This was the second Charles Lenox mystery I listened to, and as with the earlier one, I found it quite enjoyable. Although a bit slow-paced, I was never tempted to stop reading. I'm a sucker for historical mysteries and this one does a wonderful job of transporting the reader to another time. I will definitely read more in this series. ( )

This eighth book was yet another delightful installment in the Charles Lenox Mystery series. Author Charles Finch never fails to amuse, educate and draw his readers down a circuitous path to the mystery's conclusion. Definitely an enjoyable "excursion",

This story finds our protagonist busy at work assisting Scotland Yard on closing a few tough cases while also participating in a recently established four partner detective agency. His minimal number of billable hours causes a bit of friction with at least two of the partners. The unfavorable press, as of late, has harmed the fledgling agency severely. The press' quotes of comments from Scotland Yard do not ring true to their previously congenial working relationship with the constabulary. Coincidentally, that same Scotland Yard's inspector suddenly turns up dead and his is quickly followed by another murder - a member of the ton. Scotland Yard seeks Lenox's assistance in solving the two murders which continues to strain both office environments. Can Lenox solve the murders and hold his agency together. Only time will tell.

As previously mentioned, if you enjoy smartly written historical mysteries, then the Charles Lenox Mystery series may be just the one for you. Finch writes prose exquisitely with an eye to every detail. It is a pleasure reading his scenic descriptions as much as delving into the details of the mysteries themselves. The banter among characters is absolutely delightful and it eases the tension of the grizzly parts of the stories.

There are so many twists and turns in this story that just when you think you got all the facts in order another twist is introduced. I do so enjoy the author's cleverness, depth of research and delightful writing style. As much as this book can stand stand on its own in spite of being part of series, you won't want to miss out on all the work leading up to this moment - the groundwork which is laid out in the previous seven books. ( )

It is 1876 and Charles Lenox has left Parliament after six years and is once again in the detective business. He was the top investigator, in his day, but does he still have it? Being a partner in the firm of Lenox, Dallington, Strickland and DeMaire, he will now find out if he still has the touch after six years absence.

The case that will test his abilities is a murder...of a close friend and associate. It becomes compounded with a second murder of an important character involved in the case. Taking Lenox into the seamier side of Victorian England, testing his friendships and business relationships, this case has many twists, turns and dead ends.

I enjoyed reading this book, just like I did the previous one, titled 'An Old Betrayal'. Written at an even pace, with sections of tension and action, it is a good mix. I plan to read others from this series. ( )

Haven't read this series in a while. Lord Lennox is a wealthy titled Victorian with a flair for solving mysteries. In this entry he and 3 others are struggling to start a detective agency when a Scotland Yard detective friend is murderded. Good Victorian period details. Sympathetic characters. ( )

1876: Charles Lenox has stepped down from Parliament in order to work full time as a detective in an agency he has opened w/ three other people: John Dallington, Polly Strickland Buchanan, & the Frenchman LeMarie..... But all is not going as well as they would hope, as a friend of Charles, Inspector Jenkins (of Scotland Yard, with whom he has worked closely), has made disparaging remarks about Charles to the local papers and the agency has lost business because of it.

A few nights later, Inspector Jenkins is found shot in the head with a cryptic clue in his shoe addressed to Charles, and in addition has left a message w/ his subordinate, Inspector Nicholson, that should something happen to Jenkins, Charles Lenox should be called in to investigate.

Days later, Charles finds out that Jenkins had been investigating the Marquess of Wakefield, who was known for his violent temper & illegal business gains.... The cryptic clue is a ticket to a ship's hold, owned by Wakefield, and upon pulling the ticket's cargo from the hold they find a trunk not only filled w/ salt but with the body of the Marques as well.....

The book twists & turns and eventually many high ranking members of London's Privileged Class are caught in a scandal of enormous proportions....

I like Charles Lenox and his coterie of close friends. They all have their flaws but are warm, intelligent, & are dedicated to improving the lives of others. ( )