The Woman in the Water: A Prequel to the Charles Lenox Series (Charles Lenox Mysteries)

Charles Lenox is an aristocrat, and aristocrats in Victorian England don’t lower themselves to paid employment. But Lenox has made himself a student of crime and wants to become a private detective — something that doesn’t exist yet.The police consider him a joke. Society is ready to cut him. But an arrogant murderer catches his attention and sets him to investigating. At first he has only his valet’s support, but eventually he manages to achieve an uneasy cooperation with Scotland Yard.This is as ingenious a puzzle mystery as the rest of series. If you’re a fan of the series, as I am, you’ll relish this portrait of twenty-three-year-old Lenox — with his Holmes-like feats of detection, his youthful hangovers, and his hopeless love for a young married woman. Also charmingly portrayed and often touching are his relationships with his doting mother, his father who is ill, and his older brother who is also his friend.I love the witty banter, especially between Lenox and his clever valet Graham. For comic relief we have Lenox’s obsessive housekeeper, who wants to run Lenox’s bachelor flat at the high level of the grand lady who previously employed her. The confrontations between Lenox and Mrs. Huggins are priceless.As usual in the Lenox novels, the narrative is peppered with current events in Victoria’s London — like the arrival of a hippopotamus at the London Zoo and the invention of the safety match. I always look forward to these engaging digressions. Charles Finch makes good use of his research, always with a light touch. Atmosphere never slows down the unfolding drama.So I was delighted with this prequel. I believe it would please a first-time reader as well as a steady follower of the Lenox mysteries.

I wasn't sold on the idea of a prequel and even wondered how well the author could go from writing about a middle aged man to writing about that same character as a 23 year old and still make the main character ring true. Let's just say that he did it and it works so well that this is now my favorite in the series.I love the way the author evokes settings that are almost tangible and which enhance the story line. He can turn a phrase that is memorable, deliver wry humor in a line or two, and draw the reader not only into the riveting hunt for the murderer (in this case a serial killer) but also into the main character's personal life. Finch deftly paints a picture of a young man coming of age in the mid 1800's, learning about life and loss while he works against time to prevent a third murder.I downloaded this book but am sorely tempted to get it in hardback. Definitely a keeper which I will be rereading.

Author Charles Finch has written 11 or so novels in his "Charles Lenox" mystery series, set in London in the 1850's and 60's. (He's also written a standalone, which I've read). I've read maybe seven or so of his "Lenox" series; I try to catch them when I see them for sale but I think I've missed a few. ("So many books, so little time..."). Anyway, they're a well written series of books, concentrating on Charles Lenox, who has build up a private investigating firm in London after having "come down" from Oxford. Charles is the son and brother of lowish level aristocrats and he wears his wealth and family quite easily as "the younger brother", who must find a way in society. As with any series, the reader revisits books and characters they feel comfortable with. With his book, "The Woman in the Water", Charles Finch has written a "prequeal", where the reader can discover the backgrounds of the characters they may have grown familiar with in preceding books.In "The Woman in the Water", Charles Lenox is just beginning his post-graduate life in London. His scout at Oxford, Graham, has come down with him and both are determined to begin a private investigating firm. (Actually, Lenox is the lead and Graham just begins as his aide. He soon becomes proficient in the job as he and Lenox go along.) The case - that of two women's bodies being found floating in the Thames - is not the most interesting case - being full of coincidences and professional sword-crossing with those professional fellas at Scotland Yard - but author Finch does his best to keep the readers' interest. But the real importance of the book is the outlining, and then fleshing out, of the various relationships between characters. "Back stories", which are often needed in series books. Charles Finch does a good job at looking at the London of 1850, which is beginning to use the burgeoning railway system to get about, get from City to country and back again.I can definitely recommend this book to long-time readers of the Lenox series, but also to first time readers. It's a good introduction to Charles Lenox and his world.

This is a fantastic prequel to the series. It’s great to get Charles Lennox’s back story.The crime is one of the most brutal in the series and explains his later life decisions.Fast paced with plenty twists and turns.Can’t recommend it enough.

I really enjoyed this book. It put all the others in perspective. In fact it compelled me to re read all the others in turn- I am about half way through.Please may we have another prequel to follow this one ?Excellent descriptive stories- can praise enough for an excellent read

Goodness, what's with all the 4 star reviews? This book was delightful, dry, and funny, with an interesting mystery, and just enough beautiful prose to remind us that it's not just about the mechanics of the who done it. I'm thankful Dame Penny's recommendation led me here, as I now have a new favourite author. Even better to have cleverly discovered this book of Mr. Finch's now, so I can begin at the very beginning.

When I heard the book was a ‘prequel’ I had doubts, but this book is the same great read as the rest of the John Lenox series.

I very much enjoy this author and look forward to reading more