Having just finished his indentures, John Rawlings is celebrating in Vaux Hall Pleasure Gardens when he trips over the body of a young girl.Summoned to the magistrate’s office as prime suspect, Rawlings not only clears his own name but impresses Fielding so much with his power of recollection that he is asked to investigate the crime. Thus begins the illustrious career of John Rawlings, the … of John Rawlings, the ingenious detective stalking London’s grimy streets, in this four-part box set that opens Deryn Lake’s acclaimed series.
The Rawlings novels are richly atmospheric and compelling Georgian mysteries woven around the real characters of John Fielding, the phenomenal sightless magistrate known as the ‘Blind Beak’, whose Runners formed London’s early police force; and John Rawlings, the Apothecary reputed to have invented soda water.
Praise for Deryn Lake’s John Rawlings Mysteries:
‘A wealth of marvellous characters parade across the pages, their dialogue is lively and John Rawlings is proving to be a real charmer’ – Eastbourne Herald
‘An effervescent tale…the author organises her large cast and colourful background with skill and gusto through a racily readable drama’ – Felicia Lamb in the Mail on Sunday’s Night & Day Magazine
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I have bought and read all 16 of the John Rawlings books. They are well written and full of details about life in the 1700’s. John’s assistance of “the blind beak” added to the historic realism. There’s humor, romance, family, and tragedy woven throughout. The 15th book had me crying. Kudos to this author.
Good detective stories from the middle 1700’s. However, way to much time spent with bowing, and curtsies and other formalities from the time period. I understand the need for historical context, which is good. However, the amount of it went to far for me and made for a little bit of a difficult read. Would of given 4 stars if not for this.
I bought the set. Was very disappointed, I don’t like sex scenes, or çrude and vulgar language,
Great series of 4 books in Part 1. I thoroughly enjoyed each of them.
Well written
This series of books are a must read for those interested in historical fiction. I’m now reading the last four books in this twelve book series and will be both anxious to finish but sad that I won’t have any more to look forward to.
A delightful romp for fans of Agatha-Christie-style detection in a lively historical setting. These short, entertaining novels go down as smooth as a Georgian hot toddy.
John Rawlings, at age twenty-three, has just finished his apprenticeship as an apothecary. With his friend Samuel Swann, a newly minted goldsmith, he goes to Vaux Hall Gardens to celebrate. Instead of having an enjoyable time, John Rawlings discovers the body of a murdered woman. Suspected of murder, Rawlings is dragged in front of John Fielding, head of the Bow Street runners. This leads to Rawlings working for Fielding as a detective of sorts, and in these four volumes, Rawlings discovers four bodies so is involved in four mysteries. Several things about this series are excellent. First, the characters are interesting and developed in depth. Second, the language is that of the 1750s so vocabulary growth is seriously necessary. Third the plots are intricate, with subtle clues scattered throughout the book, never giving much away. Fourth, the author was intimately knowledgeable about eighteenth century London, style of dress, language, and customs. Yet these details were woven into the book in a way that was not overwhelming. Finally, the quality of the writing is exceptional. It is a pleasure to read complex sentences and paragraphs obviously carefully crafted. The style took a while to get used to, but the style came to be one of the great pleasures of the books.
Murder in the mid-1700s. Interesting historical fiction.
Mystery series that takes place in the mid 1700s. It was an enjoyable read. Stories should be read consecutively in the series. I have read the second series which referenced people and events in the first.
Really enjoyable reading the entire series. The hero is humble though addicted to fashion. I enjoyed the “blind beak” character and the beginnings of a police force in these early times. Characters and their lifestyles were original.
A new ‘detective’ series. Interesting in that the Blind Beak was an real person. I’ll look for more in the series
I had not before read a mystery that takes place in London during this period in English history. It is fascinating. Very well written with excellent characterizations. I have already bought the next in the series
Great period-piece, you feel like you are there.
Not only are the characters a bit out of the ordinary Dukes and Earls, the stories are amazing. And I learned so much about everyday life in Georgian England.