by Charles Finch
Series: Charles Lenox Mysteries Prequel #2, Charles Lenox Mysteries #12
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
From the critically acclaimed and USA Today bestselling author Charles Finch comes The Vanishing Man, the second in a prequel trilogy to his Charles Lenox Victorian series, in which the theft of an antique painting sends Detective Lenox on a hunt for a criminal mastermind.
London, 1853: Having earned some renown by solving a case that baffled Scotland Yard, young Charles Lenox is called upon by the Duke of Dorset, one of England's most revered noblemen, for help. A painting of the Duke's great-grandfather has been stolen from his private study. But the Duke's concern is not for his ancestor's portrait; hiding in plain sight nearby is another painting of infinitely more value, one that holds the key to one of the country's most famous and best-kept secrets.
Dorset believes the thieves took the wrong painting and may return when they realize their error--and when his fears result in murder, Lenox must act quickly to unravel the mystery behind both paintings before tragedy can strike again. As the Dorset family closes ranks to protect its reputation, Lenox uncovers a dark secret that could expose them to unimaginable scandal--and reveals the existence of an artifact, priceless beyond measure, for which the family is willing to risk anything to keep hidden.
In this intricately plotted prequel to the Charles Lenox mysteries, the young detective risks his potential career--and his reputation in high society--as he hunts for a criminal mastermind.
I am excited to welcome Sophia Rose back to the blog with another fantastic review. Today she brings us The Vanishing Man by Charles Finch. A historical mystery set in London, 1853. The case is one that has Scotland Yard baffled. Grab a cup of cocoa and check out Sophia’s review.
Sophia Rose’s Review
We come to the second book in a trio of prequel stories in the Charles Lenox series that go back to the beginning when Charles is first getting started on his amateur detecting work. This latest mystery brings him into contact with the powerful Duke of Dorset’s household, an old family trust involving the Bard, and the true challenge of not murdering his mischievous young cousin Lancelot who is visiting Charles during his school holidays.
The Vanishing Man is the second of a prequel trilogy. It could be read standalone or I suppose new readers can begin the series with the first book in this prequel and continue on from there. I think the best way is to start with the series’ release order and the first Charles Lenox mystery because it makes this prequel set more poignant knowing what is to come of it in the lives of the characters.
Charles just came off a case that he solved, but the solution didn’t bring all the satisfaction he wanted. He made mistakes that cost him. He is determined to learn all he can to shore up his knowledge so his mistakes will become fewer as time goes on. He may be the oddity and laughingstock to his peers and betters, but he is set on his path of being a consulting private detective. Getting a summons from the great Duke of Dorset is an opportunity he cannot pass up especially when the duke shares a secret family trust involving a painting of Shakespeare that only a handful of people know exist.
Busy working on the case the duke presented him, Charles’ life is also filled with his ongoing criminal investigation self-education like his visits to Bedlam each week to interview criminals and his days spent observing pickpockets, and now his chance to shadow a ‘finder’. His unrequited love for Lady Jane and her marriage that keeps him in the friends category also has her busy attempting marriage matches for him. Meanwhile, Charles’ annoying cousin and proud owner of a peashooter he uses on Charles keeps him and his household on his toes. Though, that scene when Lancelot took a pompous duke to task had me laughing so hard that I cried.
Much of the book is a gently paced plot following Charles as he tracks down clues, sorts out the wheat from the chaff, and then noses out the solution. There is a murder, but it is not the focus of the investigation and only one of the pieces. I really enjoy the younger detecting Charles and his life at this time, but also the surrounding cast of characters who are always part of his life and work.
And so, the second leg of the prequel trilogy provided an engaging group of mysteries as part of his latest case and I enjoyed being along for this new installment in the Charles Lenox series. Those who enjoy well described and well-developed plots and characters in Victorian era historical mysteries should take a look-see at this series.
If you enjoy well-developed plots and characters in Victorian era historical mysteries take a look-see at The Vanishing Man by Charles Finch #CharlesLenoxMysteries Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I love a good historical mystery. This cover is great too. Thanks for the great review! I have added it to my TBR list.
Mary
Olivia-Savannah Roach
Ooh this sounds interesting. Historical fiction set in my home city, London. Always makes me very happy to see my city as the setting. I also like that this one seems to be a gentle pace but never gets boring either. Great!
Sophia Rose
That would make it more fun to have it set in my home city. Hope you enjoy them if you get the chance, Olivia.
Jen
I’ve really gotten into historical mysteries with female leads, but I may need to give this a try. Thanks!
Also… I find it’s a tough call when an author writes a prequel after the start of a main series – do you read chronologically or in release order…. Sounds like this can go either way, but I agree, sometimes knowing what happens after makes the prequel better!
Sophia Rose
Yes! Exactly, Jen. Prequels are tough to decide. I appreciate it when an author does them in a way that is more versatile.
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I read the first book in the series and really enjoyed it but haven’t been back to visit the characters. This one sounds really good and it was a nice reminder to pick up the 2nd book and get caught up!
Sophia Rose
Ha! Glad I could put it back on your radar, Katherine. 🙂
sjhigbee
Thank you for a great review – I really enjoyed reading it, Sophia Rose:)
Sophia Rose
Sure thing! Appreciate the praise for my review. 🙂
Anne - Books of My Heart
I definitely like historical mystery better than historical fiction or historical romance. Wonderful review. I may have to look into this series.
Sophia Rose
I confess this is my favorite historical subgenre, too. If it has romance, fine, but I like the focus on the setting and the mystery. 🙂 Hope you like it when you get the chance, Anne.
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
I love the potential atmosphere of Victorian-set mysteries, especially when I can recognise elements of the setting. Do we get properly mysterious London pea-souper fogs?!
Sophia Rose
Yes, Stephanie! There are a few atmospheric moments when he knows he’s being followed and a few times there is pea-soup fog. 🙂
sherry fundin
Love the cover and enjoyed your review. I don’t read a lot of books like this, but I am glad it was a hit for you.
Sophia Rose
Yes, gorgeous cover, Sherry. It definitely worked its charm on me. 🙂
Tracy Terry
I think I’d be tempted to start with at least this second prequel and work my way from there. That said I’m far from, adverse to beginning a book part way through a series only to find myself back-tracking.
I love this cover. elegant and what I felt was very atmospheric; it certainly spoke to me.
Sophia Rose
It’s so hard to advice about where to start with this series. I enjoyed the experience of reading it all in release order, but starting with either prequel and going into the series proper would also work, too.
Yes, these prequel covers are great. I love using the artwork. The covers on the earlier releases are more whimsical with objects related to the crimes laid out. 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Oh this sounds great Sophia Rose, now just so I understand is this a novel that just released and goes to the past. I was kind of confused about that.
Sophia Rose
Sorry to confuse, Debbie.
This one is the latest release in the series and is the second of three prequels that released after ten books in the series. I was trying to say that I thought I enjoyed it more by reading the regular series or at least several of them first before reading these prequels so that one could see just how far he came as a detective and with his personal life, but, a reader could start with either and do fine. 🙂
Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
I know you’ll be shocked, Sophia, but I don’t read many mysteries. 😉 ha! I really do like the sound of Charles Lenox though – the setting in particular but it seems like Finch does a masterful job with character development as well. Oh, and then there are the mysteries. 🙂 So Charles will be going on my tbr. I hope my library has this series!
Sophia Rose
Oh yay! Glad to persuade you into giving the Charles Lennox series a try. They are slower-paced and take a bit to develop through each book, but I’ve enjoyed them. Hope you do, too. 🙂
Nadene
This does sound interesting. This is the first time I am hearing of this series.
Sophia Rose
I’m tickled to introduce you, Nadene. 🙂
Ailyn Koay
i do like the sound of it: mystery, drama, and a peashooter
Sophia Rose
Ha, yes, Lancelot and his peashooter added the comedy into the scenes. 🙂