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This the tenth adventure of John Rawlings who is an apothecary in Georgian London and an associate of the 'Blind Beak', Sir John Fielding. The tale begin in December 1764 as Rawlings hurries home from his shop to join his young daughter and his wife in their comfortable home thinking about a mistake his new apprentice has made in the dispensing of medicines. Deryn Lake establishes a good 18th century atmosphere as we experience the apothecary's life style. The nuggets of historical information supplied at intervals include a discussion between John and his tailor about changing male fashion and the adaptation of existing clothes to show the new style and a reference to the origins of the phrase 'with garnish' when applied to a stay in Newgate -- both fascinating to the reader. While it might be preferable to read a series in chronological order there is no need to have read the preceding volumes in order to appreciate this adventure of John Rawlings. Careful and brief references fill in the background of John's career from ten years before when he finished his indentures and first met Sir John Fielding. As the story progresses we learn about various characters -- some are new to the hero and some are old friends. In previous books Rawlings has shown an interest in the theatre and, perhaps more to the point, in the actresses that grace the Georgian stage. In DEATH IN THE SETTING SUN he visits Gunnersbury House to see his wife perform in an amateur theatrical performance for Princess Amelia, daughter of the previous king, George II. In the darkness of the evening Rawlings stumbles over a body in the grounds and, when he is discovered in this predicament by a party from the house which includes the princess, he is accused of murder. He must go into hiding and attempt, with the aid of his friends, to uncover the nefarious plot in which he has become embroiled. His own emotions are very much involved as he journeys away from the prospect of being kept in custody in Newgate to seek refuge with distant friends. When he starts his own investigation he manages to disguise his identity so that he can enter Gunnersbury House. The murder is followed by further shocking happenings until John Rawlings manages to build up an explanation of events. This is a competent historical murder mystery by an experienced writer. Initially this series appeared at the same time as Bruce Alexander's Sir John Fielding books which was unfortunate. They do not clash, however, and a fan of Alexander might also enjoy these books.
Reviewed by Jennifer S. Palmer, June 2005
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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