“Bravo, Mr. Finch, and keep them coming! More Lenox, please.” –Louise Penny, bestselling author of A Better Man From bestselling author Charles Finch comes the third and final in a prequel trilogy to his lauded Charles Lenox series. London, 1855. A young and eager Charles Lenox faces his toughest case yet: a murder without a single clue. Slumped in a third-class car at Paddington Station is … third-class car at Paddington Station is the body of a handsome young gentleman. He has no luggage, empty pockets, and no sign of identification on his person. And putting together the clues to the mystery of the man’s identity only raises more questions, when Lenox discovers that the crime has a significant connection to America.
As he seeks to solve this impossible case, the young Lenox must confront an equally troublesome problem in his personal life. Kitty Ashbrook, beautiful and cultured, appears to be his soulmate–but love comes with obstacles of its own. In tandem, this fiendish early case and passionate, deeply felt affair will irrevocably shape the brilliant detective and thoughtful gentleman Lenox is destined to become.
Written in Charles Finch’s unmistakably witty and graceful voice, The Last Passenger is a cunning, thrilling, and deeply satisfying conclusion to this trilogy of prequels to his bestselling Charles Lenox series.
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Barbara’s Rating 4.5 of 5
Series: Charles Lenox Mysteries #0.3
Publication Date: 2/18/20
Number of Pages: 304
Charles Finch is back with the third, and I believe final, prequel to the Charles Lenox Mysteries series – and I think this might be my favorite. We have a well-crafted mystery that involves two continents and some really vile villains. We also get to know and like Lady Jane’s husband and a young Charles falls in love. Add in tragedy and misery and goodness – there is everything you could possibly want in this book.
In October of 1855, it seems that all of his friends and relatives – at his mother’s behest – are trying to get Charles married off. Charles doesn’t have a particular objection to marriage, he just hadn’t really considered it. He’s been busy developing his chosen career as a private detective. Although the rest of the aristocracy looks down upon him for that choice, he still can’t give it up.
Lenox was sitting in his study playing chess with his neighbor – Jane’s husband, Lord Deere – when he received a visit from Inspector Hemstock of Scotland Yard. Hemstock is disinterested and inept and is asking Charles to accompany him to Paddington Station where there has been a murder.
Thus began an intriguing mystery that is filled with twists and turns. Just when you (and Charles) think you have it all figured out, the clues take them off in another direction. The victim was horribly murdered and anything that could possibly identify him had been removed from the body. So, not only do they have a murder, they don’t know who the victim is nor any clues to help identify him.
Charles pursues his investigation even though some in Scotland Yard want him to leave it alone and are really irate when he seems to be the only one who is finding any clues. When Charles identifies the victim and his mission in England, the investigation takes off in a whole new direction. When Charles finds additional victims, he finds himself in danger as well.
I loved getting to spend time with Jane’s husband and getting to know him better. He was such a sweet and honorable man that you can easily see how Jane came to love him. Charles also spent some time falling in love, but – well – I never did come to understand her at all.
This was an intriguing and mystifying read and I loved every page. I hope you will as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Last Passenger is the third (and last) prequel book to the Charles Lenox Mysteries series by Charles Finch. I’ve read the first two prequels and loved them both. This one, however, is the best of the lot. A lot of things come to a head here for Lenox, which made it just impossible to put down this story.
Young Charles Lenox is still attempting to make a name for himself as a detective. Many in his class scorn him for having an occupation, which makes it difficult for him to get cases. Also during this time his mother and his best friend Jane have decided it’s time for him to get married. One evening Lenox is asked by a Scotland Yard detective to help him investigate what turns out to be Lenox’s toughest case yet – a young man is found brutally murdered on a train, with everything that could help identify him removed from his person. What follows is an exciting story of the slave trade, class distinction and prejudice, love, loss and heartache.
I’ve come to love Lenox during this prequel series, and I’m thrilled I have the entire Charles Lenox Mysteries series left to read. This case was such a fascinating one; I had no idea how he could possible cobble all the clues together to figure out whodunit. I really like how the case centered around events in both the US and the UK. I must admit, however, that my favorite parts of the book dealt with Lenox’s relationships with family and friends. Lenox has moved on from his love of Lady Jane, who is married to one of his dearest friends, and he falls in love with the beautiful Kitty Ashbrook. Besides these relationships, Lenox is also struggling to decide whether to discontinue his private investigations or to work for Scotland Yard. The book had me both laughing at clever conversations and crying from heartbreak. Simply a wonderful book!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Highly recommended without question!
I’ve loved the Lenox mysteries since book one and this was no exception. The characters and situations never stop feeling real and continue to be engaging, which seems to be a rare thing when mystery series get to this point.
As for the mystery portion of story itself, it’s deep into some uncomfortable history in both the US and the UK, but it never feels overdone or like the reader is being browbeaten with the past. And the romance portion, well it just makes you care for Charles Lenox that much more.
So very well written and well plotted with an edge of humor missing from most historical mysteries. Fascinating details of the Victorian time. Terrific book. If you’re new to Finch, read this 1 first (it’s the last of 3 prequels) & then start at the beginning of his regular series featuring his detective Charles Lenox, A fine, fine writer. Always a pleasure to read anything Finch writes.
Author Charles Finch never disappoints, and this third book of amateur detective Charles Lenox prequels is superb. The murder on a train is at the center of THE LAST PASSENGER, but there is so much more within its pages. Slavery, the English class system (and America’s unspoken one), friendship, love, and loss are all explored under Finch’s deft hand. It was an exciting and emotional read.
Finch’s prose is elegant and engaging. The careful attention to details allows readers to feel immersed in nineteenth century London. Real places, people, and events are sprinkled throughout the tale, at times bringing gravitas or humor in turn. The mystery is intricately plotted and well executed providing a fine puzzle to figure out alongside Lenox.
As much as I always enjoy the murder aspect of this series, it really is the characters that keep me coming back. Lenox, Graham, and Lady Jane, as well as the rest of the supporting cast, are expertly drawn, each with a distinct voice and manner. I do dearly love them.
THE LAST PASSENGER is my favorite of the prequel novels. It delivers on all levels and will surely be among my best reads of 2020. I do hope there are many more Lenox adventures, at any age, to come.
I received an ARC of this title from Minotaur Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
The Last Passenger by Charles Finch is the past of the three book series of prequels to his popular Charles Lenox series and may be one the best he has written. There is an undercurrent throughout the book. I have been struggling to name it: love? calm? maturity? wistfulness? I am not sure, but I can feel it. The story opens in an extremely funny way. Everyone, including Charles, seems to think that maybe it is time he marries. His close friends are all busily trying to find him a wife until it is indeed, hilarious. But of course, then there is a murder. A gruesome one. Unique and under bizarre circumstances, full of coincidence. Just what Charles loves. A man, found on a train, dead. The body is in the third class carriage and, interestingly, all the labels have been cut out of his clothing, even his shoes, making it impossible to identify him from those clues. How had the murder had the time to do this? Where had the conductor been? Charles begins his pursuit.
At home life is the same as always, balls, dinners, quiet evenings at home playing chess with Lord Deere, Lady Jane’s husband. A real friendship had developed there and Charles enjoyed it. The quest for a wife was becoming more successful; he believed he had an option he was happy with: Lady Kitty Ashbrook. He called upon her almost daily and was certain he was in love. The case carried on in the background: a convoluted case involving an American politician and a former slave. The slave the only one remaining alive. Odd, that. This is an excellent book. It takes us rapidly forward in getting to know Lenox. Certainly a character driven book with a good mystery off to the side. I recommend it highly. Charles Lenox is a wonderful character as well as a wonderful man. So much to learn in this book as well. Finch is never parsimonious with his research. One could not make a better choice than this book, than this series.
I received a free ARC of The Last Passenger from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thelastpassenger
In his inimitable, elegant style, Charles Finch spins an engaging mystery steeped in rich historical details. Finch skillfully lays bare an ugly, shameful period and the reformers who sought change the status quo. He also is adept at exploring human nature in all its forms.
Good detective story