For The Love of a Good Series: The Charles Lenox Mystery Series by Charles Finch

As promised, here is the first of my new, now-and-then recurring blogs on great book series I have found and loved. Of course, great series are found in all genres, and if you read my blog regularly you know I do read a wide variety of genres. But if I’m reviewing a great series in a genre you haven’t read, that might be the prefect entre to a new world of reading. So give it a try!

This blog’s entry is in a genre I truly love: mysteries. You might know that I have a cozy mystery out there called Framed( A Kay Conroy Mystery). If you’re curious, click HERE to check it out, but I’ll leave any further chit chat on that book for another day. On to our new series: The Charles Lenox Mystery Series by CharlesFinch.

Set in Victorian England, our protagonist is an interesting and complicated character. I actually reviewed the first book in this series a couple of years ago so I’ll copy a little bit of that review from myself as an introduction.... (click HERE to read the entire review)

Set in Victorian England, Charles is a gentleman of the upper class with Parliamentary aspirations who has discovered he has a real talent as a detective. With time and means to pursue this talent he’s already earned a reputation among his peers-and Scotland Yard-for both good and bad outcomes. But he knows his way is the way of the future so, invited or not, he doesn’t stop until the crime is solved.

His neighbor and lifelong friend, Lady Jane, is a frequent companion with a great interest in Charles’ activities and well-being. Readers will wonder if something deeper is developing between these two and it very well may be.

Along the way readers are treated to a fun education in Victorian England. If you are a history buff as well as a lover of a good mystery, this one’s a page turner. And the good news is, once you turn the last page, there are nine more books to go.

But guess what-the good news is there are now eleven more to go! Charles Finch (interesting that he has the same first name as his hero, don't you think?) has been busy writing since that last entry and this is a series that’s still active-meaning we can expect even more books, which is THE most wonderful thing for readers who have fallen in love with any series.

A good series will not only entertain you with each individual book’s story (in this case, a mystery) but will also use each book to flesh out and build the character’s relationships. Some series seem to take forever to do that. In part this can be because each book follows quickly on the timeline of the last so not as much can occur in that amount of time. The Charles Lenox mysteries expand their timelines just enough that we can begin to live our protagonist’s life with him and the author can really develop a well fleshed out character with a full life.

Along with Lady Jane there are several other recurring characters whose stories, though minor, are often compelling. You’ll find yourself hoping to see how they are doing in each new book. Definitely a good sign for any series.

And of course, this is an historical series, so the opportunity to learn about the era in a very entertaining way is always there. As well as learning about the early days of detection, when the detective was not what he/she is today and their tools were far more limited. That means our author needs to be more creative with the story and character, unable to lean on science for quick answers. Which of course makes for a very entertaining read, that lucky for us readers, can last a long time with this intriguing series.

ps...if you become a fan, be sure to follow Mr. Finch on Facebook. His posts are fun for his readers and you'll have opportunities a plenty to win free books!

Short and Sweet Review: A Knight's Captive by Lana Williams

I love Ms. William’s books but I’m particularly fond of her medievals, so I’m delighted with the arrival of this third entry in her Falling For a Knight series, A Knight’s Captive. This series follows a family of English knights who are determined to save Scotland, at the risk of their own lives, from the wrath of the English king. That means stopping the Scottish Lord Graham from plotting Scotland’s rebellion.

Graham’s plotting depends upon the marriage of his daughter, Arabela, to Sir Rory, a particularly repulsive pawn of a man. Can you blame the girl for deciding to run away right before the wedding?

Meanwhile, Sir Chanse de Bremont has been tasked with kidnapping Graham’s daughter in order to stop the marriage and the rebellion. Imagine his surprise when he finds she’s on board with the leaving-the-castle part of the plan, but not so much the kidnapping. You’d think he could just let her go on her own but it’s pretty clear early on that she could use some help escaping—and surviving. After all, her father is not taking this new plan lightly. Everyone is searching for her and now those who have helped her are at risk as well.

While Arabela and Chanse have a common interest-avoid the wedding-their personal motivations are not the same and each has held back some of what it most dear to them from the other. This series has a magical component that plays into the storyline just enough to make a difference at the right moment, but mainly it is a major motivation for Sir Chanse to keep his plans close, hesitant to reveal more than is absolutely necessary to Arabela. Of course, Arabela wants to avoid marriage to the creepy and cruel Rory, but she understands some of what her father is up to as well. And she has a backup plan she’s not sharing.

Despite their small deceits and equal doses of stubbornness, each begins to see the better qualities in the other and soon there’s more attraction than just escape. As always, the author doesn’t disappoint readers; her characters are well written making the reader feel for each of them. The secondary characters are just enough and, often end up with a story of their own, down the line, so pay attention!

If you are a fan of historical romance, particularly in a medieval setting, you’ll find this an enchanting read so check it out now!