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A Just and Upright Man: 1763. Northeast England. A murder to solve and a girl's heart to win (The James Blakiston Series Book 1) by [R J Lynch]

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R J Lynch

A Just and Upright Man: 1763. Northeast England. A murder to solve and a girl's heart to win (The James Blakiston Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by R J Lynch (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

27 ratings

Book 1 of 2: The James Blakiston Series

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Shortlisted for the Historical Novel Society's 2015 Indie Prize

An absolute gem, R.J Lynch’s tale put me in mind of Winston Graham’s Poldark. Janis Smith

This novel is on a par with Thomas Hardy's meaty offerings of country life and the hardships of the less well off: those beholden to the super-rich of their day Francine Howarth, Romance Reviews Magazine

It is 1763. James Blakiston wants to solve the mystery of old Reuben Cooper’s murder. He wants to forget what his father’s foolish speculation has cost him. Most of all, he wants to ignore his yearning for the beautiful and spirited Kate Greener. It takes time, but he finds the murderer. He comes to terms with the loss of fortune and position. But his love for the woman he longs for and can’t have grows…and grows…and grows

Length: 305 pages	Word Wise: Enabled	Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Page Flip: Enabled

Book 1 of 2 in The James Blakiston Series

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"I cannot praise this book highly enough, it was a novel I did not want to end. A truly superb novel and indie publishing at its very best." The Historical Novel Society

From the Author

I received an email telling me that A Just and Upright Man was rubbish and my correspondent was pleased that she'd bought it for her Kindle and read it quickly because she'd been able to get her money back from Amazon, the miserable skinflint, and so my trash hadn't cost her anything other than the few hours of her time I'd stolen.

My offence was to write an historical romance/crime novel from the point of view of the people at the bottom of the social heap--the poor. Lizzie Greener and her family, as well as Tom Laws and his, should be beneath notice. Literature, whatever that is, should concern itself only with the upper classes. If some people of the past are invisible there is, it seems, a reason for that. They are not worthy of notice.

Well, I can't agree. I suppose I'm influenced by the fact that, if Lizzie Greener and Tom Laws had not lived in the northeast two hundred and fifty years ago then I wouldn't be here now, but it's more than self-interest. Those peasants and paupers whose every day was a struggle to survive make for better fiction than some spoilt princess.

In any case, they're not invisible. You have to look a bit harder--I've spent hours in archives around the country, going through original documents, and I'll spend hours more and after doing that for a while these 'invisible' people start to look out at you from the pages. Look at this from a 1765 parish account book:
Three Fox and two Foulmartens heads four and twopence
Who trapped and killed those foxes and martens so that they could claim the bounty? And what did they do with the money? Four shillings and twopence was a fortune at a time when they could also write:
To Hauxley Todd for 2 carts of coals & loading three shillings and eightpence
and when it cost the parish a guinea--one pound and one shilling--to keep Edward Scott in the Poor House for 14 weeks.

In 1745 there were sixteen paupers in Ryton Constablery (sic) and we know their names and how much they were given to get them through the year (it wasn't much). Turn to the parish registers and there they are lined up for us: the year of their birth; the year they were baptised (not always the same as the birth year and there's a story there, too, for anyone who cares to look); the names of their parents; who they married (and when); what children they had; and when they died.

What about Richard Evans, imprisoned and sentenced to hard labour for being "a loose disorderly fellow of ill fame". Evans was convicted on no more than the oath of a churchwarden. Who is going to tell his story if not me? And what would that churchwarden have made of the man I saw sixty years ago trying to get the key into the door of his miserable cottage while concealing from this small boy the fact (actually quite unconcealable) that he was as drunk as a Lord? Why does this woman who abuses me by email and steals the fruits of my labors by reading and then not paying believe that the Lord's story would be more worth telling than the laborer's? Those shabby cottages were knocked down years ago--is every trace of the people who lived there to vanish?

Not if I have anything to do with it.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

ASIN : B00CZ5E7XO
Publisher : Mandrill Press (January 14, 2014)
Publication date : January 14, 2014
Language: : English
File size : 785 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 305 pages
Lending : Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #757,279 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #5,280 in Historical Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- #5,773 in Mystery Romance
- #10,302 in Historical Mystery

Customer Reviews:
27 ratings

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2 star		8%
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Top reviews from the United States

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Gloria Antypowich

If you enjoy historical fiction with a twist of mystery and murder and love, I suggest this book for you

Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2017

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A Just and Upright Man is a murder/mystery/ historical fiction novel set in Northern England during the 18th century. It gives an interesting glimpse into the different classes of people and their daily lives at that time. It also is rife with the language and idioms of that era which gives it a colorful flavor.

The first chapter introduces the reader to the rape of a commoner by the son of Lord Ravenshead. The young girl begs him not to do so, but he forces himself on her at the edge of the woods, in the cold of winter, then tosses her a coin, as if that made every alright. Lizzie Greener is devastated and very bitter. Lizzie’s circumstances play a major role in the plot of this book. Her desolation changes the lives of herself and her family.

The second chapter opens with the fire that destroys the home of Rueben Cooper and causes his death.

These two events set the stage for much of what happened in the book.

Cooper was despised by the people in the community, and although it was suspected that his death was foul play, most felt he got what he deserved and would have ignored the flames in the middle of the night. However, James Blakiston had other ideas. He ran from door to door, rousting people out to pour water on the flames. Blakiston was the new overseer for Lord Ravenshead’s estate, and as such he was seen to have a lot of power in the town. Those who might have wanted to defy him, knew better than to do so, because he could have destroyed them if he chose.

Blakiston was new in town. Before anyone knew he had arrived, he had dressed like poor commoner, and walked into town to get an impression of what it was really like. He had met Cooper, who showed him kindness and gave him food. When he realised that Cooper was the man who had died in the fire, he vowed to find out if he had been murdered. If there was foul play, Blakiston vowed to bring the culprit to justice.

As overseer for Lord Ravenshead, he interacted with the farmers, cottagers and all the small holders on the nobleman’s estate. As he took care of Lord Ravenshead’s business, he took every opportunity to ask probing questions about Rueben Cooper and who may have wanted to see him dead.

Ugly secrets came to light, but the amateur detective struggled to find proof of what had happened. Blakiston had his own baggage from the past. He also struggled with his attraction to Kate Greener. As a man born of stature, he knew that a relationship with a commoner like her would never be accepted.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a twist of murder, mystery and love.
Blakiston proved himself to be a “just and upright man” as he dealt with the issues he was faced with.

3 people found this helpful

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R Clark

Great historical mystery!

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2013

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I'm a big fan of historical fiction and this book doesn't disappoint! I truly enjoyed reading it and the characters were intriguing.

I can't quite give it five stars for a few of reasons. One, there were too many characters and too many towns to remember who went with what. A map and list of characters would have been great. Second, Blakiston's mistakes were made obvious, so you knew right away when he missed something. I also found it slightly irritating that Blakiston kept saying he would "never" allow himself to do something, and his next line he is doing it. Either you have conviction in a belief or you don't (or maybe some (inner) dialogue on what changed would be good).

All in all, a great read and I will be looking at the next book.

3 people found this helpful

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Heinrick Ludwig von Mencken

Great mystery, though it was obvious who the villain way early. The romances were a great deal better than the mystery. The social gusty

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2019

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The social history was gratuitous, but it was a welcome change from duke this and that and the minx who was trying to get him in her bed
Very enjoyable.

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Faunny

challenging language

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2019

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It was challenging to read the old style language, but a very enjoyable book. Good depth to the characters.

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Genessee

Hated to put it down! Cannot wait for book two!

Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2016

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An absolute pleasure to read. Plot, characters, writing skill, it's all here in abundance.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle CustomerTop Contributor: Historical Fiction Books

Truly enjoyable book

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2019

I enjoyed reading this book set in18th century English farming community. This is a creative plot with numerous memorable characters to follow as a murder has been committed and the whodunit commences.

Several things struck me here while reading this engaging story. First is the hypocrisy of the church as clergy set one code of conduct for their parishioners and the opposite for themselves. It's the pot calling the kettle black as standards go.

Next is the unbelievable idea that women are as children that have lesser mental capacity than men. Shows how stupid men were. Isabella, wife of the rector is great and I love her diary entrees, especially the ladies underpants entries. Priceless!

Lastly, the idea that persons are born to a certain station in life, the majority only to serve the minority, is so absurd that I am totally resolved, after finishing the book, that the idea came about from a man. It was bad enough for women to have zero authority of their own lives, but to have a so-called baseline man feel subservient to another is ridiculous. But then being male, power and rich is still the norm by which our world turns today no matter the disastrous outcome.

The murder investigation itself lends itself to so many interesting side stories it was hard to put this book down. As in most great murder mysteries, though, the long way around made it all worthwhile reading. And a bit of romance to boot!

A gem of a book! I plan to read more by this author and recommend to readers of historical fiction. No boring moments and good, solid writing. Thumbs up!!

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Kindle Customer Konan

An excellent read

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2020

As a college history major and a life long addict of historical novels, I find so many are seriously tough going for their lack of historical place, time and mannerisms accuracy. This was absolutely not the case for most of this book. What a great pleasure to read. Wonderfully well drawn characters that I came to see vividly in my mind. And isn't that what good writing strives to achieve!

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

LEP

Evokes the plight of the rural poor in the 18th century.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2018

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This book reminded me in some respects of the first of Judith Cutler's Tobias Campion series, in that it deals with the plight of the rural poor, although this book is set some 50 years before Cutler's novels. Set in Northumberland in 1763, this is a murder mystery with issues concerning the Poor Laws and the common land Enclosure Acts, and the effects of both of those on the rural poor. The Peasant's Revolt of the 14 century might have done away with serfdom in this country (i.e. slavery), however, it left the poor very little better off. Poor people were still reliant on the aristocracy, gentry and church for work and therefor their living. Those three, along with the 'authorities' made sure that it was virtually impossible for the ordinary man and woman to better themselves and move up in life, they had to 'know their place', because it was in the best interests of the gentry, aristocracy and church, to ensure that they had ready and cheap labour to work their land and mines. The Poor Acts meant that it was difficult for ordinary people to move from parish to parish to look for work. All I can say is that the upper class and church in this country were very lucky that we did not have a revolution, as the French did.
The majority of the Church were younger sons of the gentry and aristocracy, who had the choice of the army or the church as a career, therefore for most there was probably no real 'calling' or care for their parishoners; it was just a job for which they were paid and had a decent house to live in. Lynch evokes the scene very well in this novel and it is very informative.
Where it falls down, and the reason I only gave it 4 stars and not 5, is that Lynch is very mixed up in his aristocratic titles and initially completely confused me as to why a Baron's son would have the title of the Earl of Wrekin. Lynch later states that the boy's mother brought the title with her to her marriage to the Baron. Sorry, but that would not be possible in England and Wales. Titles pass through the male's side of the family only, so if an Earl died without a son then the title would pass to the nearest male of the male line in the family e.g. a male cousin or nephew on the male side. His daughter would not be able to pass the title on to her son. Also, the Rev Thomas Claverley, was the son of a Marquess, therefore he would have the courtesy title (not to be inherited by his son) of Lord Thomas Claverley, not Sir Thomas as Lynch states. Claverley's wife would be addressed as Lady Thomas, not Lady Isabella. Sons and daughters of Earls, Marquess and Dukes would have the courtesy titles of lords and ladies (as stated above); whilst the sons and daughters of Barons and Viscounts would be Mr's and Miss's (Honourables).
I did however, enjoy the book very much. If Lynch intends to carry it on as a series, he just needs to tidy it up re. titles.

3 people found this helpful

Brad bee

It didn't engage me .

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2020

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Having read this book , I feel as if I've been watching a play acted by second rate actors . It was as if everyone was trying their best to behave properly and think proper thoughts rather than behaving in a more natural manner . I felt that the emotions were being stifled in case someone thought negatively about their performance . Tom Laws who was given the farm was just too patient and hard working , as well as just too understanding of the needs of his wife and relatives . Jamie Blakiston , the agent , a gentleman who was just too correct in thought and deed . The message he put over about enclosures and agricultural reforms , were given as if he was expounding them to a bunch of students in a lecture theatre . It was devoid of real emotion . Even the action sequences seemed drained of energy , just going through the motions . The murderer and assistant , having garnered a huge sum of money , hang around for months when anyone with an iota of sense would have been long gone to a better life .The final nail in the coffin , for me , was the repentant rapist , oh get real !! Sorry but I wont be buying book 2 .

Debbie Young

Sparkling, gritty and engaging historical novel about the Enclosures

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2015

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I chose to read this historical novel because of its setting during the Enclosures, which I'd started to become interested in having recently read Lucienne Boyce's equally excellent "Bloodie Bones", which takes place in the southern counties. Like Boyce's, this is also a thriller with an unconventional detective, but in contrast it's set in the north of England.

The book works well on lots of levels: an intriguing murder mystery that keeps you guessing throughout, fascinating and well-told historical detail that is a real education without ever feeling like one, political and class issues explained in a sympathetic yet unsentimental manner, plus appealing will-they, won't-they love stories woven in amongst it all. We are not spared the horrors of the era, from the exploitation and callousness of the Enclosures, to the hypocrisy of what the upper classes do supposedly in the name of religion, the sickening details of public hangings and deportations for negligible offences, but at the same time Lynch explains very well the mindsets of the different classes that made it possible for these acts to take place. All of the characters are very well-drawn, and many are feisty free thinkers that fight back against the expectations for their era and their social standing.

I read this on my Kindle, and haven't seen the paperback, but I must say it was one of the most elegantly presented ebooks I've ever seen, which added to the pleasure of reading it.

In short, a cracking good read that I couldn't put down, and well deserving of the awards it has already received. It really deserves to be much more widely read. This is one of those books that I know I shall be recommending to others for some time to come, and I'm delighted that it's one of a series. Roll on, Book 2!

One person found this helpful

Francine Howarth

A thoroughly enjoyable read! - (reviewed for RRM - Romance Reviews Magazine)

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2014

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It's the North of England (1763) and the Enclosures Act has yet to be passed by Parliament (1773). Even so, small plots and common land are enclosed without application to Parliament, which occurred right through from the time of Charles II's restoration. And this is where the author's hero, James Blakiston, rides forth and affords insight to his position as overseer (land agent/steward). He is the very man who mediates in disputes and or negotiates terms between a landowner and his tenant cottagers, smallholders and farmers. Subsequently, Blakiston comes to know of the shady secrets of all the parishioners, the rector, and his lusty bible spouting curate.

As if Blakiston doesn't have enough to contend with in his duties to his master, (his lordship), a rape and murder occurs in one of his lordship's villages, which James must initially investigate as part of his working remit. But rumour abounds of hidden treasure spirited away, and what at first seems a simple case of murderous revenge, becomes a far more complicated puzzle to solve. Undaunted, Blakiston sets out to unravel the mystery of a man everyone despised: including the deceased's own children. Such is no mean task for Blakiston hails from the lesser landed gentry, being that of a squire's son. While subjected to sideways mistrusting glances from many, others benefit from his fair-minded policies. One young lady, below his rank, sees him for what he is, a lonely young man at heart. Little does Kate Greener know that Blakiston has a past he's ashamed of, and although she stirs lust from within, he is what he has made of himself: A Just and Upright Man.

Blakiston treats Kate with respect, and while beating his heart into retreat, she too knows her place in the overall scheme of what is socially acceptable. But can social divide keep them apart, or can love overcome all obstacles set by society? J. R. Lynch has brought to life the country folk from up north, and that of the era in which they exist. This novel is on a par with Thomas Hardy's meaty offerings of country life and the hardships of the less well off: those beholding to the super-rich of their day. The men who could make or break a family with one word: eviction. Although there's a large cast of characters, the author introduces each with clarity through the eyes of Blakiston. A Just And Upright Man, is nothing short of a very enjoyable and worthwhile read. As this is Book 1 of a series, I can honestly say I'm looking forward to reading book 2.

2 people found this helpful

Dave Scholey

Excellenr

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 7, 2020

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Brilliant merger of truth and fiction. There us however a current Lord Ravensworth although the line has had hiccups along the way Great to read a story set in areas I know well

One person found this helpful