A Beautiful Blue Death (Charles Lenox Mysteries) (Hardcover)

by Charles Finch (Author) "The fateful note came just as Lenox was settling into his armchair after a long, tiresome day in the city..." (more)
Key Phrases: Lady Jane, Prue Smith, Sir Edmund (more...)

Editorial Reviews

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.

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

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Minotaur Books (June 26, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 0312359772 ISBN-13: 978-0312359775 Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #96,882 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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First Sentence:
The fateful note came just as Lenox was settling into his armchair after a long, tiresome day in the city. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lady Jane, Prue Smith, Sir Edmund, Jack Soames, Miss Smith, Claude Barnard, Beautiful Blue Death, George Barnard, Prudence Smith, Eustace Bramwell, Hampden Lane, Pacific Trust, Inspector Exeter, Lady Grey, Lord Cabot, Newton Duff, Miss Harrison, Bartholomew Deck, Charles Lenox, Lenox House, Roderick Potts, West End, Jeremiah Jones, Lady Milton, Pall Mall

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Customer Reviews

31 Reviews 5 star:  (19) 4 star:  (5) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:  (3)           Average Customer Review 4.1 out of 5 stars (31 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 22 of 22 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful characters, story well told, July 31, 2007 By  armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews 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. 23 of 25 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Victorian mystery, October 18, 2007 By  Bookworm "Bookworm" (USA) - See all my reviews 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. 12 of 13 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 "Librarian" (Idaho) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    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!!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 1.0 out of 5 stars Is This Supposed to Be Satire? Let me first make a few disclaimers, I did not finish this book. I almost always believe that reviewers who do not finish the book should not be leaving reviews with stars... Read more Published 21 days ago by Barb Mechalke 5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read, great start for a series As an avid mystery reader, it was suggested I read this short novel set in Victorian England. I was hesitant as I rarely read historical based novels. Read more Published 1 month ago by Anonymous 1.0 out of 5 stars not worth the time If I could give this no stars I would ... this was one of the most boring books i have ever read. the main character is drab and insufferable. Read more Published 1 month ago by anonymous 5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Victorian London murder mystery Set in London 1860's, the protagonist Charles Lenox solves mysteries with the help of his butler and his neighbor Lady Gray. Read more Published 5 months ago by Wallaby 5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Atmospheric Historical Fiction First in what is hopefully a continuing series featuring Charles Lennox, a Victoria gentleman, who has solved crimes that Scotland Yard seems to take credit for. Read more Published 7 months ago by Nancy Grisso 2.0 out of 5 stars Depressingly badly written When I pick up a relatively short novel, I virtually never leave it unread. The problem with Charles Finch's first novel was that the writing was so deeply irritating that i found... Read more Published 9 months ago by S. McGee 2.0 out of 5 stars Much too "precious" for my tastes. A definition from The Oxford American Dictionary, copyright 1999. precious: adj & adv; 4. adv,colloq. Read more Published 9 months ago by J. Lesley 4.0 out of 5 stars A delightful debut If Charles Lenox were to have his way, all he'd wish for are warm boots, a blazing fireplace, some tea and sandwiches, and an hour or two spent with his maps. Read more Published 11 months ago by Baking Enthusiast 4.0 out of 5 stars A very good beginning to a new series Picking up this book turned out to be a good day! The novel is engaging and I find myself liking Charles Lennox, our eristwhile detective, very much. Read more Published 11 months ago by M. F. Barry 5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Victorian Yarn I loved this book! The mystery was tricky and interesting, but what separated it from the usual run of mystery novels I read was the great, individualistic characters and the... Read more Published 11 months ago by M. Hill Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books (June 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312359772
• ISBN-13: 978-0312359775
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #96,882 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

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.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Bookworm "Bookworm" (USA) - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 13 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 "Librarian" (Idaho) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!!