Set in Victorian London, Charles Lenox, a gentleman, has become involved
with a local murder of a servant girl at the request of his neighbor and
former employer of the girl, Lady Jane Grey. Lady Jane grew up with
Charles Lenox, and she is now widowed. They are close friends often having
their afternoon tea together for a chat. Atmospheric, good descriptions of
a bitterly cold winter in 1865, with small snips of fireside entertainment
and typical meals served. Slowly paced, well-described characters who all
make up for a good old-fashioned mystery that can be read on a chilly day
under a downy quilt.
I noticed some similarities to the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, but there is enough new characteristics that make the series unique. Yes, Charles' brother does hold an important role in politics, but not the political intrigue found in Doyle's books. The humor comes into the novel when his brother likes dressing the part of an up-to-no-good street man, trying to keep a watch on the traffic of characters going in and out of the large manor house where the murder occurred. His brother helps Charles, and gets his taste whet for sleuthing. I am looking forward to the next in the series, The September Society, with a glimpse of student life at Oxford.
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