A criminal becomes a secret agent for Sir John Fielding and his Bow Street Runners in this historical novel set in eighteenth century London. At the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, London is a place of rapid expansion, population growth, and waves of crime like the city has never scene. The blind magistrate, Sir John Fielding, otherwise known as “The Blind Beak,” has instigated a new law enforcement organization, the Bow Street Runners, to combat the rise of criminals. Londoner Nick Rathburn is a man of a mysterious birth, who finds his luck coming and going throughout his life. A petty thief, he manages to fight his way out of Newgate Gaol and by some twist of fate, becomes a secret agent for The Blind Beak himself. Meanwhile, as protests against the Catholic Church devolve into the infamous Gordon riots, and Sir John finds himself caught amidst the terrorizing mob, Nick faces death on the gallows at Tyburn . . .

In the case of a grisly murder on one of His Majesty's frigates, the blind magistrate Sir John Fielding and his aide Jeremy Proctor discover that some secrets are better left at the bottom of a "Watery Grave".

Eighteenth-century London. Blind magistrate, Sir John Fielding, 'The Blind Beak' had instigated the Bow Street Runners to combat the hordes of criminals so rife throughout the city. Criminals such as Nick Rathburn, who fights his way out of Newgate Gaol. Then, by a twist of fate, Nick becomes a secret agent for 'The Blind Beak'. However, as Sir John, amid the Gordon Riots, is in the hands of the terrorising mob, Nick faces death on the gallows at Tyburn.

The crime appeared as easily solved as it was wicked. A Grub Street printer, his family, and two apprentices brutally murdered in their sleep. A locked building. And at the scene, a raving mad poet brandishing a bloody axe. Surely the culprit had been found, and justice would be swift and severe. But to Sir John Fielding, justice was more than finding a culprit-it was finding the truth. Aided by thirteen-year-old Jeremy Proctor, Fielding decided to investigate further. And the truth behind the Grub Street massacre was more evil-and more deadly-than the dastardly crime itself.

This self-made man has met his match Wealthy bachelor Cyrus Ryland usually commands respect—except for the mysterious beauty he meets at his masked ball. A night of flirtation and dancing should soften her, but when the clock strikes midnight, the lady vanishes, leaving behind a single shoe. Because this Cinderella doesn’t want her shoe back Cyrus is sure he’s been duped and vows to scour all of London to find her. Little does he know that not only does independent shopkeeper Claire Mayhew not want to be found, but she wants nothing to do with him at all...

This volume examines the key representations of transgression drama produced between 1600 and 1800. Arranged in chronological order, the entries consist of plot summary (often including significant dialogue), performance data (if available), opinions by critics and scholars, and other features.

Watching Eclipse is the man who wants to buy him. An adventurer and rogue who has made his money through gambling, Dennis O'Kelly is also a known companion to the madam of a notorious London brothel. Under O'Kelly's management, Eclipse would go on a winning streak unparalleled for the next two centuries. As journalist Nicholas Clee explores in this captivating romp, while O'Kelly was destined to remain an outcast to the racing establishment, his horse would go on to become the undisputed, undefeated champion of the sport. Not only a consummate winner, Eclipse exemplified the perfect thoroughbred -- a status he retains even today. Eclipse's male-line descendants include Secretariat, Barbaro, and all but three of the Kentucky Derby winners of the past fifty years.