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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I just couldn’t get into the story. I didn’t find the plot or characters very compelling.
A lovely little cozy with charming characters set in London in the mid 1800s.
'A Beautiful Blue Death' is a light cozy, mainly featuring amateur detective Charles Lenox and his circle of friends, family and acquaintances. In this case, he is alerted by his dear friend, Lady Jane Grey, to the suspicious death of a maid. The maid was formerly employed by Lady Jane, but had changed jobs recently.
This is very enjoyable to read, although there are some issues with historical accuracy and consistency. Personally, the discrepancies did not prevent me from completely falling for Charles Lenox, and really becoming invested in the mystery and story development.
**eARC netgalley**
'A Beautiful Blue Death' is a light cozy, mainly featuring amateur detective Charles Lenox and his circle of friends, family and acquaintances. In this case, he is alerted by his dear friend, Lady Jane Grey, to the suspicious death of a maid. The maid was formerly employed by Lady Jane, but had changed jobs recently.
This is very enjoyable to read, although there are some issues with historical accuracy and consistency. Personally, the discrepancies did not prevent me from completely falling for Charles Lenox, and really becoming invested in the mystery and story development.
**eARC netgalley**
Victorian England mystery- I thought it was going to be great- but it was just an okay story that never grabbed me and pulled me in- I ended up being bored and had to force myself to finish.
Review 8/12/21:
Charles Lenox, well-to-do Victorian gentleman, is always planning trips to exotic places, but rarely gets to go. Because his other hobby is crime and all to often a case comes along that strikes his fancy. In this first installment of the mystery series, he has just wrapped up a forgery case. He begins to plan a trip to the Riviera, but must cancel the notion when his friend, Lady Jane Grey asks him to investigate the death of her former maid.
Prudence Smith had left Lady Jane's service to work at the home of George Barnard where her fiancé was employed as a footman. She has been found poisoned with a bottle before her and a suicide note on the desk in her room. But Lenox immediately discovers difficulties with the suicide theory--the poison in the bottle is not the poison that killed her. She was polished off by bella indigo (the beautiful blue), a rare and fairly expensive poison. The other snag--Prudence could neither read nor write. Barnard's house is full of suspects--from a fiancé who may have been driven mad with jealousy to one of Barnard's nephews who had dallied with the girl. Barnard's house also houses a great secret and it's possible the girl discovered it and was killed to keep her quiet.
But the more Lenox investigates, the more difficult the case becomes. It appears that everyone with a motive also has an alibi. It isn't until a second death occurs--that of a guest in Barnard's house--and certain statements are made about the dead man that pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place. Once Lenox reviews statements by various suspects, he realizes there is another motive for the murders...one that the police couldn't possibly suspect.
This is a reread for me and I can confirm my previous evaluation. It is a good beginning to the series with excellent and interesting characters. I was particularly struck this time by the relationship between Lenox and his butler Graham and how much it resembles the relationship between Lord Peter Wimsey and Bunter. There is the same easy understanding between them, Graham willingness (even eagerness) to participate in the investigation in whatever manner needed, and the fact that, had they been social equals, they would have been friends. And I thoroughly enjoyed Lenox's brother Edmund and the way this member of Parliament was also so boyishly eager to help Lenox with his detecting. Edmund disguises himself in old clothes and stakes out Barnard's house--watching for anything suspicious!
What didn't work well for me was the wrap-up. I don't like an ending to feel rushed--but I also don't want one to go on forever. Lenox goes through this very long explanation which begins with Lady Jane as his audience and then brings in Edmund and keeps on going. But when he wraps up that scene with them, is that the end? No, there is a further (anticlimactic) extra piece to the ending in the next chapter. And then...Lenox realizes that there is yet another piece to the mystery (not exactly related to the murders--but related to the top secret thing in Barnard's house) which sets up an "I'm still in pursuit of this other master criminal, a la Professor Moriarty" bit and seems to promise that there may be a big show-down in the future. But it falls a bit flat. Fortunately, it didn't detract too much from my enjoyment, so-- ★★★ and a half for a solid reread and a good beginning.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
**************************
~~Original Review when I added the book to Goodreads
I love a good period mystery. Especially a good Victorian period mystery. I found Charles Lenox to be a very engaging, new detective. I bought _The September Society_ first (because it's not only period, but has an academic setting--a sure hook for me) and then checked this out so I could start at the beginning. I am eager to get started on the second book. Not quite as much period detail as I'd like--but a good first outing. Three and a half stars.
Charles Lenox, well-to-do Victorian gentleman, is always planning trips to exotic places, but rarely gets to go. Because his other hobby is crime and all to often a case comes along that strikes his fancy. In this first installment of the mystery series, he has just wrapped up a forgery case. He begins to plan a trip to the Riviera, but must cancel the notion when his friend, Lady Jane Grey asks him to investigate the death of her former maid.
Prudence Smith had left Lady Jane's service to work at the home of George Barnard where her fiancé was employed as a footman. She has been found poisoned with a bottle before her and a suicide note on the desk in her room. But Lenox immediately discovers difficulties with the suicide theory--the poison in the bottle is not the poison that killed her. She was polished off by bella indigo (the beautiful blue), a rare and fairly expensive poison. The other snag--Prudence could neither read nor write. Barnard's house is full of suspects--from a fiancé who may have been driven mad with jealousy to one of Barnard's nephews who had dallied with the girl. Barnard's house also houses a great secret and it's possible the girl discovered it and was killed to keep her quiet.
But the more Lenox investigates, the more difficult the case becomes. It appears that everyone with a motive also has an alibi. It isn't until a second death occurs--that of a guest in Barnard's house--and certain statements are made about the dead man that pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place. Once Lenox reviews statements by various suspects, he realizes there is another motive for the murders...one that the police couldn't possibly suspect.
This is a reread for me and I can confirm my previous evaluation. It is a good beginning to the series with excellent and interesting characters. I was particularly struck this time by the relationship between Lenox and his butler Graham and how much it resembles the relationship between Lord Peter Wimsey and Bunter. There is the same easy understanding between them, Graham willingness (even eagerness) to participate in the investigation in whatever manner needed, and the fact that, had they been social equals, they would have been friends. And I thoroughly enjoyed Lenox's brother Edmund and the way this member of Parliament was also so boyishly eager to help Lenox with his detecting. Edmund disguises himself in old clothes and stakes out Barnard's house--watching for anything suspicious!
What didn't work well for me was the wrap-up. I don't like an ending to feel rushed--but I also don't want one to go on forever. Lenox goes through this very long explanation which begins with Lady Jane as his audience and then brings in Edmund and keeps on going. But when he wraps up that scene with them, is that the end? No, there is a further (anticlimactic) extra piece to the ending in the next chapter. And then...Lenox realizes that there is yet another piece to the mystery (not exactly related to the murders--but related to the top secret thing in Barnard's house) which sets up an "I'm still in pursuit of this other master criminal, a la Professor Moriarty" bit and seems to promise that there may be a big show-down in the future. But it falls a bit flat. Fortunately, it didn't detract too much from my enjoyment, so-- ★★★ and a half for a solid reread and a good beginning.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
**************************
~~Original Review when I added the book to Goodreads
I love a good period mystery. Especially a good Victorian period mystery. I found Charles Lenox to be a very engaging, new detective. I bought _The September Society_ first (because it's not only period, but has an academic setting--a sure hook for me) and then checked this out so I could start at the beginning. I am eager to get started on the second book. Not quite as much period detail as I'd like--but a good first outing. Three and a half stars.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A really nice debut novel. Looking forward to next book.
If you like cozy mysteries set in Victorian England and are not a stickler for period accuracy then you may well enjoy this book. If you need a nice placid story to help fall asleep at night then this may also work for you; that is the only reason I did not DNF this book. What I liked: 1. I did learn a little bit about the stock exchange and economics (assuming the detail was accurate). 2. There was a lot of eating; I like food in books. 3. Some of the characters were mildly interesting. The main reasons for the 2 star rating are: 1. I found the interpersonal interactions to be jarring because they were so modern and not in keeping with the period. If I had never read any Victorian novels I wouldn't know the difference but I have read a lot actually. 2. Two murders yet it felt as though nothing exciting or dramatic happened throughout the entire story arc. I felt no interest or investment in the victims or the potential suspects. 3. It was ok (not the worst book I have read by a long shot), but there was nothing to make it stand out for me - no character or plot device that sets it apart from other novels of its ilk.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No