A Beautiful Blue Death (Charles Lenox Mysteries): Charles Finch: 9780312386078: Amazon.com: Books

From Publishers Weekly

Set in England in 1865, Finch's impressive debut introduces an appealing gentleman sleuth, Charles Lenox. When Lady Jane Grey's former servant, Prue Smith, dies in an apparent suicide-by-poisoning, Lady Jane asks Lenox, her closest friend, to investigate. The attractive young maid had been working in the London house of George Barnard, the current director of the Royal Mint. Lenox quickly determines that Smith's death was a homicide, but both Barnard and Scotland Yard resist that conclusion, forcing him to work discreetly. Aided by his Bunter-like butler and friend, Graham, the detective soon identifies a main suspect, only to have that theory shattered by that man's murder. Finch laces his writing with some Wodehousian touches and devises a solution intricate enough to fool most readers. Lovers of quality historical whodunits will hope this is the first in a series. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Vividly capturing the essence of Victorian England, Finch presents us with a unique sleuth who combines the deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes with the people skills of Thomas Pitt. A sparkling achievement.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“A fine specimen of the genre…. Particularly good is [Finch’s] delineation of Lenox’s cozy-but-proper relationship with Lady Jane.” —The Washington Post

“The best sort of historical mystery—clever, charming, full of period detail, and a delight to read.” —David Liss, author of The Whiskey Rebels

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars

(93)

See all 93 customer reviews

“ Great character development and an interesting plot make this book very difficult to put down! ” L. Goodman | 22 reviewers made a similar statement

“ More importantly, the book was far too long, and the characters just not interesting enough to hold my attention. ” Richard Berg | 25 reviewers made a similar statement

“ A Beautiful Blue Death is Charles Finch's delightful debut novel. ” Armchair Interviews | 14 reviewers made a similar statement

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful characters, story well told July 31, 2007

By Armchair Interviews

Format:Hardcover

Victorian gentleman Charles Lenox recently assisted Scotland Yard in solving the Isabel Lewes case; a simple case the Yard should have easily solved despite their appalling lack of imagination. Now, on a bitterly cold late afternoon, all Lenox wants to do is sit in his library and enjoy the bliss of a warm fire. So when he receives an urgent message from Lady Jan Grey, his closest friend and next door neighbor, he ventures forth to brave the cold, despite his inadequate boots.

Lady Grey's former servant, Prue Smith, has apparently committed suicide-by-poisoning at the home of her new employer, George Barnard, the current director of the Royal Mint. At Lady Grey's request, Lenox visits the crime scene and is quickly convinced that Prue's death is murder, despite assurances from the Yard and Barnard that it is suicide. Thomas McConnell, a surgeon and close associate of Lenox, determines the cause of death to be a rare poison called bella indigo (beautiful blue). The Yard does not welcome Lenox's assistance, and that leaves him little access to the Barnard household, forcing him to investigate discreetly and utilize the services of Graham, his butler and friend. It is not until a second death occurs that Lenox begins to piece together the puzzling crime.

A Beautiful Blue Death is Charles Finch's delightful debut novel. The pairing of Lenox and Graham brings to mind Lord Peter Wimsey and his valet Bunter. Similar to Dorothy Sayer's creations, Lenox and Graham share more than a purely professional relationship. Despite the friendship and amity they feel for each other, the barriers of class keep them separated.

What elevates A Beautiful Blue Death is the relationships Lenox has with the people around him. While the central mystery is fascinating, what captivates readers is the exploration of Lenox's relationship with Lady Jane and the glimpse it provides of a gentleman of leisure's life. Their habit of taking tea together illustrates the depth of their relationship, unusual for a time when men and women's lives had little intersection.

Armchair Interviews says: It is the man these relationships illuminate which will draw readers to future volumes about Charles Lenox.

1 Comment |

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Victorian mystery October 18, 2007

By Bookworm

I am a huge fan of Victorian murder mysteries and finding a new author is like winning the lottery. I absolutely loved A Beautiful Blue Death. Charles Finch's writing is rich, descriptive, and engaging. The mystery itself is fascinating and draws you right in. You'll find yourself rooting not only for Charles Lenox - the brilliant yet reluctant detective - but for his friend, Lady Jane, and his loyal butler, Graham.

Finch does not get bogged down in everyday details of Victorian life, so if you're not a big fan of Victorian era books, don't worry.

I highly recommend this book not only to Victorian mystery fans, but to all history fans.

Comment |

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars New mystery series one of the best. !! August 3, 2007

By Sharon B. Slaney

The author, Charles Finch, has a winner with this new cozy mystery set in Victorian England. The characterization is suburb. Lenox is a very likable well rounded amateur sleuth who lives comfortably in London next door to his childhood friend,a widow, with whom there is just a hint of romantic interest. He has a brother who is a parliamentary figure and a loyal, intelligent butler who helps with the "leg-work" of solving the mystery. Finch has included domestic scenes that make the story comfortable and keep the characters grounded. He adds historical detail about the current political events of the era without detracting from the plot. The plot is intriguing and believable. He doesn't rely on ghoulish forensics or psychotic killers - the reader has to actually think about motive! One of the best mysteries to come along in quite awhile. I highly recommend this book!!