[.ca] Murder In Grub Street (ISBN 0425155501)

Pretty Good:
"Murder in Grub Street", the second installment in Bruce Alexander's "Bow Street Runners" series is more carefully crafted than the first book, but still has weaknesses. It is a period mystery set in 18th-century London. Blind magistrate Sir John Fielding and his young sidekick Jeremy, who narrates the story, solves a mass murder case in London's publishing district. It's a good tale, but some of the weaknesses of the first book are still here: Fielding does things no blind person -no matter how gifted- can do; young Jeremy speaks like an educated adult, and his occasional forays into childhood speech sound just like an adult-trying-to-write-like-a-child wrote them. The plot is carefully constructed but hinges on some artificial twists that must leave readers shaking their heads: Jeremy narrowly escapes from a building that blows down in the wind, not once but twice; a poor street urchin pops up conveniently every few pages to provide important clues. The most interesting thing about Alexander's mystery series is the local color and language of historical London. They're fun and easy to read, but as mystery novels go, these first two are strictly average.

Once again a FANTASTIC novel!!!!!:
This is the 2nd in the Sir John Fielding series. This book finds Sir John and Jeremy once again embroiled in another murder investigation. Once again the story is great as well as the cast of characters.The descriptions of the people and customs of that time make this one of the best historical mystery series around. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I would advise you reading the first novel in the series before(Blind Justice) you read this one. I continue to look fwd to the latest addition to this series.

Great Follow up:
This is a great third book. Navy captain drowns, who did it? Blind Fielding is da man.

An ok read:
Fun historical fiction, but pretty predictable. Definately not as good as the 1st or 3rd books. I would read it anyway to keep up with the likeable characters.

A really good historical novel:
Easy to read, keeps your interest. Set in London in the 18th Century which is described in a good level of detail but done so as part of the story not like reading a history book. This is the follow up to Blind Justice which introduced the reader to Sir John Fielding (who apparently did exist) and the story teller young Jeremy. The series is now up to something like 6 books. I've read them all and enjoyed each one. These are well crafted mysteries with a little something extra, the historial setting. Read them and enjoy them.