On any given day in London, all Charles Lenox, Victorian gentleman and armchair explorer, wants to do is relax in his private study with a cup of tea, a roaring fire, and a good book. But when his lifelong friend Lady Jane asks for his help, Lenox cannot resist another chance to unravel a mystery, even if it means trudging through the snow to her townhouse next door.
One of Jane’s former … former servants, Prudence Smith, is dead — an apparent suicide. But Lenox suspects something far more sinister: murder, by a rare and deadly poison. The house where the girl worked is full of suspects, and though Prudence dabbled with the hearts of more than a few men, Lenox is baffled by an elusive lack of motive in the girl’s death.
When another body turns up during the London season’s most fashionable ball, Lenox must untangle a web of loyalties and animosities. Was it jealousy that killed Prudence? Or was it something else entirely, something that Lenox alone can uncover before the killer strikes again — disturbingly close to home?
more
Boring characters lacking any dimension, pretentiously juvenile writing with no grasp of the time period or its prevailing social mores. It was a total waste of time. I’m glad I’d received this book and 2 others in the series at no cost, because I won’t be reading the other two. This one was a plodding and predictable snore.
Great series!
A fun mystery read.
I really enjoyed this book; historical fiction with a mystery is one of the best genres for me right now [I absolutely adore the Maisie Dobbs series, which is HF/M genre and they are also delightful] and this fits the bill fantastically. Great characters, a very likable MC and a very good mystery. I thought I had the murderer figured out; I was …
First in a series. Excellent
An unpredictable mystery with a charming detective in Victorian setting.
Great series. Well written. Interesting characters.
The great writing captured and charmed me. That this is the beginning of a series delighted me!
I love this series!
This is the book that started my love affair with Charles Lenox and the author Charles Finch. The series is a treat from beginning to end and now Finch is revisiting the character of Lenox as a young man, giving the reader a look into his past and the forces that led him to be a gentleman detective.
Set in England in 1865, Charles Lenox is an appealing gentleman sleuth. When Lady Jane Grey’s former servant, Prue Smith, dies in an apparent suicide-by-poisoning, Lady Jane asks Lenox, her closest friend, to investigate. The attractive young maid had been working in the London house of the current director of the Royal Mint. Lenox quickly …
This author is one of my favorites. He continues to entertain– and the reading goes so very smoothly.
Liked the character
I love the story line of a Victorian man carving out a detective career. The historical details are informative. Love the whole series!
i’m reading the book again. It’s not an “exciting” historical mystery, in terms of not having lots of action — it’s more an intellectual mystery type rather than following the adventures of a “hands on” sleuth, but it’s competent, with a decent plot and characters. There are a few inconsistencies in the series, but they are easily overlooked …
Enjoyed this author–writes very well.
The first of the Charles Lenox Historical mysteries. Totally enjoyable read. Recommend for anyone who enjoys historical mysteries set in England. Plus, this one pulls in a bit of politics from the day. Great start to a good series.
Good read
Good writing
It’s been a while since I read this book but I remember being very involved and having difficulty putting it down