Smuggler's moon

Rating:
Summary: The mystery itself...
Review: ...is quite cookie cutter. The solution is obvious from almost the beginning of the book and therefore, I almost rated this series entry only three stars. But, the writing is first-rate with the accuracy of the descriptions of 18th-century life. I do hope, however, that the next book in the series returns to the more complicated & sophisticated books that I have come to expect from Bruce Alexander.

Rating:
Summary: Just OK
Review: Alexander's series about London magistrate John Fielding is, inexplicably, getting weaker with each passing book. It's as though he's running out of steam. This is the end of the line for me. The series was good for a while, but I'm moving on.

Rating:
Summary: Just OK
Review: Alexander's series about London magistrate John Fielding is, inexplicably, getting weaker with each passing book. It's as though he's running out of steam. This is the end of the line for me. The series was good for a while, but I'm moving on.

Rating:
Summary: About the Same as The Others
Review: Bruce Alexander's series of 18th century detective stories were sort of fun and interesting for a while there, but this is the eighth one and they're just not getting any better. Readers know from the outset who the bad guy is, so it's sort of like watching a Scooby-Doo episode and waiting for him to be unmasked. Alexander's writing is passable in a pop-fiction sort of way, but the plot is too thin and wooden and the characters too one-sided and predictable. Nothing is really happening in this series. I've read my last Alexander novel.

Rating:
Summary: Another good read, but somewhat unfulfilling
Review: I found this latest Sir John Fielding episode a little disappointing, with nary a twist nor surprise to throw or tantalize the unsuspecting reader. A fine story, to be sure, with the usual excellent descriptive narrative, but very predictable and somewhat unrewarding. Having read and savoured all the previous episodes in this series, I found my main interest in this book directed towards learning the latest about each of the characters within. They have become very familiar to me, almost like family, and I was pleased to catch up with them and their lives.
At one stage in the book, the story-teller, Jeremy Procter, asks his mentor Sir John Fielding when he first suspected he had discovered the prime perpetrator of the crime and his answer was "Almost from the very first".
Unfortunately, I think the majority of readers would answer the same (maybe minus the "almost").

Rating:
Summary: Another HIT!
Review: I have read all the books in this series and I can say that EVERYONE of the books are fantastic. This is of course no exception.The author is able to transport you back in time to England. The characters are all well written and the story line is fresh and interesting. If you enjoy historical mysteries then this is the one series you cannot miss. I look forward to the next book in the series. I only have one worry and that the author will stop writing about Jeremy and Sir John.

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Mystery
Review: I love the characters in Bruce Alexander's series. I could not put this book down. It draws you in from the start, and transports you back in time to a century filled with mystery, intrigue, and suspense. It is authentic in the dialogue and vivid in imagery.

This series should be the next "MYSTERY" series on PBS.

Rating:
Summary: Smuggler's Moon
Review: Really truly love or maybe I should have said loved this series. The adding of the charectar of Clarissa has turned me
off somewhat of the series. Why Alexander tinkered with what was a great series is a bit of a mystery to me in
itself. Maybe his editor felt like the series needed a Nancy Drew touch. It doesn't. Use to couldn't wait for the
next book in the series as they are so wonderfully written and would rate all the past books a five star. Oh, I will get the next book but not with the same excitement and anticipation as I had in the past.

Rating:
Summary: a good read
Review: The "mystery" part of this book is not as strong as the previous novels, but new characters are introduced and the subject covered (smuggling) is interesting. Like a vist with old friends this addition to the Sir John Fielding series is very satisfying.

Rating:
Summary: The Cove Did Good
Review: This is, by far, the best historical mystery series going today. The writing is great, the mysteries are taut and the human interest(read soap opera) part is interesting without being silly. The best thing is that, at a stage when most series' start to slide, this series, as evidenced by this book, is still at the top of it's game. Alexander really makes you believe you are right their with Sir John, Jeremy and Clarissa in late 18th century England. Definitely buy this book if you like historical mysteries at all.