After reading The Color of Death, I realized I'd also read the 1st book in the Sir John Fielding Mystery series, although I must admit I do not remember it! Time for a re-read and since I've decided to read and buy the entire series, start to finish (the 2005 Rules of Engagement), I'm looking forward to a great winter. The Color of Death, the 7th novel in the series, is timely for today since we have yet to resolve the difficulties, hatred, and sin of us all with regard to race (well, and gender, and--the list, unfortunately, goes on), but the issue depicted in this wonderfully written and exciting mystery, is true to the subject and leaves one with a bit of hope--be that hope still burning from 1772, the time period represented here. Having said all that, the plot, the characters, the historical detail of late 16th century Britain, take us back there and introduces us to the first tentative signs of what is to come--slavery, racism, evil, war, crime, murder and people who step up to fight it all. In the front row, a blind man leading the charge: Sir John Fielding, Magistrate of the Bow Street Court. ( )

I think perhaps I should have left a bit of time go by between this one and the others of the series. It seemed to blur together with the other two I read, though the characters are still growing and changing (thank you, Author!). There was even an entire passage I swear was in one of the other two books (about a book of poems by Elizabeth Rowe that had "rescued" from a bin in Grub Street). Since there was so much blur in my mind, I can't really give this one any kind of substantive review, though I'll read it again for sure. ( )

Seventh book in the Sir John Fielding historical mysteries featuring the blind Bow Street Magistrate in 1770’s London. Sir John and Jeremy set out to solve a series of robberies and murders that involve a group of black men. Racism and the whole slavery issue come into play here and Jeremy and Sir John must use their wits to solve the case. Sir John is injured shortly after the first robbery, so Jeremy is forced to do much of the sleuthing on his own, though when he tells Sir John the things he’s discovered, Sir John inevitably ‘sees’ more than his young protégé despite his blindness. There are some growing pains in their relationship as well, as Jeremy heads toward manhood. Enjoyable as always—knowing there are only four more of these books due to the author’s death saddens me greatly. ( )

So here we are, #7 in the series, and in this installment, the focus is on catching a group of thieves who carry out their craft in homes of some of the more well-to-do in London society. They are identified only as being African, and they are not averse to using violence to accomplish their tasks.

It is after one of these robberies that Sir John is sent for and for his trouble, is wounded by one of the thieves, putting him sort of out of action. Sir John sends in Jeremy to investigate the robberies that follow.

Once again, I enjoyed this installment of the series, but I won't say that it was one of my favorites. I know I don't agree with a LOT of people on this, but I can't help it.

Anyone who likes historical mysteries will like it; anyone who likes their crime rather tame will like it as well. If you're following the series, PLEASE start with the first one or you won't have a clue!

now it's on to #8! ( )