BLACKSTONE (First edition - first impression)

Richard Falkirk (Derek Lambert)

ISBN 10: 0413449408 / ISBN 13: 9780413449405

Edité par Eyre Methuen, London, 1972

A propos de cet article

First impression of the true first edition. ***Very good in dark-blue cloth-covered boards with silver titles to the spine and black head of Blackstone to the head of spine. Boards clean and unmarked. Head and tail of spine slightly rubbed and creased. Corners sharp. Small stain on the bottom edge of the page block, not affecting the interior pages. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. Pages clean. No foxing. No creases or tears. Slight reading lean to the binding with a light vertical crease to the spine. Spine tight. ***In a near fine colour illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of £1.50 net. The dustwrapper is complete with no creases, chips or tears. Extremities of dustwrapper just slightly rubbed. Spine of dustwrapper unfaded. Dustwrapper bright ***205 pages. 204mm x 142mm. ***In this first "Blackstone" novel, Edmund Blackstone, a Bow Street Runner is sent to protect the infant Princess Victoria. ***'Blackstone marks the debut of Edmund Blackstone, Bow Street Runner. Of doubtful parentage and background, the best if far from the most conformist of Birnie's men, Blackstone and his adventures will from a series of vivid and exciting novels by Richard Falkirk. His next 'case' will be set against the colourful, lurid world of prize-fighting and prize-fighters.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***'The Bow Street Runners were formed about 1749 when the Bow Street magistrate was Henry Fielding, the author of Tom Jones In Blackstone's time, around the 1820s, the Runners were at the height of their fame, but beginning to come under pressure from Sir Robert Peel, Home Secretary and founder of the Metropolitan Police. So the safety of the future Queen of England is as vital to he Runners as it is to the realm.' (Quote taken from the back flap of the dustwrapper) ***First impression of the true first edition of the first in the Blackstone Bow Street Runners series of crime novels in its original dustwrapper in nice bright condition. Written by Derek Lambert under the pen-name Richard Falkirk. Derek Lambert was a writer and journalist who also wrote books under his own name, and was foreign Correspondent for the Daily Express. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

N° de réf. du vendeur 3519x

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: BLACKSTONE (First edition - first impression)
• Éditeur: Eyre Methuen, London
• Date de parution: 1972
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 0413449408
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9780413449405
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Illustrateur: David Pether (Jacket design)
• Édition: First Edition
• Impression: First Impression
• État de l'article: Very Good
• État de la jaquette: Near Fine
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Crime Fiction & True Crime
  • Literature
  • First Editions

A propos de ce titre

Présentation de l'éditeur

The US Bestseller.

"A magnificent novel of suspense and adventure, set in nineteenth century London. At stake - the life of the future Queen Victoria."
The Bookseller

"The story is steeped in the atmosphere of the period, and as Blackstone moves among the thieves, cut throats and pickpockets in the taverns and soup kitchens of London the tension mounts. The author brings the underworld and its unsavoury characters to life - the story might be fiction but it could just as easily have been history."
Cork Examiner

"The Bond of the Bow Street Runners."
Southern Evening Echo

"Hot stuff - this Bond from the 19th century."
Daily Express

“I enjoyed this well-paced mystery.”
Vesper Meikle

“I loved this book, a regency mystery featuring Blackstone, one of the best of the Bow Street Runners. Falkirk writes with sophisticated style and wit, capturing the tone of the time, his descriptions lavish but not overextended. Halfway through the book, I realized (with great glee) that Blackstone is a Regency Sam Spade; hot gin and hot women are his sustenance when not chasing down the bad guys with a vengeance and swagger. Twisting arms to get cooperation, seduction for information, always well-armed and ready to fight his way out of a fix.”
Coffee and Ink

“There are a few misdirects along the way and more than enough action. Blackstone is an interesting character. He presents himself as being confident and self-assured but he is constantly second guessing himself. He’ll chastise himself for bragging about his exploits and he’ll dwell on a negative comment from others. Too many of the modern day protagonists have no real flaws or at least any concern about their own actions. Blackstone is the exception. I had a great time with this one.”
Big Bald Books

“Blackstone is elegantly dressed, with a weakness for women and good wine – and he is a crack shot. He is also ruthless and courageous, but above all things he is a Bow Street Runner. This tale proved to be a bestseller in America.”
Southern Evening Echo

“A great story featuring Blackstone, one of the best bow street runners.”
Tracy Stewart - Bookseller

Edmund Blackstone, Bow Street Runner, of doubtful parentage and background, the best if far from the most conformist in the force, secretly applauds the robbers he hunts. He is tall, well-built, with a strongly featured face and, despite his elegant and expensive attire, moves with ease among the thieves and cut-throats in the taverns and soup shops, the cockfighting pits and dirty alleys of London. But if Blackstone has a weakness for professional esteem and flattery, for a woman's touch and for good wine, he is also one of the best shots in London, an expert in almost all areas of crime, a ruthless man with a reputation for courage and persistence, and - first and last - a Bow Street Runner.

In this, the first of the series, Sir Richard Birnie, the Bow Street magistrate, has appointed Blackstone to guard the heir to the throne, the young Princess Alexandrina Victoria. Among the Runners this is considered an honour but Blackstone feels that it is all a waste of time, even a punishment. Then Blackstone himself is attacked outside his lodgings - and there's something about his assailant that seems oddly familiar...