I really enjoy reading British mysteries. This one is set in the 1800's (the Victorian era). Charles Lenox is independently wealthy, even though he is the younger brother and doesn't inherit his father's estate. He is very close to his older brother however, so there are no resentments about that. It would be difficult to not like his brother, Edmund. Charles, at age 40, discovers things about his brother in this book that he didn't even realize because Edmund is so modest about his influence and talents. All in all, a good solid family.
Then there is Lady Jane, who is a young widow. Lady Jane grew up with Charles and Edmund and now Lady Jane and Charles live next door to each other in London. They see each other nearly every day. They obviously have feelings for each other, but they spend too much time being "proper" to act on it. This is the first book of the series however, so I have to think that changes over time. ;) Another key character is Thomas, the brilliant doctor married to the beautiful Toto. Thomas has unfortunately succumbed to drink, but he is Charles' best friend and assists Charles in his sleuthing. I am hoping that Thomas can kick his drinking habit in future books, because I really like him!
Lady Jane's former servant, Prudence, is found dead and she asks Charles, the gentleman sleuth, to look into it. It's an apparent suicide that Charles quickly determines is murder. Charles' approach to investigation is "charming". He loves to sit by the fire with his tea while thinking about the murder. He trudges through London in boots that are inappropriate for the weather. He interviews his suspects either in high-end gentlemen clubs, of which he is a member of a dozen (easily) or in the scariest, poorest parts of London. He gets beaten up in an alley; gets thrown off by erroneous information; suspects the wrong person; suspects the wrong motive; but in the end, Charles outsmarts Inspector Exeter and solves the mystery - for which Inspector Exeter takes credit for.
This is a charming British murder mystery. What's not to like?!
Wendy's Rating: ****
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