The book is set in London in the Victorian era and Charles Lenox is a gentleman and amateur sleuth.
This is my second book of the Charles Lenox mysteries and I liked it.
The story is good, a good plot and, as in the first book, there is a nice description of the Victorian atmosphere. I liked this book better than the Vanishing Man, maybe because it was a more complex story and I started also to really like the main character.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love a murder mystery and there just something about having to solve a crime by just you wits and no modern forensics....well I'm just all about that. I didn't try to solve anything. I juat let the story tale my where it would.

I hadn't read the first books in this series but this one seems to stand alone fine. Interesting characters, intriguing story, and being transported to another time and place made for an enjoyable read.

The Last Passenger is a book from one of my favorite mystery series and always one I can count on to deliver a good story and one that leaves me immediately wanting to pick up the next in the series, even if it is a re-read. The Last Passenger was no exception.

The story opens in a scene filled with humor and wit – apparently London has decided Charles needs a wife. Through-out the story we get to watch Charles skillfully evade potential future wives as they are introduced to Charles over and over again. Marriage and love in general are one of the common themes in this novel. But, this book is set in a time where a woman’s economic and financial options are limited, which is also introduced into the story. Even so, if one is lucky enough they get to experience true love, which we get to see very clearly through Lady Jane and Lord Deere’s relationship.

Toward the beginning of the story Charles becomes involved with a murder case where the clues and lack of clues are difficult to interpret, not to mention no one has any idea of who the victim is, which takes quite a bit of sleuthing to figure out. Through the course of the investigation we learn there is a connection tied to the politics of the American slave trade and as the story progresses the reader is given a little insight around the differences between the U.S. and U.K. policies and support in regards to slavery and the slave trade.

How does one not fall in love with this series? Because this is a prequel to the actual series I knew already where the story would take the characters, but even so, my heart still broke with that ending. It was so incredibly well done and so emotional. Not overly dramatic, but skillfully done with a delicate, light touch leaving my heart raw and bare.

Highly recommended to anyone who loves a traditional detective mystery story that is set in England in the mid 1800’s.

Rating: 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.

This is another prequel to the later Lenox mysteries.

It's 1855, and Charles Lenox is feeling pressure to find someone to marry. His neighbor and friend, Lady Jane, and his mother want him to attend parties where Lady Jane points out good prospects. However, he gets called by Thomas Hemstock, a detective at Scotland Yard, to help investigate a murder at Paddington Station. Charles finds the group on the platform and sees the murdered man in the third class carriage, who had no identification and no luggage. Even the labels had been removed from all his clothes. Charles later remembered that the conductor wasn't dressed like a conductor, and said he had collected tickets when tickets on that train weren't collected. Eventually, Charles finds out who the dead man is from a missing person advertisement. The man turns out to be a US Congressman from Massachusetts, Gilman, an advocate of abolition of slavery.

This is a very difficult case for Charles, involving some very important people, but he finally does figure out what happened. Near the end, Charles makes a new friend in Winston Cobb, the man who came from the US government to look into the death of Gilman. In between detecting, Charles finds a young woman in whom he is very interested, but things don't work out.

1855. Charles Lenox is called on by Inspector Hemstock to view a body at Paddington Station, discovered in the Third Class car train. His clothing stripped of all identifying marks, and no luggage it would seem a diffcult case to solve. But it will have far reaching consequences.
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery, with a likeable style of writing and good plotting.
Aided by its likeable main characters. The secondary characters are also well-developed and so add to the story.

Charles Lenox! Always a pleasure!

The third and final of the prequels about the eccentric society detective, Charles Lenox's pulling together more of his background as a beginning detective. The disdain from many of the upper one thousand, his relationship with Scotland Yard, the development of his inquiry techniques, and his family and friends.
A male body is found in a train at Paddington Station. The 449 from Manchester.
No clues as to who the man was. Even the tags had been cut from his clothing.
This case will take Charles from undesirable denizens of London to those placed in the highest in the land.
And just when Charles thinks the case is solved a Mr Winston Cobb, a detective and an American Federal Marshal, turns up at his door. Together they come to realize that the resolution of the case is a double bind, a smokescreen, and their enquiries will have to go back to the beginning. It is indeed a case with a dark soul that will haunt Charles.
On the social front Charle's mother has decided that he needs a helpmate. She enlists Lady Jane aid to introduce him to some interesting young women. One stands out for Charles--Kitty Ashcroft. But even this relationship has a mystery hanging over it.
I think what cinched this story for me as a five star read was meeting Lady Jane's husband. Lord Deere becomes Charles' chess partner and what a lovely, sincere man he is. (Well naturally, we know Lady Jane to be a woman of exquisite sensibilities.) It is only later that Charles is struck by the friendship offered to him by Deere, or Grey as he's asked Charles to call him. Grey was a soldier first and foremost. His going to India he saw as his duty and I have vey dark thoughts about the man he was asked replace, it seems on a pretext. I must admit to shedding a tear where Deere is concerned.
A wonderfully rigorous mystery set in 1855 England that encompasses the gambit of racial discrimination and slavery. Yet it's more the personal side of this tale that called to me. A special addition to the Charles Lenox arc!

A Minotaur Books ARC via NetGalley

"From bestselling author Charles Finch comes the third and final in a prequel trilogy to his lauded Charles Lenox series.

London, 1855. A young and eager Charles Lenox faces his toughest case yet: a murder without a single clue. Slumped in a third-class car at Paddington Station is the body of a handsome young gentleman. He has no luggage, empty pockets, and no sign of identification on his person. And putting together the clues to the mystery of the man’s identity only raises more questions, when Lenox discovers that the crime has a significant connection to America.

As he seeks to solve this impossible case, the young Lenox must confront an equally troublesome problem in his personal life. Kitty Ashbrook, beautiful and cultured, appears to be his soulmate - but love comes with obstacles of its own. In tandem, this fiendish early case and passionate, deeply felt affair will irrevocably shape the brilliant detective and thoughtful gentleman Lenox is destined to become.

Written in Charles Finch’s unmistakably witty and graceful voice, The Last Passenger is a cunning, thrilling, and deeply satisfying conclusion to this trilogy of prequels to his bestselling Charles Lenox series."

Trains and murder, they just got together like a hand in a glove.

This is a great series of books, and I like this prequel that describes how Charles Lennox became a private detective. The character of Charles is so likable, surprisingly thoughtful, modest and has a great sense of humor. He is surrounded by good friends yet discovers what he is missing in life is love. Complex case of murders and slavery. And I love the title and what it means in this story.

In the final prequel to the Charles Lenox mysteries, Charles Finch has taken his character from an amateur detective to an investigator whose contributions have been recognized by Scotland Yard. When he is called to Paddington Station to view a body found on one of the trains, he discovers a total absence of clues. There is no identification on the victim and even the tags have been cut out of his clothes. It is the style of those clothes that provide the first clue that the victim was an American.

Eli Gilman was a congressman who traveled to England seeking support to end slavery back home. He traveled with Hollis, a former slave, and one other man who was killed earlier in their journey. Scotland Yard concludes the case when a member of a group of American expatriates is tied to the murder. When an American militia officer is sent by the president to follow up on the murder of the congressman, he and Lenox both question the results of the investigation. Reviewing all of the evidence leads them to a conspiracy involving several members of Parliament. Not only is Hollis still in danger, but Lenox has also put himself in the path of the conspirators.

Lenox also becomes aware of a second conspiracy. Lady Jane, a friend since childhood, has been working with his mother to find a bride for him. It forces Lenox to consider whether marriage is compatible with his chosen profession. Life becomes more difficult when he meets Kitty Ashbrook and realizes what he has been missing in his life.

I have been a fan of the Charles Lenox series from the beginning. The Last Passenger shows a Lenox who is becoming more confident, but knows that there is more to learn if he is to continue as an investigator. This case tests his abilities and provides the reader with an excellent mystery that is full of twists and misdirections.. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for my review.

The Last Passenger is the third (and last) prequel book to the Charles Lenox Mysteries series by Charles Finch. I've read the first two prequels and loved them both. This one, however, is the best of the lot. A lot of things come to a head here for Lenox, which made it just impossible to put down this story.

Young Charles Lenox is still attempting to make a name for himself as a detective. Many in his class scorn him for having an occupation, which makes it difficult for him to get cases. Also during this time his mother and his best friend Jane have decided it's time for him to get married. One evening Lenox is asked by a Scotland Yard detective to help him investigate what turns out to be Lenox's toughest case yet - a young man is found brutally murdered on a train, with everything that could help identify him removed from his person. What follows is an exciting story of the slave trade, class distinction and prejudice, love, loss and heartache.

I've come to love Lenox during this prequel series, and I'm thrilled I have the entire Charles Lenox Mysteries series left to read. This case was such a fascinating one; I had no idea how he could possible cobble all the clues together to figure out whodunit. I really like how the case centered around events in both the US and the UK. I must admit, however, that my favorite parts of the book dealt with Lenox's relationships with family and friends. Lenox has moved on from his love of Lady Jane, who is married to one of his dearest friends, and he falls in love with the beautiful Kitty Ashbrook. Besides these relationships, Lenox is also struggling to decide whether to discontinue his private investigations or to work for Scotland Yard. The book had me both laughing at clever conversations and crying from heartbreak. Simply a wonderful book!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

“The Last Passenger”, a prequel in the Charles Lenox series, returns us to the early days of Lenox’s career, when he is still fighting to establish himself as a consulting detective, and questioning that career in the light of society’s clear disapproval. A group of American abolitionists have come to London on a speaking tour, and to enlist the aid of prominent British abolitionists in their American cause. As the American’s begin to be killed, Lenox becomes involved.

Along with Lenox, we meet Thomas McConnell, who will become a cherished friend and colleague, and spend time in the warm company of Lenox’s childhood friend Lady Jane and her husband.

This is a great prequel as it charms readers with glimpses of early aspects of a beloved character.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

7 Show more
Review Barbara’s Rating 4.5 of 5
Series: Charles Lenox Mysteries #0.3
Publication Date: 2/18/20
Number of Pages: 304

Charles Finch is back with the third, and I believe final, prequel to the Charles Lenox Mysteries series – and I think this might be my favorite. We have a well-crafted mystery that involves two continents and some really vile villains. We also get to know and like Lady Jane’s husband and a young Charles falls in love. Add in tragedy and misery and goodness – there is everything you could possibly want in this book.

In October of 1855, it seems that all of his friends and relatives – at his mother’s behest – are trying to get Charles married off. Charles doesn’t have a particular objection to marriage, he just hadn’t really considered it. He’s been busy developing his chosen career as a private detective. Although the rest of the aristocracy looks down upon him for that choice, he still can’t give it up.

Lenox was sitting in his study playing chess with his neighbor – Jane’s husband, Lord Deere – when he received a visit from Inspector Hemstock of Scotland Yard. Hemstock is disinterested and inept and is asking Charles to accompany him to Paddington Station where there has been a murder.

Thus began an intriguing mystery that is filled with twists and turns. Just when you (and Charles) think you have it all figured out, the clues take them off in another direction. The victim was horribly murdered and anything that could possibly identify him had been removed from the body. So, not only do they have a murder, they don’t know who the victim is nor any clues to help identify him.

Charles pursues his investigation even though some in Scotland Yard want him to leave it alone and are really irate when he seems to be the only one who is finding any clues. When Charles identifies the victim and his mission in England, the investigation takes off in a whole new direction. When Charles finds additional victims, he finds himself in danger as well.

I loved getting to spend time with Jane’s husband and getting to know him better. He was such a sweet and honorable man that you can easily see how Jane came to love him. Charles also spent some time falling in love, but – well – I never did come to understand her at all.

This was an intriguing and mystifying read and I loved every page. I hope you will as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“The Last Passenger” by Charles Finch hit my sweet spot for English mysteries: Lots of period detail, a London setting and some background history on the slave trade in Jamaica and America during the first half of the 19th century made this a quick and enjoyable read. This was my first Charles Lenox book (it’s the third of a prequel trilogy) but I didn’t feel at all like I needed to have read the previous two to pick up where this one begins. I will, however, probably catch up with Charles Lenox from time to time in future installments of the series, because there’s a lot of room for character development and relationships that will be interesting to see play out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur/St. Martin’s for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

What a good book! I think I might have enjoyed this one best out of the 3 prequels; I loved the characters, how it moved the story along and really tied with the later story, and I loved getting that peek into what made him.

This is the final book in the prequel trilogy of the Charles Lenox Mysteries series. Lenox faces his toughest case yet: a murder without a single clue. Slumped in a first-class car at Paddington Station is the body of a young, handsome gentleman. He has no luggage, empty pockets, and no sign of violence upon his person - yet Lenox knows instantly that it's not a natural death. Pursuing the investigation against the wishes of Scotland Yard, the detective encounters every obstacle London in 1855 has to offer, from obstinate royalty to class prejudice to the intense grief of his closest friend.

I really loved this book. It bridges the gap between the prequels and A Beautiful Blue Death seamlessly. I’m sorry to see this series end; it has been a joy to read. I’m eagerly keeping an eye out for what’s next from Finch.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Passenger (Charles Lenox Mysteries 0.3)
Author: Charles Finch
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: February 18, 2020

Late one night, in early October 1855, the last passenger on the 449 to Paddington would not be leaving on his own accord. After everyone had left, the conductor found this man in the third class carriage stabbed to death. Perhaps more mysterious than his death, was the condition in which they found him. His pockets were empty, the labels were cut out of every piece of his clothing, and his socks, boots, hat, and watch are all missing. It appeared that someone had gone to a great deal of trouble to try to hide the identity of the man. Lenox feels deeply compelled to not only find the murderer, but also to discover who the man was, and why he was killed.

In addition to trying to solve a perplexing case, Lenox must also juggle the devoirs of his personal life.

Charles Finch has done it again! He has written another sensational book in the Charles Lenox mystery series. This book is the third and last prequel to the series. As always, the writing was magnificent. The plot was intriguing, unique and full of surprises. Just when you think the case is about wrapped up, the story takes a clever twist.

Favorite characters such as Graham and Lady Jane, and Lady Jane’s husband Deere, feature prominently in this story. One of Charles’s closest friends in later books, Dr. Thomas McConnell makes a brief appearance in this prequel. It’s been really enjoyable learning about Charles’s background and what makes him the detective he is in later books. It’s been equally as enjoyable learning about the background of his friends as well. In this installment, Lady Jane and Charles’s mother are trying to marry him off. Both women would like to see him fall in love and settle down before he becomes lonely. Charles does not believe that he is lonely, but as the story progresses, he begins to wonder if something (someone?) is missing from his life.

Fans of historical mysteries will adore The Last Passenger. One of the themes in this book is slavery. We get a good peek at the differences in the state of slavery in the US and England. We also see the similarities and differences in status and opinions of the white population in both the US and England of the African race. Then of course another prominent issue at this time was class disparities in England. Charles really struggles with this problem, and the role he should play.

I have loved every Charles Lenox book I have read, and this one is no exception. It was a hard book to put down. Everything works well in this book, and it ties in nicely to the original series.

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #TheLastPassenger

I love the Charles Lennox series. When Mr. Finch began writing prequels I was a tad nervous because I had grown to love the older version of Lennox and Lady Jane. However, after the first prequel I knew it was all good. This book is a great transition piece from the beginning to the main series. We really get to see Charles and Lady Jane's friendship begin to deepen and we also get to see Charles go through a trial with love. The book was well written and I always feel like I'm right there. Very well done.

The third and final in a trilogy of prequel novels to the Charles Lennox series, finds young Charles Lennox at a very pivotal time in his life. He is being introduced to the eligible and desirable women of his class which he finds rather tedious until one catches his eye. An Inspector from Scotland Yard arrives at Lennox's home in hopes of enticing his help in solving a perplexing murder that took place in a third class carriage of a train in Paddington Station. While Lennox is initially wary of assisting, as his friends and family are against his involvement, he ultimately finds himself arriving at Paddington at the scene of a gruesome murder. A young American man who had arrived in Britain to drum up support for abolishing slavery in the United States has been brutally murdered and all methods for identifying the victim have been removed. While initially there are very few clues, Lennox is able to identify the victim and assist Scotland Yard, who are not keen on his involvement in identifying the murderer.
There was much to admire and love in the last of the Charles Lennox prequels. Readers are given insight into Lennox's personal life at a time when important decisions pertaining to his future both professional and personal are playing out. The historical backdrop was fascinating, and the topic of slavery was expertly researched and weaved into the central mystery. The mystery itself was skillfully done, leading in some unexpected directions and hinting at a future full of angering those in power that lies ahead for Lennox. While the mystery itself is complex, it is laid out in such a manner that allows readers to follow along easily. This last in the prequel trilogy books leaves us right at the beginning of the original Lennox series yet it has provided us with a glimpse into Lennox's character, showing his more vulnerable and at times self deprecating side. Also present are Lady Jane Grey and young Graham who feature prominently in later books in the series. I highly recommend this book along with the others in this series for readers looking for a well written Victorian historical mystery.

Another Charles Lenox book. to devour This part of a series of prequels.Each book is so well written each kept me involved reading each book with great characters.#netgalley #st.martinsbooks