Jack, Knave and Fool

Sir John Fielding #5

by Bruce Alexander

In this fifth Sir John Fielding mystery, the legendary eighteenth-century London judge takes on his most difficult case to date. John Fielding was famous not only as cofounder of London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners, but also as a magistrate of keen intellect, fairness and uncommon detective ability. What made this all the more remarkable was that he was blind. Now the blind magistrate and his young assistant and ward, Jeremy Proctor, face a baffling pair of deaths. A lord dies suddenly while attending a concert. A disembodied head washes up on the banks of the Thames. While investigating both, Sir John and Jeremy learn more than they ever cared to about family, greed, deception, and the peculiar nature of homicide, high and low.

"This is a wonderful series . . . In addition to giving us a marvelous parade of Georgian-era high and low characters in the London of Johnson and Boswell, it is packed with history and lore, and it's altogether much fun."--Washington Post Book World

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, British Literature, Crime

416 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 21, 1998

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

[Paul Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much mystery as historical police procedural

JACK, KNAVE AND FOOL, Bruce Alexander's fifth 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 police procedural set within a graphic description of 18th century Georgian England.

JACK, KNAVE AND FOOL 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, murderers and even a police sting operation designed to snag the fencing operations of a less than scrupulously honest pawn shop. In short, Bruce Alexander brings a very nervous gaslit Georgian London to life with an unrivalled clarity.

It's also quite exciting to witness the early growth of modern jurisprudence and police work through the fictionalized account of Sir John Fielding's experiences as the magistrate of Bow Street Court; the experiences of England's first police force, the "Bow Street Runners"; and the early political realities faced by a coroner as opposed to the forensic realities and limitations of 18th century medicine.

Two mysteries, both workmanlike and well-constructed, run side by side. The first arises when Lord Laningham dies in a very public and rather obnoxious manner at a concert. Although an inquest rules that his death is due to natural causes, Sir John Fielding persists in believing the death to be a murder by poison. When Lord Laningham's wife dies in a similar manner, Sir John directs his sights and suspicion to the heir to the Laningham seat in the House of Lords, Arthur Paltrow.

The second mystery (and, for my money, the more interesting of the two) revolves around the escape of a Bow Street court prisoner. Thomas Rowntree, temporarily in the custody of a rapidly maturing Jeremy Proctor (who with each book has been given more air time, more responsibility and more respect), effectively plays the harmless, friendly fool and slips out of Proctor's clutches. Tracking him down leads Sir John and Jeremy through murder, a major fencing operation and a police sting. Thomas Rowntree's daughter, Clarissa, a feisty and positively enchanting character, is set up for what will almost certainly be return appearances in future novels.

JACK, KNAVE AND FOOL, preceded by PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN, WATERY GRAVE, BLIND JUSTICE, and MURDER IN GRUB STREET is the fifth entry in Alexander's highly successful Sir John Fielding series. While it does stand alone as a satisfactory mystery, readers will derive the most enjoyment if they dig into the series from the start so they can revel in Alexander's wonderful multi-story character development as well as the mystery.

Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

Paul Weiss

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10.

[Ivor Armistead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps 4 stars is a bit generous, but I am enjoying this series and there must perforce be some variations in quality. The series is, in addition to showcasing the forensic talents of Sir John Fielding, is a coming of age story of his protège, Jeremy Proctor. Jeremy’s progress is, perhaps, the best element of “Jack, Knave and Fool.”

[Chris Zable · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? THese books continue to be awesome. I was relieved that this was not as gory as the previous volume -- which isn't to say that there's no gore; the previous volume had a man selling off parts of his murdered wife's corpse so there's still plenty of room for something to have *some* gore but still be less gory.

Anyhow, the two mystery subplots run well in parallel and have interesting similarities and contrasts -- one is in high life, and the other much more of the streets, but the motives are similar at base.

I enjoy watching Jeremy grow up and grow into himself and the gentle slowly evolving story of Sir John's household.

I recommend the series if you like mysteries and history. Start at the first volume because the flow of Jeremy's liffe, and the household's, is worth following.

[Stacie Haden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Bruce Alexander was such a talented writer. I'm so drawn in to all of his characters. Sir John Fielding was a real (actually blind) judge in 18th century, England. His brother, Henry Fielding, wrote "Tom Jones", which I'll read soon. I love how his words feel like a book from that time, but without the confusion and archaic language that often comes with a book actually written in the late 1700's. I'm sure he would have won the Bruce Alexander award, named in his honor I'll be sad to come to the end of this series; only six more. He is unparalleled.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the longest and most complex of this series that I've read to date. The history and historical descriptions are very interesting and I'm enjoying the series immensely.

[Karen Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful series

[☕Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid book in the series

Ratings:

Writing 4
Story line 4
Characters 4
Emotional impact 3

Overall rating 3.75

[John Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although some of the books in this series have had to be purchased from across the Atlantic they are well worth it. This is the fifth in the set and 'The Blind Beak' is as on the ball as ever and 'young' Jeremy has started on his tentative steps towards a career in the law.

This story isnt so much a who-dun-it but a how-did-they-do-it.

On a recent visit to London we decided to hunt out the main area of activity of these books. We had a look around Covent Garden and then went to seek out the magistrates court at 4 Bow Street. We were very disappointed at the state that the building had been allowed to deteriorate but we could still imagine the comings and goings from the building. There is a pub next door called The Blind Beak.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

JACK, KNAVE and FOOL – G+
Bruce Alexander – 5th in series
Sir John Fielding and his young assistant, Jeremy Proctor, face a baffling pair of deaths. A lord dies suddenly while attending a concert. A disembodied head washes up on the banks of the Thames. While investigating both, Sir John and Jeremy will learn a great deal more than they ever cared to about family, greed, deception. and the peculiar nature of homicide, high and low.

Filled with the authentic sights and sounds of the era and well developed characters, this is another wonderful addition to this series.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters keep getting deeper and more interesting, as does the historical detail. Some historical novelists want to impress their readers with their research, with lots of extraneous details clogging up the narrative. Alexander, though, has just the right touch, with enough to help readers understand the state of knowledge and social rules that influence the characters and plot.

If only they had the scientific tools we have today, it'd be a whole lot easier to determine cause of death. However, they were keen observers and good questioners.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarissa Roundtree is a plucky eleven year old, smart, well~read and full of gumption. She is also the daughter of a gifted carpenter with a propensity for spirits and who had the bad luck of aligning himself with greedy murderers. She is Jeremy's teasing Nemesis in this story with a hint of something more... maybe when they get older. Then there was also a head missing a body that was found underneath the noxious waters of the Fleet sewers reclaimed by the Lord Chief Justice and exhibited for public viewing for reasons of identification. To this spectacle Jimmie Bunkins, reformed boy~thief and friend of Jeremy, took his reluctant friend. Then, as yet again, the death (on stage) of the old eccentric Earl of Laningham, patron of the arts, during a Handel performance (where Annie, the Fielding's cook, was an unwilling soprano) where the Fielding household members formed part of the audience including Mr. Donnelly. As to how all these characters and events converge would be the subject of this thrilling mystery.

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book by this author involving his main character Lord John Fielding, who is an eighteenth-century London blind judge, who has a great technique of deducting correctly who is the guilty party in crimes presented before him.
This book told through the eyes of Jeremy Proctor, his young assistant, and ward, who are facing a baffling group of deaths that have occurred within the same time period. One involves a double death ( a week apart) of the current Earl of Laningham and his wife. The other involves solving whose head was found on the banks of the River Thames.
Lord John may be blind, but all his other senses are working on high alert, plus he thinks deeply about the questions and answers he receives. All who try to lie their way out of his courtroom deserve the justice they finally receive. Even though this is set in an eighteenth-century setting, I found the deduction process quite enlightening.

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The continuing story of young Jeremy Proctor and his growth from street urchin toward man of the law is what interests me in this book. His relationships with Sir John and Lady Fielding, cook Annie Oakum, and a new character nicknamed "Miss Pooh" are all intriguing, as is his old buddy Bunkins and the Afro-British tutor Burnham.

Of the two unrelated mysteries in this book, one was notable only for the reappearance of an old nemesis of Jeremy's, and the other features a "secret" that mystery readers have been familiar with at least since Strong Poison. Neither would have sustained the book without the characters and the setting.

[Jessica Padgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started off a little slow but picked up nicely once they got through some of the review and place setting. The story is still the written account of Jeremy Proctor. I am curious how "he" determined what was acceptable to repeat and what wasn't. Things he claimed we would remember from previous stories I did not and things I did remember, he repeated. I guess it had been too long since I read the last book. I thought both cases were interesting and it seemed realistic how they turned out. I look forward to seeing how the characters develop in the next book. I would recommend this book as well as the other Sir John Fielding Mysteries.

[Denise Kettering · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is very enjoyable and this series again introduced some new characters to add to the regulars and brought a series of interlocking cases. While these are not specifically mysteries, you see the cases and clues emerging alongside the characters and see how they would go about building a case. In this case, there is the death of the Lord and an unidentified body that Jeremy Proctor and Sir John Fielding attempt to figure out the details of the cases. Overall, an enjoyable entry in this series.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it. I appreciated being a part of the detecting as opposed to evidence suddenly showing up. Being told in the first person made an interesting twist. I know the author has passed on but I think I would like to read others in the series. I had read Blind Justice which was the first one but that was quite a while back.

[Sandy Shin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the fourth mystery we learn about the problems of determining poison in the dawn of a professional police force and the very real problems of living in a multi-class society especially when an Jamaican of mixed racial blood is added to the mix.
I am still charmed by the people and their lives and engaged in the mysteries presented.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Sir John Fielding mystery deals with arsenic poisoning and introduces Clarissa to the household. The historical background is detailed and believable--except the description of rats vomiting as a test for poison. Rats cannot vomit and the description of such an act rather soiled the rest of the book for me. The publisher's fact checker should have done a better job.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series (that would be book #1) nor my least favorite. It took a while to grab my interest, but I liked the last 100 pages or so.

[JBresson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As wonderful as all of his other books. I would read the phone book if this man wrote it. A treat.

[Cathy Coplon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly an interesting read. Was able to look up the judge in the New gate calendar.

[Retroredux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be sorry to see this series end.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 - Not to my liking

[Carolyn Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bow Street Runners always make for a solid read.

[Cal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect atmosphere.

Setting - 5
Plot - 4
Characterization - 5
Writing = 5

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library

[Mel]

I love this series and this book did not disappoint. As always, great local color of London on the 1700s in all its highs and lows. A keeper!

[Paula Dembeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book five in the ongoing Sir John Fielding mystery series that takes place in London in the early 1770s.
Annie Oakum and Jeremy are now about sixteen years old and continue to live with Sir John and Lady Fielding, considered almost members of the family. But they each have their own roles and responsibilities. Annie as cook continues to turn out delicious meals but she is also anxious to learn to read. Jeremy continues in his role as “Man Friday” to Sir John, filling in as scribe, reader, runner of every sort of errand and whenever needed, a pair of eyes for the blind magistrate. He also helps out Lady Fielding as porter and general house cleaner. At the same time, he has begun his education in the law, working his way through the four large volumes of “Institutes of the Law of England”. Sir John has asked him to read these books carefully, first to acquaint himself with the text and then once more to prepare a list of questions and topics for discussion. Jeremy is excited to do this, as it means Sir John feels he is ready to begin to work towards fulfilling his dream of working in the justice system.
Mr. Gabriel Donnelly, formerly a ship’s surgeon, now appointed as medical advisor to the coroner, reappears and has taken over Dr. Amos Carter’s surgery. He seems to be doing well, moving up in polite society and continuing his visits to Magdalene House for Lady Fielding. The ladies in London seem to like him, so with a healthy roster of patients, he has no longer has worries about being able to make a living.
As we rejoin the series, Sir John and Lady Fielding are taking Annie and Jeremy to a concert at the Crown and Anchor which will feature the music of Handel. During the evening, Christopher Paltrow the Earl of Laningham, collapses on the floor vomiting after drinking several glasses of wine. He was seventy-five years old and was known to have a bad heart. Did he have an attack of apoplexy or was he poisoned?
Meanwhile the Bow Street Runners are working with reduced numbers after Constable Crowley is stabbed in the thigh while apprehending a thief. With Crowley off recovering, Jeremy is enlisted by Sir John to help out by accompany a docile prisoner to the Chief Justice. During the trip, the prisoner tricks Jeremy and escapes custody, much to Jeremy's embarrassment.
Jimmie Bunkins, continues his friendship with Jeremy, remains Mr. Bilbo’s ward and seems to be thriving under his tutelage. Jimmie convinces Jeremy to venture out to see a severed head that had been recovered from a sewer. It is being displayed to the public for a fee, but at the same time with the hopes of identifying the man who they so far have been unable to name. Jimmy thinks he may know who the victim is, but is not quite certain and goes on a hunt to see if he can verify his impressions.
As the tale progresses, more bodies fall, a stolen vase, a beautiful white stallion and the appointment of a new coroner all add to the complex puzzle.
It is clear that Sir John has grown both in his affection and confidence in young Jeremy. It is pleasing to see this young boy taking on new and greater responsibilities by accompanying a prisoner, questioning a witness, taking charge of another constable during an errand, helping Sir John prepare a case for the Chief Justice and giving his first testimony in a criminal case at Old Bailey. Jeremy’s character has matured as well and we can see him gradually growing into manhood with his keen sense of observation, his more confident manner and his evolving sense of ethics. As time passes and his loyalty to Sir John deepens, he realizes even more how lucky he has been in life as he gains a greater understanding of the complexities of the law and what is right and wrong.
The series continues to authentically reflect the life, sights and sounds of the times and provides a nice diversion for those who like mysteries but in a different context than the modern violent cities of today. Alexander continues to tell his stories in a meandering prose style, complete with vivid descriptions of the architecture, food and leisure activities of the people, so those used to a fast paced thriller must necessarily slow down to enjoy this series.