The Color of Death

The Color of Death (2000) Bruce Alexander

Sir John Fielding (and thus Jeremy) are called out when a gang of black men robbed a house on St. James street and murdered one of the porters during the course of their crime. But most importantly, events conspire to cause Jeremy to conduct a great deal of this investigation himself. So we finally see how Jeremy has grown and progressed since his arrival at Bow Street and is growing into the successful barrister we know he will become.

And amidst this investigation, there are changes at Sir John’s residence on Bow Street, as events put into motion several books back reach their culmination.

Because there are many events in this book that build upon events in earlier books, there is a good deal of repetition of events, although it is done in such a manner that not only are we reminded of past events, but in some cases we learn more about the events than we did at the time.

This was, for me, a vast improvement upon the previous book in the series. As Jeremy grows, he becomes slightly less annoying, yet he is still a teenager, and still is at times insufferably annoying. Luckily, as the story is told from the point of view of Jeremy years later, he freely admits to his attitudes and mistakes. Which is a huge help.

I also like that we see Jeremy’s need to be accepted by Sir John. His position in the house is an odd one. Sir John cares for him yet does not adopt him. It makes sense that this would inevitable lead to a sense of insecurity on Jeremy’s part, as he attempts to become the person Sir John believes him to be, while struggling to make Sir John appreciate him as he is.

Although there were a few things that seemed awkward or slightly off in the book–such as Mr. Burnham’s reaction to his treatment by Sir John. Although I do have a thought about this.

SPOILER
(rot 13)

Vg vf znqr pyrne gb Wrerzl ng gur raq bs gur obbx gung Ze Oheaunz’f sngure vf abg gur zna gung unf orra cerfragrq ol Ze Oheaunz. Gur cynagngvba bjare jnf rkprrqvatyl pehry gb uvf fynirf–obgu oynpx naq juvgr–naq V fhccbfr vg cbffvoyr gung vs Ze Oheaunz yrnearq gb qrny jvgu guvf qvpubgbzl, gura ur znl jryy unir orra noyr gb npprcg gur snpg gung Fve Wbua ybpxrq uvz hc sbe gjb qnlf, naq gura vaivgrq uvz bire sbe qvaare gur irel avtug ur eryrnfrf uvz.

END SPOILER

This book presented an interesting view of race relations–specifically the idea that to the white majority, one black man was the same as any other. It also briefly discusses the Sommerset case that was happening in London at that time. I can’t know, of course, how authentic this presentation of race relations was. If anything, things seemed far more cordial than I would have expected. However, if there were not many blacks in London, then perhaps the overt racism that was more common in the Americas at that time didn’t exist in London at that time.

I’m still enjoying this series, and continue to recommend it.
Rating: 7/10

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