violent streets of... Read more

Published on October 16, 2006 by J.B. Stanley

3.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable, lightweight historical mystery!
The novel opens on a shocking, dark and deeply tragic note with a waterman's unsettling discovery of five year old Maggie Plummer's naked body floating in the Thames. Read more

Published on June 25, 2005 by Paul Weiss

3.0 out of 5 stars So So
This is my first Sir John Fielding book. Perhaps if I had developed a relationship with Sir John and the other characters I would have found more in this book. Read more

Published on December 28, 2004 by Richard A. Mitchell

5.0 out of 5 stars another great addition to the series
I have been reading the Bruce Alexander mysteries from the beginning. I will be forever grateful to the friend who put me on to them. Read more

Published on November 4, 2003 by T. Evans

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical mysteries dont get better than this
A young child, no bigger than eight, is fished out of the Thames River in London of 1774. When Sir John Fielding of 4 Bow Street, the magistrates of London and Winchester hears... Read more

Published on October 13, 2003 by Harriet Klausner

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
I, who had recently become engaged to be engaged with Clarissa Roundtree, did walk with her on a Thursday morning in April 1774. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
favorable odds, post coach, serving woman

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sir John, Bow Street, Lord Lamford, Deuteronomy Plummer, Katy Tiddle, Alice Plummer, Covent Garden, Elizabeth Hooker, Lady Fielding, Constable Patley, Shepherd's Bush, Good Queen Bess, Mother Jeffers, Seven Dials, King's Plate, Maggie Plummer, Kathleen Quigley, Lord Mansfield, Old Bailey, Sir Joshua, Walter Hogg, London Bridge, Mistress Hooker, Chandos Street, Dawson's Alley

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