... witty ... Finch sketches the manners of this snooty resort town with a Jane Austen-like precision ... I haven't read all of the Lenox novels but this is my favorite of those I have read. I'd enjoy its graceful prose and keen observations even if it weren't a dandy mystery. Which it is.
Lenox’ latest adventure has humanity, heart, and humor; it offers a captivating glimpse of America’s richest citizens in the late 1800s; it delivers a gripping and cleverly plotted mystery; and, of course, Lenox remains a thoroughly charming lead character. A pleasure to read on every level.
Charles Finch writes lavishly of the homes and fashionable dress of the Victorian era, along with the lush surroundings, customs and lifestyle of an America that is long gone. An Extravagant Death is the 14th Charles Lenox novel, but the first that I have read. Long a fan of period mystery series, I found it to be a witty and colorful tale well told, right down to the intriguing whodunit elements of the story. Nothing pleases me more than to discover another gem of a mystery writer with a healthy backlist, so I cannot wait to delve into Finch’s treasure trove. We seem to have a long winter (and year) ahead of us, so excavating a stack of mysteries is a great way to deal with the solitude. One can only watch so many reruns on the telly.
