Sheri Cobb SouthPickpocket's Apprentice: A John Pickett Novella (John Pickett Mysteries)

This is the beginning of the John Pickett Mysteries Series. Although it's a short novella, it is lengthy enough that the reader is able to get a really good picture of the young John Pickett from the time he was taken off the streets after being caught stealing, then taking the reader through his years of rehabilitation and hard work while hauling coal and living with the Granger family.Although John is provided room and board with the Grangers, he has no way to earn funds and is dependent upon the few coins he is given by magistrate Patrick Colquhoun who was responsible for placing John with the Grangers as opposed to transporting him to Botany Bay. John is the son of a thief - now dead - and his life would have traveled down that same road until transportation or death by hanging, had it not been for the kindness of the magistrate.In this book, we get to understand the character of young John and the manner in which he deals with temptation whether it comes in the way of money or a beautiful young lady - Sophy, the daughter of the Grangers - who consistently teasingly flaunts her physical attributes before him. Sadly, John has a rude awakening regarding his youthful, misplaced feelings of love based on his relationship with the less than honorable Sophy. Finally, John's life takes a turn which leads him to a brighter future when he is able to help Bow Street solve a mystery regarding the theft and sale of some jewels. Favor with Magistrate Colquhoun and John's assistance in solving the theft, serve to get him out of the coal business and the Granger home where he was basically an indentured servant.The next books in the series deal with John's life as a Bow Street operative. I look forward to reading all the books in the series. They are: In Milady's Chamber (John Pickett Mysteries Book 1) , A Dead Bore (John Pickett Mysteries Book 2) , Family Plot (John Pickett Mysteries Book 3)  with #4 "Dinner Most Deadly" due to be released on September 16, 2015.

This was a great read!! I absolutely enjoyed this one. I didn't realize I enjoyed Regency mysteries like this until now. Sheri does a great job of creating detailed characters that you quickly grow fond of and involved with. I've started the second one and I'm hooked. I can't wait to see where Pickett goes from here. If you like historical fiction type things like this, the likes of Doyle, and Bennet t, Clayhanger and Sherlock Holmes you'll love this. I also recommend the audio along with the book. The narration is superb and it just makes the story come to life more. Great book and great series. a definite change from what I normally read and I'm glad I gave it a shot. I want more of this. Happy reading yall. Enjoy!!

Probably Sherri Cobb South is best known for  The Weaver Takes a Wife  and its two sequels, three humorous and (to me) delightful Regencies. But she also has a Regency mystery series featuring young Bow Street runner John Pickett:  In Milady's Chamber (John Pickett Mysteries Book 1) , A Dead Bore (John Pickett Mysteries Book 2) , and  Family Plot (John Pickett Mysteries) .This very well written and charming novella fills us in on Pickett's early life and is a beautifully drawn picture of life in the lower and middle classes of early 1800s England.In 1798, 14-year-old John is brought before Magistrate Patrick Colquhoun (Pickett's friend and mentor of the mystery series) for stealing. When the magistrate realizes that John is the son of a criminal he recently sentenced to time in Australia, he feels somewhat responsible for John's plight. So he pulls strings to get John an apprenticeship with a coal distributor and the story is off and running.It's a great look at the life of those delivering coal to residences in the 1800s, with really fun and well drawn characters. You'll also enjoy reading about Sophy, the boss's daughter and John's first love, about his work for only room and board in a 5-year apprenticeship, and how he is discovered to have an aptitude for crime solving.A little bonus is the cameo here of Lady Fieldhurst, who in later books will feature as an important part of John's life. And something to look forward to: 2 new books, DINNER MOST DEADLY in September of 2015 and TOO HOT TO HANDLE in 2016.

I read this solely because it's the introduction to the John Pickett series, so I wanted his backstory. This is my first book by this author, and I can tell that she's a talented writer. She's given us a character that, in spite of his rough origins, we can come to care for. He's young, extremely naive, but also very intelligent. He starts the story as a 14 year old boy, alone on the streets of London, picking pockets to live. He's arrested, and by some miracle the magistrate decides to help him on an alternate path in life. Through hard labor and some tough experiences, John Pickett grows, in years, in body, and emotionally.What should be a grim and dark tale of a young criminal's life is made endearing by the presence of several characters that are good people. The author has wisely provided characters to care about, which always makes a story more enjoyable. Although John Pickett has to endure some hard knocks in his life, there is the hope for a better future.The book is well written and well edited, I recommend it .

Good introductory story for the Picket series. Probably best read first as it explains how John Picket became a Bow Street runner.

I'm so pleased to have seen a mention about this book the first in the John Pickett series. It allows us a glimpse into the world of teen John. A super read.

Thank you for a thoroughly satisfying afternoon's entertainment. I look forward to reading more of your series.It was gratifying to read an edited and we'll plotted tale with very interesting characters whom I'm sure will turn up in future books.

Such an unusual story which is hugely enjoyable with a great plot. I’m so looking forward to continue John Pickett’s acquaintance in the next episode.

Great story. Very well written.Extremely well performed (Yes. Performed, not just read) by Joel Froomkin.Makes it a delight to listen to.