Charles Finch’s mystery series is about an upper crust Victorian gentleman, Charles Lenox, who chooses to solve murders rather than spend his time warming a bench in Parliament and playing cards with fellow stuffy gentlemen at his club.

When the series started (and there are several books in this series!) Lenox was already rather experienced at his trade but the early going wasn’t always easy. The respect of the stuffy ton and Scotland Yard are two very steep hills to climb. After several installments, the author decided to skip back to the very beginning, years before the previous first installment, to give us a generous multi-book prequel, and an inside glimpse into how Lenox first got started in the world of murder and investigation.

It was a different approach for an author and a lot of fun for readers. But now, Finch has hopped forward to pick up where he left off in the original series of books and he’s done it in a great way. Whether it’s been a while since you read this far along in the series, or if you’ve never read one of these books before, it doesn’t matter. The author does an excellent job of catching the reader up to speed early on.

In this latest book the Prime Minister dangles a trip to America, courtesy of the crown, in order to get Lenox out of the country for a while (we’ll leave the details as to why he does this for the book). After much consideration, and the approval of Lady Jane, his wife, Lenox is off—did we ever think he wouldn’t be? He’s had unfulfilled wanderlust for as long as we’ve known him!

His initial purpose is a fact finding one, comparing notes with the police departments and other notables in America. But it doesn’t take long before he’s drawn into solving the murder of a lovely socialite who inhabited the highest echelon of Newport society. You will not be disappointed by the twists and turns of this investigation, and along the way the reader gets a delightful glimpse inside those early years when the wealthiest in America spent millions to build massive ‘cottages’ in which to throw ridiculously over the top parties for just a few months out of every year.

Parties aside, this murderer has our intrepid Charles Lenox baffled for a while and the red herrings abound. But you know he’ll narrow down the suspects in time. The question is, can he do it without becoming the next victim himself?

Cudos to Charles Finch for delivering another wonderful installment in this series. I am always impressed with the extent of his knowledge of the period in which he writes, and how he makes it almost another character in the story. But I’m even more so now that he’s jumped the pond for this book and added some American flavor to the mix. You will be too.

This is my first book to read in the series, and it was very enjoyable. A detective eager to spend more time with his family is requested to go to America as a diplomat. It is set in the 1800s. While in America, a young wealthy socialite supposedly hurls herself from a cliff. The suspicious circumstances, of course, necessitates an investigation which leads to one twist after another. I found the story compelling. The richly historical setting was fully fleshed out as well as the characters - even not having prior knowledge from previous books in the series. I will definitely be eager to go back and read the other books.

After three prequels to this longstanding series, Finch returns to chronological sequence with this entry. Charles Lenox is traveling to America on the Queen's business in order to avoid testifying in person at a sensational court case. He is invited to Newport RI to investigate the suspicious death of a beautiful young woman on the brink of becoming engaged...to two different men?

The customs and habits of the old and new money inhabitants of Newport's summer "cottages" are bewildering to Lenox, but he has the help of a young aspiring detective to guide him through the maze of unfamiliar manners and cultures. Lenox people back the layers one by one until he comes to the surprising truth at the center.

I have enjoyed this series but I found this entry far fetched, hinging on a crucial plot twist that I found completely unbelievable. The major characters in the series don't seem to change or grow; Lenox's wife Lady Jane is as beautiful, charming and resourceful in this entry as she was in the first book in the series and her perfection grows tiresome. Perhaps this series needs more than just a change in setting.

When I started this book, I was unaware it was part of a series. The book reads like a stand-alone, with just a few hints within that there might be earlier stories. I didn't feel that I missed anything by not reading any of the earlier books.

In this story, British detective Charles Lenox travels to America on a tour - banished, I'm still not entirely clear why -- but this launches the mystery. While there, he is summoned by a wealthy family in the ultra-rich enclave of Newport, R.I., to investigate the murder of one of their own, a young and beautiful debutante. This is set during the wonderful Gilded Age, when railroad barons ruled and extraordinary wealth came to a handful of families who started life in poverty.

Charles Finch does a wonderful job leaving clues as to the identity of the murderer. There are several obvious suspects and a few not-so-obvious ones that kept me guessing. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the wealthy names such as Vanderbilt, Astor and others.

The book made me interested in reading more books in this series. I highly recommend this book to mystery fans and also those who enjoy historical mysteries.

I've read many of the Charles Lenox mysteries and was happy to read this forthcoming book via a NetGalley ARC. An Extravagant Death brings the Victorian detective from his native England to America at the request of the prime minister. This is a Lenox who has matured and aged since the beginning of the series, and battles between a desire to spend time with his family and the attraction of travels to a new land. His observations of post-Civil War America are of great interest, and of course he stumbles into a murder mystery, mixing with the Astors and others at their Newport cottages. A solid mystery made all the more intriguing by a hint of something different to come with Lenox. I'll eagerly await #15 to find out more!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53138073-an-extravagant-death?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=HmpvBs3wAS&rank=2

When a series is quite lengthy at some point things tend to cool off a bit but not so with this, the fourteenth in the Charles Lenox series; in fact, this is one of my favourites yet! It feels so comfy and homey as I "know" the characters from the previous thirteen books but to me any of Finch's books could be standalones. Still, I do recommend reading them in chronological order so you become invested and meld into a sort of rhythm. Whilst this series is not fast paced with action around every bend, there are so many reasons to enjoy the slower burn. Sure, the stories are mysteries but also more than that, especially the historical details and interesting characters. When a book can transport you, you know you're onto something. Originality counts for a lot.

In London in 1878, we discover that Charles Lenox has become even busier with two sweet children and the growth of his detective agency. But when approached by the PM, Benjamin Disraeli to go on a special mission to America, Charles is torn. On one hand, he is desperate to spend more time with his growing family but on the other, this is likely his one and only chance to pursue a passion, going to America. His understanding wife, Lady Jane encourages him to go. He is astonished at the jaw dropping new rich of Newport. Though accustomed to dealing with aristocracy and wealth in England, this is different. People have money to burn. It's on an incomprehensible scale. Loved the dazzling "cottage" and meal descriptions.

Charles investigates the murder of a lovely young socialite and uncovers secret after secret, mystery after mystery. The twists are plentiful and intriguing and kept me reading well past dinner to get to the end, though I didn't really want to get to the end, either. But what an ending it was!

Those who enjoy clean mysteries with beautiful prose and fascinating historical detail, do pick this up. It was such fun to read about the American rich (understatement!) especially as I've been reading about this era a lot lately, including some of the personalities mentioned.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this engaging book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

What a real pleasure this novel was to read. I found a combination of many things I enjoy all wrapped up in a book so well written that I hesitated to put it down. The reason for Charles Lenox to be traveling to America was a trifle thin but it was acceptable. The descriptions of New York City in 1878 were interesting to read but what had me fascinated were the descriptions of the people who made Newport, Rhode Island their home both as summer and year round residents. The contrasts could not have been sharper. Having been fortunate to visit Newport and the summer cottages of the incredibly wealthy Americans of those times I can say that Charles Finch brought it all back to me with his writer's talent for detail. It is hard to imagine a "cottage" with 90 rooms until you stand outside it and understand what opulence was for those who were super-rich.

Lenox is aboard a train for another city on his trip when that train is stopped on the tracks so a message can be delivered. Lenox is needed in Newport to investigate the death of a beautiful, young socialite found dead on the sand at the edge of the William Stuyvesant Schermerhorn IV's property. Schermerhorn's son was expected to have become engaged to Miss Lily Allingham, the murdered woman. Wealth and social standing will figure greatly in this crime and turn out to both help and hinder the investigation mounted by Charles Lenox.

Descriptions of both New York City and Newport from 1878 are integrated so well into the fabric of this criminal investigation that it made this book a pleasure to read. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for an e-galley of the book.

<i> An extravagant death</i> is a complicated murder mystery that takes place in High Society New York in the 1800s. Charles Lenox is a brilliant detective finds himself in New York society solving a young socialite’s murder under circumstances that are very different but oddly familiar. <i>Extravagant death</i> is #14 in the Charles Lenox mystery series by Charles Finch.

Charles Lenox is involved with the arrest of three Scotland Yard detectives. Disraeli, the Prime Minister, demands that Lenox to go to North America to avoid publicly testifying against the people in Scotland yard. In place of appearing in court, Lenox writes out his testimony.
He then travels to New York and takes a train to visit other detectives and compare notes between North American and English detection techniques. On his way, Lenox befriends a would-be detective who admires his work. When the train is stopped and Lenox is asked to help with a murder in Newport New York, his new friend helps because he knows most of the people in Newport, a seaside resort. Lenox is somewhat of a celebrity among the socialites of Newport and he is allowed in many houses where the local police cannot gain entrance. It turns out the victim had been about to come out in society that summer, however, now that she has died Lenox struggles to find answers in a society that has moved on.

This was a very interesting story because it's complex with several possible suspects. The reveal is really held until the very last part of the story which keeps you reading.

Lenox must also navigate through the social circles where people don’t really don't care that the girl is gone. One learns a lot of history in this story because the New York society is very interesting and Lenox often makes direct comparisons to people and things he must tolerate in English society.

Finch is a very good storyteller and his character development is quite eloquent. His descriptions of the different characters and where they fit in various societal cliques is highly entertaining.

I recommend this story to anyone that likes murder mysteries with the multiple suspects. I give it a 4 on 5. I want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Lenox visits the Gilded Age! Solid mystery and I very much enjoyed the differences between the Brits and the Americans that were pointed out. I do wish it had more of his family, but it was fun to take a trip across the pond.

A well known London detective takes a trip to America on behalf of the crown. In the late 1870s. He soon finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation involving New York’s elite. When the most sought after social debutante of the season is murdered in Newport, Mr. Lenox is contacted by one of its wealthy cottage owners to find the killer.

I have not read any of the previous works by this author, but I found this one to be very intriguing. The suspense was just right and I had no clue who the killer was until it was revealed within the story. It was interesting to see the contrast between the London society and that of America. It was also nice to have a peak into the lives of the rich and famous during this time period. The book is clean with only non-graphic violence. I will definitely check out some of the other books by Charles Finch. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a great Period mystery.

Very good historical fiction/mystery set in Newport, Rhode Island with the rich and famous and cunning elite when one hoped for a ticket to Caroline Aster's coveted balls (or else you left town to escape shame). Unless of course your are the intrepid main character detective who refuses money ("name your price") to solve the (untimely) death of the hottest (did they use that term then?) debutant of the season.

I love a good historical mystery and this is one of the best I have read recently, the characters are realistic and the plot keeps you guessing.

I was unfamiliar with this series but enjoyed the book immensely! The story is set in 1878 and starts with references (I assume) to the previous book in the series, to set the stage for a trip to American by the main character, London private investigator Charles Lenox. While traveling from NY to Boston, he is asked to detour to Newport Beach to investigate the murder of, arguably, the most sought-after debutante of the season. Lenox mingles with American high society, including Astors and Vanderbilts, looking for motive and means. I enjoyed everything about this book: the writing, the characters, the plot, and the descriptions of life in that era, including the excesses of the rich contrasted against the "common man". Time to start the series at the beginning!

An enjoyable and well written story. And not a bad mystery either. Charles Lenox has left his usual stomping grounds of Great Britain for a tour through America before he is called to investigate a murder in Newport, RI. Finch has described in lavish detail the unbelievable opalescence of the U.S. Gilded Age at one of the heights of the dazzling display: the summer season and particularly the most fabulous and exclusive party of them all, that held by the Astors. I loved the amount of detail in the description but some may find it slows the middle of the book.

One of the strengths of this series is the complex recurring characters Finch has created and how they change through experience and time. Lenox once thought politics was what he wanted to do and detecting was a side line until he could be elected as a MP but once he achieved this dream for a few years he returned to detecting. Now, married to his early love and a father his priorities have changed once more, particularly after a life changing event in this case. Evolution and substantial aging of characters does not always occur in series and it is enjoyable to read this done well.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful as usual. Charles Lenox travels to America from England after the American Civil War. He stumbles on a mystery or does he?

We meet the Knickerbockers and the nouveau riche Americans in this story.

Charles Lenox's wife and children have brief appearances in the story since most of the story takes place in the Colonies.

Though I suspected who the killer was before Charles Lenox confronted the killer, it was interesting to see the clues.

I received a free digital advanced copy from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased and honest opinion.

I have never read a Charles Finch novel, and so have no prior knowledge as to his series about Charles Lenox, London detective. In the fourteenth installment of the series, Lenox is asked by the Prime Minister to go traveling abroad after he successfully uncovered corruption at the heart of Scotland Yard. Agreeing to the request, Lenox finds himself traveling to Newport where he is later to be asked to investigate a murder. A young beautiful debutante is found at the bottom of a cliff. Lenox must determine which of her friends and/or beaus is the killer hiding behind American elitism.

I typically love historical mysteries (Sherlock Holmes being my favorite), but there was something about this novel that prevented me from loving it. Whether it was the unnecessary mentions of the Civil War that had no bearing on the crime or the characters, or the slow pace of the main character, I found reading this very difficult. Charles Lenox also seemed very unsure of what he wanted at that point in his life. It almost felt as if he was in the beginning stages to a mid-life crisis.

The blurb for the story was a bit off as I expected more of a fight with the locals to accept murder. Instead, they all seemed to embrace murder over suicide. There was also the matter that Lenox's family did not play a part in the novel as anything more than casual mentions. With the historical aspects of society being such a prevailing factor in the plot, I would have expected more from his family, particularly his wife.

Overall I rate this novel 3 out 5 stars. I may at some point decided to read this series from the beginning, but for now I am content to try other novels first.

A first rate mystery! This is book 14 in the series but can be read alone with no problem. The story is set in Victorian times and is a nice period piece. Charles Lenox, a private investigator, is persuaded to go to America to get him out of a sticky political problem. While traveling as Her Majesty's representative, he becomes embroiled in a mysterious murder among the rich and famous. The story moves along at a good pace and keeps you wanting to turn the page. I enjoyed the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy of this novel. I have not read any books of this series before but it was not that hard to read this series book. This Sherlock type detective story really intrigued me but it lacks the fast paced story that I usually enjoy. Its really slow and kind of puts you off from getting really engrossed in the story. The details of both Britain and America during the time period has been captured by the author in perfect detail. For that 3 stars from me.

The premise of this book caught my attention right away. A British detective, Charles Lenox, (the younger son of a family of high standing, who has chosen his field of work despite its perceived breach of social class) is strongly encouraged by someone of importance in parliament to make a trip to America. There he finds himself in Newport, Rhode Island among the Astors and Vanderbilts of the Gilded Age. A young lady, a beauty and current darling among the season’s society, has been found murdered. It is up to Lenox to discover who among her many male suitors and acquaintances might have wished her dead.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Having jumped into this series for the first time on this, the 14th and most recent book, I am hooked. The author made me sufficiently acquainted with the characters and background of the series to give a good platform for the rest of the book. I loved how the author didn’t feel the need to add steamy scenes to the narrative, but let his excellence in writing the story (often with a wonderful wittiness!) suffice to create a captivating book. I can hardly wait to go back and read every single one of the 13 books that came before it in the series.

I received an advanced copy of 'An Extravagant Death' by Charles Finch in return for my honest review. I have now read two books, very out of order, in this series, but still very much enjoy the character and writing. Charles Lenox is dispatched to America where he takes on a case. I enjoyed the characters and the story, and it was fun seeing Lenox depicted outside of London. I always appreciate historical fiction when it easily weaves familiar names and events into the book, as I feel like as a reader, it helps me understand better the time period that the book is taking place during.