Customer Reviews

Smuggler's Moon

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

 

 

I found this latest Sir John Fielding episode a little disappointing, with nary a twist nor surprise to throw or tantalize the unsuspecting reader. A fine story, to be sure, with the usual excellent descriptive narrative, but very predictable and somewhat unrewarding. Having read and savoured all the previous episodes in this series, I found my main interest in this book directed towards learning the latest about each of the characters within. They have become very familiar to me, almost like family, and I was pleased to catch up with them and their lives.
At one stage in the book, the story-teller, Jeremy Procter, asks his mentor Sir John Fielding when he first suspected he had discovered the prime perpetrator of the crime and his answer was "Almost from the very first".
Unfortunately, I think the majority of readers would answer the same (maybe minus the "almost").

Really truly love or maybe I should have said loved this series. The adding of the charectar of Clarissa has turned me
off somewhat of the series. Why Alexander tinkered with what was a great series is a bit of a mystery to me in
itself. Maybe his editor felt like the series needed a Nancy Drew touch. It doesn't. Use to couldn't wait for the
next book in the series as they are so wonderfully written and would rate all the past books a five star. Oh, I will get the next book but not with the same excitement and anticipation as I had in the past.

SMUGGLER'S MOON transplants the blind Bow Street magistrate from his beloved London to the coastal town of Deal where smuggling is rampant. The smugglers soon turn murderous and Sir John and his right-hand man, Jeremy Proctor, lead the battle to eradicate the evil-doers.

I haven't been reading the Sir John Fielding novels in order; this dates from 2001. While I didn't give it a five-star rating - it doesn't take a genius to guess who the villain is - I enjoyed the book nevertheless. There's enough twists and turns and rousing action to keep the reader's attention. Then too, the late Bruce Alexander had a wonderful eye for period detail and a corresponding ear for dialogue. There is a charming quaintness to the world evoked in the Fielding books - the language, manners, the sights, sounds and smells, etc.

If you're a Sir John Fielding fan, you'll enjoy this book. And like me, you'll probably finish the book with the hope that the next adventure returns him to his Bow Street haunts.

The "mystery" part of this book is not as strong as the previous novels, but new characters are introduced and the subject covered (smuggling) is interesting. Like a vist with old friends this addition to the Sir John Fielding series is very satisfying.

Another riveting installment in the Sir John Fielding mystery series; and while it is really quite easy to figure who the evil criminal mastermind is in this particular novel, "Smuggler's Moon" is still an engrossing and exciting read.

Because the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield, is particularly concerned about the thriving smuggling trade in the seaside town of Deal, he asks Sir John to travel there to investigate the charges that the magistrate of Deal may be in league with the smugglers. This is a case of particular sensitivity because the magistrate of Deal, Albert Sarton, happens to be a protege of Lord Mansfield's, while the charges of complicity have been raised by the Chief Customs Officer of the region, George Eccles, and a friend of Lord Mansfield's Sir Simon Grenville. Together with an entourage that includes his trusty aide, Jeremy Proctor, young Clarissa Roundtree and Constable Perkins, Sir John makes for Deal in order to investigate the charges of corruption against Sarton. Once there however, Sir John and company find that things are not as clear cut as they were led to believe: the local people seem wary, while Sir Simon comes across as being incredibly cagey, and Sarton proves to be completely open and trustworthy! And then the group finds themselves drawn into an investigation of a murder at Sir Simon's estate. Just who was this murder victim and why was he murdered? And did the murder have anything to do with the smuggling trade? Soon, Sir John, Jeremy, Clarissa and Constable Perkins find themselves involved one of the most treacherous and dangerous of cases of all time.

This series keeps getting better and better. This time David Alexander treats us to a look at the flourishing smuggling trade that has plagued the English authorities since time immemorial. The lure that the trade has for anyone looking for a quick, easy and exciting way to make money, the danger that those who oppose the smuggling face, and the total lack of cooperation that the local people give the authorities, is laid out perfectly by the authour. I was so engrossed with the manner in which the plot was unfolding that I read "Smuggler's Moon" from cover to cover in one sitting. The Sir John Fielding-Jeremy Proctor mysteries is a wonderful series that boasts of exciting plotlines that intrigue, well drawn characters, and evenly sustained and maintained suspense. Also, David Alexander does a wonderful job of evoking the feel and the atmosphere of the 18th century. I've enjoyed every single one of these mysteries so far, and have no hesitation in recommending the entire sires as an excellent read for anyone who has yet to enjoy the Sir John Fiedling-Jeremy Proctor murder mysteries.

"Smuggler's Moon", Bruce Alexander's eighth novel in the highly acclaimed Sir John Fielding series, is neither the cozy, lightweight mystery (à la Agatha Christie or Susan Wittig-Albert) nor the historical thriller that many readers might expect. It might more accurately be categorized as an atmospheric and compelling investigation set within a graphic description of 18th century Georgian England.

Jeremy Proctor, the 17 year old orphan learning the law from Bow Street magistrate, Sir John Fielding, narrates the story of an investigation of smuggling and murder along the Kentish coast. "Smuggler's Moon", as its predecessors in the acclaimed series did before it, will treat its readers to extraordinary characterization and atmospheric embellishment that brings people, time and place to life with a sparkling vitality and a sense of realism that can hardly be rivaled. Jeremy's character is further developed as, like so many teenaged boys maturing into manhood, he is disturbed by the first stirrings of romantic interest in his housemate, Clarissa Roundtree, an orphan like himself who was welcomed into the Fielding household as Lady Fielding's assistant.

I've said it before in other reviews of the series but it bears repeating. While each novel in the series can be read as a stand-alone mystery, maximum enjoyment will be the reward for the reader who takes the time to go back to the beginning and read the entire series in order. There is definitely a background story line to all of the characters, their development, their personal growth and their outlook on the world around them. Characters from previous novels pop in and out of the story and it definitely adds a layered dimension of enjoyment to each subsequent novel to know who they are and where they came from.

A highly recommended novel in a terrific ongoing series.

Paul Weiss

...is quite cookie cutter. The solution is obvious from almost the beginning of the book and therefore, I almost rated this series entry only three stars. But, the writing is first-rate with the accuracy of the descriptions of 18th-century life. I do hope, however, that the next book in the series returns to the more complicated & sophisticated books that I have come to expect from Bruce Alexander.

This is, by far, the best historical mystery series going today. The writing is great, the mysteries are taut and the human interest(read soap opera) part is interesting without being silly. The best thing is that, at a stage when most series' start to slide, this series, as evidenced by this book, is still at the top of it's game. Alexander really makes you believe you are right their with Sir John, Jeremy and Clarissa in late 18th century England. Definitely buy this book if you like historical mysteries at all.

The paperback book was in excellent condition and was delivery at their estimated time. I would used this company again to order used books.

The Lord Chief Justice requests that Sir John travel to Deal (on the Kent Coast) to respond to a complaint about the Magistrate in the area. The Magistrate (who is a friend of the Chief Justice's family) has been accused of incompetence. Since Lady Fielding is up north visiting her sick mother, Sir John takes both Jeremy and Clarissa along with him. He also takes one of the constables who is from the area.

Sir John is suspicious of the goings on in the area from the start. The local Custom's agent has stopped the local customs people from pursuing the local smugglers (known as 'owls'). The local landed gentry seems to have more men on his property than he needs and is away from home on many nights. When the local Magistrate is murdered on his front steps, Sir John is livid and determined to find his killer.

This is one of Alexander's strongest and most powerful plot lines. It brings in all of the regular characters (including the Bow Street Runners and Black Jack Bilbo and company) and has a sly sense of humor running through the whole story. We also get the first inkling as to the relationship Alexander has planned for Jeremy and Clarissa. We also see a new cook added to the family (to replace Annie) in the person of the wife of the dead Magistrate. A fine effort

Zeb Kantrowitz