I had mixed feelings about this novel, starting as it does in the very beginning of Lenox's desire to become a detective. It ultimately won me over, and I've enjoyed the novels that continued, but will not rank as one of my favorites in the series.

Due to St. Martins Press refusal to address the remarks made by their employee regarding Palestine, I will not be reviewing this book.

This in no way has anything to do with the author. But I refuse to support anything from SMP because of their refusal to address a major issue at hand.

A great series with enough twists and turns to safely keep you reading for hours…..until you are finished that is. Charles Finch has found his niche. He is an amazing write when it comes to historical thrillers….


4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Charles Lennox mysteries are comfort reads. And for good reason! Another great mystery to get lost in!

Agatha Christie’s popularity is soaring once again due to the recent drop of great movies! And when readers ask me what else should I read which has a similar feel to her or Holme I say - Charles Finch!! The Woman in the Water while listed as book 11 is actually a great place to start as it is a prequel to the entire series. Step back into time and great enjoyment with not only this book but the entire Charles Lenox series!

The book felt like an early Sherlock Holmes story. The young man that is unsure of what to do as his life work. He is the second son but he likes puzzles and detecting at a time in history that Scotland Yard was still new. So he takes an interesting in 2 women found dead near the river. The story is mainly about the case. But there also side stories of interest. The story that brought tears to my eyes was about his father and his family.

Unfortunately the quality of the ARC was atrocious and I simply couldn't deal with it unless I wanted to really damage my dear eyesight. I really tried but I couldn't go on.

Many thanks to Netgalley for this missed opportunity

I’ve read a lot of thrillers and unfortunately I can’t like them all - I thought this was fine and really wish I got more out of it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of The Woman in the Water.

I have already reviewed this book and I'm not sure where the review has gone but Netgalley seems to think that I haven't. This book is a prequel to a wonderful series that takes place in Victorian England. I have so enjoyed the series and it is a bit like watching Endeavor after you've read all the Morse books.
Enjoy this book and the whole series.

This book was great, fun and very interesting. The author created a brilliant atmosphere and sense of place.

Great series with lots of twists and turns. Has great characters and keeps you wanting more.this is a prequel that make you want more.

The Woman in the Water is the second book I’ve read by Charles Finch that follows British detective Charles Lenox. This is the first of the series, in which Lenox takes on his first case. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Finch weaves a great mystery that starts with a woman found dead inside a trunk that had been set adrift on the Thames River. The bold killer boasts in a letter sent to a newspaper that he has committed the perfect crime and that he plans another killing soon. Lenox, who has just turned 23, takes up the challenge as he has decided detective work will be his career.
The mystery is only one part of the story that I enjoyed. The author turns his main character into a real person who has a lost love, family complications, and a propensity for drinking a bit too much as a young man might do. Lenox is far from the hard-boiled detective in so many novels. He is a gentleman, born to wealth and privilege, and has a valet who is also his sidekick and friend.
I’m hooked on Finch’s series now and look forward to reading more.

The Woman in the Water is a prequel to the Charles Lenox mysteries, set in the 1850s when Charles is a young 23 year old man exploring his options for “work” and a role in society as a 2nd son. This is a fantastic read as a stand alone introducing you to the series, or if you just wanted more of the Charles Lenox mysteries. Learning how he began to “detect” and see clues in the action scenes was like seeing a Sherlock Holmes in his infancy. You also get to see how society works in that time, and its changing from technology and the world getting smaller with things like a hippopotamus at the zoo, as a backdrop.
Charles’ decision to pursue detective work, private investigations, is met with concern from both upper class society to which he belongs, and from the police who mostly discount his abilities. He finds a great mystery in the case of the Ophelia, a drowned woman found on the river bank. Charles is also exploring his future, romantic expectations, societal conventions and his role within his family. The closeness he has with his parents and brother and childhood friend are wonderfully detailed exchanges and descriptions and fill in the history from the existing series. Despite the accepted norms of the time, you can feel the family unity and caring and love they share for each other. The quirkiness of the different social conventions of upper class, the eccentric earls and their hobbies, and the dependence of those in service adds flavor to the story overall as Charles navigates through it all. He builds a foundation for his future and his place within the upper class and all of the social levels including Scotland Yard.

Thanks to the author, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. Opinions of this book are mine.

Posted on Goodreads. Waiting on Amazon approval of review

London, 1850: A young Charles Lenox struggles to make a name for himself as a detective...without a single case. Scotland Yard refuses to take him seriously and his friends deride him for attempting a profession at all. But when an anonymous writer sends a letter to the paper claiming to have committed the perfect crime--and promising to kill again--Lenox is convinced that this is his chance to prove himself, with few clues to go on, Lenox endeavours to solve the crime before another innocent life is lost. When the killer's sights are turned toward those whom Lenox holds most dear, the stakes are raised and Lenox is trapped in a desperate game of cat and mouse.
This is a prequel to the series & the first I’ve read as I've been gradually buying the series ready for a binge read. So I’m so glad to start right at the beginning as it’s whetted my appetite to read the rest. First rate writing & a well paced story. The characters had depth, I warmed to Charles & his valet graham from the start, I also enjoyed getting to know Charles’ family & friends. I devoured the book in two sittings – loved it
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Woman in the Water by Charles Finch is a prequel story in the Charles Lenox series - takes place in London, 1850 with Lenox trying to establish himself as a private detective. He is laughed at by Scotland Yard and his peers disapprove of his job pursuits yet he is determined to make a name for himself. Along with his valet, Graham he searches for the case that will prove his ability. The Woman in the Water is his first case involving a cunning serial killer who mocks the police and taunts Charles. When the killer sets his sights on those close to him, Charles races against time to solve the crime.

In general, I’m a fan of Victorian London mysteries and have enjoyed the Charles Lenox series in particular. This prequel is no exception. Charles can be a bit arrogant - a reflection of his social standing and wealth but ultimately is a likable, interesting character. I liked the fast moving plot (it had enough twists to keep me guessing and engaged in the story), the relationship between Charles and Graham (quietly fun, charming) and the overall setting. Enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC .

The Woman in the Water by Charles Finch. St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books, 2018.

Charles celebrates his 23rd birthday in this first prequel to the Charles Lenox Mystery Series, set in 1850 London. To further his intention to be a private detective, Charles and his valet/friend Graham begin each day clipping crime-related stories from matching sets of newspapers, the comparing results. As Charles struggles to overcome obstacles to getting started in his chosen profession - his youth, expectations of his class, and jealousy , we meet Charles’ loving and supportive family and his closest friend and great love, Elizabeth, and gain some understanding of how kind and decent Charles came to be. I found I cared more about these things, having first met Charles in his early forties. Given a choice, I would read these in series number order.

Like others in the series, this prequel has wonderful writing, a solid story, and characters we can easily like. The Woman in the Water has at least three separate stories woven through. Again with this experience, I noted some clues that might have let me guess what actually happened, but I didn’t. So the end is a bit of a roller coaster ride, in a pleasant way.

This is another great book I happily recommend unreservedly, especially to anyone who enjoys historical crime fiction.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Woman in the Water free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur books for the opportunity to read and review this novel. The book was a solid read but probably not the one for my current mood. While the story was good, the action was a little lacking. I didn’t connect with the main character on a deep level though he had endearing moments. I felt there wasn’t enough depth to the circle of family, friends and “coworkers” involved in the adventures but maybe those characters are more profiled in the subsequent books in the series.. The author incorporated lots of details which seemed to fit with the time period of the story and which added interest. Will definitely give the next book in the series a chance.

I am so sad by this review. I read "A Beautiful Blue Death", and I was really on the fence. Having started this book, and given it an extremely dedicated try, I just cannot finish.

I am saddened because I absolutely adore historical books, mystery/thriller is my favorite. This series, the characters, the stories are simply too slow paced and, in my opinion, boring. I was able to force myself to get through it until chapter 28. I can go no further.

Restating that I think the narrator is amazing!

The beginnings of Charles Lennox, this a light yet engrossing Victorian read, with lots of atmosphere and ambience. I would recommend reading some of the others book in the series first though.

Manyvthanks to Net Galley, Charles Finch and Minotaur Books for my ARC.

I love this series. Well written. Good characters and normally I do not like prequels but this one I enjoyed.