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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First Sentence: "Clara, who is that gentleman?"
Charles Lenox has, at forty, entered a new phase in his life. He is newly married to Lady Jane, for years his best friend and neighbor, and he is newly elected to Parliament's House of Commons. The second of these events necessitates spending less time doing detective work--but not yet. A colleague in Parliament, Ludovic Starling, has asked Lenox to investigate the murder of one of his footman. As Lenox, and his protégée Dallington, move forward in the investigation, they are met with resistance not only from Scotland Yard but from Starling, who asks them to give up the case. An attack on Lenox stiffens his resolve to find the killer.
Finch has become a favorite of mine and this book, once again, demonstrates why as there were so many levels on which I enjoyed this book.
We are introduced to Lenox and Lady Jane through a conversation held by others, via a prologue which actually works as it allows their back story to be told without it seeming forced or cumbersome. Each of the characters are fully drawn with very brief exposition that brings them to life. One thing by which I am very impressed is how, with each book in the series, the characters lives individually grow and develop. This impacts not only each character but the relationships amongst them. Relationships are something Finch does extremely well, including the awkwardness of a newly married couple and a man making a major change in his career.
Mr. Finch's knowledge of Victorian England is evident in every page and yet, again, so seamlessly incorporated into the plot that it is informative rather than intrusive. Through Lenox's work in Parliament, we learn the concerns of the period and meet historical figures in their proper settings and appropriate roles. Through the birth of a child, we observe the customs and etiquette of the time. Although Finch is American, is studied at Oxford, now lives in the UK and delightfully conveys British humor and understatement, "For an Englishman is was a strange time to be in France....first because of Napoleon's rather uncouth attempt to conquer Europe..." The dialogue has a natural flow but also reflects the speech of the time.
Neither of the above is meant to undervalue the plot. The mystery is intriguing, and full of effective twists. I like that solution is no more obvious to Lenox than to us, the reader. We are presented with numerous possibilities, each dismissed, until the final resolution. Might I have figured it out? Perhaps; but the story involved me to the point where I wasn't deliberately trying.
The only reason I did not rate the book as "excellent" was the use of portents which were completely unnecessary. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do highly recommend it with the proviso suggestion of starting the series at the beginning.
A STRANGER IN MAYFAIR (Hist Mys-Charles Lenox-London, England-Victorian) - VG+
Finch, Charles - 4th in series
Minotaur Books, ©2010, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780312625061
Charles Lenox has, at forty, entered a new phase in his life. He is newly married to Lady Jane, for years his best friend and neighbor, and he is newly elected to Parliament's House of Commons. The second of these events necessitates spending less time doing detective work--but not yet. A colleague in Parliament, Ludovic Starling, has asked Lenox to investigate the murder of one of his footman. As Lenox, and his protégée Dallington, move forward in the investigation, they are met with resistance not only from Scotland Yard but from Starling, who asks them to give up the case. An attack on Lenox stiffens his resolve to find the killer.
Finch has become a favorite of mine and this book, once again, demonstrates why as there were so many levels on which I enjoyed this book.
We are introduced to Lenox and Lady Jane through a conversation held by others, via a prologue which actually works as it allows their back story to be told without it seeming forced or cumbersome. Each of the characters are fully drawn with very brief exposition that brings them to life. One thing by which I am very impressed is how, with each book in the series, the characters lives individually grow and develop. This impacts not only each character but the relationships amongst them. Relationships are something Finch does extremely well, including the awkwardness of a newly married couple and a man making a major change in his career.
Mr. Finch's knowledge of Victorian England is evident in every page and yet, again, so seamlessly incorporated into the plot that it is informative rather than intrusive. Through Lenox's work in Parliament, we learn the concerns of the period and meet historical figures in their proper settings and appropriate roles. Through the birth of a child, we observe the customs and etiquette of the time. Although Finch is American, is studied at Oxford, now lives in the UK and delightfully conveys British humor and understatement, "For an Englishman is was a strange time to be in France....first because of Napoleon's rather uncouth attempt to conquer Europe..." The dialogue has a natural flow but also reflects the speech of the time.
Neither of the above is meant to undervalue the plot. The mystery is intriguing, and full of effective twists. I like that solution is no more obvious to Lenox than to us, the reader. We are presented with numerous possibilities, each dismissed, until the final resolution. Might I have figured it out? Perhaps; but the story involved me to the point where I wasn't deliberately trying.
The only reason I did not rate the book as "excellent" was the use of portents which were completely unnecessary. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do highly recommend it with the proviso suggestion of starting the series at the beginning.
A STRANGER IN MAYFAIR (Hist Mys-Charles Lenox-London, England-Victorian) - VG+
Finch, Charles - 4th in series
Minotaur Books, ©2010, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780312625061
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
33 reviews
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
All the makings of a modern mystery are wrapped up in a Victorian theme.
22 Dec 2010
Format:Hardcover
Nero and Agatha Award nominee Charles Finch's fourth installment in the Charles Lenox series, following THE FLEET STREET MURDERS, is set in London's tony Mayfair section near Hyde Park, as the American Civil War draws to a close. Amateur sleuth Lenox returns from a summer-long continental honeymoon with his bride, Lady Jane Grey. As a wedding gift, Lenox buys his wife a painting, "the blurry one [by a] chap named Monet. Rhymes with bonnet, I think. I never heard of him myself."
The tour of the Continent draws to a close too soon for the newlyweds, as Lenox has been elected as a Member of Parliament, where his brother Edmund also serves. Their parliamentary colleague, Ludovic Starling, asks Lenox to look into the apparent murder of his teenaged footman, Frederick Clarke, though venerable Scotland Yard has taken charge. "Mayfair seemed somehow more civilized. It certainly wasn't a quarter of London that Lenox associated with murder." But there's a seedy side to Mayfair, where Clarke and Starling hid secret lives.
As Lenox's investigation with his apprentice, John Dallington, immediately identifies the murder weapon as a pavement brick, Starling insists: "Shall we just let the Yard handle it?" He hints that he is to receive a title from Queen Victoria, "a roundish, placid, unbeautiful woman." Disturbing issues Lenox discovers about the Starling family that Clarke served cultivate curiosity: "Starling's behavior was odd. Why ask Lenox onto the case and then try to kick him off? The title?"
"The butler did it!" Long-time servant Jack Collingwood lays claim to the homicide, lying to protect one of the Starlings' "quintessentially English" household. But which one? Starling himself? One of his sons? Or perhaps one of the many servants? The investigation is sped along by old Uncle Tiberius, who discloses that Starling's son Paul has not left for Africa, as suggested by Lady Elizabeth Starling, "that devil woman."
"True, visceral terror gripped at Lenox's heart," as he confronts the presumed murderer. Grim secrets reside at the Starling mansion and hide from Lenox, but "[t]he truth wants to come out." When it does, those Lenox least suspect had been in his midst all the while. The culprit is "a character that was dreadful and dark, capable of evil things."
All the makings of a modern mystery are wrapped up in a Victorian theme. This is really two novels: one of intrigue, the other of a richly written detail of life in London as it was 15 decades ago. So grab a spot of tea and enjoy both.
--- Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy ([...])
The tour of the Continent draws to a close too soon for the newlyweds, as Lenox has been elected as a Member of Parliament, where his brother Edmund also serves. Their parliamentary colleague, Ludovic Starling, asks Lenox to look into the apparent murder of his teenaged footman, Frederick Clarke, though venerable Scotland Yard has taken charge. "Mayfair seemed somehow more civilized. It certainly wasn't a quarter of London that Lenox associated with murder." But there's a seedy side to Mayfair, where Clarke and Starling hid secret lives.
As Lenox's investigation with his apprentice, John Dallington, immediately identifies the murder weapon as a pavement brick, Starling insists: "Shall we just let the Yard handle it?" He hints that he is to receive a title from Queen Victoria, "a roundish, placid, unbeautiful woman." Disturbing issues Lenox discovers about the Starling family that Clarke served cultivate curiosity: "Starling's behavior was odd. Why ask Lenox onto the case and then try to kick him off? The title?"
"The butler did it!" Long-time servant Jack Collingwood lays claim to the homicide, lying to protect one of the Starlings' "quintessentially English" household. But which one? Starling himself? One of his sons? Or perhaps one of the many servants? The investigation is sped along by old Uncle Tiberius, who discloses that Starling's son Paul has not left for Africa, as suggested by Lady Elizabeth Starling, "that devil woman."
"True, visceral terror gripped at Lenox's heart," as he confronts the presumed murderer. Grim secrets reside at the Starling mansion and hide from Lenox, but "[t]he truth wants to come out." When it does, those Lenox least suspect had been in his midst all the while. The culprit is "a character that was dreadful and dark, capable of evil things."
All the makings of a modern mystery are wrapped up in a Victorian theme. This is really two novels: one of intrigue, the other of a richly written detail of life in London as it was 15 decades ago. So grab a spot of tea and enjoy both.
--- Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy ([...])
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Historical Fiction and Mystery Combined
12 Nov 2010
Format:Hardcover
This book is a great mix of genres. It is a murder mystery which is historically accurate, bringing alive the history and culture of the Victorian era. It is well written and the characters well-developed. It was a real page turner!
18 of 24 people found the following review helpful
exciting Victorian mystery
11 Nov 2010
Format:Hardcover
In Victorian England, Charles Lenox, son of and brother to a baronet, is euphoric to marry his beloved lifelong friend and new wife, Lady Jane Grey. Since they resided in adjoining houses, they hired an architect to create a larger abode out of the two smaller homes.
His simple life becomes complicated when he responds to the doorbell. An acquaintance Ludwig Starling wants Charles, a private investigator who has solved cases that baffled the Yard, to uncover who killed his footman Frederick Clarke. Although Charles wants to be ready for the next session of parliament as he an active member, he cannot resist the lure of an investigation. Charles finds no dark documents when he inquires inside of his client's home. Lenox and Starling visit the alley where Clarke was murdered only to have someone stab Ludwig. The butler is arrested but Charles knows he is innocent even when the man confesses. What Charles does not know could kill him as the culprit overtly observes his every move in plain sight.
The newest Lenox Victorian mystery (see the Fleet Street Murders) once again brings history and the culture of the era alive inside a strong whodunit. However, make no mistake the tale belongs to Lenox. The hero understands society's rules especially limitations, but ignores the prejudicial class aspects. For instance his occupation as a private investigator is considered as lowly trade by high society, but Lenox couldn't care less as sleuthing gives him special satisfaction. He loves his wife, but is also extremely grateful that in spite of her being a Lady and worried about his safety she encourages her forty years old husband to detect.
Harriet Klausner
His simple life becomes complicated when he responds to the doorbell. An acquaintance Ludwig Starling wants Charles, a private investigator who has solved cases that baffled the Yard, to uncover who killed his footman Frederick Clarke. Although Charles wants to be ready for the next session of parliament as he an active member, he cannot resist the lure of an investigation. Charles finds no dark documents when he inquires inside of his client's home. Lenox and Starling visit the alley where Clarke was murdered only to have someone stab Ludwig. The butler is arrested but Charles knows he is innocent even when the man confesses. What Charles does not know could kill him as the culprit overtly observes his every move in plain sight.
The newest Lenox Victorian mystery (see the Fleet Street Murders) once again brings history and the culture of the era alive inside a strong whodunit. However, make no mistake the tale belongs to Lenox. The hero understands society's rules especially limitations, but ignores the prejudicial class aspects. For instance his occupation as a private investigator is considered as lowly trade by high society, but Lenox couldn't care less as sleuthing gives him special satisfaction. He loves his wife, but is also extremely grateful that in spite of her being a Lady and worried about his safety she encourages her forty years old husband to detect.
Harriet Klausner
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