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Charles Lenox Mysteries #5
A Burial at Sea
Charles Lenox, Member of Parliament, sets sail on a clandestine mission for the government. When an officer is savagely murdered, however, Lenox is drawn toward his old profession, determined to capture another killer.
1873 is a perilous time in the relationship between France and England. When a string of English spies is found dead on French soil, the threat of all-out war prompts government officials to ask Charles Lenox to visit the newly-dug Suez Canal on a secret mission.
Once he is on board the Lucy, however, Lenox finds himself using not his new skills of diplomacy but his old ones: the ship’s second lieutenant is found dead on the voyage’s first night, his body cruelly abused. The ship’s captain begs the temporarily retired detective to join in the hunt for a criminal. Lenox finds the trail, but in the claustrophobic atmosphere on board, where nobody can come or go and everyone is a suspect, he has to race against the next crime—and also hope he won’t be the victim.
At once a compulsive murder mystery, a spy story, and an intimate and joyful journey with the Victorian navy, this book shows that no matter how far Lenox strays from his old life, it will always come back to find him.
1873 is a perilous time in the relationship between France and England. When a string of English spies is found dead on French soil, the threat of all-out war prompts government officials to ask Charles Lenox to visit the newly-dug Suez Canal on a secret mission.
Once he is on board the Lucy, however, Lenox finds himself using not his new skills of diplomacy but his old ones: the ship’s second lieutenant is found dead on the voyage’s first night, his body cruelly abused. The ship’s captain begs the temporarily retired detective to join in the hunt for a criminal. Lenox finds the trail, but in the claustrophobic atmosphere on board, where nobody can come or go and everyone is a suspect, he has to race against the next crime—and also hope he won’t be the victim.
At once a compulsive murder mystery, a spy story, and an intimate and joyful journey with the Victorian navy, this book shows that no matter how far Lenox strays from his old life, it will always come back to find him.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2011
590 people are currently reading
2751 people want to read
About the author
Charles Finch
37 books2,471 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads' database with this name. See this thread for more information.
My name is Charles Finch - welcome! I'm the author of the Charles Lenox series of historical mysteries, as well as a recent novel about expatriate life in Oxford, THE LAST ENCHANTMENTS. I also write book reviews for the New York Times, USA Today, and the Chicago Tribune and essays in many different places.
Like most people on this website, I'm a huge reader. My taste is all over the place, though I tend to really like literary and mystery fiction. Some of my favorite writers: George Orwell, Henry Green, Dick Francis, Anthony Trollope, David Lodge, PG Wodehouse, Bill Bryson, Roberto Bolano, Jonathan Franzen, Shirley Hazzard, Leo Tolstoy, AR Ammons, Philip Larkin, Edgar Bowers, Laurent Binet, Laurie Colwin, Jane Austen, Arthur Conan Doyle, Philip Roth, Henrik Ibsen, Geoff Dyer, the list could go forever...
A bit about myself: I was born in New York City, and since then I've lived all over the place, in America, England, France...at the moment I'm in Chicago, where I just recently moved. I spend most of my time here writing, reading, walking my dog, and trying not to let my ears freeze off.
You can find me on Facebook (facebook.com/charlesfinchauthor) where my reader are always giving fantastic book reviews, or Twitter (twitter.com/charlesfinch) which I don't like quite as much, though it's okay. I'll also try to blog here. Please let me know what I'm doing wrong, since I have remedial goodreads skills...
My name is Charles Finch - welcome! I'm the author of the Charles Lenox series of historical mysteries, as well as a recent novel about expatriate life in Oxford, THE LAST ENCHANTMENTS. I also write book reviews for the New York Times, USA Today, and the Chicago Tribune and essays in many different places.
Like most people on this website, I'm a huge reader. My taste is all over the place, though I tend to really like literary and mystery fiction. Some of my favorite writers: George Orwell, Henry Green, Dick Francis, Anthony Trollope, David Lodge, PG Wodehouse, Bill Bryson, Roberto Bolano, Jonathan Franzen, Shirley Hazzard, Leo Tolstoy, AR Ammons, Philip Larkin, Edgar Bowers, Laurent Binet, Laurie Colwin, Jane Austen, Arthur Conan Doyle, Philip Roth, Henrik Ibsen, Geoff Dyer, the list could go forever...
A bit about myself: I was born in New York City, and since then I've lived all over the place, in America, England, France...at the moment I'm in Chicago, where I just recently moved. I spend most of my time here writing, reading, walking my dog, and trying not to let my ears freeze off.
You can find me on Facebook (facebook.com/charlesfinchauthor) where my reader are always giving fantastic book reviews, or Twitter (twitter.com/charlesfinch) which I don't like quite as much, though it's okay. I'll also try to blog here. Please let me know what I'm doing wrong, since I have remedial goodreads skills...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews
August 14, 2014
I really like Charles Lenox! Have I said that before? Yes, I am sure I have.
The advertisement for this story was “Agatha Christie meets Patrick O’Brian”. I don’t think it was quite either, but in typical Charles Lenox fashion, the job gets done and we have more than a few scary moments and a few sweet surprises thrown in too.
Charles has given up his first job as an amateur detective – passing his cases onto his young protégé since he started serving as a Member of Parliament.
In this story, he has no choice. He has to be the detective, because there is no one else available to do the job. He is on a ship, the Lucy, bound to Suez in Egypt. He is on a diplomatic mission for the British government. There has been a murder and the captain of the ship has asked him to “look into it”.
I love listening to the Charles Lenox stories narrated by James Langton. His voice is wonderful and the stories, written by Charles Finch, have wonderful characters that I have grown to love like my own family. I love the time frame of the stories, set in London in the 1870s.
The advertisement for this story was “Agatha Christie meets Patrick O’Brian”. I don’t think it was quite either, but in typical Charles Lenox fashion, the job gets done and we have more than a few scary moments and a few sweet surprises thrown in too.
Charles has given up his first job as an amateur detective – passing his cases onto his young protégé since he started serving as a Member of Parliament.
In this story, he has no choice. He has to be the detective, because there is no one else available to do the job. He is on a ship, the Lucy, bound to Suez in Egypt. He is on a diplomatic mission for the British government. There has been a murder and the captain of the ship has asked him to “look into it”.
I love listening to the Charles Lenox stories narrated by James Langton. His voice is wonderful and the stories, written by Charles Finch, have wonderful characters that I have grown to love like my own family. I love the time frame of the stories, set in London in the 1870s.
February 20, 2013
First Sentence: He gazed out at the sunfall from an open second-floor window, breathing deeply of the cool salt air, and felt it was the first calm moment he had known in days.
Charles Lenox’s life has undergone significant changes. He is recently married, is about to become a father, has given up investigation and is a Member of Parliament. Yet the newly-dug Suez Canal has strained relations between England and France has Charles boarding ship on a secret mission. However, when a brutal murder occurs aboard ship, it is Charles’ old skills which must be applied to finding the killer.
It is the characters which draw me back to this series, time after time. Charles is an investigator, not of bravado and daring acts, but of intelligence, determination, and decency. There is a particularly delightful scene of his reaction to a progressive woman he meets in Egypt, signaling the changes times in social culture. Lady Jane, although in a cameo role here, is a character one can’t help but love. It was nice to learn the background of their relationship. Yet it is Lenox’s ship steward, the ever-eating, ever efficient McEwan, who almost steals the story. One does hope he’ll show up in future books.
Finch paints a fascinating picture of live aboard ship; the structure and the disparity of ship-life between the officers and the men—it makes one thinks of today’s news. The descriptions of the food and meals were hunger-making. I also appreciated learning the history of the Suez Canal and all the historical information seamlessly woven into the story. The ship’s encounter with an American warship was wonderfully done and very interesting.
The plot, however, did suffer a bit. The unmasking of the killer felt abrupt; the inclusion of his being in Egypt superfluous except for the final dramatic, and rather delightfully done, capture of the killer. Then there were the portents at chapter ends; completely unnecessary and had the effect of diminishing, rather than enhancing, the feeling of suspense.
“A Burial at Sea” has suspense, but it is mild. It is a perfect read for those who like their books character-driven, who want something more than a cozy, but not all that dark. It is a series I thoroughly enjoy.
A BURIAL AT SEA (Hist Mys/Priv Invest-Charles Lexnox-England-1873/Victorian) – Good+
Finch, Charles – 5th in series
Minotaur Books, 2011
Charles Lenox’s life has undergone significant changes. He is recently married, is about to become a father, has given up investigation and is a Member of Parliament. Yet the newly-dug Suez Canal has strained relations between England and France has Charles boarding ship on a secret mission. However, when a brutal murder occurs aboard ship, it is Charles’ old skills which must be applied to finding the killer.
It is the characters which draw me back to this series, time after time. Charles is an investigator, not of bravado and daring acts, but of intelligence, determination, and decency. There is a particularly delightful scene of his reaction to a progressive woman he meets in Egypt, signaling the changes times in social culture. Lady Jane, although in a cameo role here, is a character one can’t help but love. It was nice to learn the background of their relationship. Yet it is Lenox’s ship steward, the ever-eating, ever efficient McEwan, who almost steals the story. One does hope he’ll show up in future books.
Finch paints a fascinating picture of live aboard ship; the structure and the disparity of ship-life between the officers and the men—it makes one thinks of today’s news. The descriptions of the food and meals were hunger-making. I also appreciated learning the history of the Suez Canal and all the historical information seamlessly woven into the story. The ship’s encounter with an American warship was wonderfully done and very interesting.
The plot, however, did suffer a bit. The unmasking of the killer felt abrupt; the inclusion of his being in Egypt superfluous except for the final dramatic, and rather delightfully done, capture of the killer. Then there were the portents at chapter ends; completely unnecessary and had the effect of diminishing, rather than enhancing, the feeling of suspense.
“A Burial at Sea” has suspense, but it is mild. It is a perfect read for those who like their books character-driven, who want something more than a cozy, but not all that dark. It is a series I thoroughly enjoy.
A BURIAL AT SEA (Hist Mys/Priv Invest-Charles Lexnox-England-1873/Victorian) – Good+
Finch, Charles – 5th in series
Minotaur Books, 2011
May 4, 2021
I have long enjoyed this understated series and A Burial at Sea may be the best of the lot.
Several years have passed since the action of the previous book (A Stranger in Mayfair). Charles is now a 'rising man' in Parliament and has given up his detective life. However, his two careers come together when he is asked to go to Egypt on a double mission. His overtures to the ruler of Egypt on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Victoria are a cover for a tricky bit of clandestine work-retrieving a document from a French agent.
Lenox sets sail on the good ship HMS Lucy; it should be a routine trip. Alas, on their first night at sea, Lt. Halifax is brutally murdered and Charles must put his rusty detecting skills to use.
The mystery is a nice tight one, with a limited (200+)number of suspects. After all, the murderer HAS to be someone on the ship. There are lots of lovely twists and turns before the guilty man is revealed. And that revelation isn't the end of the story!
We barely get to see the lovely Lady Jane or Lenox's brother Edmund. But we are amply rewarded with the secondary characters on board ship, especially McEwan, Lenox's steward. We also get a glimpse of the British Navy as it transitions from sail to steam and tries to keep itself busy during peacetime.
ETA 4 May 2021--upping my rating to 4 stars.
Several years have passed since the action of the previous book (A Stranger in Mayfair). Charles is now a 'rising man' in Parliament and has given up his detective life. However, his two careers come together when he is asked to go to Egypt on a double mission. His overtures to the ruler of Egypt on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Victoria are a cover for a tricky bit of clandestine work-retrieving a document from a French agent.
Lenox sets sail on the good ship HMS Lucy; it should be a routine trip. Alas, on their first night at sea, Lt. Halifax is brutally murdered and Charles must put his rusty detecting skills to use.
The mystery is a nice tight one, with a limited (200+)number of suspects. After all, the murderer HAS to be someone on the ship. There are lots of lovely twists and turns before the guilty man is revealed. And that revelation isn't the end of the story!
We barely get to see the lovely Lady Jane or Lenox's brother Edmund. But we are amply rewarded with the secondary characters on board ship, especially McEwan, Lenox's steward. We also get a glimpse of the British Navy as it transitions from sail to steam and tries to keep itself busy during peacetime.
ETA 4 May 2021--upping my rating to 4 stars.
March 13, 2020
Ah Mr. Finch, you do spin a good yarn and this one never disappointed.
Author Charles Finch infuses some fresh air into his Charles Lenox Mystery series by shipping his protagonist and Parliamentarian off on the high seas heading off to Egypt to survey the recently dug Suez Canal. Lenox is on a diplomatic errand to meet with khedive Ismail the Magnificent for some glad-handing and to survey the newest wonder of the world. This is a mere smokescreen for the clandestine meeting with Frenchman Sournois in an attempt to avert war between France and England. Oh, but riding the open ocean on Her Majesty's 1858 built corvette, "Lucy", is a thrill made more so with a sordid murder aboard ship. The ship's Captain Martin, well aware of Lenox's former detective career, asks Lenox to investigate the crime. So many suspects within such tight quarters. Does Lenox still have what it takes to identify the culprit before someone else succumbs to the murderer's evil ways?
The story was captivating with all its red herrings. The scene painting was exquisite as one could nearly hear the creaking boards of a ship in full sail. Be forewarned, there's a tremendous amount of nautical jargon around which to wrap one's mind. Yet all of Finch's vast descriptions of well-researched life aboard a British Navy ship are well worth the effort.
Synopsis (from publisher's website):
Charles Lenox, Member of Parliament, sets sail on a clandestine mission for the government. When an officer is savagely murdered, however, Lenox is drawn toward his old profession, determined to capture another killer.
1873 is a perilous time in the relationship between France and England. When a string of English spies is found dead on French soil, the threat of all-out war prompts government officials to ask Charles Lenox to visit the newly-dug Suez Canal on a secret mission.
Once he is on board the Lucy, however, Lenox finds himself using not his new skills of diplomacy but his old ones: the ship's second lieutenant is found dead on the voyage's first night, his body cruelly abused. The ship's captain begs the temporarily retired detective to join in the hunt for a criminal. Lenox finds the trail, but in the claustrophobic atmosphere on board, where nobody can come or go and everyone is a suspect, he has to race against the next crime—and also hope he won't be the victim.
At once a compulsive murder mystery, a spy story, and an intimate and joyful journey with the Victorian navy, this book shows that no matter how far Lenox strays from his old life, it will always come back to find him.
Author Charles Finch infuses some fresh air into his Charles Lenox Mystery series by shipping his protagonist and Parliamentarian off on the high seas heading off to Egypt to survey the recently dug Suez Canal. Lenox is on a diplomatic errand to meet with khedive Ismail the Magnificent for some glad-handing and to survey the newest wonder of the world. This is a mere smokescreen for the clandestine meeting with Frenchman Sournois in an attempt to avert war between France and England. Oh, but riding the open ocean on Her Majesty's 1858 built corvette, "Lucy", is a thrill made more so with a sordid murder aboard ship. The ship's Captain Martin, well aware of Lenox's former detective career, asks Lenox to investigate the crime. So many suspects within such tight quarters. Does Lenox still have what it takes to identify the culprit before someone else succumbs to the murderer's evil ways?
The story was captivating with all its red herrings. The scene painting was exquisite as one could nearly hear the creaking boards of a ship in full sail. Be forewarned, there's a tremendous amount of nautical jargon around which to wrap one's mind. Yet all of Finch's vast descriptions of well-researched life aboard a British Navy ship are well worth the effort.
Synopsis (from publisher's website):
Charles Lenox, Member of Parliament, sets sail on a clandestine mission for the government. When an officer is savagely murdered, however, Lenox is drawn toward his old profession, determined to capture another killer.
1873 is a perilous time in the relationship between France and England. When a string of English spies is found dead on French soil, the threat of all-out war prompts government officials to ask Charles Lenox to visit the newly-dug Suez Canal on a secret mission.
Once he is on board the Lucy, however, Lenox finds himself using not his new skills of diplomacy but his old ones: the ship's second lieutenant is found dead on the voyage's first night, his body cruelly abused. The ship's captain begs the temporarily retired detective to join in the hunt for a criminal. Lenox finds the trail, but in the claustrophobic atmosphere on board, where nobody can come or go and everyone is a suspect, he has to race against the next crime—and also hope he won't be the victim.
At once a compulsive murder mystery, a spy story, and an intimate and joyful journey with the Victorian navy, this book shows that no matter how far Lenox strays from his old life, it will always come back to find him.
September 11, 2021
Charles Lenox, fairly new member of Parliament and sometime detective, finds himself in a new role in this fifth entry in Finch's Victorian-era mystery series. His brother Edward, speaking on behalf of certain government officials, asks Lenox to go on a secret mission to Egypt. A number of English spies have been killed on French soil and tensions are once again rising high between the two countries. It is feared that France is preparing for war. So, using a visit to the newly-dug Suez Canal as cover, Lenox will meet with a Frenchman willing to trade secrets to find out just how compromised Britain's spy system is and just how prepared France is for hostilities.
But first he has to make a safe trip to the canal aboard the Lucy. A killer is stalking the naval crew--the first to die is the ship's second lieutenant, Mr. Halifax. He is stabbed and his torso cut open...and certain, shall we say, souvenirs are left in and around the body. The captain quickly calls upon Lenox to use his detective skills to find the murderer. The hunt for more clues is slow-going. To add to the problems there is a rumor of mutiny and then another death follows before he can pinpoint the culprit. He nearly becomes the third victim and has to be rescued from the clutches of the sea while the villain appears to have been lost.
Leaving the killer to his fate on the Mediterranean, they arrive in Egypt where Lenox expects the only danger to be from French spies who may have suspicions about Her Majesty's representative's motives in Port Said. But he'll need another rescue from a villain determined to see him dead--fortunately, he's won the loyalty of his ship's steward and Mr. McEwan saves the day.
There is much going on in this one. We have a nice, vintage-style closed group puzzle plot with the murders aboard the Lucy. And we have a spy thriller theme. For naval history buffs, there's a lot of interesting information about life aboard a steam-assisted naval ship. Despite the gruesome nature of the murders, this was a fun book--McEwan is quite a character, a non-stop eating machine who is round in shape but can swing among the rigging with the best of the sailors. I enjoyed the scenes of life aboard the Lucy and appreciated Lenox's first taste of sailing. I was pleased to see his detective work take more of the limelight, the secret mission is almost an after thought so we don't get a lot of the cloak and dagger stuff. Overall, a very good entry in the series.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
But first he has to make a safe trip to the canal aboard the Lucy. A killer is stalking the naval crew--the first to die is the ship's second lieutenant, Mr. Halifax. He is stabbed and his torso cut open...and certain, shall we say, souvenirs are left in and around the body. The captain quickly calls upon Lenox to use his detective skills to find the murderer. The hunt for more clues is slow-going. To add to the problems there is a rumor of mutiny and then another death follows before he can pinpoint the culprit. He nearly becomes the third victim and has to be rescued from the clutches of the sea while the villain appears to have been lost.
Leaving the killer to his fate on the Mediterranean, they arrive in Egypt where Lenox expects the only danger to be from French spies who may have suspicions about Her Majesty's representative's motives in Port Said. But he'll need another rescue from a villain determined to see him dead--fortunately, he's won the loyalty of his ship's steward and Mr. McEwan saves the day.
There is much going on in this one. We have a nice, vintage-style closed group puzzle plot with the murders aboard the Lucy. And we have a spy thriller theme. For naval history buffs, there's a lot of interesting information about life aboard a steam-assisted naval ship. Despite the gruesome nature of the murders, this was a fun book--McEwan is quite a character, a non-stop eating machine who is round in shape but can swing among the rigging with the best of the sailors. I enjoyed the scenes of life aboard the Lucy and appreciated Lenox's first taste of sailing. I was pleased to see his detective work take more of the limelight, the secret mission is almost an after thought so we don't get a lot of the cloak and dagger stuff. Overall, a very good entry in the series.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting portions of review. Thanks.
February 2, 2020
Another EXCELLENT installment of the Charles Lenox series. As always, the characters are well rounded, the period detail beautifully written and the ending a surprise. These books in general and this one in particular, are exciting, interesting and very easy to get lost in.
I highly recommend this book as well as this series. If you have never met Charles Lenox, do yourself a favor and rectify that immediately! You won't be sorry.
I highly recommend this book as well as this series. If you have never met Charles Lenox, do yourself a favor and rectify that immediately! You won't be sorry.
April 8, 2017
This book was disappointing to me, because it is a far departure from the series.
Lenox takes a voyage on a British Naval ship, introducing an entirely new cast of characters.
It was "macho" and gory, features I dislike.
It was hard to finish when I could see that the characters I love from the series would play no role in this book. Finish I did - as quickly as I could.
Lenox takes a voyage on a British Naval ship, introducing an entirely new cast of characters.
It was "macho" and gory, features I dislike.
It was hard to finish when I could see that the characters I love from the series would play no role in this book. Finish I did - as quickly as I could.
December 14, 2015
Although this will be an incomplete review for now I must say this series only gets better as it professes! I love every aspect of it. This particular book however, has truly given me the desire to search out murder-mystery novels set on ships.... Any recommendations?!
September 30, 2016
Murder! Madness! Mutiny! Spies! Nevertheless, a bit bland.
June 25, 2022
I loved this very much, as usual with Charles Finch. I found it quite intriguing that he should step into new territory (a tale of the navy) - I have yet to read Patrick O'Brian's books so this story felt very different to me and extremely interesting. There's a fair amount of detail about both life on ship and the British navy in general which I thought was beautifully handled and never felt like the author was dropping huge chunks of information to show how much research he'd done. The murders were very intriguing and while the identity of the murderer is fairly straightforward, the small, almost claustrophobic setting of a ship where everyone is bound to be very close gives each death huge impact. The characters are very well fleshed-out as usual and there's more than a fair bit of great political commentary about the US and Ireland's situation at the time which is cleverly put in. I really loved this part of the book, so much so that O Brian's books are now at the very top of my reading list.
The second part of the book, announced at the very beginning, was also very different for Charles as it involves espionnage in Egypt and here the political context gives a really good reason for this particular mission. It's a shame this part wasn't longer as I thought Charles' mission was extremely engrossing. Mrs Edwards is a character we see for only a few pages but she really stands out by what Lennox calls her 'modernity' - sadly, the character reacts pretty much as you would expect for a gentleman in the 19th century and I was disappointed in his opinion of her which verged on sexism. I was so angry at his comments in fact it almost prevented me from enjoying the rest of the book. It also cast a new light on Lady Jane's role in Charles' story for her part seems to be confined to the house while the first couple of books hinted at her growing influence in society, possibly leading to a career. I do hope the author adresses that in the future as I think that's one of the few shortcomings of a book which is overall pretty flawless.
The second part of the book, announced at the very beginning, was also very different for Charles as it involves espionnage in Egypt and here the political context gives a really good reason for this particular mission. It's a shame this part wasn't longer as I thought Charles' mission was extremely engrossing. Mrs Edwards is a character we see for only a few pages but she really stands out by what Lennox calls her 'modernity' - sadly, the character reacts pretty much as you would expect for a gentleman in the 19th century and I was disappointed in his opinion of her which verged on sexism. I was so angry at his comments in fact it almost prevented me from enjoying the rest of the book. It also cast a new light on Lady Jane's role in Charles' story for her part seems to be confined to the house while the first couple of books hinted at her growing influence in society, possibly leading to a career. I do hope the author adresses that in the future as I think that's one of the few shortcomings of a book which is overall pretty flawless.
November 8, 2011
“Burial at sea” by Charles Finch, follows Charles Lennox on his adventures in nineteenth century Britain, as he is asked to travel to Egypt and meet up with a French contact—a high-ranking official . The outcome of Lenox’s journey impacts whether there would be a war between Britain and France. But Lenox’s problems start much sooner, as serial murders begin happening on the ship he is traveling to Egypt on.
The first thing that stood out for me about the story, were the characters. The lead character, Charles Lenox, is very noble and courageous. When he’s asked by his brother, Edmund, to travel to Egypt on a British intelligence assignment, he doesn’t hesitate. He leaves his pregnant wife, Jane Grey, at home and jumps aboard a ship with the deceptively innocent name “Lucy.” There he meets a whole set of interesting characters: Captain Jacob Martin, first lieutenant Billings, second lieutenant Halifax, third lieutenant Carrow, chaplain Rogers, surgeon Tradescant, engineer Quirke, and purser Pettegree. Within a couple of days, some of these men will be murdered. And the murderer will be one of the men aboard the ship.
What complicates Lenox’s journey, is that not only does he have to fear for his safety, but also that of his nephew Teddy, who is also aboard and on his first sea voyage. But as the murders continue, and the mysterious killer threatens mutiny, Lenox does not know if his sleuthing skills will be enough to save them all.
Most of this book takes place during the sea voyage. But my favorite part of this book is actually after the killer is unmasked and Lenox’s life is in peril. There’s a lot of action particularly at the end of this book. Overall though, this is a very well researched story. Historical fiction is especially hard to write, and Finch deserves credit for quite naturally being able to pull the reader into the atmosphere of a nineteenth century sea voyage aboard a British ship. Recommended for fans of historical fiction or mysteries in general.
The first thing that stood out for me about the story, were the characters. The lead character, Charles Lenox, is very noble and courageous. When he’s asked by his brother, Edmund, to travel to Egypt on a British intelligence assignment, he doesn’t hesitate. He leaves his pregnant wife, Jane Grey, at home and jumps aboard a ship with the deceptively innocent name “Lucy.” There he meets a whole set of interesting characters: Captain Jacob Martin, first lieutenant Billings, second lieutenant Halifax, third lieutenant Carrow, chaplain Rogers, surgeon Tradescant, engineer Quirke, and purser Pettegree. Within a couple of days, some of these men will be murdered. And the murderer will be one of the men aboard the ship.
What complicates Lenox’s journey, is that not only does he have to fear for his safety, but also that of his nephew Teddy, who is also aboard and on his first sea voyage. But as the murders continue, and the mysterious killer threatens mutiny, Lenox does not know if his sleuthing skills will be enough to save them all.
Most of this book takes place during the sea voyage. But my favorite part of this book is actually after the killer is unmasked and Lenox’s life is in peril. There’s a lot of action particularly at the end of this book. Overall though, this is a very well researched story. Historical fiction is especially hard to write, and Finch deserves credit for quite naturally being able to pull the reader into the atmosphere of a nineteenth century sea voyage aboard a British ship. Recommended for fans of historical fiction or mysteries in general.
February 8, 2012
Excellent, excellent, excellent. Let's hope that Charles Finch is home writing at this very moment.
Charles Lenox has always been an armchair traveller. But now, in his capacity in Parliment, he is setting out to see the world as he dreamed before he was married. But marriage has divided his wish of what could be and what is. His lovely wife, Lady Jane, has just announced very welcome news and so he is loathe to leave. Yet as his ship sails toward Egypt and the newly dug Suez Canal, he feels the thrill of setting out to see the world he has only dreamed of.
Lenox has been busier with Parliment than he ever expected and so his private investigations have fallen into yesterday. Not long into his voyage though his skills will have to be brought out and honed anew.
I am glad that I have seen "Master and Commander" and I was far better able to understand all that rank of the men and also how life at that time in history must have been like aboard a ship.
Okay Rhonda, it's all yours.
Charles Lenox has always been an armchair traveller. But now, in his capacity in Parliment, he is setting out to see the world as he dreamed before he was married. But marriage has divided his wish of what could be and what is. His lovely wife, Lady Jane, has just announced very welcome news and so he is loathe to leave. Yet as his ship sails toward Egypt and the newly dug Suez Canal, he feels the thrill of setting out to see the world he has only dreamed of.
Lenox has been busier with Parliment than he ever expected and so his private investigations have fallen into yesterday. Not long into his voyage though his skills will have to be brought out and honed anew.
I am glad that I have seen "Master and Commander" and I was far better able to understand all that rank of the men and also how life at that time in history must have been like aboard a ship.
Okay Rhonda, it's all yours.
September 10, 2012
I wish I could give this 3 1/2 stars. I'm really close to saying what the heck and giving it 4... The novel is very well written and I learned an amazing amount about the 18th century British navy and what it was like to be on one of their ships. It was all fascinating. The mystery was excellent, too, and I look forward eagerly to the next Charles Lennox book. However -- there were long stretches where I was reading all the great stuff about being on the ship but wondering how much longer it would be before we got back to the mystery. I guess there had to be a way to fill the time while they sailed from England to Egypt. It's not perfect, but if you are reading the series, it's a fine installment with some very well-drawn characters and some very exciting scenes!
September 16, 2019
4 Stars. Is it wise to be confined on a long ocean voyage with an unknown killer on board? The British government sends Charles Lenox MP on the "Lucy" to, ostensibly, obtain information on developments in Suez. The French and the English are having diplomatic difficulties; could they go to war over the canal? Charles will be acting as a spy in fact. He doesn't want to do it but his influential brother persuades him. It's the "Your country needs your help" appeal and it works! A body shows up early in the voyage and Charles is pressed to help find answers. Again a most satisfactory outing for our young parliamentarian and detective on the side. It's a great series. (summer 2017)
July 29, 2018
This was one of the most (if not the most) enjoyable Charles Lenox yet. (I think that the only thing that could make it more enjoyable would be if Lady Jane helps him solve crimes. But that's the romantic in me.)
Charles Lenox is off on a secret mission. Lady Jane is pregnant!! He gets a steward (who is my 2nd favorite character in the book)! And, of course, there is the sticky matter of murder at sea.
I really enjoyed this one. The murder is great. But, the added setting of being at sea sold it to me. I just loved it. Of course, MacEwan - Charles' steward - just pegged it over the top.
Charles Lenox is off on a secret mission. Lady Jane is pregnant!! He gets a steward (who is my 2nd favorite character in the book)! And, of course, there is the sticky matter of murder at sea.
I really enjoyed this one. The murder is great. But, the added setting of being at sea sold it to me. I just loved it. Of course, MacEwan - Charles' steward - just pegged it over the top.
November 15, 2012
This is now my favorite of the Charles Lenox series. A considerable portion of the book takes place aboard ship, and Finch researched sailing vessels of the period in order to get the details correct. I feel as though I spent a few days on a ship, too. That kind of writing is admirable. As for the mystery, Finch stays true to his style. All of the information is there, yet some of it seeming so innocent as to go unnoticed by the reader. Very clever writing.
June 21, 2022
Despite the fact that Charles is at sea on a voyage to Egypt during this story, he still manages to run into a couple of murders to solve. Amateur detectives seem to draw murders to them in ways no other person does. Some of the naval terms may be new, especially on a sailing ship, but probably not unfamiliar if you've read Moby-Dick or Horatio Hornblower. I missed the presence of Jane in this story, but she shows up at the end and welcomes Charles home.
December 4, 2018
While I missed Jane and Dallington and Toto and O'Connell and GRAHAM!, I did enjoy this foray into the secret service and traveling to Egypt with Charles Lennox. I was shocked many times over in this book and the mystery and all the things that developed from it made this a very good book indeed. I love this series so much and am always glad to read another installment.
December 1, 2014
It's just very refreshing to read about these nice people in 1870's england and, this time, at sea in a chevron with steam power. Lots of information about the British navy. Plot was well worked out for the most part but at the end there was an unlikely twist.
December 5, 2019
Just as good as all the others, plus I liked all of the information about great naval sailing ships. After listening to all the Master and Commanders, I'm still trying to memorize the names of all the various sails . . .
October 17, 2018
Another great Charles Lenox murder mystery. Great read!
June 18, 2021
I wasn't enjoying this book as much as the previous Charles Lenox mysteries until a character appeared who has my first and last name. That bumped up my rating to 4 stars.
August 8, 2023
Thrilling! Brilliantly written! I love learning about the ships, the sea, and the food. McEwan is maybe the funniest character yet?
April 16, 2023
I enjoyed reading this installation in the Lenox series, but missed Graham and Lady Jane!
February 25, 2023
Ratings:
Writing 4
Story line 4
Characters 4
Impact 4
Overall rating 4
Writing 4
Story line 4
Characters 4
Impact 4
Overall rating 4
February 19, 2023
Mr. Lenox, MP, takes his sleuthing skills from the streets of London to the bounding main. Good reading fun, as ever.
November 13, 2018
I read Finch's first Charles Lenox mystery A BEAUTIFUL BLUE DEATH and enjoyed it but it was such a mild enjoyment that I never sought out the next 3 books in the series. However, since this 5th in the series was available as an ARC on Vine in 2011, I decided to try him again. My original impression still holds.
The author does an excellent job of transporting us to Victorian England, with lots of mundane details about daily life and also bigger-picture historical backdrop information. His books are informative and interesting in this respect. The main drawback to my full appreciation of the Charles Lenox series is Lenox himself. For me, he's too mild, almost colorless and passionless and lacking personality. His longtime friend Lady Jane Grey, to whom he is now married, is as gentle and bland as he is. I find myself enjoying the mystery and history of each book, but the detective himself is uninspiring.
This particular mystery takes place mostly at sea on the way to Egypt, where Lenox is being sent on a diplomatic mission with a secret agenda. But just days into the voyage, one of the ship's officers is murdered rather brutally and Lenox is asked to find the murderer. The mystery holds the reader's interest, except for the distraction of so much eating and drinking, mostly of tea and toast, tea and biscuits, ham and butter, well, you get the idea. If one removed all references to the consumption of food and drinks in the 310-page book, it might be reduced to some 270 pages or less. Of course, by doing so, we wouldn't have the running comic relief of Lenox's steward McEwan, who is assigned to be his manservant during the voyage, a man for whom eating is the primary interest in life.
Some days after this murder, other complications arise. But eventually Lenox manages to take enough time out from his eating and drinking to solve the mystery, even endangering his own life in the process. From there it's on to Egypt to carry out his mission, a bit of an afterthought in the book, it seemed to me. However, all in all, it's a pleasant read and I might try #6 in the series whenever it is published.
I do have a little mystery about Lenox that I'd love for someone to solve for me. In the first book of the series, which takes place in 1865, Lenox is described as "a man of perhaps 40". This new book takes place in 1873 and Lenox is now 42. Could someone please tell me how he does this? I'm aging rapidly and would love to slow down the process in the same way.
The author does an excellent job of transporting us to Victorian England, with lots of mundane details about daily life and also bigger-picture historical backdrop information. His books are informative and interesting in this respect. The main drawback to my full appreciation of the Charles Lenox series is Lenox himself. For me, he's too mild, almost colorless and passionless and lacking personality. His longtime friend Lady Jane Grey, to whom he is now married, is as gentle and bland as he is. I find myself enjoying the mystery and history of each book, but the detective himself is uninspiring.
This particular mystery takes place mostly at sea on the way to Egypt, where Lenox is being sent on a diplomatic mission with a secret agenda. But just days into the voyage, one of the ship's officers is murdered rather brutally and Lenox is asked to find the murderer. The mystery holds the reader's interest, except for the distraction of so much eating and drinking, mostly of tea and toast, tea and biscuits, ham and butter, well, you get the idea. If one removed all references to the consumption of food and drinks in the 310-page book, it might be reduced to some 270 pages or less. Of course, by doing so, we wouldn't have the running comic relief of Lenox's steward McEwan, who is assigned to be his manservant during the voyage, a man for whom eating is the primary interest in life.
Some days after this murder, other complications arise. But eventually Lenox manages to take enough time out from his eating and drinking to solve the mystery, even endangering his own life in the process. From there it's on to Egypt to carry out his mission, a bit of an afterthought in the book, it seemed to me. However, all in all, it's a pleasant read and I might try #6 in the series whenever it is published.
I do have a little mystery about Lenox that I'd love for someone to solve for me. In the first book of the series, which takes place in 1865, Lenox is described as "a man of perhaps 40". This new book takes place in 1873 and Lenox is now 42. Could someone please tell me how he does this? I'm aging rapidly and would love to slow down the process in the same way.
October 14, 2011
I am new to the Charles Lenox mysteries and very much enjoyed this first one. Other reviewers recommend reading the books in order, but I found it easy to like and follow the story of Charles Lenox, the forty-two year old former investigator now member of the House of Commons. Lenox is three years into his political career and misses his old vocation. But he's married to his childhood friend and a soon-to-be-father and a rising star in Parliment.
It is 1873 and British-French relations are at a delicate point again. Lenox is asked to sail to Egypt to undertake a secret diplomatic mission on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. His cover story is that he has been tasked to enter into a relationship with the Egyptian government that will allow the English access to the Suez Canal and to facilitate trade in between Europe and Asia.
This is Lenox's first sea voyage and he's on Lucy, one of the best regarded ships in Her Majesty's Navy. Early into the voyage, an officer is found murdered. There are few clues and the Captain calls on Lenox's aid to find the killer and to restore peace on the ship. Lenox's investigative skills are a little rusty, but he soon picks up his old habits. In a ship of over two hundred strangers, in an environment and culture new to him, Lenox must find the killer before he strikes again, before unrest leads to a mutiny.
For those who enjoy historical detective novels, Charles Lenox and A Burial at Sea deliver a captivating mystery full of historical and nautical details, complicated relationships and unexpected twists. A fun read!
ISBN-10: 0312625081 -Hardcover $24.99
Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (November 8, 2011), 320 pages.
Review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine Program and the publisher.
It is 1873 and British-French relations are at a delicate point again. Lenox is asked to sail to Egypt to undertake a secret diplomatic mission on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. His cover story is that he has been tasked to enter into a relationship with the Egyptian government that will allow the English access to the Suez Canal and to facilitate trade in between Europe and Asia.
This is Lenox's first sea voyage and he's on Lucy, one of the best regarded ships in Her Majesty's Navy. Early into the voyage, an officer is found murdered. There are few clues and the Captain calls on Lenox's aid to find the killer and to restore peace on the ship. Lenox's investigative skills are a little rusty, but he soon picks up his old habits. In a ship of over two hundred strangers, in an environment and culture new to him, Lenox must find the killer before he strikes again, before unrest leads to a mutiny.
For those who enjoy historical detective novels, Charles Lenox and A Burial at Sea deliver a captivating mystery full of historical and nautical details, complicated relationships and unexpected twists. A fun read!
ISBN-10: 0312625081 -Hardcover $24.99
Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (November 8, 2011), 320 pages.
Review copy courtesy of the Amazon Vine Program and the publisher.
November 2, 2012
I really enjoyed some aspects of this book, and other less so. The seafaring stuff was fascinating, and skilfully applied to the story, and the closed environment of a ship at sea made for a fantastic setting for a cosy mystery. Charles Lenox himself was as engaging and endearing as ever, and the cast of secondary characters (including his nephew Teddy, newly-minted Midshipman) was terrific, though I confess to a bit of difficulty keeping some of the officers straight in my head at times.
There was a slightly awkward moment, where Lenox is puzzling over the latest piece of information to be uncovered, and wonder if it could be important. "Or it could be a red herring," he muses, and then reminisces about that phrase's hunting origin (having to do with training hunting dogs). Interesting information, but not necessary to the book, I'd have said.
SPOILERS: What left me unsatisfied was that the characterization of the killer. I suppose deaths happen at sea naturally enough, but a stabbing death would require investigation even if the corpse hadn't been violently abused after death. I didn't really buy the whole "mutilation of corpses, madman murderer" in concert with the "professional ambition" motive. It just rang false to me.
There's also one point where the killer addresses his steward - his onboard servant - as "Father", and yet Lenox (who is the only other person present) doesn't pick up on that. I thought that an odd loose end.
There was a slightly awkward moment, where Lenox is puzzling over the latest piece of information to be uncovered, and wonder if it could be important. "Or it could be a red herring," he muses, and then reminisces about that phrase's hunting origin (having to do with training hunting dogs). Interesting information, but not necessary to the book, I'd have said.
SPOILERS: What left me unsatisfied was that the characterization of the killer. I suppose deaths happen at sea naturally enough, but a stabbing death would require investigation even if the corpse hadn't been violently abused after death. I didn't really buy the whole "mutilation of corpses, madman murderer" in concert with the "professional ambition" motive. It just rang false to me.
There's also one point where the killer addresses his steward - his onboard servant - as "Father", and yet Lenox (who is the only other person present) doesn't pick up on that. I thought that an odd loose end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2018
In which Finch takes Lenox out of London, sails him away on a Navy ship towards Egypt (where he has a diplomatic mission of intrigue), and gives him murder to solve.
The naval setting does allow for fewer social and anachronistic solecisms than littered the first four books, so that's a nice improvement. Or perhaps they are simply less obvious; I know less about the details of life on board ship than I do about 19th-century London, so mistakes may just be easier to overlook. But on the whole I found Lenox's investigation to be more focused and interesting at sea (where he's largely confined to the task at hand), than those he conducted on shore.
We lose Jane, who is predictably pregnant (and to whom Lenox writes countless letters), MacConnell & Toto, Parliament, and Graham (whose presence is sorely missed). Finch gives Lenox a steward, McEwan, to replace him, however, and McEwan is easily my favorite character in the book. Teddy, Lenox's fourteen-year-old nephew beginning his first stint as a midshipman, is another good addition, as is the ship's captain, Captain Martin.
Like the rest of the Lenox series, this book is bland and rather forgettable - and the Egypt ending dragged and felt unnecessary - but it's probably one of the stronger installments. Setting a murder in an enclosed space (particularly when there's tension about whether the killer will strike again) does tend to focus the investigation and raise the dramatic stakes.
The naval setting does allow for fewer social and anachronistic solecisms than littered the first four books, so that's a nice improvement. Or perhaps they are simply less obvious; I know less about the details of life on board ship than I do about 19th-century London, so mistakes may just be easier to overlook. But on the whole I found Lenox's investigation to be more focused and interesting at sea (where he's largely confined to the task at hand), than those he conducted on shore.
We lose Jane, who is predictably pregnant (and to whom Lenox writes countless letters), MacConnell & Toto, Parliament, and Graham (whose presence is sorely missed). Finch gives Lenox a steward, McEwan, to replace him, however, and McEwan is easily my favorite character in the book. Teddy, Lenox's fourteen-year-old nephew beginning his first stint as a midshipman, is another good addition, as is the ship's captain, Captain Martin.
Like the rest of the Lenox series, this book is bland and rather forgettable - and the Egypt ending dragged and felt unnecessary - but it's probably one of the stronger installments. Setting a murder in an enclosed space (particularly when there's tension about whether the killer will strike again) does tend to focus the investigation and raise the dramatic stakes.
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