An Extravagant Death: A Charles Lenox Mystery

The book was well-written, but towards the end it lacked energy and purpose. An important scene was described after the fact, which seemed like a lost opportunity. Some things were left unresolved, which is not very satisfying. I did enjoy the little details that reveal the author's research into the customs and attitudes of Americans at that time.

I received a free electronic ARC of this historical (1878) British mystery novel from Netgalley, Charles Finch, and St. Martin's Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. This is Book 14 of a series but is completely stand-alone. I am pleased to find another writer of the British Who-dun-it. Interestingly in this one, the "preeminent detective in all of England" finds himself temporarily banished to the U.S. by the British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli. This is a series I want to explore, and this particular book is exceptional. Charles Lennox is married to Lady Jane and has two young daughters, aged 3 years and less than 5 months. Charles has recently formed a partnership with several others to handle private investigations. It is still new to have help - after so many years of doing it all on his own he is grateful for the assistance, hopeful for eventually more time with his new family, and missing the simplicity of working alone. But all that must wait. The trial for his last case, against several top-ranking Scotland Yard and political figures, rest heavily on his testimony. On the advice of the Crown's lawyers, hoping to avoid the deep well of trouble that would surface if he were cross-examined in open court, the Prime Minister feels that Lennox's written testimony would be much preferable in calming political tsunamis but the only way the prosecution can get away with that is if he is out of the country and completely unavailable. His wife reminds him that he has often expressed the wish to see parts of the US, so he maps out a visit of a couple of months of exploration - hopefully, less. The baby is really too young to be carting her across the sea, so he will have to go alone but he will really miss his family. Lennox is very impressed with NYC. But he is hijacked by a telegram from one of the homeowners in Newport while traveling on the train to Boston. With him on that Boston train is a young man, Teddy Theodore Baine, who is surprisingly very familiar with Lennox's work in England, a great fan, and also a resident of Newport. Of a mind to turn down the offer of work, Lennox is persuaded by Teddy to side-step his tourist plans and investigate the murder of a young woman on the sands at the newest summer place popular to NYC's elite, Newport, Rhode Island. America just following the Civil War was an interesting place, and we see it from an Englishman's viewpoint. Very eye-opening in places, and an unusual look at the politics of that time. Altogether an excellent read.

I have not read any of the previous books in the series so I have no bias in reading this except that I geek history and this is set mainly in Newport, RI and NYC in 1878. Due to other circumstances, the very British Lenox is sent to the states without his wife and children but with astounding credentials and winds up becoming involved in a murder investigation halfway between NYC and his destination. Fortunately his assigned valet is well able to help him with the due diligence he would be unable to do quietly and that the local police are glad for his aid because the moneyed class is as intolerant of police in Newport as they are in Britain. He also has the aid of a past acquaintance as well as a new and eager one, both of whom are both moneyed and familiar with the milieu. Good sleuthing by all! I found it quite enjoyable. I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!