Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
Charles Finch is an aquired taste. Charles Lennox is a detective in Victorian England and Mr. Finch has done his homework.
The atmosphere is authentic and the lack of what we know in the 21st century to help solve mysteries makes the detecting
fascinating.

The vanishing Man is a second prequel to the series about Charles Lennox. Endeavor before Morse. As another reader wrote:
"Just sit back and enjoy the ride" It is fun and well written.

This series keeps getting better and better! This book is the second prequel in the series. Charles Lennox, second son, has decided to make solving crime his profession, much to societies dismay. The Victorian setting, a cast of well drawn characters and complex plots makes this mystery series a cut above the rest. I suggest reading at least a few of the series to become familiar with the characters and Charles, but it is not an absolute necessity. Just sit back and enjoy the ride as Charles tries to find out why paintings are disappearing from the Duke of Dorset country home. You wont be disappointed!

I love Charles Finch’s books. They draw you in and you really don’t want to leave the world he has created for Lenox. Extremely entertaining storytelling.

Charles is back to sleuth with his wit always present. This is a true detective novel with many clues and is well written. It is a great mystery to try and solve, but not before Charles does.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Charles Finch writes mysteries that I find myself recommending to all of my reading friends. They are NOT cozy mysteries but they are not filled with rage and gore either. Charles Lenox is a man of substance in the British 1850's era, when a man of his station did not work. But Charles uses his very active mind to observe and solve many cases that the police have stumbled on. This case is unusual in the fact that he must find an art thief before he steals again then finds himself investigating a murder. The story lines have multiple people who all expect something from Lenox so he must work even harder to get the job done.

Moving very slow at first but building with detailed scenery and thorough characterization, this historical mystery fiction proved to be quite the page turner. Great for the cozy mystery reader who'd like to transition into a more detailed mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review. Here is my review:

It is 1853 in London and Charles Lenox is just beginning his career as a detective. He has had some success in a few small matters and has made a friend at Scotland Yard, although his friends still think him crazy and make light of his career choice.

Then he is contacted by the Duke of Dorset, a VERY IMPORTANT MAN, who has heard of his exploits and wishes to consult with him. This could be the making of his career or the total downfall of his place in society. And, over the course of the book, it is a little of both.

The Duke's stolen portrait is the loose thread at the beginning of a long yarn and it is a good one. We see some of the insights Lenox is just beginning to develop and see how he is working to teach himself all he will need to succeed in his chosen profession. We also get a glimpse of London society in the early days of Queen Victoria.

A good read that will keep you entertained throughout the book.

I loved this book and this time frame. The characters seem like old friends and I wish I could go on adventures with them. The Duke of Dorset is in trouble and calls on his friend, Charles to help him out. It starts as trying to solve a break into saving his friend when he is accused of murder.

Lenox is from the aristocracy. His forays into detective work have not found favour with the high and mighty and he has in fact suffered direct snubs as well as even invitations given and then withdrawn for social events. Lenox feels that his family also suffers the indignity of having one of their own doing a job as it were as this is beyond the pale for members of their kind, but on the contrary his father and mother are proud of his achievements and understand his feelings that he wants to use his analytical mind and seek logical conclusions for problems that he tries to solve.

In this story in the 1850s, the Duke of Dorset seeks his help in finding a lost painting. The painting itself does not amount to much - one of the ancestors - but Lenox soon finds that there is much more than the missing painting that meets the eye and the Duke has not been very honest in seeking Lenox's help. Unraveling a mystery painting, plus in the meantime trying to find one of the lost works of Shakespeare amidst red herrings thrown their way Lenox and his faithful valet Graham, even more capable than Lenox try to solve the mystery.

Methodical and systematic, the story will appeal to a logical mind and it did to me!

The book is set in London in the Victorian era, Charles Lenox is a gentleman and amateur sleuth.
It was my first book from Charles Finch, and I liked it. I am sure I am going to read other installments of this series because almost all the characters are well described and “real” and I want to know more about Charles Lenox investigation (and hopefully I will meet again Lancelot!)

The story was a little too slow for my liking and the mystery was really engrossing. I liked the description of the Victorian atmosphere and the explanation of the titles and ranks of the Nobility.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Another terrific read by Charles Finch this one a prequel.I enjoy all the books in the series.Characters that come alive storylines that always engage a series to follow recommend.#netgalley#St.Martinsbooks

The Vanishing Man is part of a three-book prequel series and is second in the run (named 0.2, in the order).

Charles Lenox, the lead character in the series, is a gentleman detective who can move about freely in the upper strata of Victorian Era London society. This story centers around a mystery at the very highest level of society with the Duke of Dorset, a smart, arrogant, yet remarkably human character. For those who already love Charles Lenox, it’s a neat glimpse into the early years of his time in London, and a look at some of the characters that remain throughout the series. For those who haven't met Charles Lenox yet, this book could stand easily on its own — no backstory required.

The tale of The Vanishing Man makes some slightly odd runs out from the core that I think could just as easily have been snipped from the narrative. Still, it’s a lovely book, and I am digging this mini-prequel series from Charles Finch.

I am sad to say that this was my very first Charles Lenox book! I absolutely loved it. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy in the mail, and it was the perfect mood for being snowed in this weekend without power! I loved all the characters, the depth of the mystery, and the beautifully powerful imagery of early London. It was a wonderful winter read, so much fun!

I cannot believe I didn’t know about this series! The premise sounded interesting and I figured since it was a prequel, I wouldn’t be missing much. I’m so glad I read this! For 2020, I’ll be working my way through the rest of the series because this seems to be a very thoughtfully written mystery series with well fleshed out characters and interesting dilemmas. Here’s hoping I’m not wrong!

The Vanishing Man is the second of three prequels to the Charles Lenox mystery series by Charles Finch. Lenox is asked by the Duke of Dorset to look into a painting of his great grandfather that has disappeared. However, it turns out that the portrait that hung next to the stolen one is invaluable. Did the thief take the wrong portrait? This intricate plot leads back to a mystery from 200 years earlier. It also takes a stunning turn which could lead the Duke's family into huge scandal.

From the first page I had trouble putting this book down. It is well written, the characters are complex and interesting. This was my first book of the Charles Lenox Mysteries, and I will be reading the rest of them. Quite enjoyable! Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to give my honest review on #TheVanishingMan

This was the first book I have read by Charles Finch and I was sufficiently interested to want to continue with the series. Although this particular story is the second of three prequels to the Charles Lenox, I did not feel I was missing background information. The characters of Charles Lennox and Lady Jane Grey are interesting and the young Lancelot provided some comic relief. The mystery involving the theft of a portrait was intriguing and I certainly didn't suspect the thief until near the end of the story.

This is my second book in this series which is part of the prequel to the Charles Lenox series. I really enjoyed this book because it has a little different mystery than most whodunit's. The book has a few different narratives, the story of the Duke of Dorset which is the primary mystery, the relationship between Charles and his brother and friends including Lady Jane and the humorous inclusion of his cousin Lancelot. And in between when you don't expect it are little bits of history that teach you something, like the origins of the words bedlam and tips. I read this in two days and didn't skip any pages or even paragraphs (something I frequently do when a book isn't holding my interest).

Engrossing page-turner!
I absolutely enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the series too. Charles Lenox and his butler Graham form quite a pair. The mystery behind the missing painting and the 'family secret' is sure to keep one hooked on to the story until the end.
Well-portrayed characters and excellent storytelling, I highly recommend this book to all mystery lovers.

This is the second in the prequel trilogy featuring private detective aristocrat, the young 26 year old Charles Lenox set in the Victorian era. It is 1853, and Scotland Yard are struggling in the case of a break in the Duke of Dorset's home where a antique painting of his great grandfather is stolen from his private study. Lenox is still at the beginnings of his career as a detective, still learning and developing his expertise, and fortunate in landing his biggest client when the Duke calls him in to get to the bottom of the mystery. The Duke is convinced that the thieves have made an error and stolen the wrong painting and were in fact after another painting close by, a painting that is supposed to be the key in discovering a well known secret.. There is a murder, and aided by Lady Jane Grey, it becomes rather urgent that Charles chases down the truth of the mystery and a intelligent mind that is behind it all. Finch gives us rich descriptions of the historical period, the social class system and the desperate poverty of the time. I found this a highly entertaining read that makes me keen to read the last in the trilogy. Many thanks to St Martin's Press for an ARC.

This is my second book after The woman in the water. The writing style is very good, the story is told in a methodical way with the clues slowly being deduced. The pace was kept constant with an insight into London of 1850s and the life and works of Shakespeare. I liked it more than the previous book. The way Lenox deduces is different and refreshing. I hope to meet the character Lancelot down the series. I was unhappy about the conclusion as justice doesn’t prevail over money and status. Overall a very entertaining and engrossing read. Loved it.