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...

Blind judge Sir John Fielding and his protg Jeremy Proctor arrive in the seaside town of Deal to question the town magistrate, accused of complicity in illegal smuggling. But just as their investigation begins, the smugglers turn murderous. Sir John believes he and Jeremy are facing some powerful enemies who not only control Smuggler's Beach, but the law as well.

"Outstanding."--Library Journal

When the body of a young girl is pulled from the Thames, blind magistrate Sir John Fielding's investigation leads his protege, Jeremy Proctor, into the notorious Seven Dials section of London. There the sordid inclinations of both the working class and aristocracy may be found--and there, Jeremy learns that the girl's mother has disappeared near the racetrack. As he delves further into the mystery, he will begin to realize just how high the stakes are, and--when an acquaintance of his own suddenly vanishes--just how terribly steep the odds really...

"Richly detailed fiction...storytelling in the grand classic tradition."--The New York Times

"Fascinating and impeccably written . . . should delight old fans and new readers."--Chicago Tribune

"Triumphant."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

When Lord Lammermoor plunges to his death from Westminster Bridge before a dozen witnesses, his death is ruled a suicide. But his fatal leap coincides with the arrival of Dr. Goldsworthy--a student of the famous Dr. Anton Mesmer and his research into animal magnetism. Sir John's suspicions grow when he learns that...

A packet of incendiary letters is stolen from the London residence of a prominent official, and turns up in the colony of Massachusetts. Why are the contents of the letters so controversial? Why has a suspect in the theft turned up dead? And what should magistrate Sir John Fielding do about his feeling that Benjamin Franklin is somehow complicit? While the tensions rise, Sir John and his protege, Jeremy Proctor, search for answers--and find that justice isn't always served by the letter of the law.