The Woman in the Water

This is the first Charles Lenox book that I have read, and it will be the first of many. The author did an excellent job developing the main character, while keeping the sidekick servant enough of a mystery that we will want to know his history as well. The vocabulary is rich (but not burdensome) and helps to place the reader in the time and place of the novel.

But, first and foremost, it is a very good mystery. I did not see the resolution of the case, but after Lenox solved it, I realized all the clues were there to support his deductions. I liked the addition of the second smaller case that pointed to Lenox's understanding of human nature as well as his detection skills. I will be working my way through all the Lenox mysteries to show more learn more about Charles, his servant Graham and his family. I would also like to see I can solve one of his well planned mysteries before all is revealed.

Thanks to Mr. Finch and Goodreads for the advance reader copy. show less

Excellent. I simply adore Charles Finch's writing.

We return to Victorian-era England, meet a much younger Charles Lenox, and witness his first real case as a detective. He is 23 years old and living on his own in London. His parents are present, and the parts with his Father and Mother are written so beautifully, with such love and sadness. It was emotional, heartwarming, bittersweet, all that without being syrupy or manipulative or too much. Finch got the balance just right, and I was really touched.

Alongside the important presence of Lady Jane, brother Edmund and Graham, we have glimpses of Dr McConnell, we see Charles finding his feet as a consulting detective, and his early interactions with Scotland Yard. The case includes show more boastful letters announcing that a 'perfect murder' has occurred, and that another will be forthcoming. But are the murders what they seem?

So far I have not found any Charles Finch book to be lacking, and this one I liked very well.

*eARC Netgalley* show less

I read the Beautiful Blue Death which was the first in this series so when I saw this Prequel offered on NetGalley and asked for it and was fortunate enough to receive it for review.

This book chronicles the first case of Charles Lenox and also highlights his personal misgivings about going against his family wishes and starting his career as a private investigator. What I found fascinating was how Charles and his valet would peruse the daily newspapers to find a crime that they would decide needed investigating and then present themselves for that task.

The book was well-written with clues planted strategically for the reader but not making it easy to solve.
The characters were believable and the setting attention grabbing.

What a lovely introduction to the writing of author Charles Finch and his lead character, young aspiring detective Charles Lenox. Finch writes prose exquisitely with an eye to every detail. It was a pleasure reading his scenic descriptions as much as delving into the details of the murder mysteries. The banter among characters is absolutely delightful and it eases the tension of the grizzly parts of the story.

This book is a prequel written after the twelfth book in the Charles Lenox Mysteries series. It happened to be my first foray into this series and seemed like a good place to start - to get grounded in the basis of the series.

After reading this book, I am even more eager to dig into the other twelve (if only my TBR wasn't already show more 200 books deep...sigh.) If finely written historical mystery is your passion, then this is the book for you! show less

In which I'm introduced to a Victorian gentleman detective!

London, 1850. Charles Lenox is obviously intelligent. At first I thought he was a tad awkward socially. Later I realized it's just his way, after all he's only 23 and just beginning his life as a detective. Apparently Charles has let the girl he loved slip away due to his own inaction, not recognizing that what he felt for Elizabeth (who is later called Jane) was more than a childhood friendship. Between establishing himself in the detecting arena and losing his love before it could become a reality, Charles doesn't seem to be as yet comfortable in his own skin
Charles' companion and valet Graham, is a partner in this cohort of investigation. We are told that Graham has a mind show more that absorbs and holds onto information. I love the scene of them both cutting out newspaper articles and then comparing notes to discover where things might be amiss, where their skills might be needed.
Charles has a hard time being taken seriously by Scotland Yard, even when he discovers things they miss, such as this latest case which seems to link to another murder. A body has been found in a naval locker. Another body has been floated Ophelia like down the Thames to come to rest on mud flats. Charles feels they're connected. The police are more than sceptical, if not downright disdainful.
We are introduced to Charles' family who are incredibly likeable. I feel that Charles just can't help being as he is, given these special people who care so deeply for him.
I was hesitant with this Sherlock and Holmes type pairing, even though these two are very different from that famous duo--although there's a lingering familiar air.
All in all, an immensely enjoyable read!

A Minotaur Books ARC via NetGalley show less

The Woman in the Water is the eleventh in the Charles Lenox series by Charles Finch, but it takes us back to when Lenox was just twenty-three years old. He’s forty in the first book, so it’s a long trip back in time, but it does suggest there is a lot of potential for more stories.

In The Woman in the Water. Lenox has not established his reputation as a detective and is mostly perceived as a joke. Each morning, he and Graham, his valet, go through the papers looking for crime-related stories. They find one claiming to have committed a perfect crime and announcing their intent to commit another on the month anniversary so they begin to investigate. When they identify the likely first murder, they go to Scotland Yard. Their deductions show more are soon confirmed by a second body. They begin to investigate, with Lenox officially employed to his chagrin. However, despite their excellent work, Lenox must overcome doubt and contempt by Scotland Yard detective and the shock and disapproval of society.

Lenox personal life is also in turmoil. His father is dying and he can’t do anything about it. He loves Elizabeth (Jane) but she is married to someone else. Their friendship is strained by his declaration of love and then by complications of the case.

I thought this was a great mystery. It was complex, with multiple layers that needed to be peeled back, with plenty of misdirection and confusion. The villain was as clever as a Moriarty and the somewhat incomplete resolution makes room for more complications in the future.

Series mysteries always have this tension between keeping the detective in a kind of stasis, their personal lives nonexistent, just solving mysteries one after the other. Think of Perry Mason who possibly never went on a date in his life. Lenox is just the opposite, getting married, changing career, becoming a parent, and moving beyond detecting to politicking and back again. Sometimes they can get written into a place where there is nowhere to go. Going back to the past is a brilliant approach to revitalize a character like Lenox. From 23 to 40 gives us decades of untapped potential stories. It’s also fun to read when Lenox is more challenged, less certain, having to prove his worth.

I received an e-galley of The Woman in the Water from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Woman in the Water at St. Martins Press | Macmillan
Charles Finch on Facebook

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2018/04/04/9781250139467/ show less

1850 and Charles Lenox not long finished at university is finding it difficult to get cases as a private investigator. How can he prove himself to his friends and Scotland Yard. A letter published in a newspaper which the author claims to have committed the perfect crime would seem to be the answer.
This is a prequel to the series as Lenox is only 23 years old, and it is my first read of these stories. It was an interesting mystery, and I am sure that the characters developed as the series continued. I did at times find the writing style a bit awkward to read. But I expect I will be familiar with it by the next book.
A NetGalley Book