I’m glad Aubrey Hamilton talked me into reading Charles Finch’s first Charles Lenox mystery, A Beautiful Blue Death. It was a finalist for the 2007 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. I had read a recent one in the series, but I never started at the beginning. It’s a satisfying mystery, an easy read with dry humor. It’s slow-paced, with an unforgettable protagonist, and other multilayered characters. Best of all, it’s set in 1865 in London. Victorian England is my favorite time period for historical mysteries.
“Lenox, perhaps the premier amateur investigator of his era”, has the money to live in Mayfair, the most prestigious address in London, and lives next door to a widow, Lady Jane Grey, who was a close childhood friend. Lady Jane is the one who drags Lenox into his latest case when she says Prudence Smith, a former maid, has been found dead, and she suspects murder. At her request, Lenox goes to the home of George Barnard, a wealthy man who employed Prudence. The body is still in her room, and Lenox and a good friend, Dr Thomas McConnell, suspect the young woman was poisoned. Barnard insists she committed suicide, and Inspector Exeter from Scotland Yard immediately agrees with Barnard, and pushes Lenox out of the picture.
But Lenox feels for the young maid, and he can’t let down Lady Jane. He doesn’t really suspect any of the servants, but he finds an unusual group of guests staying at Barnard’s house. As Director of the Mint, Barnard has a great deal of clout, and he and Exeter use pressure to insist on suicide. Even though Lenox is attacked in an alley, his brother and friends help him quietly investigate. Even Exeter asks for help before there’s another murder in Barnard’s house, this time during a ball.
I have an enormous TBR pile, but Charles Lenox, Lady Jane, and Lenox’ butler, Graham, will bring me back to this series. There’s a great deal of period historical detail, including the background provided by the details of the daily life of a gentleman during the 1860s. It’s a pleasure to step into Charles Lenox’ world.
A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch. St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2007. 324p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
I love the Charles Lenox mysteries. The mysteries themselves are great but it’s the characters that make this series truly stand out for me. I enjoy the books as much for them as I do for the mysteries. I’ve read the first seven of the fifteen books currently in the series. This is an excellent reminder to get back to them!
I can tell that already, Lindy. It really is about the characters. And, I loved Charles, Lady Jane, Charles’ brother, Edmund, and the butler, Graham.
Same for me, Lindy. I read this first one and really enjoyed it–why didn’t I go on? I’ll have to try again.
I had read one of his most recent book in this series last year and requested all of his other books starting from the beginning from my library. It was really satisfying being able to read them in order, and I felt like I knew the characters well. I really liked this author’s writing and his characters.
I’m going to do the same thing, Bonnie. But, I’m waiting until the new year because I’ll be at my Mom’s. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the characters and the entire series!
I adore this series. I have read all the books, and it is best to read them in order as the characters grow throughout the series. If one is into audiobooks the narrator is also very good. I do highly encourage this series for engaging characters and plots. It does take one back into time!
Thank you, Tracy. I’ll definitely be reading them in order after the new year. I liked the characters, even if it was just this one book, and I’m looking forward to following along.