Thursday, October 15, 2020

A Death in the Small Hours

Title: A Death in the Small Hours
Author: Charles Finch
Published: November 13th 2012 by Minotaur Books
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
Series: Charles Lenox Mysteries #6

Never a quick read since Charles Finch is obsessed with overly describing, as a friend would say, the underside of a rock. For every three superfluous pages, does a person need to know how a town finally settled on its name, the author eventually gets back to the mysteries at hand.

At the request to deliver an opening speech of Parliament, Charles Lennox feels the need to get out of town to allow himself the time to write. Having received an invitation from his uncle to visit his estate in Somerset, Charles, Jane, and their daughter Sophie, head out for a break they desperately need with the hopes that Charles won’t overwrite, or overwrought, a make or break moment.

Even though Charles is no longer in the investigation business, a couple of cases of property damage in Plumbley is just the distraction he needs. Now, with the stabbing death of a police constable, and locals suspecting a retired naval officer, all fingers begin to point in wrong directions. It isn’t until Charles’ uncle is kidnapped that things come to a head, and Charles takes it upon himself, with the help of Dallington, to solve the crimes.

The Lennox series is an acquired taste. You must prepare yourself for the long haul and force yourself to refocus from time to time. It is easy to allow your mind to wander, but eventually, Charles Finch brings you back, and it is usually with the next arrival of Lady Jane and her way of putting things into perspective for her husband.

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