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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
Not badly done, but an overtrod path. Victorian England murder mystery with an odd but remarkably astute detective? Hmm, where have I encountered that before? Not a bad read, just very unoriginal
PopSugar 2019: "A book about an amateur detective."
A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch is the first book in the Victorian mystery series featuring investigator Charles Lenox. Lenox has developed a reputation in London for being able to solve mysteries that others, even Scotland Yard, have trouble with. As a gentleman, the wealthy feel they can trust his discretion, but the poor also seek him out as a good man. In this case, his neighbor and best friend from childhood, Lady Jane Grey, asks for his help determining the truth behind the death of her former maid Prudence Smith who was recently found dead of poison in the home of her new employer, George Barnard. He quickly calls on Dr. Thomas McConnell, a formerly brilliant surgeon who because of marital trouble has turned to drink and therefore works best on the dead, to help him get to the bottom of the supposed suicide. But Lenox's cast of suspects is large, and after Barnard determines to have the case dismissed as suicide, his access to the participants becomes difficult at best, but Lenox is determined to solve this case for Lady Jane and to find justice for Prue. Finch introduces several fascinating characters in this debut from gentlemanly bachelor Lenox who revels in his solitude to Lady Jane whose early widowhood has cast a pallor on her, but is still the reigning queen of the London ton to Thomas and Toto McConnell whose marriage was a fairy tale story that fell to tragedy and they are now putting the pieces back together to Edmund Lenox, Charles' brother, who has unexpected death, even to Charles! Throw in the multitude of servants and Lenox's own Irregulars, and Finch really has populated the series with a wide range of interesting supporting cast. The mystery itself is nicely complicated and will keep readers guessing right up to Lenox's surprising announcement of the murderer, and then Finch throws in a nice twist right at the end that will hook readers for the next book. This solid mystery will please fans of the genre, and the character development should give it plenty of room to grow.
A Beautiful Blue Death is the first book in the extensive Charles Lenox series of historical mysteries, first published in 2007 and reissued in 2021. This was my first exposure to the series, which is now up to 11 plus some prequels. It features an upper class Englishman who is an amateur detective. He enjoys outsmarting Scotland Yard.
I found the main mystery to be interesting, but the book moved rather slowly for me. There were definitely some oddities that other reviewers have mentioned - even for someone like myself who is not particularly conversant with English colloquialisms, I realized that there were a number of American-isms used, like “sidewalk” instead of “pavement.” Lenox seemed overly familiar with his butler, Graham, despite a quick explanation of their backstory. Lenox sends Graham out to help with the investigation, which reminded me a bit of Nero Wolfe and Archie, although I haven’t read those books in ages.
These questions remain with me: 1) Why doesn’t a rich, upper-class man have better boots? 2) Who eats “cold sliced tomatoes, mashed potatoes, and milk”, referred to as simple food? Ick.
Apparently from the ratings, his later books get better. I hope so.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read a copy of this reissued book. All opinions are my own.
I found the main mystery to be interesting, but the book moved rather slowly for me. There were definitely some oddities that other reviewers have mentioned - even for someone like myself who is not particularly conversant with English colloquialisms, I realized that there were a number of American-isms used, like “sidewalk” instead of “pavement.” Lenox seemed overly familiar with his butler, Graham, despite a quick explanation of their backstory. Lenox sends Graham out to help with the investigation, which reminded me a bit of Nero Wolfe and Archie, although I haven’t read those books in ages.
These questions remain with me: 1) Why doesn’t a rich, upper-class man have better boots? 2) Who eats “cold sliced tomatoes, mashed potatoes, and milk”, referred to as simple food? Ick.
Apparently from the ratings, his later books get better. I hope so.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read a copy of this reissued book. All opinions are my own.
I listen to the story on audio and really enjoyed it. I will admit I did not enjoy the story as much in the book format. Having the story read out loud and my such an amazing reader, really made the story come alive for me. I quickly checked out the next book in audio from the library the minute the first one ended. If you are going on a road trip or have a decent commute, and enjoy a cozy mystery, I would definitely recommend this one.
reflective
slow-paced
It's not Holmes and Watson, but aspects of it reminded me of such! This isa murder mystery. Charles Lenox, Lady Jane, even the butler are all strong charters. It's Victorian and almost British in style, a rather classic kind of "who done it" is in play. People dying from a blue indigo plant makes for a blue death. The first part felt slow, but it pulls together very quickly.
My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
This book starts off what became one of my favorite series. The mysteries are clever and there's something comforting about how Finch describes the Victorian British setting. Perfect book to curl up with on a cold day.
Wasn't good enough for me to be interested in continuing the series. I felt it was flawed and loaded with cliches; mediocre.
I read other books in this series and was happy to read this one as it's the first.
I enjoyed it even if I found it a bit less gripping that the further installment.
It's a good story, the characters are interesting and I think it's a good introduction to the series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I enjoyed it even if I found it a bit less gripping that the further installment.
It's a good story, the characters are interesting and I think it's a good introduction to the series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine