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Sir John Fielding #4
Person or Persons Unknown
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 remarkable was that he was blind. Now with his young assistant and ward, Jeremy Proctor, Fielding faces a series of crimes that hit shockingly close to home. Prostitutes are being murdered around Covent Garden, and Fielding devises a daring and desperate plan to find the culprit. However, the consequences are unexpected--and more terrible than even Fielding could imagine.
"Historical fiction done this entertainingly is as close to time travel as we're likely to get." - Newsday
"Historical fiction done this entertainingly is as close to time travel as we're likely to get." - Newsday
325 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
373 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 72 reviews
January 15, 2023
Much more atmospheric than mysterious!
As if life for the working class in 1770 London wasn't difficult enough, Covent Garden becomes the haunting ground for an 18th century version of Jack the Ripper. A psychopathic killer is targeting the local street ladies and blind magistrate John Fielding knows the savagely brutal murders will continue until he apprehends the killer and brings him to English justice at the end of a rope on Tyburn gallows!
Despite being an easy-reading lightweight historical mystery set in Georgian England, PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN is most definitely not a cozy mystery in the style of Agatha Christie or Susan Wittig Albert. A graphic and gritty portrayal of the rough side of 18th century London, PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN 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, pickpockets, scamps, cut purses, thieves and even the callous exhibition of a public hanging at Tyburn. Nor does Mr Alexander hold back on a very graphic description of the savagery of the prostitute murders. In short, Bruce Alexander brings a very nervous gaslit Georgian London to life with an unrivalled clarity.
Atmosphere, growth of his starring characters (most notably Sir John Fielding's protégé, young Jeremy Proctor, and former street tough, Jimmy Bunkins) as well as sparkling realistic dialogue are more than enough to compensate for the novel's obvious weakness. As a mystery, the solution is somewhat pedestrian and the hunt for the murderer seems to depend much more on happenstance and good luck than inspired detection or dogged police work and perseverance. A one-star deduction for the weakness in the plot in what would otherwise have been a stellar novel.
PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN, preceded by WATERY GRAVE, BLIND JUSTICE and MURDER IN GRUB STREET is the fourth 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
As if life for the working class in 1770 London wasn't difficult enough, Covent Garden becomes the haunting ground for an 18th century version of Jack the Ripper. A psychopathic killer is targeting the local street ladies and blind magistrate John Fielding knows the savagely brutal murders will continue until he apprehends the killer and brings him to English justice at the end of a rope on Tyburn gallows!
Despite being an easy-reading lightweight historical mystery set in Georgian England, PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN is most definitely not a cozy mystery in the style of Agatha Christie or Susan Wittig Albert. A graphic and gritty portrayal of the rough side of 18th century London, PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN 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, pickpockets, scamps, cut purses, thieves and even the callous exhibition of a public hanging at Tyburn. Nor does Mr Alexander hold back on a very graphic description of the savagery of the prostitute murders. In short, Bruce Alexander brings a very nervous gaslit Georgian London to life with an unrivalled clarity.
Atmosphere, growth of his starring characters (most notably Sir John Fielding's protégé, young Jeremy Proctor, and former street tough, Jimmy Bunkins) as well as sparkling realistic dialogue are more than enough to compensate for the novel's obvious weakness. As a mystery, the solution is somewhat pedestrian and the hunt for the murderer seems to depend much more on happenstance and good luck than inspired detection or dogged police work and perseverance. A one-star deduction for the weakness in the plot in what would otherwise have been a stellar novel.
PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN, preceded by WATERY GRAVE, BLIND JUSTICE and MURDER IN GRUB STREET is the fourth 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
January 21, 2021
SINOPSIS
En el Londres del siglo XVIII, el legendario juez ciego John Fielding y su joven ayudante Jeremy Proctor se enfrentan a su caso más escalofriante: una serie de crímenes pavorosos cuyas víctimas son todas prostitutas desata el pánico en Covent Garden. Ciertas sospechas inquietantes sobre el asesino obligan a sir John a urdir un temerario plan de consecuencias imprevisibles.
OPINIÓN
Es un libro entretenido de leer, pero poco más. El grado de misterio es bajo y está narrado casi como si fuera una novela para jóvenes de 12-13 años, muy explicado y masticado todo para que nadie se pierda, y en un tono bastante paternalista.
En el Londres del siglo XVIII, el legendario juez ciego John Fielding y su joven ayudante Jeremy Proctor se enfrentan a su caso más escalofriante: una serie de crímenes pavorosos cuyas víctimas son todas prostitutas desata el pánico en Covent Garden. Ciertas sospechas inquietantes sobre el asesino obligan a sir John a urdir un temerario plan de consecuencias imprevisibles.
OPINIÓN
Es un libro entretenido de leer, pero poco más. El grado de misterio es bajo y está narrado casi como si fuera una novela para jóvenes de 12-13 años, muy explicado y masticado todo para que nadie se pierda, y en un tono bastante paternalista.
September 16, 2022
I continue to enjoy Jeremy's growing up and Sir John's unique combination of grumpiness, mercy, and justice. One of the murders in this one is *very* gruesome, so beware if that might be a problem for you.
January 3, 2015
I freely admit that I disliked (okay, hated!) the conclusion of the 3rd book in this series -- so much so that it was over a year before I could convince myself to give the fourth book a chance.
I'm happy to say that I appreciated this book a great deal more. A very good thriller, and I continue to really like most of the characters in this series (and for all that I appreciate a good mystery, I find that for most books it's the characters that keep me hooked). I like youthful Jeremy, and I really enjoy his growing friendship with one of the Bow Street Runners. Fielding is more distant in this book, but still has the sharpness and fairness that makes him a compelling magistrate (and now, on a temporary basis, coroner).
I'll admit that it was more than a bit jarring to read a book which essentially extracted Jack the Ripper (and more than a few details of his crimes) from the pages of Victorian history and inserted it into the fictional 1770s, but other than a few minutes of feeling, "wait, really?" it didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the story.
All in all, a fun read -- so it won't be another year till I read the next book.
I'm happy to say that I appreciated this book a great deal more. A very good thriller, and I continue to really like most of the characters in this series (and for all that I appreciate a good mystery, I find that for most books it's the characters that keep me hooked). I like youthful Jeremy, and I really enjoy his growing friendship with one of the Bow Street Runners. Fielding is more distant in this book, but still has the sharpness and fairness that makes him a compelling magistrate (and now, on a temporary basis, coroner).
I'll admit that it was more than a bit jarring to read a book which essentially extracted Jack the Ripper (and more than a few details of his crimes) from the pages of Victorian history and inserted it into the fictional 1770s, but other than a few minutes of feeling, "wait, really?" it didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the story.
All in all, a fun read -- so it won't be another year till I read the next book.
April 2, 2022
Another fine entry in the John Fielding series. In this one, the blind Magistrate who basically invented the modern police force in mid-1700s England faces a brutal serial killer. Someone is targeting prostitutes, either one careful stab or hacking them to pieces and leaving their bodies to rot.
Or is it more than one person? Young Jeremy Proctor, the narrator, finds himself increasingly involved in the investigations as he grows, and several times directly in danger, not just to his body, but this heart as well.
Again the time period comes to live so richly you can almost hear the hoofbeats on the cobblestones. There are only a few small quibbles - in this time period, autopsies were virtually unknown (and considered a horrible act by many) rather than a standard action in criminal investigation and Sir John uses the word "profile" in a manner not invented until the 1970s with the FBI.
Or is it more than one person? Young Jeremy Proctor, the narrator, finds himself increasingly involved in the investigations as he grows, and several times directly in danger, not just to his body, but this heart as well.
Again the time period comes to live so richly you can almost hear the hoofbeats on the cobblestones. There are only a few small quibbles - in this time period, autopsies were virtually unknown (and considered a horrible act by many) rather than a standard action in criminal investigation and Sir John uses the word "profile" in a manner not invented until the 1970s with the FBI.
March 14, 2012
My fourth of the series and as enjoyable as the first. I particularly enjoy keeping up with the progress of Jeremy and watching the development of the other regulars. I suppose that this is similar to the admiration that some have for soaps.
I have the fifth of the set ready as my next read. Definitely 4* but pushing for the fifth.
I have the fifth of the set ready as my next read. Definitely 4* but pushing for the fifth.
October 20, 2021
As usual, I am not fond of the serial killer plot. Fortunately, this book is mainly a further installment in the life story of Jeremy Proctor, and he is engaging enough as a character to make up for the dull plot.
October 12, 2021
Person or Persons Unknown is another fine entry in the Sir John Fielding series. This one has echoes of Jack the Ripper in the story line! As such, a warning for squeamish readers that this one gets gruesome.
Taking the real Sir John Fielding and adding a fictional young man as narrator the late Bruce Alexander (Cook) has created a very good thriller full of enjoyable characters. It feels like a realistic picture of life in the late 1700's London. Using elegant language, and the wonderful setting of Covent Garden, the author tells the coming of age saga of young Jeremy Proctor as he acts as the eyes for the blind judge.
I highly recommend this series but suggest that, if possible, you start from the first book. The books stand alone but it is better to watch the young man's character develop from book to book!
Taking the real Sir John Fielding and adding a fictional young man as narrator the late Bruce Alexander (Cook) has created a very good thriller full of enjoyable characters. It feels like a realistic picture of life in the late 1700's London. Using elegant language, and the wonderful setting of Covent Garden, the author tells the coming of age saga of young Jeremy Proctor as he acts as the eyes for the blind judge.
I highly recommend this series but suggest that, if possible, you start from the first book. The books stand alone but it is better to watch the young man's character develop from book to book!
June 9, 2009
PERSON OR PERSONS UNKNOWN (Hist Mys/Trad-Jeremy/Sr. John Fielding-London-1700s/Geor)- VG
Alexander, Bruce - 3rd in series
A wonderfully written book rich with historic detail and great characters.
Alexander, Bruce - 3rd in series
A wonderfully written book rich with historic detail and great characters.
July 10, 2017
Excellent series! Bruce Alexander wrote in such a way that you feel it was written in 1770, without the confusion and archaic language you would find in a book actually written in 1770. He also found that magical key that makes you care for the characters.
London, 1770
London, 1770
April 9, 2012
Probably my favorite in the series thus far, excpet perhaps the first one.
December 30, 2017
Reading my way slowly and with great delight through the Bruce Alexander series about Sir John Fielding, the "Blind Beak," judge, and in this book, temporary coroner, who organized the Bow Street runners. The series is narrated by Jeremy Proctor, a young boy who was adopted by Feilding in the first book in the series, who is eager to "read law." He serves both as "eyes" for Feilding and eyes for the reader, since he's an outsider, just learning about the law and about how to weigh evidence and testimony. And since Feilding is a judge, it's only natural that he's called to investigate any murders that happen in London in the 18th century thus avoiding the Cabot Cove syndrome. I was a bit confused at the start of this book when Jeremy is suddenly practising law, but it turns out that is only a frame and he's actually looking back on this particular case. Unlike most of the series, in this book a vicious serial killer appears to be at work killing prostitutes in grotesque ways. But unlike most authors, Alexander doesn't use this premise to indulge in a lot of gore and perversion (there is some of each), but as an opportunity to teach young Jeremy about the problems inherent in making assumptions too early in an investigation. I've already ordered the next book in the series.
September 5, 2020
This was a book that I've had for ages and only recently re-discovered in the process of moving. I decided to give it a try before giving it away, and it ended up being really interesting! It took me a while to read, again because of the pandemic and not being much in the mood for reading, but there was something about it that kept me going. I couldn't necessarily tell you everything that happened in the book - it was almost like a "day in the life of" the main character Jeremy. Except, it was entirely centered on the murders of several prostitutes in the late 1700's.
Despite a seemingly low rating, I did actually end up enjoying this book quite a lot. My ratings are often subjective and sometimes I'll change them when I come back to it several months or years later. But if you're looking for an intellectual historical mystery, this was an interesting read. I'm not sure I'll end up reading any others in the series, but I'm glad I read this one at least.
Despite a seemingly low rating, I did actually end up enjoying this book quite a lot. My ratings are often subjective and sometimes I'll change them when I come back to it several months or years later. But if you're looking for an intellectual historical mystery, this was an interesting read. I'm not sure I'll end up reading any others in the series, but I'm glad I read this one at least.
July 4, 2025
I liked books 1 and 2 in the series, but not book 3, so I wasn't sure how I'd like this one. This 4th book took me a little bit to get into, but when I did, I really liked it. I felt very immersed in the story and looked forward to my reading sessions when I could find out what happened next. Jeremy is a likeable, relatable narrator, and seeing the events through the eyes of a youth is a nice experience for an adult book. The mystery itself was impossible for the reader to solve, at least for me - I prefer not to be able to solve it myself because I like the surprise. This book was well-paced, intelligent, and suspenseful. I also like the further development of the relationships between characters. I recommend this book to all who like historical fiction mysteries. I would read it again in the future.
December 10, 2019
Fading echoes of Jack the Ripper... The whores of Covent Garden were the particular recipients of the cold and bloody hands of Death in this baffling case. For one prostitute dies with a direct and single penetrating stiletto wound to the heart and then another one gets mutilated and disemboweled and her organs scattered. Were there 2 killers based on the different methods and weapons used? What Sir John needed was a good coroner and specially one he could trust given mostly still warm corpses were turning up. Fortunately for him, Mr. Donnelly came back from Lancashire from his protracted yet unsuccessful wooing of Lady Goodhope (both of them introduced in Blind Justice). Donnelly put forward the theory of 2 killers... as to whether he was right or not, would be the conundrum Sir John and Jeremy had to deal with. For Jeremy had the added heart~ache caused by his fatal fascination of a young prostitute pimped by a man called Jack Carver. Truly Gothic... macabre... and a shivering nauseous read. Ugh!
October 7, 2020
The fourth installment in the historical mystery series featuring Sir John Fielding. Told from the standpoint of Sir John's 15 year old ward, however he is a grown man that we learn has become a lawyer himself.
This installment involves a madman leaving a string of bodies across London. This is a story not for the squeamish. Of course it is up to Sir John to get to the bottom of who the Person or Persons Unknown is responsible for the carnage.
Well balanced story which includes stories of each character and well as the murder investigation.
This installment involves a madman leaving a string of bodies across London. This is a story not for the squeamish. Of course it is up to Sir John to get to the bottom of who the Person or Persons Unknown is responsible for the carnage.
Well balanced story which includes stories of each character and well as the murder investigation.
March 31, 2024
Jeremy reports on a case of the murder of several of the London prostitutes. Two were by a stiletto blade under the breast bone but the other two were much more violent and gruesome. Sir John suspects all are the work of a single killer but when someone is caught and confesses to just two, he realizes the case is not yet solved.
Very good. When I had some time to read, this is what I grabbed over the other books in process at this time. Some characters from earlier cases are included and it's nice to see them developed. I will definitely keep reading.
Very good. When I had some time to read, this is what I grabbed over the other books in process at this time. Some characters from earlier cases are included and it's nice to see them developed. I will definitely keep reading.
June 13, 2019
A Jack-the-Ripper style murderer is abroad in Covent Garden, and it's up to Sir John Fielding to find the fiend - - dubbed person or persons unknown - - and protect the vulnerable women of the street. This is the 4th book in the Sir John Fielding series. Although it's a mystery story, it's also a coming of age story for young Jeremy Proctor, his assistant and protégé. He continues to learn to navigate the world's that come together in the Bow Street Court of Justice.
September 20, 2019
Another great read by Bruce Alexander in his Sir John Fielding mystery series. It takes place in 1700’s London with the main character, Sir John Fielding, a real historical Englishman who founded the first police department in London. It is well written and paints a realistic picture of life during that period. Highly recommend the series.
June 1, 2017
The fourth Sir John Fielding book has two vicious killers prowling London and we get a better picture of life in and around Convent Garden and discover the Fleet River. The mix of mystery and human interactions is riveting and the hint of Jack the Ripper is enticing
September 29, 2018
Told from the point of view of 15-year grown old assistant Jeremy, 1770s London is an intriguing setting peopled by a fascinating cast. I'd like to find out how Sir John was blinded, and married his present wife. I look forward to more in the series.
August 10, 2021
This is a marvelous series, and “Person or Persons Unknown” is among the best. You don’t need to be a lawyer or a history buff to enjoy the John Fielding Mysteries, but being both, I enjoy them especially.
June 24, 2017
I love the civility and elegance of language in these history-packed mysteries. Each main character is admirable.
June 19, 2019
A little to much of Jeremy fantasizing about Mariah, but, other than that, another great read by Alexander.
June 30, 2019
A Ripper-inspired tale that held my attention. Well written with plenty of building suspense.
August 5, 2019
Ratings:
Writing 4
Story line 4
Characters 4
Emotional impact 4
Overall rating 4
Writing 4
Story line 4
Characters 4
Emotional impact 4
Overall rating 4
February 14, 2021
Sir John Fielding once again, although blind, is able to see the best route to the finding of who did murder. Good series.
April 2, 2024
Excellent setting/atmosphere!
Setting - 5
Plot - 3
Writing - 4
Characterization - 5
Setting - 5
Plot - 3
Writing - 4
Characterization - 5
August 5, 2024
I really like this series, I find the books to be very entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews