This is the 10th installment of the Charles Lenox mystery series. One thing I love about a mystery series is the continuous development of relationships between characters. Of course this makes it all the more tragic when something awful happens to a favorite character. I was worried about Dallington in this book. I didn't want him to die like Molly did in the last book. Or Lenox' Scotland Yard friend/contact. Too much death!
We get to meet one of Charles' old school friends, Gerald Leigh, in this installment. Charles had befriended him many years ago, despite Leigh being a fish out of water, at school. Charles saw something in Leigh that no one else did, although not even Charles realized how brilliant Leigh was and how successful he had become in adulthood. Leigh reaches out to Charles for help, and Charles is always ready to help an old friend - especially if it involves a mystery (the "MB" - mysterious benefactor), an attempted murder and a murder.
Leigh was able to attend Charles' school only because of a "mysterious benefactor" who funded his education. Otherwise Leigh never could have gone to such a prestigious and expensive school. Charles got his first taste of detective work way back then, when he and Leigh tried to figure out who the benefactor was. They never did back then. I have to admit that I was surprised at who it was, once Charles finally figures it out in "present day".
Leigh was lured to London by a solicitor who tells him he has inherited some money. He and Charles wonder if it is the same mysterious benefactor who paid for his education. Once Leigh arrives in London however, he starts fearing for his life. That's when he sends a message to Charles and goes into hiding. Before Charles can help Leigh, he has to find him first.
I was happy to see that the detective agency finally started making some money! It was so depressing for Polly to be so worried and negative (and hard on Charles) in every book since they went into business together. Let's hope this continues. I feel sad about Charles & Lady Jane having trouble conceiving another child. I knew that Jane was quite a bit younger than Charles, and it didn't occur to me that she would still be in her 40s. Here's hoping that Sophia does indeed get a sibling in a future book.
Wendy's Rating: ****
