This chilling new mystery in the USA Today bestselling series by Charles Finch takes readers back to Charles Lenox’s very first case and the ruthless serial killer who would set him on the course to become one of London’s most brilliant detectives. London, 1850: A young Charles Lenox struggles to make a name for himself as a detective…without a single case. Scotland Yard refuses to take him … Yard refuses to take him seriously and his friends deride him for attempting a profession at all. But when an anonymous writer sends a letter to the paper claiming to have committed the perfect crime–and promising to kill again–Lenox is convinced that this is his chance to prove himself.
The writer’s first victim is a young woman whose body is found in a naval trunk, caught up in the rushes of a small islets in the middle of the Thames. With few clues to go on, Lenox endeavors to solve the crime before another innocent life is lost. When the killer’s sights are turned toward those whom Lenox holds most dear, the stakes are raised and Lenox is trapped in a desperate game of cat and mouse.
In the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, this newest mystery in the Charles Lenox series pits the young detective against a maniacal murderer who would give Professor Moriarty a run for his money.
more
WOW! I am in awe of Charles Finch and his writing and I’d give this book more than 5-stars if I could. This has to be the absolute best book of the Charles Lenox Mystery series so far. While it is shown as book #0 in the series because it is a prequel, it is actually something like the thirteenth if you count the novellas. The writing is superb, the characters are fully developed and relatable, and the story is fast-paced, engrossing and detailed.
We are introduced to a young Charles Lenox, just twenty-three years of age and newly living in London on his own. He desperately wants to be a detective, but his few forays into it and his interactions with Scotland Yard have been very disappointing. However, being the tenacious young man that he is, Charles perseveres by honing his knowledge of crimes in London, how they are solved and the details behind them. He does that by buying copies of all of the newspapers and cutting all of the crime related articles out and filing them away.
When one of those newspapers carry the text of a letter claiming that the writer had already committed one ‘perfect’ murder and would be committing another soon, Charles knew he had to be involved. He and his valet, Graham, use the timeline given in the letter and find the case the letter writer must be claiming as his perfect crime. They are off to Scotland Yard to show them their conjecture and to offer their services. Of course, Scotland Yard wants no part of their help, but that doesn’t deter Charles. As he digs and learns more and more – he shares it all with Scotland Yard.
While the murder plot was interesting, detailed and engrossing, I think my favorite parts of the book were the more personal parts. Those are skillfully written and poignant, heartwarming, emotional and sad. We meet Charles’ mother and father and learn of the father, Edward’s, medical diagnosis. How Charles, his mother, and brother Edmund – his father too – deal with that is so bittersweet and lovely. I absolutely adored his father and the efforts he made to ensure that he spent time with each of the family members individually and that they knew he loved them. I loved the descriptions of his fence painting – and I loved that when he finally spoke to Charles about his leaving them he said – “The hardest part of losing a person, Charles, is that grief is only an absence. There is nowhere to go to touch it.”
It was fun to meet the younger, more immature versions of people we’ll get to know and love throughout the series. There is Jane, of course. She’s married to someone else and Charles is heartbroken over that. Graham, of course, is one of my favorite people. Then, we meet a very young and very mischievous John Dallington.
I usually don’t read prequels, especially if I know that someone doesn’t last through the series – especially because of a bad end. I am so very, very happy that I made an exception for this book. It is so well written, so well developed and just such a wonderful read that I cannot imagine having missed it.
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
If you’re a fan of Charles Finch’s Lenox books, this one is a prequel to all his later books. A 23 year old Lenox begins his career of detection with a wary Scotland Yard, a society that will shun him, and an eagerness to succeed. Wonderfully written, this book explores Victorian England with its strict social code, Lenox’s relationship to his family, and to the Lady Jane. A gentle refined mystery, but certainly not a wimpy book.
I enjoyed this story by Charles Finch (a new author for me). Sometimes you just need a good mystery book to read. Thanks
I had read the second book in this series and liked it enough to jump at the opportunity to review the first book as well. This is where it all starts, Charles Lennox’s first-ever case.
Charles Lenox, a young man of noble birth graduated 7 months earlier from Oxford doesn’t find much joy in the usual pleasures of his class and has it gotten into his head to become something that doesn’t exist in England up to now. He will be the first private detective but Scotland Yard laughs at his endeavour and to his class, he’s an embarrassment as gentlemen aren’t supposed to work with their hands.
In one of his newspapers Charles finds a mysterious letter by someone claiming that a month earlier, he committed a murder that was hardly noticed by press or police. As to celebrate this ‘anniversary’ he will commit another crime against a woman within a week. This article intrigues him and he starts searching for the crime that’s been committed. In Walnut Grove (a small islet in the Thames near Twickenham) they found the naked body of an unknown strangled young woman hidden in a sailor’s trunk, just a month earlier. There were no leads as to the identity of the victim or killer and the press lost her interest as a higher profile murder took place around the same time. If the letter is real, there’s hardly a day left before the murderer will strike again. And he does. There are police detectives on the case already but Lenox is determined to be part of the investigation. Sir Richard Mayne, head of Scotland Yard, does hire him and pays him half a pound a week. Payment is a dishonour for a gentleman and in the next book he’s very adamant that he doesn’t charge for his services. Another letter arrives in which the killer promises another murder in a month’s time before he will disappear. Little by little Lenox finds clues that reveal several things about the killer’s identity. How it eventually resolves is simply brilliant. I hadn’t guessed this outcome in a million years!
Lenox has also a mysterious private case from a man that keeps finding envelopes with a five-pound note, each time he travels from his house in Dulwich to London or back
There are also a few interesting stories about the background stories of his valet/assistant Graham and the housekeeper Mrs Huggins, who’s susceptible to cats. It turns out that she’s not the only one. We get a lovable look-in at Lenox’s home- and family life as well. His father has a cancer death-sentence and we live with Charles through this difficult period when he connects with his father more than ever before.
As always I’m a fan of the tidbits of period facts. And there are plenty in this story. The safety matches (as opposed to Lucifer matches that sometimes caught fire spontaneously) came into use. I didn’t know that 1850 was the year that the first ever hippopotamus was brought to England from Egypt and thousands of people came to see him at the London Zoo. You also learn how ‘Scotland Yard’ came by its name. What’s not in the story but also interesting is that it’s the year that ‘David Copperfield’ came out as a complete book.
I must praise the detailed and vivid descriptions of the sights and of London street scenes and of activities on the Thames. The river often takes centre stage in this story. You can certainly picture and almost smell or hear them.
I thanks Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC and this is my honest review
I really enjoy the Charles Lennox series … and I enjoyed this book that steps back in time to essentially his first case. Set in 1850 London, it was an enjoyable read.
The Woman in the Water by author Charles Finch is set in the 1950’s England. This is a prequel to the series of Charles Lenox detective mysteries. The young would-be detective is often joked about in his circle of friends and soon catches his first big case. He is taunted by a newspaper notice about a person who has pulled of the perfect murder or crime. This sets in motion a series of events which tests the young detective’s abilities and further threatens those he cares about. As you read pay attention to detail…the clues to the murderer will be found in the details!
In my opinion, it seems the Charles Lenox detective mysteries are written a bit slower pace than the Sherlock Holmes if you try to compare the two. So, keep in mind the time period and a bit of a different style of writing. But very well written!
Awesome start to the series! It’s actually a prequel, so written later than many of the books, but gave me a wonderful introduction to the characters, setting, and style. As a huge Dorothy Sayers fan, I recognize many elements, but the story and timeframe are totally different, so that fine by me.
The Woman in the Water is the second book I’ve read by Charles Finch that follows British detective Charles Lenox. This is the first of the series, in which Lenox takes on his first case. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Finch weaves a great mystery that starts with a woman found dead inside a trunk that had been set adrift on the Thames River. The bold killer boasts in a letter sent to a newspaper that he has committed the perfect crime and that he plans another killing soon. Lenox, who has just turned 23, takes up the challenge as he has decided detective work will be his career.
The mystery is only one part of the story that I enjoyed. The author turns his main character into a real person who has a lost love, family complications, and a propensity for drinking a bit too much as a young man might do. Lenox is far from the hard-boiled detective in so many novels. He is a gentleman, born to wealth and privilege, and has a valet who is also his sidekick and friend.
I’m hooked on Finch’s series now and look forward to reading more.
London, 1850: A young Charles Lenox struggles to make a name for himself as a detective…without a single case. Scotland Yard refuses to take him seriously and his friends deride him for attempting a profession at all. But when an anonymous writer sends a letter to the paper claiming to have committed the perfect crime–and promising to kill again–Lenox is convinced that this is his chance to prove himself, with few clues to go on, Lenox endeavours to solve the crime before another innocent life is lost. When the killer’s sights are turned toward those whom Lenox holds most dear, the stakes are raised and Lenox is trapped in a desperate game of cat and mouse.
This is a prequel to the series & the first I’ve read as I’ve been gradually buying the series ready for a binge read. So I’m so glad to start right at the beginning as it’s whetted my appetite to read the rest. First rate writing & a well paced story. The characters had depth, I warmed to Charles & his valet graham from the start, I also enjoyed getting to know Charles’ family & friends. I devoured the book in two sittings – loved it
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The Woman in the Water by Charles Finch is a prequel story in the Charles Lenox series – takes place in London, 1850 with Lenox trying to establish himself as a private detective. He is laughed at by Scotland Yard and his peers disapprove of his job pursuits yet he is determined to make a name for himself. Along with his valet, Graham he searches for the case that will prove his ability. The Woman in the Water is his first case involving a cunning serial killer who mocks the police and taunts Charles. When the killer sets his sights on those close to him, Charles races against time to solve the crime.
In general, I’m a fan of Victorian London mysteries and have enjoyed the Charles Lenox series in particular. This prequel is no exception. Charles can be a bit arrogant – a reflection of his social standing and wealth but ultimately is a likable, interesting character. I liked the fast moving plot (it had enough twists to keep me guessing and engaged in the story), the relationship between Charles and Graham (quietly fun, charming) and the overall setting. Enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc ebook
Read 4.8.2019
Charles Finch takes us back to Charles Lennox’s very first case – The Woman in the Water.
Lennox is 23 and has decided to become a detective [much to the dismay of his father] and this book takes us through that very first case; he and Graham are combing the newspapers when Lennox sees a tie between two recent murders and that takes him to Scotland Yard and the mystery unfolds.
There are many twists and turns [and there were a couple moments where I was like OMG – DUH!] and I will say that Lennox at 23 is QUITE the drama queen [I may or may not have sprained my eyeballs in rolling them over and over during his exclamations and declarations] and I am really glad that he grew out of that. And you do not get a happy ending, but it is very intriguing. And I enjoyed it very, very much.
Well written mystery.
The Woman in the Water is the first prequel book in the Charles Lenox Mysteries series by Charles Finch. I’m usually not a big fan of prequel books, but this book and the next one (The Vanishing Man) has changed my opinion of them. Since this is a prequel book – and the first one -, it totally stands alone. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; however, I am basing my review on the audio book version of this work which I purchased for myself. I listened to the audio book of The Vanishing Man (which also can stand alone) and it was superb, so I wanted to listen to this one also. James Langton, the narrator, is truly magnificent; he’s one of the best I’ve heard.
Charles Lenox is a young detective in 1850 London. Being the son of a Baronet, “work” is looked down upon by Society. However, Lenox, a very intelligent young man, is determined to make a career out of detection. He, along with his valet Graham, reads the papers every morning and clip out articles that catch their interest. They come across an interesting one: a man boasting of committing the “perfect crime”. From the timeline, it appears that the murderer is planning another one. He takes his ideas to Scotland yard, but they don’t take him very seriously…until he proves to be right. After another murder occurs, it becomes a race against time before the killer strikes again.
Though I’ve only “read” two books in this series so far, it is now one of my favorites. Charles Finch truly draws you into young Lenox’s world. You can sense Lenox’s frustration in attempting to set up a career as a detective when he is looked down upon by most in Scotland Yard. I thought the mystery here was rather brilliant; I did not see any of the truth coming until Lenox revealed it. Red herrings continually threw me off track. One of my favorite things about this book, however, dealt with Lenox’s relationships with those in his sphere: his dying father, his mother, Graham, brother Edmund…and Lady Elizabeth. That one got to me most of all; Lenox risks his friendship with Elizabeth by declaring his love for her, though she is married and he knows his affection can’t go anywhere.
I am so grateful the publisher has granted me the ARC of the next book, The Last Passenger. Do not let this absolutely brilliant series pass you by!
Charles Finch is a wonderful writer, number one, but more than that he is smart enough to know that there are lots of readers in 2019 that love a story with decent
intelligent human beings with good manners, who live honorably with elan. I enjoy that period in history and particularly in Britain. Fun to have a little history with a very appealing protagonist. I have read the series before and am rereading with even more enjoyment.
Avoids stereotypes of British mysteries. Has a deft, light touch to the playful wit between great characters. A commendable work.
This was a somewhat well written book, although entirely forgettable. An easy read, true to the times (1850 England), but, for me, the author utilized silly literary mechanisms to keep the mystery of the murderer hidden from the hapless reader. A week after finishing this, I needed to have a quick perusal just to recall the overall plot so as to write this brief overview.
Charles Lenox may often be compared to Sherlock since they are both in that consulting detective classification and they use attention to detail and deduction as their tools. But that is where the likeness ends. Lenox wants to make a difference, has a heart for people, and is more balanced than Sherlock.
Charles’s unrequited love interest Elizabeth is his best friend yet she is married. This gives the backstory to their relationship in the rest of the books. The detectives at Scotland Yard don’t warm up to him in this first case which makes the later books richer. But his brother Edmund and especially his ill father are such revealing interactions for this young Lenox. The housekeeper Mrs Huggins is exasperating, pushy, and funny. She provides the counter weight to murder and mayhem with mundane demands on young Lenox.
London’s Thames river and its seedier surroundings make for a great setting. The murders and the killer’s published taunts are just real enough to give goose-flesh. The added touches of the media’s fevered coverage of the second murder is realistic and adds to the overall atmosphere. It is such details that envelope the reader in the story. The murder and the subplots all make it hard to put the story down. The killer reveal had a significant twist that was quite the surprise. The wrap up leaves one tantalizing thread that perhaps will be revisited in later book.
I loved this book and seeing Charles Lenox as a young man full of promise and self-doubts making his way. This is a great book for those that haven’t read any of the series. It has renewed my desire to read the others in the series.
Rating: Near Perfect – Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.
After spending time following along with the intuitive, Victorian era, middle-aged detective and his friends, I was more than eager when I discovered that this latest release would take readers back to the early days of Charles Lenox’s first celebrated case.
The Woman of the Water is a late prequel to a long-standing series and works just fine as a beginning read to the series or for taking it in release order.
The story opens with a much younger Charles leaving his university days behind and choosing to stun polite society with the news that he is going to be a consulting detective. Two provocative letters in the newspaper and a dead body give him the break he needs to assist the London police and show he can do it. It’s a particularly poignant time because he waited too long to tell the woman he loved his feelings and she accepted someone else whom she loves and he is made aware that his father only has a few months left after a growth is discovered.
From the first book in the series, I have been taken with Charles Lennox, Graham, Lady Jane, Thomas O’Donnell, and others in Charles’ circle. I loved that this book goes back to the beginning when they were all much younger and how things came to be the way they are. Lennox was written with his brilliance and heart, but more of a touch of youthful fire and confidence that the difficult murder case threatens to dampen and put out entirely.
The historical detail and how it blends into the plot was done amazingly well. I always feel like I’m right there in Charles’ Victorian world when I read this series and this book was no exception.
The mystery is clever and twisting. I loved following along and discovering the significance of the clues. I totally missed on the solution, but had a great time trying.
The depth of friendship, family, and personal growth that melded with the mystery for this one was probably more compelling than the cunning murder. My emotions were engaged several times even beyond my mind on the mystery. I had the urge to go back and re-read the series after this one.
I heartily recommend this book/series to those who particularly enjoy historical mysteries.
He is always gripping
This story is a prequel to the other Charles Lenox stories. Like the others, it is very well written, full of interesting characters and plot twists. I enjoyed it immensely.