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.
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The Woman in the Water by Charles Finch is the prequel novel to his Charles Lenox mystery series.
Right from the beginning we are taken back to a time when Lenox arrives in London and aspires to become a private detective. Our beloved characters are younger and we learn more about their relationships and how they became friends.
While clipping the crime articles from all the newspapers, Graham and Lenox find a letter from a proposed killer about committing the perfect crime. The letter states that he will commit another perfect crime in one month’s time. With urgency, Lenox and Graham report to Scotland Yard. Unfortunately, the Yard does not find the murderer in time. A second body has been discovered.
Lenox is determined to solve this crime and the Yard finally allows him to handle a case. He must now use his skills to find the killer before another dead body is found.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this book! I’ve been a huge Lenox fan since I discovered the series three years ago. When Charles Finch announced that he was writing a prequel to the series, I had to read it as soon as possible.
All the familiar characters are there: Lenox, Graham, Edmond, Lady Jane, Mrs Huggins, and even Exeter. We see them in a much younger light and learn more about their relationships. I especially loved the relationship between Lenox and Graham. The reader learns more about how they came to be master and servant, and how much of a comradery they are together. They really are a team when it comes to detecting. And let’s not fool with Graham’s underlining good humor.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Lenox and his father. Being the younger son, Lenox would not inherit the estate or seat in parliament. This leans more for the older son and father to have a closer relationship. But Mr. Lenox did not neglect his youngest son. As the book goes on, the relationship takes on a bigger meaning and it almost brought me to tears.
And of course, let’s not forget about the murder! Finch always does his murders in a very chic and classy way. There’s a method and it’s been great to see that develop over his books. The Woman in the Water is a breath of fresh air and something totally unexpected. You may think you have it figured out, but the twist this book has will blow you away.
The Woman in the Water by Charles Finch receives 5 stars.
Since this one is actually set before all of the preceding novels, it was interesting to read how the same characters were very early on–right after graduation from Oxford.
And, of course, I always enjoy the little nuggets of knowledge about how sayings came about, or things are called–such as why Scotland Yard is called just that.