An Old Betrayal by Charles Finch Series: Charles Lenox Mysteries #7
Published by Minotaur Books on November 12, 2013
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
On a spring morning in London, 1875, Charles Lenox agrees to take time away from his busy schedule as a Member of Parliament to meet an old protégé’s client at Charing Cross. But when their cryptic encounter seems to lead, days later, to the murder of an innocuous country squire, this fast favor draws Lenox inexorably back into his old profession.
Soon he realizes that, far from concluding the murderer’s business, this body is only the first step in a cruel plan, many years in the plotting. Where will he strike next? The answer, Lenox learns with slowly dawning horror, may be at the very heart of England’s monarchy.
Ranging from the slums of London to the city’s corridors of power, the newest Charles Lenox novel bears all of this series’ customary wit, charm, and trickery—a compulsive escape to a different time.
Establishing himself as a gentleman detective, starting a family, and now delivering speeches from the front seats in Parliament, Charles Lenox has come a long way. Yet, sometimes he misses the old detection game and is happy to help out a sick friend with a new intriguing case that twists its way to a rather stunning end.
An Old Betrayal is the seventh in the Charles Lenox Mysteries that each provide a standalone murder mystery, though they work best in order to follow the progression of the characters’ lives.
Set in the 1870s of the Victorian Period and mostly in London, the Charles Lenox mysteries have been engaging from the very first book. Charles is a gentle, thinking man who is affable and tends to be well-liked. His wife is a star in London society because of her genuine interest and kindness. He won his spot in the House of Commons and takes his role as MP seriously. He’s a family man now with a toddling little girl and he tries to support his wife’s social life as an organizer and leader. But, it’s never long before their quiet life gets interrupted…
It is fun to see this sparkling middle-aged couple right back in the middle of things when Charles lands a mystery when Lord John, his detecting protégé falls ill and can’t work his most recent case, when someone is trying to slur Charles’ secretary Graham’s reputation, and when their friends, Thomas and Toto, seem to be in marital difficulties with a mysterious woman in the middle of it. There is much going on, but the book goes along at a steady pace and develops well.
This is an interesting situation because unlike many in the series, the murder doesn’t open the story. In fact, most would think there was no case to work at all, but Charles’ curiosity and nose for trouble has him investigating small curiosities at first. I enjoyed tracking along with him, Lord John, and the police as it grew into something more. I was pleasantly surprised to get the villain right and even the how, but was left baffled until the end over the why.
An amusing aspect of these books are the ‘fun fact’ style details. Like, learning the origin of ‘hogwash’ or exploring the history of the Hanovers arrival on England’s throne. The Victorian world is painted well and the characters are very much part of the world.
I enjoyed the end when Charles took it to the person slandering Graham and considers a new, fresh interest for his life and Grahams. And, was Lord John struck by cupid’s dart finally? I do love the characters of this series and am just as eager to see what goes on with them as much as the mystery.
In summary, An Old Betrayal went from slow and steady to suspenseful with a wonderful cast of characters, historical backdrop, and complex plot. Those who enjoy historical mysteries must put this series on their list.
About Charles Finch
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.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Haunted to Death by Frank Anthony Politis @fapolito@KensingtonBooks @sophiarose1816 - September 29, 2024
- Darcy’s Struggle by Kelly Dean Jolley #KellyDeanJolley @MerytonPress #KindleUnlimited @sophiarose1816 - September 25, 2024
- 🎧 Wormhole by Eric Brown, Keith Brooke #EricBrown #KeithBrooke #EricMichaelSummerer @TantorAudio #LoveAudiobooks @sophiarose1816 - September 18, 2024
I do love a good historical mystery and this sounds so good! Charles Finch is one of those authors who has long been on my must read list, and yet I still haven’t managed to get to any of his work. One of these days! Thank you for your great review!
I know what you mean. I have a long wish list. I just happened to get in on the Charles Lenox series when it first released and then got a bit behind, but I’m trying to catch up now. Worth it!
Excellent review Sophia! I am sure I will enjoy this series when I can get to it.
Yep, another one for your list, Anne. 🙂
You know I love historical mysteries so I’ll have to add this series to by TBR. Hopefully, there’s an audio option! 🙂
Glad to put you on to another series to try, Rachel. Yes, I think there is an audio option. I haven’t tried them yet, but there is always re-read option. 🙂
It’s great it still good after 7 books and it looks like a good series too!
Yes, I do love that it is still going strong after so many. 🙂
This sounds like a wonderful series! I have seen it around but haven’t had the chance to pick it up. It sounds like a more thoughtful mystery.
I caught it at the beginning and have enjoyed the easy going detective and his friends.
This cover total reminds me of the game Clue… Col. Mustard in the office with a letter opener.
Haha, yes, it does have that feeling with the objects on the cover. The earlier covers had a slightly different focus, but were still lifes of objects.