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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
My friend and colleague, Martha, intro'd me to this series when I was finishing my latest Jacqueline Winspear. I love the Victorian-era setting and Charles Lenox's growing respect for women, as the series progresses.
Terrible. Plodding mystery without suspense, and little care for either the victim or the killer. Blegh
Charles Finch published his first “Charles Lenox mystery” in 2007 which was nominated for the elite Agatha Award. I am thrilled to say that it is the first in the series which I have just finished. Yes, it is unusual for me, as you may know from previous posts, I read whatever takes my fancy. Whenever. Rarely do I follow any order in a series.
A Beautiful Blue Death, appeals to me in so many ways, you who are orchid lovers: the Victorian English setting of the upper class who venture into the lower, especially the Rookery; the characters who are multi-dimensional one who yields a favorite of mine thus far, the independently-minded Lady Jane; the flawed and compassionate Dr. Thomas McConnell struggling with drink and his repressed, Scottish temperament (O, ye Scots!). On and on. The only character who is somewhat less complex is George Barnard. He is the consummate, duplicitous “bad” guy; even the victim, a housemaid, has more interesting permutations. Perhaps Mr. Barnard will develop more depth in subsequent novels.
It really is not fair to be so critical with this first title. Overall, it is a delight to read and puts me in mind of Anne Perry’s mysteries in the “Charlotte and Thomas Pitt” series. Both are extremely well written in terms of actual sentence structure and this, combined with their plots, yield quite a literary adventure for the likes of me.
Anyway, I am on to my second title, The Fleet Street Murders, the third in the series.
A Beautiful Blue Death, appeals to me in so many ways, you who are orchid lovers: the Victorian English setting of the upper class who venture into the lower, especially the Rookery; the characters who are multi-dimensional one who yields a favorite of mine thus far, the independently-minded Lady Jane; the flawed and compassionate Dr. Thomas McConnell struggling with drink and his repressed, Scottish temperament (O, ye Scots!). On and on. The only character who is somewhat less complex is George Barnard. He is the consummate, duplicitous “bad” guy; even the victim, a housemaid, has more interesting permutations. Perhaps Mr. Barnard will develop more depth in subsequent novels.
It really is not fair to be so critical with this first title. Overall, it is a delight to read and puts me in mind of Anne Perry’s mysteries in the “Charlotte and Thomas Pitt” series. Both are extremely well written in terms of actual sentence structure and this, combined with their plots, yield quite a literary adventure for the likes of me.
Anyway, I am on to my second title, The Fleet Street Murders, the third in the series.
A slow but cozy mystery set in Victorian London. I enjoyed the setting more than the story itself as the mystery part was a little lackluster. Not a bad read, but not mind-blowing.
I think cozy mysteries aren't for me; I'm more into suspenseful, page-turning mysteries.
I think cozy mysteries aren't for me; I'm more into suspenseful, page-turning mysteries.
This is the first of the Charles Lenox mysteries set in England, for the most part, in the mid-19th Century. I like the detective, his beloved Jane Grey, the way he investigates murders while also trying to run for Parliament. The atmosphere feels authentic, the research impeccable while not too intrusive.
A Beautiful Blue Death is set in Victorian London. Charles Lenox is a gentleman with an interest in solving crimes. Lady Jane Grey is his good friend from childhood, now a widow.
This book reminded me of Anne Perry's mysteries and of the stereotypical perception of Sherlock Holmes. However, I never felt I got to know Lenox or Lady Jane very well. There are extremely subtle hints of a possible romance, but nothing of note happens in this book.
The book is very readable, but I found it a bit slow, and the mystery convoluted but not clever. In particular, the last chapters after the climax felt – well, anti-climactic. The historical details seem well researched. I had a hard time believing Lenox's familiar relationship with his butler. Lenox's good friend Thomas McConnell is somewhat of a cardboard cut-out of a doctor who drinks. We are told that McConnell’s marriage to his wife Toto is pretty much over, but that's not how it comes across the rest of the book. The police inspector of course is not clever enough to solve anything without Lenox's help. The book feels like a cookie-cutter Victorian mystery.
My favorite character was Sir Edmund, Lenox's brother and a baronet, but also an eager partner in investigating with Charles.
This series is now up to eight books, so it must be popular and fairly well received. I'm not sure whether I will give the second book a shot or not. I might, for Edmund’s sake.
Also, seriously, the main character has the same first name as the author?
This book reminded me of Anne Perry's mysteries and of the stereotypical perception of Sherlock Holmes. However, I never felt I got to know Lenox or Lady Jane very well. There are extremely subtle hints of a possible romance, but nothing of note happens in this book.
The book is very readable, but I found it a bit slow, and the mystery convoluted but not clever. In particular, the last chapters after the climax felt – well, anti-climactic. The historical details seem well researched. I had a hard time believing Lenox's familiar relationship with his butler. Lenox's good friend Thomas McConnell is somewhat of a cardboard cut-out of a doctor who drinks. We are told that McConnell’s marriage to his wife Toto is pretty much over, but that's not how it comes across the rest of the book. The police inspector of course is not clever enough to solve anything without Lenox's help. The book feels like a cookie-cutter Victorian mystery.
My favorite character was Sir Edmund, Lenox's brother and a baronet, but also an eager partner in investigating with Charles.
This series is now up to eight books, so it must be popular and fairly well received. I'm not sure whether I will give the second book a shot or not. I might, for Edmund’s sake.
Also, seriously, the main character has the same first name as the author?
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
I'm so happy to have found another satisfying mystery series. I love clever mysteries with characters I want to continue spending time with. Thankfully, there are many more books in this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
medium-paced
Interesting characters with a somewhat captivating tale.