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'The Queen of the Georgian historical mystery' The Times 'Meticulously researched, this is a series that brings the past to colourful life' Maxim Jakubowski, The Guardian 'An effervescent tale... the author organises her large cast and colourful background with skill and gusto through a racily readable drama.' Mail On Sunday 'Lake brings eighteenth century England to life in a fine colourful style... Georgette Heyer... but with the knickers off.' Yorkshire Post
Product Description
1761, London. Famous magistrate John Fielding - the Blind Beak to the mob - 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 - widely rumoured to be the ugliest the country has ever seen - a terrible accident occurs when one of the crowd, a nobleman George Goward, tumbles down the great staircase to his death. Of all the assembled gathering, not one person saw him begin to fall. Even those standing closest to Goward had their eyes fixed on the royal entrance; his wife, the portly Lady Mary Goward, Jack Morocco, known to some as the Black Buck, the notorious Elizabeth Chaudligh, a lady infamous in certain circles for her talents in the bedroom. 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 despite the fact that his wife Emilia is expecting their first baby is soon drawn into a very intriguing mystery. And it seems that children might in fact be the key to unlocking the puzzle...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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.
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I expected good things having read other reviews, and was disappointed to find that the author's style was so poor that after the first couple of pages I threw the book aside in disgust. A great shame, as eighteenth century mysteries are rare.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
The Eighth Book in the John Rawlings Series
4 April 2008
Format: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.
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.
Good mystery and nice 18thC details
13 Mar 2008
Format: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.
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
Fine historical details--unadmirable character
30 May 2003
Format: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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