Fans of the series, which set the earlier Lenox novels in the 1860s, will know what’s coming in the detective’s personal and professional life, but that in no way decreases the pleasure of this account of his earlier life. Finch’s nimble prose, edged with humor, makes this twelfth in the Charles Lenox series a pure delight.
Finch’s novels offer more than just cozy yet suspenseful story lines. The Vanishing Man also captures the culture of the time in which it’s set ... It’s part of Shakespeare mythology that one day a new play will be unearthed. Finch artfully and most satisfyingly ties up this plot thread in The Vanishing Man as well as that of the identity of the art thief and the murderer ... Longtime fans know what the future holds for Lenox. Everyone else needs to jump into the carriage with Lenox and hold on tight.
And give Finch a lot of credit. Although he was born in New York and lives in Chicago, he seems to have a keen sense of life in London more than a century and a half ago ... Finch may disappoint some readers with the discovery of who took the Shakespeare play and why. But he’ll delight them with other bits of this novel.
The Vanishing Man, in true Lenox fashion, has a nice balance of mystery, history, and humorous charm. While certain stakes are sky high... they never become too personal or dangerous for our hero. This is a tale that strolls at a comfortable pace, giving us a nice view of the scenery and colorful characters, without stressing our nerves or heart overmuch. That isn’t to say that The Vanishing Man isn’t substantive. Charles Finch fills the space between plot-pertinent clues with plenty of intriguing etymology and history ... The supporting cast is as fine as ever ... The Vanishing Man still adds new depth and layers to Lenox and his world, making it a must-read for old fans. At the same time, it’s fresh enough to be a great launching point for any newcomers to the series. Finch’s light touch makes for a compelling if leisurely read...
An intriguing plot redeems in part Finch’s otherwise disappointing 12th Charles Lenox mystery ... Some interludes fall flat, and the characterization isn’t up to the standard of earlier entries in the series. Hopefully, Finch will return to form next time.
