An Old Betrayal

September 9, 2013
A simple favor for a friend turns into much more for Charles Lenox in Finch’s engaging seventh Victorian mystery featuring the former private investigator turned MP (after 2012’s A Death in the Small Hours). While Lenox’s political star is on the rise and he’s happily married, he welcomes the chance to resume sleuthing when his protégé, Lord John Dallington, is unable, due to a cold, to attend a rendezvous with a prospective client who has sent a cryptic note inviting Dallington to meet at a London restaurant. Lenox fills in, but, uncharacteristically, botches the job, failing to recognize in time the client-to-be, a woman later identified as being connected with Buckingham Palace, who flees the restaurant. The mystery gets progressively more complex, with an impersonation and murder, though it’s less clever than Finch’s best. Still, the combination of a simpatico lead and old-fashioned detection will appeal to golden age fans. Agents: Kari Stuart and Jennifer Joel, ICM.

October 1, 2013
Charles Lenox, Member of Parliament, returns to solve one crime and prevent an even more significant one in Victorian England. A demanding career in the House of Commons has inspired Charles to retire from the detective business. But a request for help from his protege, Lord John Dallington, brings Lenox to Charing Cross Station for a meeting with an anonymous client. A third party calling himself Archie Godwin interferes, however, and only Lenox and Dallington's dogged legwork reveals that the elusive client is Grace Ammons, one of Queen Victoria's social secretaries. Grace is privy to a conspiracy that leads to a murder of the real Archie Godwin, whose identity is confirmed by his sister Henrietta. While Lenox tries to sort out blackmail, burglary, stolen identity, an even more surprising murder and an ancient grudge, he must also deal with the faltering marriage of his closest friend, allegations about his secretary, the identity of a rival detective known only as Miss Strickland, and, when he can find the time, his political career. Although Lenox prevails with humor and dignity, most of the supporting characters riding his well-tailored coattails are sketchy at best in an otherwise enjoyable yarn. Although Finch (A Death in the Small Hours, 2012, etc.) has created an intelligent and amiable protagonist, too many supernumeraries, subplots and teacups dilute the impact of the central puzzle.

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November 1, 2013

Still a Member of Parliament, Lenox once again takes up detecting when he learns that Queen Victoria might be in danger. The seventh entry for the gentleman sleuth (after A Death in the Small Hours).

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2013
While Charles Lenox is making a name for himself as a member of Parliament, thanks in part to his secretary and former butler, Graham, he misses his old life as a detective. So when his former colleague and prot'g', John Dallington, is ill and asks his help in meeting a prospective client in distress, Lenox is happy to oblige. The client is a secretary to Queen Victoria, who's being blackmailed for her less-than-reputable past, and the case turns into one based on long-festering revenge, leading to murder and touching the monarchy itself. Lenox also must look into his wife's concern that her dear cousin's husband is straying with a flirtatious young widow, meanwhile considering what to do about malicious rumors besmirching Graham. The seventh in this series proceeds at a leisurely pace suitable to 1875 London, dealing with betrayal in both the case at hand and in parliamentary politics. But Lenox's instincts as a sleuth are keen and his wit is sharp as he handles adversity in an eminently satisfactory fashion. A fine addition to this impressive series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)