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"The Fleet
Street Murders: A Charles Lenox Mystery" by Charles Finch (Minotaur Books,
9780312565510, $24.99)
This lovely and diverting historical mystery (the third after "A Beautiful
Blue Death" and "The September Society") is set in Victorian England and
follows distinguished gentleman-sleuth Charles Lenox.
Lenox is a nobleman by birth, and his investigations grow out of his
admirable drives to seek justice, to benefit people, and to serve Queen and
Country. In this engaging new installment, his allegiances are put to the
test when duty pulls him in several directions at once:
* In the dark of night, in the post-Christmas hush of London, two dueling
newspapermen are murdered in their homes, and all the printing presses of
Fleet Street run wild with speculation. Lenox must get to the bottom of
things.
* Far north of the City, an elderly Member of Parliament dies, leaving a
vacant seat--but will it go to a braggart country businessman, or to a
reform-minded Lenox, eager to do good? Lenox must campaign for Parliament!
* Much closer to home, two of Lenox's dearest friends suffer an awful loss,
and the love of his life experiences a deepening crisis that begs for his
personal attention. Lenox, a man of good heart, must stand by their sides.
Employing his own delightful, 19th-century versions of multi-tasking
(red-eye train trips, telegrams, and butler errands), Lenox sets about
trying to serve all masters and shortchange none. It's an admittedly tall
order for a gentlemen with a deep commitment to firesides and hot coffee.
But amidst the hurry and bustle, writer Charles Finch weaves together a
gripping murder plot, a sweetly poignant romance, and a rousing account of a
decidedly old-fashioned political campaign. It is, like his earlier books, a
rich, wonderful read.
Review by
Mark David Bradshaw, February 11, 2010
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