An Experiment in Treason

Sir John Fielding #9

by Bruce Alexander

Consistently hailed as "wonderful" ( The New York Times Book Review ), the Fielding mysteries are a magical combination of period ambiance, vivid characterization, and intriguing plotlines. In An Experiment in Treason , a packet of incendiary letters is stolen from the London residence of a prominent official, and turns up in the colony of Massachusetts. Why are the contents so controversial? Why has a suspect in the theft turned up dead? And what should Sir John do about his feeling that Benjamin Franklin himself is somehow complicit? While the political tensions rise, Sir John searches for answers and finds that justice isn't always served by the letter of the law.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, British Literature, 18th Century

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Pseudonym of American journalist and author Bruce Cook.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Bruce Alexander Cook (1932–2003) was an American journalist and author who wrote under the pseudonym Bruce Alexander, creating historical novels about a blind 18th century Englishman and also a 20th century Mexican-American detective.

Reviews

[Stacie Haden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional, as I've come to expect from this series.

London, 1773

[Spuddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

#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!

[Sandy Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Alexander never lets me down. A fun romp in 1770s London with murder, stolen letters, giant slave hunter, and all the while visiting with Benjamin Franklin. What else do you need?

[Ivor Armistead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps not quite four stars and not the very best of the Sir John Fielding series, but still a good read.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

AN EXPERIMENT IN TREASON – G+
Bruce Alexander – 9th in series
Sir John Fielding, a blind, 18th-century London judge, and his orphan accomplice, Jeremy, get mixed up in pre-Revolutionary War intrigue when a packet of incendiary letters is stolen from the London residence of a prominent official, and turns up in the colony of Massachusetts. Why are the contents so controversial? Why has a suspect in the theft turned up dead? And what should Sir John do about his feeling that Benjamin Franklin himself is somehow complicit?

The books in this series are so complete; well-developed characters about one cares, well-researched history, excellent sense of place, wonderful voice, and a good mystery besides. These are always a pleasure to read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book I have read in the Sir John Fielding Mystery, An Experiment in Treason includes several real life characters, including Benjamin Franklin, in a story of murder, torture and espionage. Jeremy Proctor, the young protégé of blind magistrate Sir John Fielding, narrates this story of stolen letters, state secrets, and odd Americans. The streets team with nefarious but engaging characters and Jeremy must help Sir John discover who is torturing and murdering those involved in the theft, all the while learning about what it is to be a man and a lawyer.

An excellent, engaging and enjoyable series.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremy, now 18 years old, gets involved with the American revolution in a plot involving a theft at a noble's mansion in London. Benjamin Franklin features prominently in the story, and Jeremy and Clarissa finally admit they love each other, moving his story along significantly.

This is a pretty interesting story but for me at least felt less steeped in history. The court cases showing Magistrate Fielding's skill in handling cases are minimal. Ben Franklin's responses and most important interactions are described rather than presented, unfortunately.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review of the initial novel in the series, Blind Justice.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was completely coincidence that I grabbed this book to read while we were in Boston. What an appropriate choice it ended up being! Another great one in the series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the atmosphere of that period in England's history. Plot moves things along, and characters are interesting and developing well.

[Sandy Shin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read the British point of view of the American Colonies complaints, but the human interactions seem very bland and one dimensional. Not as good as the previous books

[PRK Oregon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, good story, good, well-rounded characters

[pearl_seeker · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least-favorite of the series; it was short on action.

[Marilyn Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was an interesting book, since it dealt with Benjamin Franklin on the cusp of the American War of Independence. Based partially on real events of which I had had no knowledge.

[JB · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like all the Sir John Fielding mysteries; but this one seemed to drag a little with lots of non-pertinent info added.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year was 1773. It started with a robbery resulting in the death of a footman at the house of Lord Hillsborough, Secretary of State for the American Colonies. The Lord Secretary was not very forthcoming when questioned by the Blind Beak as to what was stolen which led both Sir John and Jeremy into making their own surmises... as it turned out Jeremy's theories caused Sir John a sleepless night regarding their plausible reality. Then there was Benjamin Franklin, already a temporary denizen of London, giving a convenient face for accusations of Treason and as a Scapegoat for angry Englishmen... for he was linked to (and had knowledge of) the purloined letters taken from Lord Hillsborough's house... and those said letters, written by men of power and substance corresponding with one another as to the cavalier and forceful action against fellow Englishmen in the American colonies, were taken to America and were published in Boston's prominent broadsheet contrary to naive Ben Franklin's admonitions of secrecy thus inflaming the already unjustly~taxed~beleaguered colonists (re~ Ben Franklin's reproach to the Crown of "taxation without representation") into thoughts of insurrection with the Sons of Liberty capitalizing on the situation... thus the fires of American Independence were fed and banked... same situation was further aggravated by pompous Lords and Asses treating the colonists like children and skivvies... Here, too, Jeremy had his first kill protecting Ben Franklin...

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thrilling page turner; “An Experiment in Treason" is the eighth book in Bruce Alexander’s mystery series centering on Sir John Fielding and an ever evolving young Jeremy Proctor, the narrator. As usual, Alexander’s research is excellent providing the reader with strong local color, well developed colorful characters, and gripping plot lines. The protagonist is a blind 18th century London magistrate Sir John Fielding, who is based on a real historical character. This historical mystery also includes several real life characters, including Benjamin Franklin, who is painted a little differently in the story of murder, torture and espionage.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a well carefully crafted historical mystery, and I would recommend beginning with the first book to fully appreciate character development ~ especially in Jeremy. Alexander is an excellent story teller and provides the reader with a carefully crafted plot some better than others ~ but all worth reading. Highly recommended! I will be sorry to see this series end since there are only a few more books to go.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author (Bruce Alexander Cook) is an American but has written a series of excellent 18th century English mysteries featuring the blind magistrate Sir John Fielding. Sir John is by all measures, a superior magistrate considered a fair and just man by the community on the outskirts of London that he serves. He is helped by Jeremy Proctor, a young man who serves as Sir John’s “eyes.” Jeremy is “reading the law” with Sir John, and serves as his aide in many ways. In this adventure, a packet of letters is stolen from a magistrate, and during the theft a man is killed. The letters turn up in Massachusetts and are published. Their harsh rhetoric towards the colonies inflames the Americans. Ben Franklin, then living in London, is thought to have something to do with the theft. Can Sir John (and Jeremy) get to the bottom of the thefts (and murders)? ---- An interesting mystery based on an actual event leading to the American Revolution. …. Sir John is a particularly interesting main character. I’ll have to look for more books in the series.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exceptional novel by Bruce Alexander (Cook) who sadly passed away in 2003. The good news is I still have a few more to read! This is historical fiction, based on fact but adding characters and events to fill out a fun story.

The author has provided his readers with a wonderful romp through 1770's London with his core of well-drawn characters, some real, some not. I love the period atmosphere, and the story features Benjamin Franklin in a starring, if not flattering role. The story features a real mystery that has never been solved and is told from the British point of view.

The book moves a little slowly at times but does have plenty of action and humor to keep you turning the pages. All in all, a very good read!

[William Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed all of Bruce Alexander's tales of Sir John Fielding, and this is no exception. But, in all honesty, branding it a mystery is rather false. This volume falls into the historical fiction category. Less concerned with the crimes involved (and indeed there is little doubt about the culprits) and more about the looming conflict between Great Britain and its American colonies, and with abundant domestic drama, it won't tax anyone's powers of deduction. There is abundant social history here, but unlike previous volumes, the locales are very limited, a very London-centric book, which disappointed me.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruce Alexander does a really good job of portraying Sir John Fielding as a magistrate of the Bow Street Court set in the 1700s. I have enjoyed the ones I have already read. This one involves the Boston Tea Party, the colonies in America, and Benjamin Franklin. I was a little unhappy with the way Mr. Franklin was portrayed, whiny voice, fearful. Jeremy Proctor is a doll.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others, so I am only giving it 4 stars. Benjamin Franklin was a womanizer, etc., but I lowered my rating because of the way in some instances he was portrayed. He's an American hero/icon. Still, I would recommend this to others. It was hard to put down.

[Carolyn Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow in spots. Pays to know your history and what led up to the Revolutionary War.

[Pat Pfeiffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little Cosy mystery takes me to a different time and place. Easy relaxing read

[Marcia DeCruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its nice seeing the maturation of Jeremy. This book focus more on the characters and less on the investigation offering more insights into the characters.

[Saadat Zaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library

[Karen Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continues to be a wonderful series.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Experiment In Treason was a fascinating story where the UK's feelings and politics towards her North American Colonies, aka America come into play. Bruce Alexander admits in an Author's Note, he had taken artistic license with some of the facts. That was okay.
While trying to solve a violent burglary and subsequent murder Jeremy and Sir John encounter Dr. Benjamin Franklin.
It is late 1773 - less than 3 years before the Revolutionary War. As an American, I was only taught the Colonists perspective. It was intriguing reading of other opinions of what transpired before the war.
At one point, Franklin's loyalties are questioned. I do not recall what true his views were in regards towards the Crown.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm very fond of this series, but this was not the best Sir John Fielding in the set. As ever, the series characters are well drawn and develop nicely, but there are several plot elements left hanging.

What's up, for example, with the experiment that opens the novel? It seems there should have been some follow up on that. And I'm not sure about the rapid development of the relationship between Jeremy and Clarissa, unless it's about to encounter some rough waters. And how the bad guy is dispatched? Although it's set up, it's way too unlikely. And while I like the use of historical people, the characterization of Ben Franklin here is rather more prurient than necessary.

Overall, not the best, but I still am very fond of the characters and use of history and period detail in this series.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was about Ben Franklin, and the American revolution. It depended heavily on the others, and would have been hard to "get" without having read the previous ones. They are slow, and not so interesting as the earlier ones, perhaps because there is little new in them. I do enjoy the history, but there is not much of it.