Charles has just turned 23 and still attempting to establish himself as a private detective. Following letters written by someone claiming to have committed the perfect crime, Charles must solve the toughest case of his shirt career. Loved it!

This is a historical mystery series set in the Victorian age starring Charles Lenox. The Woman in the Water is actually a prequel to this series where we meet a young 23-year-old Lenox just starting out on his career as a detective.

Lenox is struggling to make a name for himself when he sees the letter that an when an anonymous writer sent 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.

The story was complex and multi-layered, and the characters were well written. The case itself was intriguing and the ending unexpected. Overall, a delightful start to an amazing series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Excellent! I truly enjoy Charles Finch’s writing. I look forward to see more by him. Wonderful murder mystery!

This is a pre-sequel to the Charles Lenox series.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

My notes: I love the Charles Lenox series. I thought this was a wonderful story about the beginning of Charles Lenox's status as a detective. We meet people who are familiar to readers who read all of the Charles Lenox mysteries, The writing is well crafted. The characters are engaging.

I received a free digital copy from Net Galley in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.

The Woman in the Water is the prequel to the Charles Lenox mystery series. Charles Finch has written a clever and entertaining prequel that introduces us to a 23 year old Charles Lenox, fresh from his studies at Oxford, and with the help of his loyal valet, Graham, decides to open a private detective agency.
Just as Scotland Yard is in its infant stages, the career of a private detective is nearly unheard of. Lenox finds that sleuthing is his passion and he is able to solve small mysteries with ease.
But suddenly, Lenox and Graham will be challenged by someone determined to continuously committing the "perfect" murder.
After an anonymous letter to the newspaper claiming to have committed the perfect murder, the author vows to do it again.
Lenox and Graham thrust themselves into Scotland Yard's investigation which has consequences for Lenox as those close to him are now in harms way.
Charles Finch has used this prequel to introduce characters that will be recurring in subsequent books including Elizabeth (Jane), Lenox's friend and one that has a blend of strength and wry humor.
The reader gets to see the Lenox family up-close and personal including the witty banter between his mother and the housekeeper. We also see the relationship that Lenox has with his ailing father and older brother, Edmund.
The mystery was complex and full of layers that can at times seem confusing but Charles Finch is a master of misdirection. Finch's villains are multi-dimensional and rich in character making it difficult for us to solve the mystery before our favorite Sherlockian sleuth, Charles Lenox does.
There are ten books in the series with each one challenging Charles Lenox and the reader to summon all of their intellectual wits and ability to solve some of the most challenging mysteries.
The Woman in the Water is a stand alone book as it is the first but it won't be your last.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #TheWomanintheWater #CharlesFinch

This fine Victorian mystery set in 1850’s London introduces us to a young Charles Lennox. It’s a thrilling prequel to the series, with Lennox fighting to establish himself as a REAL detective while facing an adversary as menacing as Moriarty. Atmospheric, beautifully written, and highly recommended for historical fiction/mystery lovers.

4 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 20 Feb 2018

Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#TheWomanInTheWater #NetGalley

This prequel to the adventures of Charles Finch and his valet Graham is a great addition to the series. I’m already a fan of the author and am delighted to recommend this book to anyone who loves a historical mystery.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.

If I could give this 3.5 stars, I would. This prequel is a nice balance of background and mystery. I have never read one of Charles Finch's books so when I saw this was a prequel, I thought it would be a good starting point to the Charles Lenox series. This story is about Charles Lenox's first case in 1850, fresh out of university with a desire to be a detective in a world where he isn't expected to "work" a mundane job as an investigator. Early on, I found 23 year old Lenox a bit cold, though he did warm up a bit as the mystery progressed. The reader is introduced to his valet and right-hand man, Graham, as well as his family and friends. It really picks up toward the middle once the investigation truly gets going. I found my favorite details related to the investigation in a time when there wasn't much science involved. Perhaps this would be a better addition to a series for someone who has read some of the earlier books, but this was enjoyable enough as a first book and I will very likely read more in the series to see how this relates.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book. This is my honest review.
Also reviewed on Litsy

I have never read a Charles Finch book before this opportunity. From what I understand this is a prequel to the Charles Lenox Mysteries, a historical mystery series, set during the Victorian age. I’m definitely interested in continuing the series. Highly recommended for fans of historical mysteries.

Honestly, I had a very hard time focusing on the story enough to enjoy it. The opening scenes were quite strong and engaging, but my mind wandered and I think I missed some of the clues as a result. It’s the first prequel to the Charles Lenox series and I was eager to see what so many people loved about it. However, I simply couldn’t concentrate enough to bond with the characters and care about what was going to happen to them.

It seems to be a solid mystery and the little twist at the end was well done. I'll definitely be reading more of the series because I suspect I will like it better in a different mood.

Content: steady profanity (several per chapter) and a single man speaks of love to a married woman

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

This is my first book that I have read by Charles Finch and I was pleased. Atmospheric and colorful with great storyline in Victorian era.
Great read, recommended!
I received a copy to review from Net Galley in return for an honest review about the novel.

Charles Lenox, the younger son of an earl, has chosen to become a consulting detective. Not something in keeping with the conventions of the time or place, that being Victorian London. Yet to even have a case, Lenox, with the aid of his valet Graham, daily scours London’s newspapers for reports and signs of criminal activity, until one day they come upon a letter to the editor of The Challenger boasting of a perfect murder and hinting at more to come.

Finch has created a plot that is intricate and compelling. The case itself is intriguing, with an interesting twist and a climax that is extremely clever. The characters have depth and personality which makes them easy to engage with. The historical background, with it’s glimpses of London life and varied characters, as well as insights into policing in the Victorian era, is extremely well done and adds much to the story.

As Finch builds his compelling mystery, he gives the reader a more personal view into Lenox’s life. We learn more regarding his relationships with family and friends, that which gives him the confidence to take up his work as a detective disdaining the conventions of the day.

Lenox's very first case, is not just a masterful mystery story, but provides an understanding of the detective and the man Charles Lenox would become. I truly enjoyed reading this and look forward to exploring more of the series.

A young man of substance in 1850"s Britain was not supposed to "work". Their days were not to be filled with murder and policemen as they try to investigate crimes. Welcome to the world of Charles Lenox. All he ever wanted to do was investigate crime so he has set up an office as a private detective, a new name for an old job most called "snooping around". But its a good thing he doesn't listen to his friends and family as we would not have these excellent mysteries full of detailed characters and communities. Charles Finch paints with words, giving us as much a visual experience as a reading one. Love this series.....

I love me a good detective story and this one was really good, if not the best sleuthing story I've read. A truly classic whodunit scenario book.

Finch has such an understated style of writing with a wry sense of humour. He is able to vividly capture the characters and settings around them and bring it all to life. I felt like I'm right there, experiencing the Victorian world with the characters. The thing I love the most about historical fiction is the sprinkling of historical tidbits throughout the text. Here, Finch has added quite a few interesting tidbits and blended them well into the plot so that they don't feel out of place- hippopotamus who recently arrived from Egypt, origin of the name of Scotland Yard, introduction of Safety matches, Currer Bell's novel, etc. I loved the little quirks the author gave each of the characters.

There were 2 dialogues that caught my attention the most:-
1. Lenox’ irritation at the headline—“Nevertheless, the headline had managed an error in its scant seven words. On the Thames River – doubtful, Lenox thought, that anyone had been murdered on the Thames River.” It caught my attention because I too had thought the same thing and when he pointed it out, I felt amused.
2. "The hardest part of losing a person,Charles, is that grief is only an absence, there is nowhere to go to touch it." An extremely profound quote from Charles' father which left me in deep thought.

The character of Lenox was an interesting one. He appeared to be at odds with his normal customs of his period. As a gentleman-detective, he was a source of mockery at the Scotland Yard as well as the aristocratic circle. What I found a bit odd was that he was 23 yet he didn't have any significant responsibility yet; I'm not well aware with Victorian England customs but this just struck me as odd. Nevertheless, I admired the energy and eagerness, he devoted to solving the mysteries and his determination to become detective without a salary at Scotland Yard. Since he was young and inexperienced, he didn't have a set method and just doggedly went along searching and researching through a hit and trial method. This is also partly the reason I liked this book- I have never before came across a detective series which was helmed by an inexperienced adult protagonist.

The side characters were also quite good. The bond of love within the Lenox family was heartwarming. The housekeeper, Mrs. Huggins was exasperating as well as funny. Jane/Elizabeth gave me mixed vibes; not yet a fan of her. The members of Scotland Yard were also aptly portrayed. Graham, with his quiet demeanor and sharp mind, was easily my favourite side character.

The plot was such that it was quite hard to put the story down. The murder part was interesting and engrossing but the emotional aspect of the story drew my attention. This led me to miss some quite subtle clues which later proved important. The culprit reveal was quite the surprise. Although I was a bit put out by the incomplete resolution(the culprit not getting caught), I think it makes room for this thread to be revisited in the books of the main series.

Now, regarding the title. While reading, I had wondered why the title said - The Woman in the Water, not The Women in the Water but after everything regarding the mysteries was made clear, the title became clear to me too.

This is my first Charles Lenox Mystery but it certainly won't be my last. Highly recommended for fans of historical mysteries.

I received a copy to review from Net Galley in return for an honest review about the novel. This is only the second book that I have read by Charles Finch (I am pretty sure the entire Charles Lenox series is in my TBR pile), and I was pleasantly surprised by this prequel of the Lenox series. I simply could not put this book down and found myself drawn to the story more so than the first book that I read by Finch. Charles Lenox's story of his first case will draw the reader in a leave you wanting more of the amature detective. The characters as with the first novel I read were relatable and the story was fast paced and made me want to pick up the next book in the series right away. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fast paced historical fiction mystery novel and who loves an all around great story.

Flashback to his first murder investigation, Charles Lennox is struggling to prove himself. Stuck between the aristocrats he was born to and the regular joes of Scotland Yard, Lennox must prove himself useful before a killer bend on committing the perfect crime strikes again. Full of well written prose that puts the reader in mind of classic literature, Finch really sets a scene and takes you on a thrilling ride.

In this book Lenox is disillusioned. His efforts do not seem to be appreciated by Scotland Yard who deride his position as an aristocrat and do not seem to be able to see the man beyond that. On the other hand his own kind the aristocrats themselves look on him as some kind of aberration and an insult to their kind doing a job which is demeaning. This was London in the 1850s.

When one woman is found dead, followed by another one quite swiftly Scotland Yard themselves realize that action will have to be taken quickly to prevent rising hysteria amongst its citizens. Lenox and Graham are up against a very skilled and manipulative killer who is clever if not cleverer than all the detectives put together

Descriptive of London in the 1850s both within the upper and the very lower classes of society added much interest to the whole story. Characterization was spot on and the entire book was a delight of the mystery/detective genre.

The Woman in the Water is the first prequel to the Charles Lenox series.
As an amateur in the field of detection, Charles Lenox's deduction skills are pretty impressive. As I had already read the second prequel first, I would say it was wonderful to see how Lenox came to establish himself as a pretty good detective - with sheer hard work and dedication to his job.
Graham, Charles' butler/side-kick does a good job too. From packing bags in a jiffy to finding information pertaining to the case, Graham has proved himself to be a useful side-kick to the detective.
The mystery behind the dead bodies of women in the river is baffling and so is the reason behind their murders. The suspense is well-maintained and FInch does an excellent job of keeping the readers hooked on to the story till the end.
I recommend this book and the second prequel to those who are looking to divulge in a new historical mystery series. The two prequels serve as an excellent introduction to the series.

The Woman in the Water is a Victorian mystery set in London in 1850 and it’s a prequel to the Charles Lenox series. In this book, Charles has recently graduated from university, is celebrating his 23rd birthday, and declares that he intends to pursue a career of a traveler and a detective. As the second son of a Baronet, Charles is much freer to choose his life’s path, but even his closest friends are appalled that he would attempt this type of profession. Nevertheless, he doggedly moves ahead and immerses himself in the murder of a young woman whose body is discovered in a naval trunk. With the help of his valet, Graham, Charles works with Scotland Yard to uncover the murderer and bring justice for his victims.

I have enjoyed all of the Charles Lenox books and I found this book to be a stellar addition to the series. I particularly liked the background it provides on Charles’s relationships with his family, friends, and even staff members. Both Graham and Charles’s brother, Edmund, are wonderful characters, as is his housekeeper, Mrs. Huggins, as well as his parents. The dialogue is crisp, the descriptions of Victorian England are rich, and the mystery is well-conceived and plotted. All in all, Charles Finch has produced yet another outstanding edition to the Charles Lenox series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

This book is very hard to get into. Very slow paced, and starting out with no attention to the mysteries. The character is at the forefront of the story, I am not familiar with the rest of the story, so I feel like this would be interesting for others who are already invested in the story. However, at the mental point in my life that I am at this week, I have to put this down and maybe I will try it again later.