A Beautiful Blue Death

Charles Lenox Mysteries (Volume 1)

Charles Finch

St. Martin's Griffin

Download Image Charles Finch A Beautiful Blue Death
Buy it now

Available Formats

BookeBook

Charles Lenox, Victorian gentleman and armchair explorer, likes nothing more than to relax in his private study with a cup of tea, a roaring fire and a good book. But when his lifelong friend Lady Jane asks for his help, Lenox cannot resist the chance to unravel a mystery.

Prudence Smith, one of Jane’s former servants, is dead of an apparent suicide. But Lenox suspects something far more sinister: murder, by a rare and deadly poison. The grand house where the girl worked is full of suspects, and though Prue had dabbled with the hearts of more than a few men, Lenox is baffled by the motive for the girl’s death.

When another body turns up during the London season’s most fashionable ball, Lenox must untangle a web of loyalties and animosities. Was it jealousy that killed Prudence Smith? Or was it something else entirely? And can Lenox find the answer before the killer strikes again—this time, disturbingly close to home?

Connect with the Author

Charles Finch

Official Sites

Related Links

Sign Up for
Author Updates

Book Excerpts

Read an Excerpt

THE LAST CHILD (Chapter 1)

Johnny learned early. If somebody asked him why he was so different, why he held himself so still and why his eyes seemed to swallow light, that's what he'd tell them. He learned early that there was no safe place, not the backyard or the playground, not the front porch or the quiet road that grazed the edge of town. No safe place, and no one to protect you.

Childhood was illusion.

He'd been up for an hour, waiting for the night sounds to fade, for the sun to slide close enough to call it morning.

Read the full excerpt

Back

Reviews

Praise for A Beautiful Blue Death

“Vividly capturing the essence of Victorian England, Finch presents us with a unique sleuth who combines the deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes with the people skills of Thomas Pitt. A sparkling achievement.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“A fine specimen of the genre…. Particularly good is [Finch’s] delineation of Lenox’s cozy-but-proper relationship with Lady Jane.” —The Washington Post

“The best sort of historical mystery—clever, charming, full of period detail, and a delight to read.” —David Liss, author of The Whiskey Rebels

Reviews from Goodreads

Placeholder
solaret  rated it  
Nov 6, 2011
I was browsing the mystery section and found this. Most of the other books there were the sensationalist type, or from series that go on and on and on (Sue Grafton, just by its side). But the cover of this book was gorgeous. (At least, the version with all the pretty glass bottles.) And I like prett ...more
Placeholder
Emily  rated it  
Sep 17, 2011
Friends, I have discovered an excellent new series. By far my favorite mysteries are ones where the detective drinks a lot of tea and does a lot of thinking; I secretly desire to be Miss Jane Marple when I grow up. Set during the days of Queen Victoria, A Beautiful Blue Death is a gem; it's thoughtf ...more
Placeholder
Gretchen  rated it  
Jul 5, 2011
I saw this book at the library, and thought that the title seemed interesting so I picked it up. I am really happy that I did. This book was an enjoyable read. This was the author's first novel, and I will definitely be reading others by him. When I finished the last page I wanted his other books in ...more
See all Reviews
Back

About the Author

Charles Finch

Charles Finch is a graduate of Yale and Oxford. He is the author of the Charles Lenox mysteries, including The Fleet Street Murders, The September Society and A Stranger in Mayfair. A Beautiful Blue Death was his first novel and was nominated for an Agatha Award and was named one of Library Journal’s Best Books of 2007, one of only five mystery novels on the list. He lives in Oxford, England.

Charles Finch

Photo: Alix Smith
Charles Finch

Official Sites

Related Links

Back

Community

Criminalelement.com

Latest Blog Posts

2/13/2012 12:00:00 PM
Dying in the Wool: New Excerpt
2/13/2012 12:00:00 PM
Send Your Valentine a Dead Bird
2/13/2012 9:30:00 AM
Fresh Meat: Liar Moon by Ben Pastor
More Blog Posts
 

Latest on Facebook

Latest on Twitter

Back

Buy the Book

Available Formats and Book Details

A Beautiful Blue Death
Charles Lenox Mysteries (Volume 1)
Charles Finch

Trade Paperback

Trade Paperback
St. Martin's Press
St. Martin's Griffin
July 2008
Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9780312386078
ISBN10: 0312386079
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 336 pages
$14.99
Buy

Hardcover

Learn more about this edition
Hardcover
St. Martin's Press
Minotaur Books
June 2007
Hardcover
ISBN: 9780312359775
ISBN10: 0312359772
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 320 pages
$24.95

e-Book Agency

Learn more about this edition
e-Book Agency
St. Martin's Press
Minotaur Books
June 2007
e-Book Agency
ISBN: 9781429955331
ISBN10: 1429955333
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 320 pages
$9.99
Back

From The Publisher

St. Martin's Griffin

Latest on Facebook

Latest on Twitter

Back

{ About }

{ Services }

{ Store }

{ Publishers }

Education

Children's

© 2011 Macmillan