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The Casebook of Inspector Blackstone: Part One
'Vivid characters, a dazzling plot, authentic period details, and plenty of surprising twists make this latest effort by Sally Spencer an outstanding choice for historical mystery fans' – Booklist
The body of a young man fished out of the Thames is of little interest to Londoners caught up in the excitement of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Yet to Inspector Sam Blackstone, the case is as puzzling as any he has ever come across.
As his investigation proceeds, Blackstone finds himself entering the world of the aristocracy and tramping the dangerous streets of London's Little Russia, where English law and order are not welcome. So begins the illustrious career of the talented inspector, who earns the equal ire and respect of his superiors for his controversial tactics.
Absorbing in their detailed depictions of the period, gripping in their ingenious plots, this trilogy of historical whodunnits is the perfect box set for any mystery-lover.
'Spencer's finest a tightly plotted puzzler with surprises at every turn' – Kirkus Reviews
'Spencer is an accomplished craftsman who serves up a good puzzle and deftly solves it with intelligence and insight' – Publishers Weekly
Sally Spencer worked as a teacher both in England and Iran - where she witnessed the fall of the Shah. She now writes full time.
The body of a young man fished out of the Thames is of little interest to Londoners caught up in the excitement of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Yet to Inspector Sam Blackstone, the case is as puzzling as any he has ever come across.
As his investigation proceeds, Blackstone finds himself entering the world of the aristocracy and tramping the dangerous streets of London's Little Russia, where English law and order are not welcome. So begins the illustrious career of the talented inspector, who earns the equal ire and respect of his superiors for his controversial tactics.
Absorbing in their detailed depictions of the period, gripping in their ingenious plots, this trilogy of historical whodunnits is the perfect box set for any mystery-lover.
'Spencer's finest a tightly plotted puzzler with surprises at every turn' – Kirkus Reviews
'Spencer is an accomplished craftsman who serves up a good puzzle and deftly solves it with intelligence and insight' – Publishers Weekly
Sally Spencer worked as a teacher both in England and Iran - where she witnessed the fall of the Shah. She now writes full time.
- GenresMystery
613 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2017
About the author
Sally Spencer
98 books154 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 17, 2020
Fantastic books!
Wow! What amazing stories all of Sam Blackstones books are! I thought the last book with all the kidnappings were very deep and emotionally charged. Especially learning what I did at the end. I was side swiped in that book at who was part of things and the kids being. I know that the wealthy sacrafice many things throwing their children in these books taking place in Britain. Sending their children away to school at such young ages, saying "now stiff upper lip" bull! I do not believe in any of that. I think tearing the child away from their mother at such young ages really scars them emotionally. They have to deal with so much anyway, then the bullies are that much worse because there's no one they have to turn to. Now I'm off the subject of this book totally! Except, and this is a big spoiler alert!!!, the Maharaja, after the kidnapping of his son, & being so heart sick from it, had to leave him there so his son could go to this rediculous school called Eton!. Why could the British big wigs allow him to have time with his son before starting this school??!! I know & I don't understand nor agree with this sort of British type of education. He was only six. He only had his father. He still needed him. So to go back to this very deep book, I was once again caught off guard by the bad guy! Actually more than one bad guy, or send bad guy that pops up more oftentimes then not! Except his help comes at perfect times. This will be a heartbreaking ending probably also the way it's something being! I quit before I got to the final ending & to t angry. Sam deserves some happiness & it's been taken away to many times. I don't think he's in love with Agnes but he cares reply for her! He's just to darn smart for these guys and figures out their little picadillos they try out! Just stupid quirks that they think makes them so much smarter than Sam! Plus I spelt it wrong sorry. Don't even get me started on that Sir Commissioner! What a stuck up brown nose snob! Along with the Count! Most all aristocrats are not worth a dime! Accept, was he a Major? That took Sam riding & they were attacked? I really liked him! These are great books, stories I'm sure you'll love them as I have & not be so easy to put down the system of the way the British have children then send them off as soon as they're potty trained! Just kidding they wait a week! Enjoy the next one, because I'm getting ready to! I hope Agnes is going to be okay! Damn Sam & Vlad!
Wow! What amazing stories all of Sam Blackstones books are! I thought the last book with all the kidnappings were very deep and emotionally charged. Especially learning what I did at the end. I was side swiped in that book at who was part of things and the kids being. I know that the wealthy sacrafice many things throwing their children in these books taking place in Britain. Sending their children away to school at such young ages, saying "now stiff upper lip" bull! I do not believe in any of that. I think tearing the child away from their mother at such young ages really scars them emotionally. They have to deal with so much anyway, then the bullies are that much worse because there's no one they have to turn to. Now I'm off the subject of this book totally! Except, and this is a big spoiler alert!!!, the Maharaja, after the kidnapping of his son, & being so heart sick from it, had to leave him there so his son could go to this rediculous school called Eton!. Why could the British big wigs allow him to have time with his son before starting this school??!! I know & I don't understand nor agree with this sort of British type of education. He was only six. He only had his father. He still needed him. So to go back to this very deep book, I was once again caught off guard by the bad guy! Actually more than one bad guy, or send bad guy that pops up more oftentimes then not! Except his help comes at perfect times. This will be a heartbreaking ending probably also the way it's something being! I quit before I got to the final ending & to t angry. Sam deserves some happiness & it's been taken away to many times. I don't think he's in love with Agnes but he cares reply for her! He's just to darn smart for these guys and figures out their little picadillos they try out! Just stupid quirks that they think makes them so much smarter than Sam! Plus I spelt it wrong sorry. Don't even get me started on that Sir Commissioner! What a stuck up brown nose snob! Along with the Count! Most all aristocrats are not worth a dime! Accept, was he a Major? That took Sam riding & they were attacked? I really liked him! These are great books, stories I'm sure you'll love them as I have & not be so easy to put down the system of the way the British have children then send them off as soon as they're potty trained! Just kidding they wait a week! Enjoy the next one, because I'm getting ready to! I hope Agnes is going to be okay! Damn Sam & Vlad!
April 18, 2018
I was happy to be able to read all three of the first novels in this series in a short period of time. I found the characters to be well developed and intriguing. My only disagreement with Ms. Spencer would be the use of Hannah in the first book and Agnes in the third. They seem to be placed in the books to supply a romantic element in the life of Inspector Blackstone. Once used this way they are eliminated by death (Hannah) or by fading into the sunset (Agnes). I found this unsatisfying much the same way I find the "Bond Girls" unsatisfying. This usage make both Bond and Blackstone into emotionally challenged men who only use women for their own ends and then discard them. Other than that I enjoyed the adventures and will be reading more of the Blackstone series in the future.
May 6, 2020
A great set of stories
The author has produced a number of cases in this book that held my attention and imagination for the duration. I found it difficult to put down.
Recommend its reading to everyone.
The author has produced a number of cases in this book that held my attention and imagination for the duration. I found it difficult to put down.
Recommend its reading to everyone.
October 17, 2020
Refreshing
Three interesting, and in these times, refreshing stories notable for their incorporation of and admiration for character and values. Best of all they are cohesive and intriguing mysteries.
Three interesting, and in these times, refreshing stories notable for their incorporation of and admiration for character and values. Best of all they are cohesive and intriguing mysteries.
November 23, 2020
I guess I'm an outlier here, but I didn't enjoy the series. In fact, I didn't read the third story included. Both books ended abruptly, and even though I know that at the time, the word was used, the reference to n****r was disconcerting.
February 12, 2022
Love the mixture of who done it and period Drama!
Loved every aspect of this book the history was actually educational and the story was well-written and though far fetched became feasible in the authors hands. Top class enjoyed
Loved every aspect of this book the history was actually educational and the story was well-written and though far fetched became feasible in the authors hands. Top class enjoyed
October 15, 2020
Three novels in one book feature Inspector Blackstone of Scotland Yard, a deep thinking, analytical detective who always gets his man. An easy read but a long book!
November 8, 2020
Enjoyed
Poor Sam. Will he ever stop being used? Interesting view of Russian life and class distinctions at the time. Good characters
Poor Sam. Will he ever stop being used? Interesting view of Russian life and class distinctions at the time. Good characters
January 22, 2021
Very Entertaining
I loved that it had three stories in this set. The main character,Inspector Blackstone, is a delight. I will be reading more of this series.
I loved that it had three stories in this set. The main character,Inspector Blackstone, is a delight. I will be reading more of this series.
February 26, 2021
If it was possible to give a lesser rating, I would have given it. Totally racist, jingoistic with no sense of history - inauguration word - lousy.
January 13, 2023
3 nice books to read. I am looking forward to the others.
January 1, 2024
Excellent series. I love the character Blackstone. The author gives the reader a good feeling for what life might have been like during the reign of Queen Victoria.
November 24, 2020
Fun book
This book was a surprise to me. It contained three novelettes which were intriguing! I thought they would be three so so cozies’ that the culprit could be disseminated pretty easily, but was wrong! The second book was the weakest of the three, but still good . I definitely recommend.
This book was a surprise to me. It contained three novelettes which were intriguing! I thought they would be three so so cozies’ that the culprit could be disseminated pretty easily, but was wrong! The second book was the weakest of the three, but still good . I definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews