BLACKSTONE'S FANCY

by Richard Falkirk ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1973

Back in the early part of the 19th century there was Black, stone, one of England's elite ""Bow Street Runners"" (combo of the FBI and Tactical Police Force) with the kind of integrity that make Knapp Commissions necessary. Actually ""Blackie"" is a good sort, if only his mission wasn't to end the then-illegal prizefighting business, which puts the copper in a bit of a bind, since he's not only a willing spectator himself but also the patron of a young black boxer whom he's personally training in the ""new style"" -- fast feet, quick hands, intelligence rather than plug-and-slug. Not only does this supersleuth solve murders and kidnappings galore, but he manages to play both sides against the midsection with startling elan, satisfying everybody but his murderous mistress and Robert (Bobby) Peel -- who, alas, uses public outcry against a relatively ""victimless"" crime to organize the rival police force we now call Scotland Yard. This is a charmer of a detective novel, full of luscious trivia about a London nearly as dangerous and corrupt as New York is today: suspenseful, fast-paced, and tongue-in-cheek about its not so inapt social critique.

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Stein & Day

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1973

Categories: FICTION