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Benjamin Franklin #2
Benjamin Franklin and a Case of Christmas Murder
In the second case recorded by Benjamin Franklin's young charge and assistant Nick Handy, the great Doctor Franklin is confronted with a shocking event. While attending a mummers' play at the home of a popular merchant Roddy Fairbrass on Christmas Eve 1757, their host suddenly collapses and dies. Although the bereaved family denies it, Franklin is convinced that he has witnessed a murder. Franklin had been to the Fairbrass home one time before to investigate the report of a ghost and now believes that there must be some sinister connection between the two events. Determined to uncover the truth, the intrepid inventor and statesman, accompanied by Nick, unravels a tangled plot of intrigue and scandal while matching wits with some of London's most notorious criminal minds.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 27, 2022
It’s Christmas in 1757 London and there’s a scheme a-hatchin’. Ben Franklin has been in London with his “servant” Nick, a 12 yr old carry-over from the previous book by Robert Lee Hall. In many ways, this is a sequel. Everything is bigger and more pronounced than the first book. The story is bolder and stronger, too. And don’t forget, the main character is the caricature of Ben Franklin.
And here we get to the oddest, maybe best, part of this entire adventure. Remember it’s 1757, long before Sherlock Holmes’s London. But this story was written in 1990, long after it was commonplace for mysteries to use Conan-Doyle’s formula. Often I had to remind myself that this is Franklin on the scene not Holmes. And the narrator is not a doctor but a 12 year old who has only been traveling with Mr. Franklin for mere months. The author, too, helped to remind us readers that Franklin not any other detective was present by adding in dozens of pithy maxims paraphrased from Poor Richard’s Almanac. They were well placed and fit in with the story but it felt sometimes like Nick wasn’t with a human Mr. Franklin but sometimes just a Benjamin Franklin See-N-Say, spouting proverbs awkwardly rather than thoughtful or organic originality.
The book has since been discarded from libraries (my copy had the DISCARDED stamp in several places) and I can understand why. There are many concepts and phrases and labels that are no longer used or accepted by today’s readers. Words that now are considered insulting are used freely as nouns and adjectives. In context, they work, but truthfully, they also distract. Focusing on a word or words rather than what the sentence is trying to convey isn’t an enjoyable way to read a book.
But, all that aside, the story, the mystery, was excellent. It unfolded in all the ways a similar book from say Victorian England might and had a surprising amount of suspense throughout. It helped that the narration was from a very young 12 year old. His innocence and affections for Mr. Franklin came across as pure and genuine. Murder looks all the more horrific through those eyes.
The book borrows a bit too much from Conan-Doyle. Did Ben Franklin really need to play a violin? Would Franklin really have a nemesis?
I enjoyed reading this book about the Christmas of old during Christmastime. There was much to take in about customs long lost to time and words we use today having originated during this time period but having dramatically different meanings.
And here we get to the oddest, maybe best, part of this entire adventure. Remember it’s 1757, long before Sherlock Holmes’s London. But this story was written in 1990, long after it was commonplace for mysteries to use Conan-Doyle’s formula. Often I had to remind myself that this is Franklin on the scene not Holmes. And the narrator is not a doctor but a 12 year old who has only been traveling with Mr. Franklin for mere months. The author, too, helped to remind us readers that Franklin not any other detective was present by adding in dozens of pithy maxims paraphrased from Poor Richard’s Almanac. They were well placed and fit in with the story but it felt sometimes like Nick wasn’t with a human Mr. Franklin but sometimes just a Benjamin Franklin See-N-Say, spouting proverbs awkwardly rather than thoughtful or organic originality.
The book has since been discarded from libraries (my copy had the DISCARDED stamp in several places) and I can understand why. There are many concepts and phrases and labels that are no longer used or accepted by today’s readers. Words that now are considered insulting are used freely as nouns and adjectives. In context, they work, but truthfully, they also distract. Focusing on a word or words rather than what the sentence is trying to convey isn’t an enjoyable way to read a book.
But, all that aside, the story, the mystery, was excellent. It unfolded in all the ways a similar book from say Victorian England might and had a surprising amount of suspense throughout. It helped that the narration was from a very young 12 year old. His innocence and affections for Mr. Franklin came across as pure and genuine. Murder looks all the more horrific through those eyes.
The book borrows a bit too much from Conan-Doyle. Did Ben Franklin really need to play a violin? Would Franklin really have a nemesis?
I enjoyed reading this book about the Christmas of old during Christmastime. There was much to take in about customs long lost to time and words we use today having originated during this time period but having dramatically different meanings.
December 7, 2017
I began the book with moderately low expectations of cliches, quotes and shallow characters due mostly to the audacity of someone writing about such a recognizable historical figure. Surprise, me! Not only were the characters rich, but I could imagine the language being used honestly being said. Even the writing style somewhat imitated authors of that period.
The story, the mystery, and the resolution were superb! I kept close account of the facts and timeline and found not only was I speculating well but that I also was keen on the pace and side stories that wove their way into it.
The Christmas aspect was a very good touch. While any other special occasion may have sufficed, Christmas made a strong impact. Kudos also on the author's descriptors of winter in England. I dare say I felt the chill and brittle winds myself.
Read this! I will be looking for other Franklin takes by this author in the meantime...
The story, the mystery, and the resolution were superb! I kept close account of the facts and timeline and found not only was I speculating well but that I also was keen on the pace and side stories that wove their way into it.
The Christmas aspect was a very good touch. While any other special occasion may have sufficed, Christmas made a strong impact. Kudos also on the author's descriptors of winter in England. I dare say I felt the chill and brittle winds myself.
Read this! I will be looking for other Franklin takes by this author in the meantime...
June 8, 2020
Christmas time in the London of 1757, is a season full of good cheer and a tradition of games and pranks. But one of the games has an unexpected outcome when Roderick Fairbrass, a wealthy merchant, collapses and dies while acting in a play. Among the friends present is Benjamin Franklin (an agent for American interests) who becomes convinced that he has witnessed a murder. The bereaved family deny this but Franklin is determined to uncover the truth. He matches wits with London's most notorious criminal minds as he unravels a tangled plot of intrigue and scandal in a madcap chase through the streets, coffeehouses and gaming hells of the city.
February 24, 2021
Franklin is living in England and representing Pennsylvania's interests with the crown. Of course, while he is there he finds time to solve a murder at Christmas. Living in a boarding house with his son who is going to school, Ben takes a 12 year old under his wing as he solves the crime. The young man he had taken a shine to is his illegitimate son, Nickolas Handy. However this is a fact that is only shared between the 2 of them. Nickolas is a fictitious character but may not be too far off base since his son William, that is in the household was a illegitimate son of BF. The novel captures the London of 1757 and flirts with the inventions and political work of Franklin.
December 24, 2018
Benjamin Franklin; London; Christmas; Murder --- the perfect ingredients for a nice Yuletide Mystery.
June 6, 2019
Not good. Written in late 18th century language. Hard to read. Like a poorly written Sherlock Holmes story.
March 15, 2011
This was the second of the Ben Franklin Murder mysteries. I found the mystery interesting and well developed. Franklin's apprentice, Nick Handy, helps him investigate the murder of Roddy Fairbrass, a popular merchant who dies suddenly at a play produced at his house. Franklin surmises that it was something that Fairbrass has seen or heard because of ghosts which have been recently seen in the house.
While the mysteries are interesting, the most appealing thing about these books is that they give the author the opportunity to explore the character of Benjamin Franklin and the times in which he lived. I have read a number of books on Ben Franklin and I believe that Hall has done a good job in representing the character of Franklin in a fictional way and yet agreeing with more scholarly research. The books are fun and flesh out the facts about Franklin that we are all familiar with.
While the mysteries are interesting, the most appealing thing about these books is that they give the author the opportunity to explore the character of Benjamin Franklin and the times in which he lived. I have read a number of books on Ben Franklin and I believe that Hall has done a good job in representing the character of Franklin in a fictional way and yet agreeing with more scholarly research. The books are fun and flesh out the facts about Franklin that we are all familiar with.
January 11, 2014
I liked this book - a simple read, but with a twist in the mystery. I like the strong message that loyalty to family and friends can conquer greed and corruption. I'm pleased Benjamin Franklin both provided and cared for his illegitimate son, Nicolas Handy.
November 5, 2014
An interesting read not only because it was set at Christmas time but because the author had written it in historically correct England in the mid-1700's. Benjamin Franklin has always been an interesting historical figure and the author brought him to life. n. .
May 8, 2017
I didn't have high expectations for this book but was pleasantly surprised. It really painted a vivid picture of London in the 1750s, and who knew that beloved statesman Benjamin Franklin was such a determined detective 20 years before the American Revolution!
June 24, 2016
This is an interesting attempt at making Benjamin Franklin, that jack of all trades, a detective. Franklin is in London and attends a Christmas party at which his friend dies. It appears to be a poisoning, and Franklin turns sleuth to discover how and why his friend died.
December 27, 2010
It was a great little Christmas caper. Any fan of S. Holmes would enjoy this little holiday jaunt with Ben Franklin through London. Murder? But, of course!
August 17, 2011
I don't know why I enjoy mysteries that take place in the midst of Christmas celebrations - but I really enjoyed this!
February 10, 2012
How beleivable!!! Did Franklin, among all his other talents, have the mind of a sleuth?
March 15, 2012
This was difficult to read with the 1700's language, etc. I liked the history quirks and the explanation of some of the Christmas traditions but I thought the story over all was a bit lame.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews