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Sir John Fielding #7
The Color of Death
When a ruthless gang of black criminals begin a murder and robbery spree in London, Sir John and Jeremy determine to catch them but soon find out that all is not as black and white as it may seem...and that the deeds being committed are even darker than they'd imagined.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2000
2 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Alexander
53 books121 followersPseudonym 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 13, 2023
Modern police would call it "home invasion"
THE COLOR OF DEATH, Bruce Alexander's seventh 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.
When London's well-to-do neighbourhoods are faced with a wave of what modern readers may well call violent home invasions, thefts and murders by a gang of apparently black thugs, Alexander's traditional story-telling style shifts from ye olde English police procedural to a sociological examination of prejudice against blacks. The investigation comes very close to home for Bow Street magistrate, Sir John Fielding, and his maturing protégé and amanuensis, young Jeremy Proctor, when one of the criminals shoots Sir John himself and the trail of clues seems to indicate that a friend of the family, Robert Burnham, a black man in the employ of Fielding's long-time friend, Black Jack Bilbo, may be implicated in the crime spree.
THE COLOR OF DEATH, 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 - the sights, the smells, the sounds, the slums, the prisons, the docks, pubs, outdoor markets, dark alleys, upstairs, downstairs, courts, gaming houses, bordellos, street walkers, poor houses, pickpockets, scamps, cut purses, thieves, and murderers. In short, Bruce Alexander brings a gaslit Georgian London to life with an unrivalled clarity.
It's also quite exciting to witness the early growth of modern jurisprudence; some glimpses of Regency law as it pertains to witness and suspect interrogation; the rather looser use of deadly force in the apprehension of the perpetrators of violent crimes; and, of course, the exciting story of the birth of modern police procedure through the fictionalized account of Sir John Fielding's experiences as the magistrate of Bow Street Court and his leadership of England's first police force, the "Bow Street Runners". Even though slavery had, by this time, been outlawed in Britain, Alexander's narrative showed very clearly that prejudice against the black man was still common place to the extent that unruly, violent lynch mob action against a black man suspected of a crime was still a real possibility.
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. In this novel in particular, for example, Jeremy begins the process of maturing from a boy to a man and is becoming aware of his own sexuality, the growing attractiveness of his housemate, Clarissa Rowntree, and the powerful allure of a woman's body and its possible use as a persuasive tool in flirtation.
A highly recommended novel in a terrific ongoing series.
Paul Weiss
THE COLOR OF DEATH, Bruce Alexander's seventh 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.
When London's well-to-do neighbourhoods are faced with a wave of what modern readers may well call violent home invasions, thefts and murders by a gang of apparently black thugs, Alexander's traditional story-telling style shifts from ye olde English police procedural to a sociological examination of prejudice against blacks. The investigation comes very close to home for Bow Street magistrate, Sir John Fielding, and his maturing protégé and amanuensis, young Jeremy Proctor, when one of the criminals shoots Sir John himself and the trail of clues seems to indicate that a friend of the family, Robert Burnham, a black man in the employ of Fielding's long-time friend, Black Jack Bilbo, may be implicated in the crime spree.
THE COLOR OF DEATH, 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 - the sights, the smells, the sounds, the slums, the prisons, the docks, pubs, outdoor markets, dark alleys, upstairs, downstairs, courts, gaming houses, bordellos, street walkers, poor houses, pickpockets, scamps, cut purses, thieves, and murderers. In short, Bruce Alexander brings a gaslit Georgian London to life with an unrivalled clarity.
It's also quite exciting to witness the early growth of modern jurisprudence; some glimpses of Regency law as it pertains to witness and suspect interrogation; the rather looser use of deadly force in the apprehension of the perpetrators of violent crimes; and, of course, the exciting story of the birth of modern police procedure through the fictionalized account of Sir John Fielding's experiences as the magistrate of Bow Street Court and his leadership of England's first police force, the "Bow Street Runners". Even though slavery had, by this time, been outlawed in Britain, Alexander's narrative showed very clearly that prejudice against the black man was still common place to the extent that unruly, violent lynch mob action against a black man suspected of a crime was still a real possibility.
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. In this novel in particular, for example, Jeremy begins the process of maturing from a boy to a man and is becoming aware of his own sexuality, the growing attractiveness of his housemate, Clarissa Rowntree, and the powerful allure of a woman's body and its possible use as a persuasive tool in flirtation.
A highly recommended novel in a terrific ongoing series.
Paul Weiss
August 24, 2018
I have yet to read anyone who wrote like Bruce Alexander. It's no wonder that a prestigious award is named in his honor. He writes as if it was indeed written in the 18th century, without the confusion which often accompanies a novel actually written in that time. I can't wait to see find where Jeremy Proctor's life takes him in the remaining four novels.
November 14, 2014
Sir John, and in particular young Jeremy in this Fielding series, confront the issue of racial prejudice in this fine mystery but there is no pontificating or slowing of the plot as the book rushes along. Historical detail, as usual, spot-on.
October 22, 2018
Bruce Alexander's "The Color of Death" is certainly a cryptic title which quickly becomes clear in this the seventh entry in the Sir John Fielding series. The protagonist is a blind 18th century London magistrate Sir John Fielding, who is based on a real historical character. "The Color of Death" focuses on a series of burglaries apparently committed by a gang of ruthless black men. Consequently, any black man on the streets is immediately suspect simply due to his color/ race - hence, the "color of death" becomes clear. Interestingly, the very question of slavery in the British colonies and the Americas was also being heavily argued in London in 1772, and through these robberies, and Sir John Fielding and Jeremy had a series of cases which touched on the problem of "color."
The action opens quickly with a robbery and a killing at the home of an aristocrat. Soon the blind judge Sir John Fielding is on the case to ensure that the guilty are punished and that no hasty conclusions are made. But when Sir John takes a bullet to the shoulder, his young protege, Jeremy Proctor, must lead this most delicate investigation under his bedridden counsel.
Set in the London of Johnson and Boswell, this is one of the best historical fiction mystery series I have read. The primary characters are dynamic and thus grow and change as the series continues ~ especially young Jeremy. I like watching Jeremy Proctor grow and evolve into a young man under the guidance of Sir John. Also, the reader "cares" about the central characters who form a kind of 'Bow Street' family unit. Alexander is an excellent story teller and provides is with a carefully crafted plot. Highly recommended!
The action opens quickly with a robbery and a killing at the home of an aristocrat. Soon the blind judge Sir John Fielding is on the case to ensure that the guilty are punished and that no hasty conclusions are made. But when Sir John takes a bullet to the shoulder, his young protege, Jeremy Proctor, must lead this most delicate investigation under his bedridden counsel.
Set in the London of Johnson and Boswell, this is one of the best historical fiction mystery series I have read. The primary characters are dynamic and thus grow and change as the series continues ~ especially young Jeremy. I like watching Jeremy Proctor grow and evolve into a young man under the guidance of Sir John. Also, the reader "cares" about the central characters who form a kind of 'Bow Street' family unit. Alexander is an excellent story teller and provides is with a carefully crafted plot. Highly recommended!
May 22, 2021
The Color of Death is an wonderful story of 18th Century England. Sir John Fielding (a real person) and his fictional protégé, Jeremy solve a mysterious series of robberies.
The novel dives into slavery, prejudice, and the treatment of free blacks in London at the time. This is the seventh novel in the series, but it did not require a knowledge of the previous books.
I enjoyed the writing, the very real feeling characters, and all the action. The mystery is well plotted and an excellent depiction of the culture of the time. Sadly the author, Bruce Alexander (Cook) is no longer with us, but his books are well worth picking up!
The novel dives into slavery, prejudice, and the treatment of free blacks in London at the time. This is the seventh novel in the series, but it did not require a knowledge of the previous books.
I enjoyed the writing, the very real feeling characters, and all the action. The mystery is well plotted and an excellent depiction of the culture of the time. Sadly the author, Bruce Alexander (Cook) is no longer with us, but his books are well worth picking up!
June 9, 2017
The question of slavery in the British colonies was being heavily argued in London in 1772 and Jeremy and Sir Joh Fielding had a series of cases which touched on the problem. The very real characters and their ambitions, problems and interactions kept me reading and involved tight to the very last, and satisfied that all issues were explained, yet unsatisfied with the historical truth that the American colonies *with the exception of Canada) were still slave holders.
You'll enjoy the story, the characters and the mystery
You'll enjoy the story, the characters and the mystery
December 12, 2019
A series of robberies in the more affluent houses in London reported to be perpetrated by a black gang of thieves resulted in murders... and for the first time, a bullet hole through the Black Beak's shoulder. There are some mis~directs here, but for me, it is not so much as trying to find out who the dastards are, but just the thrill of following Jeremy's adventures and life's lessons in the midst of all the capers. Plus Annie, the Fieldings' cook, has finally found her true vocation following her thwarted one~sided Romance with Bunkin's tutor as well as hers... which situation of course invokes Pathos... Tragedy... and Melodrama in Clarissa's breast... and in painful practical Reality (for the Fieldings' household) the LOSS of a most valued Cook.
May 21, 2018
Another wonderful addition to the Sir John Fielding series! It is interesting to see the growth in the younger characters - Jeremy, Annie & Clarissa. This book had a lot of action, the usual wonderfully vibrant treatment of London, and a great mystery. I highly recommend this book and the entire series!
August 26, 2019
Sir John is a London Magistrate, as his brother Henry was, but John (a real person) is blind, which makes everything about his job harder. My sister really likes the series of which this is #7. I couldn't get into it, which is not the author's fault.
July 21, 2025
Kept me on my toes. Written very well. I had no idea this was book 7. Picked this up at a library sale and zero companions lay nearby. There were clues to other books but I don’t feel I missed anything by not reading those. This stood well on its own.
July 25, 2018
I would give this book three and a half stars if that was possible. It had a good plot and held my interest, but was a little too "preachy".
July 2, 2020
Interesting time period and information about slavery in England and the British colonies.
September 2, 2021
A consistently enjoyable series. Bruce Alexander brings 18th century London to life while well written “who done its” and endearing characters.
August 1, 2023
I would like to read this entire series.
The writing is wonderful.
The writing is wonderful.
October 19, 2023
This is such a great series. Can’t say enough good things about it.
November 24, 2024
Very Good!
Setting - 5 18th century London!
Plot/Story - 4
Characterization - 5
Writing - 5
Setting - 5 18th century London!
Plot/Story - 4
Characterization - 5
Writing - 5
April 10, 2025
Library
November 11, 2025
another good addition to the series, particularly interesting for its handling of racial views and slavery of the England of the time ( late 1700's)
December 18, 2015
This is the seventh novel in the Sir John Fielding Series and Jeremy Proctor is now seventeen, continuing his apprenticeship and his studies in law with the blind magistrate.
A series of well- planned robberies have occurred in London. Some of the great houses on St James Street are robbed in broad daylight and stripped of their valuables including paintings and jewels. The robbers gain entrance to the homes by tricking the butlers to open the door and then crash through, round up the household help and quickly collect their booty. Innocent people are also murdered during the event. Witnesses report that the robbers are all black men, although they don’t talk like black men, more like Londoners.
Sir John and Jeremy begin their investigation, but while returning home Sir John is shot in the shoulder and seriously wounded. He delegates interviewing the witnesses to Jeremy, who is anxious to prove himself to his master. Jeremy is at that in between age in life, still a boy but not yet a man. As he seeks out those he must question, he is challenged by his youthful appearance. He must gain the respect of the Bow Street Runners, the witnesses, the victims and even the butlers as he attempts to enter the great mansions of the rich. They all put Jeremy to the test as they see him as simply a young lad and errand boy for Sir John. And in hoping to prove himself, Jeremy learns some important lessons about the arrogance of youth.
This historical novel continues to provide an accurate representation of 18th century London. It includes all the sights and smells, the petty class differences and an interesting discussion of the hypocritical stance on blacks and colonial slavery at the time. It also contains two cameo appearances by historical figures Samuel Johnson and David Garrick.
The characters of Jeremy, Anne the cook and Clarissa , Lady Fielding’s secretary continue to grow and develop in this ongoing series based on the real lives of Sir John Fielding and the Bow Street Runners.
A series of well- planned robberies have occurred in London. Some of the great houses on St James Street are robbed in broad daylight and stripped of their valuables including paintings and jewels. The robbers gain entrance to the homes by tricking the butlers to open the door and then crash through, round up the household help and quickly collect their booty. Innocent people are also murdered during the event. Witnesses report that the robbers are all black men, although they don’t talk like black men, more like Londoners.
Sir John and Jeremy begin their investigation, but while returning home Sir John is shot in the shoulder and seriously wounded. He delegates interviewing the witnesses to Jeremy, who is anxious to prove himself to his master. Jeremy is at that in between age in life, still a boy but not yet a man. As he seeks out those he must question, he is challenged by his youthful appearance. He must gain the respect of the Bow Street Runners, the witnesses, the victims and even the butlers as he attempts to enter the great mansions of the rich. They all put Jeremy to the test as they see him as simply a young lad and errand boy for Sir John. And in hoping to prove himself, Jeremy learns some important lessons about the arrogance of youth.
This historical novel continues to provide an accurate representation of 18th century London. It includes all the sights and smells, the petty class differences and an interesting discussion of the hypocritical stance on blacks and colonial slavery at the time. It also contains two cameo appearances by historical figures Samuel Johnson and David Garrick.
The characters of Jeremy, Anne the cook and Clarissa , Lady Fielding’s secretary continue to grow and develop in this ongoing series based on the real lives of Sir John Fielding and the Bow Street Runners.
November 13, 2009
Another good John Fielding mystery - although I didn't like it as much as the last couple. I generally find stories involving robberies less interesting, so oh well. In this installment, Sir John and Jeremy investigate a series of robberies occurring in the wealthiest part of London by a gang of African men. However, Sir John doubts that they are actually black, and believes that the African population of London is being framed. The author brings up a lot of interesting issues regarding the British view of slavery, which had been outlawed but was still practiced by many of its colonies. The mystery certainly made me want to keep reading, but I wasn't as stunned by the solution as I expected - but that is often the case with Bruce Alexander's mysteries: sometimes the solution is intentionally obvious, but the enjoyment is getting there. I also thought that Alexander's writing of the experiences of the characters outside of the main mystery was as strong as ever, and in many ways outshines the main plot.
August 28, 2022
A gang of men has been robbing wealthy homes, and one of its members has shot Sir John Fielding! Wounded, he grumbles and struggles against doctor's orders, while young Jeremy Proctor attempts to dig into the case. Personality conflicts arise, and deceptive servants of households shift about in the background. Mercifully the Clarissa character has been diminished somewhat.
This book also examines the strange state of England at the time wherein slavery has been outlawed since the 14th century, but still exists in its colonies and is recognized when slaves come to England. Meanwhile, the gang's appearance as being black men rises racial animosity in the streets.
Well written and characterized as always, this mystery is a bit more condensed and less confusing than most. Its more a matter of collecting evidence for court rather than digging up facts, but in the end Sir John must take drastic measures to stop the theives.
This book also examines the strange state of England at the time wherein slavery has been outlawed since the 14th century, but still exists in its colonies and is recognized when slaves come to England. Meanwhile, the gang's appearance as being black men rises racial animosity in the streets.
Well written and characterized as always, this mystery is a bit more condensed and less confusing than most. Its more a matter of collecting evidence for court rather than digging up facts, but in the end Sir John must take drastic measures to stop the theives.
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December 31, 2010The Color of Death, by Bruce Alexander, B-plus, borrowed from National Library Service for the Blind.
This is part of the blind Justice Sir John Fielding series, set in the 1700’s. In this one, the justice is shot, and therefore his main assistant, Jeremy, has to do the investigating of the murders, which begin as robberies. The burglars appear to be a bunch of African men, at least Black men. Sir John believes that is curious, though, as there are not many free Africans in England at that time. And, in this case, the burglars appear to speak the King’s English perfectly well without accent. So Sir John wonders if in fact the burglars are White putting on black face, as it were. This is a very good book as usual.
This is part of the blind Justice Sir John Fielding series, set in the 1700’s. In this one, the justice is shot, and therefore his main assistant, Jeremy, has to do the investigating of the murders, which begin as robberies. The burglars appear to be a bunch of African men, at least Black men. Sir John believes that is curious, though, as there are not many free Africans in England at that time. And, in this case, the burglars appear to speak the King’s English perfectly well without accent. So Sir John wonders if in fact the burglars are White putting on black face, as it were. This is a very good book as usual.
May 4, 2008
I like crime mysteries set in 18th-century London.
Main characters:
Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate of Bow Street
and
Jeremy Proctor, his protégé
Well developed characters, a well done depiction of of the culture and thought of the period.
I remembered the book when I found it during my search through my book chests.
Some books have been edited in German. Now I take a fancy to add all the missing volumes to my to-buy to-read list.
Since 2003 my English has improved and I think I'm able to read the missing one's in English.
Main characters:
Sir John Fielding, the blind magistrate of Bow Street
and
Jeremy Proctor, his protégé
Well developed characters, a well done depiction of of the culture and thought of the period.
I remembered the book when I found it during my search through my book chests.
Some books have been edited in German. Now I take a fancy to add all the missing volumes to my to-buy to-read list.
Since 2003 my English has improved and I think I'm able to read the missing one's in English.
July 5, 2014
It's been a while since I've read Sir John Fielding book. I'm glad I picked this series back up. The plot was very good and I enjoyed the writing. I like watching Jeremy Proctor progress into a young man and learned skills from Sir John. As always, this book also addresses social issues of the day and include settle parallels to today's societal issues. I won't say anything about the plot as it was very complicated and at times I was quite confused as to what was going on, but it all worked out in the end and I enjoyed how things turned out.
September 8, 2007
COLOR OF DEATH – VG
Bruce Alexander – 7th in series
After Sir John Fielding is wounded, Jeremy Procter must take the lead in investigating a spree of robberies and murder of noble families in their own parlors. Their one particular clue is that the robbers are all black men – or are they?
Beside the usual excellent writing and 1800’s police procedural, this book looks at the subject of race in Victorian times. This is a consistently good series.
Bruce Alexander – 7th in series
After Sir John Fielding is wounded, Jeremy Procter must take the lead in investigating a spree of robberies and murder of noble families in their own parlors. Their one particular clue is that the robbers are all black men – or are they?
Beside the usual excellent writing and 1800’s police procedural, this book looks at the subject of race in Victorian times. This is a consistently good series.
June 29, 2009
another good entry in the series. sir john is injured early in the story and jeremy takes a more active role in the investigation, initially. annie's story progresses and i anticipate a new character or two in the next book. there is a hint at a possible romance between clarissa and jeremy - he's now 17 and noticing his grown up feelings. it'll be interesting to see how that plays out. looking forward to number 8.
November 15, 2020
I've enjoyed this entire series enough to read all 13 books twice! I love the time period, and I like the insertion of historical persons, besides Sir John Fielding, but Ben Franklin, and Samuel Johnson and James Boswell.
If you like a break from the modern murder mysteries replete with graphic violence, sex, and foul language, these Bruce Alexander short novels are a treat, along with the 21 books in the Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters, along with Ann Perry.
If you like a break from the modern murder mysteries replete with graphic violence, sex, and foul language, these Bruce Alexander short novels are a treat, along with the 21 books in the Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters, along with Ann Perry.
April 30, 2013
I was a little disappointed with this book when compared to the other Sir John Fielding mysteries. I felt as though the new characters were not quite as well defined as normal and that some of the returning characters were acting out of character. I also feel as though Jeremy is not maturing as much as he maybe should be.
Overall, though, it was a sound storyline, with enough humor to keep it fun, and a decent mystery to keep me guessing.
Overall, though, it was a sound storyline, with enough humor to keep it fun, and a decent mystery to keep me guessing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews