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Inspector Sam Blackstone #4
Blackstone and the Fire Bug
Rivalling Anne Perry, the fourth in the Victorian series by the author of the much-loved Sally Spencer DCI Woodend books If the Fire Bug's true purpose is to make the government hand over one hundred thousand pounds, why does he seem so reluctant to apply the necessary pressure? Why does he content himself with burning down a single warehouse, when he could set an entire riverside wharf ablaze? And why firebomb a single sloop, when it would have been just as easy to destroy the whole fleet? In order to answer these questions, Inspector Sam Blackstone aided by Dr Ellie Carr, a passionate disciple of the new science of criminal pathology must follow a trail of death and destruction which will lead to the very centre of government itself. And, not for the first time, Blackstone soon realizes that in solving this case, he may well be destroying his own career.
218 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2005
127 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Sally Spencer
80 books152 followersA pseudonym used by Alan Rustage.
Sally Spencer is a pen name, first adopted when the author (actually called Alan Rustage) was writing sagas and it was almost obligatory that a woman's name appeared on the cover (other authors like Emma Blair and Mary Jane Staples are also men).
Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a teacher. In 1978-79 he was working in Iran and witnessed the fall of the Shah (see the Blog for what it was like to live through a revolution). He got used to having rifles - and, one occasion, a rocket launcher - pointed at him by both soldiers and revolutionaries, but he was never entirely comfortable with it.
He lived in Madrid for over twenty years, and still considers it the most interesting and exciting city he has ever visited, but for the last few years he has opted for a quieter life in the seaside town of Calpe, on the Costa Blanca.
His first series of books were historical sagas set in Cheshire (where he grew up) and London. They were very popular with his English readers, but his American readers find the dialect something of a strain.
He has written twenty books featuring DCI Woodend (a character based partly on a furniture dealer he used to play dominoes with) and ten (so far!) about Woodend's protegé Monika Paniatowski.
His DI Sam Blackstone books are set in Victorian/Edwardian London, New York and Russia, and the Inspector Paco Ruiz books have as their backdrop the Spanish Civil War.
Alan is a competitive games player who likes bridge and pub quizzes. It is only by enforcing iron discipline that he doesn't play video games all the time.
He now lives on Spain's Costa Blanca.
Sally Spencer is a pen name, first adopted when the author (actually called Alan Rustage) was writing sagas and it was almost obligatory that a woman's name appeared on the cover (other authors like Emma Blair and Mary Jane Staples are also men).
Before becoming a full-time writer, he was a teacher. In 1978-79 he was working in Iran and witnessed the fall of the Shah (see the Blog for what it was like to live through a revolution). He got used to having rifles - and, one occasion, a rocket launcher - pointed at him by both soldiers and revolutionaries, but he was never entirely comfortable with it.
He lived in Madrid for over twenty years, and still considers it the most interesting and exciting city he has ever visited, but for the last few years he has opted for a quieter life in the seaside town of Calpe, on the Costa Blanca.
His first series of books were historical sagas set in Cheshire (where he grew up) and London. They were very popular with his English readers, but his American readers find the dialect something of a strain.
He has written twenty books featuring DCI Woodend (a character based partly on a furniture dealer he used to play dominoes with) and ten (so far!) about Woodend's protegé Monika Paniatowski.
His DI Sam Blackstone books are set in Victorian/Edwardian London, New York and Russia, and the Inspector Paco Ruiz books have as their backdrop the Spanish Civil War.
Alan is a competitive games player who likes bridge and pub quizzes. It is only by enforcing iron discipline that he doesn't play video games all the time.
He now lives on Spain's Costa Blanca.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 11, 2017
BE CAREFUL!! Spencer's "Blackstone and the Burning Secret" is ALSO published under the title "Blackstone and the Fire Bug," but by Rustage. Sally Spencer is a pen name for Alan Rustage, and yet, the same two novels are published under 'different titles' for each. (Which makes no sense to me, and I found it quite confusing.) Regardless, this is a good series choice for the fan of Victorian historical mysteries.
A great thing about BookBub free books for my Kindle/e-reader is you can find a new books, authors and characters whom you really enjoy. Such is the case with Spencer's (Rustage's) Sam Blackstone, a Scotland Yard detective in a series set in Victorian England at the turn of the 20th century. This book is the 4th in the Blackstone series, and I have enjoyed them all so far! In "Blackstone and the Burning Secret," there is a fire bug loose in London. At each scene, there is a letter addressed to Inspector Blackstone which spurs on the mystery. The fire bug is blackmailing the government as fire after fire is set.
The characters are well developed, especially Blackstone. Spencer also develops strong local color of Victorian era, especially the strong line between the upper class and everyone else. "Woman vs Society is also broached in this book. Spencer adds a young woman doctor, Dr. Ellie Carr, who is a passionate disciple of the new science of criminal pathology. (A woman doctor, what will they have next!) The story's plot is well crafted; Blackstone finds himself investigating the world of the aristocracy—in which the presence of an ordinary policeman is far from welcome. The plot provides us with a page turner that is not too predictable. I did not figure out the twist in the plot until is was almost revealed. If you like these period mysteries, then I do recommend this book and this series to you. Remember to look for Sally Spencer as well as Alan Rustage; I have already gotten the fifth in the series: "Blackstone and the Stage of Death."
A great thing about BookBub free books for my Kindle/e-reader is you can find a new books, authors and characters whom you really enjoy. Such is the case with Spencer's (Rustage's) Sam Blackstone, a Scotland Yard detective in a series set in Victorian England at the turn of the 20th century. This book is the 4th in the Blackstone series, and I have enjoyed them all so far! In "Blackstone and the Burning Secret," there is a fire bug loose in London. At each scene, there is a letter addressed to Inspector Blackstone which spurs on the mystery. The fire bug is blackmailing the government as fire after fire is set.
The characters are well developed, especially Blackstone. Spencer also develops strong local color of Victorian era, especially the strong line between the upper class and everyone else. "Woman vs Society is also broached in this book. Spencer adds a young woman doctor, Dr. Ellie Carr, who is a passionate disciple of the new science of criminal pathology. (A woman doctor, what will they have next!) The story's plot is well crafted; Blackstone finds himself investigating the world of the aristocracy—in which the presence of an ordinary policeman is far from welcome. The plot provides us with a page turner that is not too predictable. I did not figure out the twist in the plot until is was almost revealed. If you like these period mysteries, then I do recommend this book and this series to you. Remember to look for Sally Spencer as well as Alan Rustage; I have already gotten the fifth in the series: "Blackstone and the Stage of Death."
March 27, 2019
May 1900 and a fire in Tooley Street is soon put out by the fire service. Bt a letter is discovered on the fire engine, addressed to Inspector Blackstone demanding money or else the next one will be worse. But by following the discovered clues leads Blackstone to an unwelcome conclusion.
An enjoyable complicated well-written mystery
An enjoyable complicated well-written mystery
May 1, 2024
I have read several of the books in this series and this is my favorite by far. No red herrings. I love a detective novel where you really have to be a good detective yourself and this book fulfilled that need. Highly recomment
May 31, 2018
I like the Blackstone books, he and Sergeant Patterson make a good team.
A building on the Thames waterfront is set alight and a note is left for Inspector Blackstone, by the arsonist, saying if the Government don’t pay a ransom more trouble will ensue.
Blackstone finds his case baffling, leading him to government ministers, trouble with his superior, who can’t wait to be rid of him, and a feeling he is being led by the nose.
Though I enjoyed the story there were a few things that bothered me. Why did Blackstone not query why notes were left specifically for him? Why did his sergeant have to wake him up to several really odd things about the case? Why did he keep putting himself in the firing line with his boss when he had so little real proof?
Also the new lady doctor/pathologist, I found a bit creepy. She kept switching between an educated vocabulary and her native Cockney and I found that grating like she was two distinct personalities. (I saw a creepy film about that once.)
Still, apart from creepy doctor lady, I mostly took to the characters and would read another.
A building on the Thames waterfront is set alight and a note is left for Inspector Blackstone, by the arsonist, saying if the Government don’t pay a ransom more trouble will ensue.
Blackstone finds his case baffling, leading him to government ministers, trouble with his superior, who can’t wait to be rid of him, and a feeling he is being led by the nose.
Though I enjoyed the story there were a few things that bothered me. Why did Blackstone not query why notes were left specifically for him? Why did his sergeant have to wake him up to several really odd things about the case? Why did he keep putting himself in the firing line with his boss when he had so little real proof?
Also the new lady doctor/pathologist, I found a bit creepy. She kept switching between an educated vocabulary and her native Cockney and I found that grating like she was two distinct personalities. (I saw a creepy film about that once.)
Still, apart from creepy doctor lady, I mostly took to the characters and would read another.
July 20, 2019
***SPOILERS*** This is another Good one from this author. Blackstone and the Met must be thoroughly convinced that they are on the right track as far as the pyromaniac (writing his warning and blackmail letters addressed to the Inspector) is concerned. Because all the clues left at the fire scenes aside from the letters to Blackstone point to the guilt of one man, Lord Landsdowne, the Minister of War, whose focus was on the Boer War in South Africa and annexing the Dutch gold for the English Empire. What happens if Lord Landsdowne resigns or is removed from office? Who will profit or benefit from his absence from government? I do not think English pride would take the answers to these questions dismissively. That an upstart scion of a disgraced family of carpetbaggers across the Atlantic from a former colony could manage to outwit Blackstone and affect the removal of the Minister of War so that the carpetbagger can become a Railway King in South Africa...
October 22, 2020
For Fans of Anne Perry or Elizabeth Peters
Although not the first of the series, this Inspector Blackstone historical procedural is fine as a stand alone or introduction to the series. The telephone is a new invention and motorized cabs exist in London's streets, thus placing the time in the early twentieth century -- and the Boer War is ongoing. Since the war took place from 1899-1902, we can assume the time to be the turn of the century. There is the youngish Sergeant Patterson as right hand assistant. An angry, hostile-to-our-hero superior Assistant head of Scotland Yard, always looking for the opportunity to fire Inspector Blackstone. The plot offers a surface tale that is slow!y pushed aside when Blackstone's discoveries reveal the red herrings strewn about. A perfectly satisfying historical mystery with likeable characters. Perhaps a bit too pat, too reliant on the props of the genre, but a quick pleasant read.
Although not the first of the series, this Inspector Blackstone historical procedural is fine as a stand alone or introduction to the series. The telephone is a new invention and motorized cabs exist in London's streets, thus placing the time in the early twentieth century -- and the Boer War is ongoing. Since the war took place from 1899-1902, we can assume the time to be the turn of the century. There is the youngish Sergeant Patterson as right hand assistant. An angry, hostile-to-our-hero superior Assistant head of Scotland Yard, always looking for the opportunity to fire Inspector Blackstone. The plot offers a surface tale that is slow!y pushed aside when Blackstone's discoveries reveal the red herrings strewn about. A perfectly satisfying historical mystery with likeable characters. Perhaps a bit too pat, too reliant on the props of the genre, but a quick pleasant read.
April 18, 2018
Good read
Really interesting historical police procedural set at the turn of the 20th century. A time when police inspectors had to use the servants' entrance and were subordinate to stuffed shirts with no police experience at all. Blackstone and his sergeant Patterson are a good team with humour and ingenuity. Fascinating learning about workhouses too.
Really interesting historical police procedural set at the turn of the 20th century. A time when police inspectors had to use the servants' entrance and were subordinate to stuffed shirts with no police experience at all. Blackstone and his sergeant Patterson are a good team with humour and ingenuity. Fascinating learning about workhouses too.
May 20, 2025
If the Fire Bug's true purpose is to make the government hand over one hundred thousand pounds, why does he seem so reluctant to apply the necessary pressure? Why does he content himself with burning down a single warehouse, when he could set an entire riverside wharf ablaze? And why firebomb a single sloop, when it would have been just.
August 21, 2019
A detective with a difference
Not a bad read .. punctuated with a variety of stories within that complimented the eventual outcome. Held my interest all the way through ... will look forward to more in the Blackstone series.
Not a bad read .. punctuated with a variety of stories within that complimented the eventual outcome. Held my interest all the way through ... will look forward to more in the Blackstone series.
September 18, 2019
Wow lots of twists and turns. This isn't a book where the reader can try to figure out the solution. You read it to see how devious a mind the author has..
Now if only the snotty Assistant Commisioner would get himself murdered. He really is a piece of work.
Now if only the snotty Assistant Commisioner would get himself murdered. He really is a piece of work.
November 20, 2024
This is my favorite book in the series so far. I learned a little about The Boer War which like all wars of conquest was focused on greed. The antagonists were a surprise and the story kept me guessing.
March 22, 2018
Another cracking good book it just keeps on cracking all I can’t wait to get on with the next one
April 22, 2018
Historical crime novel, set in London featuring arson, murder and corruption.
November 22, 2023
Another book in a very good series.
December 11, 2023
Excellent series. Deep mystery, plot and characters
March 24, 2016
Series continues to be interesting, humorous and inventive.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews