Charles Finch's series is one of my favorites. Finch moves his detective from London to Newport, summer home of the American royalty. A young woman has fallen to her death; was it an accident or murder? In a cleverly plotted mystery, Finch brings Charles Lenox, at the request of Disraeli, to America to avoid some political fallout from Lenox's last investigation. A tight plot and great pacing keep the reader involved from beginning to end.. Finch's details of time and place are spot on transporting readers effortlessly to the Gild Age. I missed Lady Jane and Victorian London, but expect that Charles will return to his successful detective agency and daughters. Higly recommended!

British Enquiry Agent Charles Lennox had solved a case that brings down Scotland Yard with the three top men about to go to trial. Prime Minister Disraeli determines it best that Lennox not be in England during the trial and sends him to the United States with the Queen's Seal on a tour of the East Coast law enforcement agencies. 1878 Newport, Rhode Island; a place of extreme wealth and self-indulgence. A place of new money, and a focus on marrying well. The murder of a young woman of the first diamond doesn't fit into this scenario. Lennox's help is requested.

Finch does an excellent job of providing a summary of Lennox' background, folding in that of his wife, Lady Jane, in the process. However, for readers of the series, there seems to be a huge gap: When did Lennox and Jane have a second child? When did Polly and Dallington, Charles' partners in the agency, get married? And most of all, what was the case that brought down Scotland Yard??? Either this reviewer blanked out this information, or Finch just decided to skip these annoying little details.

However, it is interesting to see Lennox dogged determination and attention to details at work investigating every aspect and every possible suspect. One also appreciates that he doesn't only show the wealthy side of Newport, but also the everyday people who live there. If one has visited the mansions, it is intriguing to member how it is now, overlaid with the descriptions of how life was then.

The details of how and why Lily, the victim, was killed are laid out perfectly and done in a scene of edge-of-seat suspense rather than the more pedestrian style of Christie. The final chapters are heart-warming, especially the request he makes on behalf of a young Irishman.

"An Extravagant Death" is just shy of being excellent, in part due to a scene at the end. The mystery is well done with some secondary characters nearly stealing the show, and an ending that leaves one in anticipation.

I am late to the game for this series. This being the 11th book. It’s a solid Victorian mystery series. Similar in style to Anne Perry’s William Monk series. I think I prefer William Monk to Charles Lennox. the setting is Newport Rhode Island amongst the elite of society. I did enjoy feeling transported in time to get a glimpse of what that place and the must have been like. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

An Extravagant Death is the next entry in the Charles Lenox Mysteries and while I enjoyed it, for me it was definitely the weakest book of the series. Usually it would be called a misfire in a series, but I don't want to necessarily say that as there was still a lot of good things about this book; unfortunately, the mystery was the weakest point, and perhaps, the character development.

First of all, I will start with the setting which I loved. Lenox travels to the U.S. in this instalment on advice from the Prime Minister in order to get away from the court proceedings occurring as a result of his previous investigation; the powers that be don't really want him testifying during the trial and the only way they can ensure this is to have him out of the country. I really enjoyed his travels and loved how out of touch he was with American customs, constantly comparing them to how things were at home. It was refreshing and interesting, old money versus new money. It's funny as this book made me want to watch the movie, The Age of Innocence, again as it discusses a lot of the customs of the wealthy during this time period and I couldn't help thinking about that film while I was reading this book, especially seeing things through an Englishman's eyes. I especially loved seeing names like Astor and Vanderbilt show up as Lenox crosses paths with the rich and influential, even garnering an invitation to the most highly sought after ball of the season, mostly due to his wife's influence. His observations are very interesting indeed.

Unfortunately, I though the mystery was rather weak and I easily figured out who was the guilty person. I remember thinking, this is it? And while Lenox' investigations did introduce you to a variety of local people and their extravagant lifestyles, there was just something missing in this book. It was also pretty predictable, something I don't usually mention regarding these books. For the first time, I actually found myself sort of skimming through, not really as immersed as I usually am, and that made me somewhat sad. These books have grown so much from the first book and I have enjoyed them tremendously.

Charles himself has grown immensely as a character, but I really wish the author would do something about his wife. She was very interesting in the beginning, but I find her to be somewhat boring now as she is always portrayed as if she is...perfect. The perfect hostess. The perfect socialite. Everyone thinks she is charming. Everyone loves her. Charles got an invitation to an Astor ball because of Jane. Allrighty now. I actually prefer characters who are flawed and she is starting to get on my nerves.

An Extravagant Death was not what I was expecting, but I did really like the conflict Charles was dealing with at the end of the book and I am curious to see where the author takes that conflict when he goes back to England. I did find the mystery really weak, and I really wish the author would develop Jane more as a character as she is getting...boring. I still recommend this book to anyone who reads this series, but it is definitely one of the weakest books in my opinion. However, I am still looking forward to the next book to see what happens to Charles and what decision he makes.

AN EXTRAVAGANT DEATH By Charles Finch
I did NOT see that coming! So many suspects, such varied motives. The clues were there, but I didn’t pick up on them. Perhaps I was dazzled by the wealth and excess of Newport, R.I., in the Gilded Age, or disarmed by the dry wit that lightened the mood.
It was a lovely literary vacation, especially fun as I did once spend one day in Newport, long ago, in the “before times” when we traveled. Thanks, Charles Finch, for a way to see new places, with the added bonus of seeing them through Lennox’s eyes.
That ending, though . . . he can’t really be planning to give up detecting. Say it ain’t so!

Customer Review
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating Historical Mystery,
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2021
An extravagant death
By Charles Finch

Victorian detective Charles Lenox is on the way to America at the prime ministers request, and soon finds himself in the position of investigating murders on foreign soil.
I was quickly captivated by the story line and seeing America through the eyes of this British Detective. The author s description of Newport RI was so well done I felt like I had been transported back there just in another era. This was my first time to read a book in the Charles Lenox series,and it was a great stand alone novel but now after reading “An Extravagant death” I plan to read each book in this well written series.

An Extravagant Death—the latest Charles Lenox detective mystery—by Charles Finch is not to be missed if you are a fan of the series. I think even if you have not read the series you would enjoy the book. And this is high praise on my part as this is book 14 in the series.

Unlike his previous three novels—which were written as prequels set before Lenox married Lady Jane and became a father—this novel is chronologically set after that event. As the book begins, Lenox has uncovered corruption at the highest level of Scotland Yard in 1878 London, and is purposefully sent out of the country by the grateful Prime Minister so that only his written testimony can be submitted at the trial making it more likely the wrongdoers will be convicted . He is also offered a title!

Where to? Why America during the Gilded Age as an envoy of Queen Victoria. While there he is called upon to solve the murder of a nineteen-year-old beautiful debutante in Newport, Rhode Island, which has become a popular venue with the elite Knickerbocker society of New York, and the newly rich like the Astors and Vanderbilts who have not quite yet received the societal status of the Knickerbocker families who date further back.

Finch takes time to weave an intricate historically rich tapestry breathing life into all his characters—dare I say it—almost like Jane Austen did. His descriptions of early New York, Newport, Washington, and their denizens are fascinating. And, at the end of the novel, is quite a cliffhanger which indicates that Charles Lenox will make many unexpected changes in his life if Finch writes another novel in the series.

Here is an excerpt detailing how Lenox gets involved:

“If it had not been in motion, the solitary train car puffing its way from New Haven toward Newport two hours later—the “special,” as such privately owned train cars were called—might have been a drawing room on Fifth Avenue. It was furnished with sofas and chairs, a liquor stand, a shelf of books bound in morocco leather, and there were even, rattling just slightly on the walls, a series of three handsome oil paintings depicting the Battle of Brandywine.

Riding in the car were Lenox, Blaine, O’Brian, and Mr. Clark; Wyatt had gone on to Boston, where Lenox promised to be the next day. (“Is Boston the last stop on the train?” he had murmured to the conductor before leaving Wyatt behind. “Yes, sir.” “Good,” he’d said, “thank you,” his anxious visions of Wyatt slumbering into the northern reaches of Canada assuaged.)

The rapidity with which Blaine had received his replies from William Stuyvesant Schermerhorn had quite astonished Lenox, until he learned from Clark that Schermerhorn had a private telegraph office in his house in Newport. It was a privilege that so far as Lenox knew only the Queen had in England.

In the first telegram, Blaine had asked for more information about the murder, signing with his own name. That information had arrived within five minutes.

‘Hello Blaine STOP Death near the 40 Steps STOP Regret to say it was Lily Allingham STOP Spotted early this morning by fishing boat STOP Body in situ for now STOP Please represent to Mr Lenox that we wish him to come with all possible dispatch STOP’”

And I love the description of Lenox’s first encounter with the Newport “cottages”:

“Lenox had known grand houses, to be sure, but he had never seen anything quite like this. Castles and manors in England were generally ensconced within woodland, far from other inhabitants.

Here, though, the houses sat nakedly visible to one another, serried in stark, handsome formation, some close enough that you must have been able to see quite clearly into fourteen or so of your neighbors’ bedrooms. It was disorienting, as if fifty castles dotted around England and Scotland had all been relocated brick by brick to the same small peninsula in Cornwall.

“Are the cottages farther inland?” Lenox said to Blaine.

“Excuse me?” said Blaine, next to him on the steps.

“Schermerhorn mentioned his cottage.”

Blaine looked at him blankly, hand on the wooden rail. Then he said, “These are the cottages, Mr. Lenox.”

Lenox stopped. “These houses?”

“Yes. These are the cottages of Newport.”

Lenox stared at the houses for a moment. “That one with the marble columns must have thirty bedrooms in it,” he said, nodding toward a house four or five hundred yards away. “You call that a cottage?” “

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book and for allowing me to review it. (16 February 2021 publication date)

I've only read a few other books in the Lenox series, but have always found them to be enjoyable and intelligent. This is no exception.. The setting is slightly different as after solving a case potentially embarrassing to Her Majesty’s government, Charles finds himself packed off to America. He is of course, soon embroiled in solving the murder of a young woman.

As usual, the author does very well integrating information regarding the era into his story. Here he moves from Victorian England to New York and Newport at the beginning of the Gilded Age. The high society of established families of wealth and the newly rich robber barons provides a wonderful backdrop to what is real quite a well-crafted, complex yet logical mystery.

Fabulous and thoroughly enjoyable,

Source - Review copy (St. Martin's Press via NetGalley)

When I got this book I was unaware it was part of a series. Took a bit to understand what was going on. All in all a decent mystery.

There are books that are really good. There are books that are really really good. Then - there are those very few books that are so good you want to reading slowly, savoring each page but yet can’t wait to turn that page to experience the new pleasure to be found there.
This is my third Charles Finch novel and I am anxiously awaiting many more.
In An Extravagant Death, super sleuth Sir Charles Lenox crosses the Atlantic using his extraordinary skills to investigate the murder of socialite Lily Allingham.
Only the request from the British Prime Minister could dislodge Sir Charles from his home, wife and daughters.
But the important request and Charles’ love of travel impel him to sail first to New York and then to Newport in the heydays of the Guilded Age.
In Newport Sir Charles learns of the 40 plus room “cottages”, the 60 foot yachts, the grand halls and the Astor’s “season” ending soirée.
But it is the famous Forty Steps along the Cliff Walk that is the most compelling area of Newport for this is where Lily Allingham’s body was found. Applying his masterful sleuthing skills, Sir Charles solves the mystery of Lily’s death.
Mix together a compelling mystery, a detective of extraordinary skill, vivid descriptions and unique characters and you have a real dilemma: when you turn the last page, do you celebrate the conclusion of a really fine mystery novel or does the finality of the novel wound you?
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #AnExtravagantDeath

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is the eleventh book in this series, but it's the first one that I've read. Despite that, I didn't have a hard time understanding what was going on. The mystery is a stand-alone and there is enough backstory throughout the book for me to get an understanding of the main characters.

The book starts out with private investigator Charles Lenox finishing up a lengthy investigation that uprooted crooked police officers. The trial is around the corner and because of various political pressures, the prime minister wants Charles to write out his testimony to be read at trial and be out of the country to avoid taking the stand. Charles initially refuses, but eventually relents and heads to America to represent Queen and country.

Once in New York City, Charles is swept up with invitations to attend society functions with both the old money and new money set. As he begins his trip to Boston to meet more people of consequence, his train is stopped and he is asked to go to Newport to investigate the death of the season's most beautiful debutante. Charles reluctantly makes his way to Newport, where he is sucked up into the world of the uber wealthy, and all that goes with it. Charles methodically investigates the case, carefully eliminating one suspect after another, until he discovers the killer.

This is a fun mystery with plenty of intrigue. It was interesting to read about the wealthy people and all of the trappings that go along with having money and being interested only in a person's standing in society. As I said before, there was enough backstory that I felt I understood Charles' character. The author did a good job of interspersing minor characters throughout the story and giving them just enough depth to add to the story, rather than detract. The mystery was interesting and the ending was pretty surprising. If there are more books in this series, I will definitely read them.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions in this review are my own.

In this fourteenth volume of his Charles Lenox mysteries, Finch changes things up by sending his refined detective-hero on a jaunt to America.

In 1878, following Lenox’s successful exposure of a corruption scandal at the heart of Scotland Yard, Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli judges it politically prudent for Lenox to be out of the country when the trial gets underway, so he engineers an overseas tour in which Lenox will meet with American law enforcement about current methods of detection. With his successful business and growing family (including infant daughter Clara), Lenox never got the opportunity to explore the world as he'd once dreamed. His wife Lady Jane, always a wise and steadying influence, encourages him to go.

Then his train trip from Manhattan to Boston gets derailed (figuratively) when the bodyguard for William Schermerhorn IV boards Lenox’s car and requests that he investigate a crime in Newport, Rhode Island, the summer residence of New York’s moneyed elite. The body of Miss Lily Allingham, a noted beauty, was found below a cliff in the wee hours following a fancy-dress ball. Her two suitors are the most likely suspects. The request disconcerts Lenox, since it smacks of entitlement: he doesn’t like acting at anyone’s beck and call.

Lenox is immensely likeable, always a plus in a series with a recurring protagonist. His methodology is thoughtful, he loves his family and has many dear friends, and he’s a witty observer of (and participant in) the social rituals of Victorian England – both city and countryside. Gilded Age America has its own unofficial aristocracy, though, and Lenox’s mental adjustments to the differences from England are fun to observe. Between the Knickerbockers with their Old-World city wealth and the enormous but tightly packed “cottages” gracing Newport’s coastline, Lenox is simply agog at the ostentatious opulence.

Lenox gains a potential protégé, a rich man’s son who yearns to be a detective, and sees his own past reflected in the younger fellow. Also tying this book together neatly with the recent prequel trilogy is a character Lenox meets up with in Newport, someone who made their first appearance in The Last Passenger, set over two decades earlier.

The mystery plot proceeds apace, but the culprit isn’t obvious. Few can imagine anyone who wanted Miss Allingham out of the picture. The solution, when it arrives, doesn’t feel wholly satisfying for several reasons, but Lenox is such good company that this shouldn’t deter anyone from pursuing his future adventures.

An Extravagant Death (Charles Lenox, #11)
by Charles Finch
Very reminiscing of Doyle and his detective. The story is a mystery of a London that crosses over to the Colonies. Its a great story of family relationships and political and social levels of England.

When I read a Charles Lenox mystery I feel as if I am visiting with an old friend. This book is no different. Charles is asked by the prime minister to travel to America to avoid a political situation. He is hesitant to leave his wife Jane and his two daughters but his sense of adventure is calling him. He arrives in New York with plans to visit many of the towns he has read about. He is asked to help solve the murder of a young girl in Newport Rhode Island. This waylays his adventure but, as usual her solves the problem but not without a measure of danger to his way of life. A very good book.

After three prequels featuring a very young, inexperienced Charles Lenox, AN EXTRAVEGANT DEATH brings readers back to the primary timeline for this outstanding mystery series. This installment finds our esteemed gentleman detective rather burned out and weary, feeling every one of his forty-nine years, after resolving a high profile case exposing corruption in Scotland Yard. As the trial date looms, the prime minister thinks it best that Charles leave England for the duration. Thus Charles finds himself on tour in America representing the queen and investigating the death of young socialite Lily Allingham in Newport, RI. Working his way through America’s upper crust, the Knickerbocker “old money” and the nouveau riche, all so very different from the aristocracy of England to whom Charles is accustomed, he finds plenty of rumor and opinions but little to spur the investigation forward. He must uncover secrets and put himself in mortal danger to get to the bottom of Lily’s murder. The mystery is well thought out and executed, if a bit plodding at times, and there is a small pool of suspects. I pinned the killer’s identity fairly early on but hoped throughout that I was wrong.

I have been a fan of Charles Lenox since the very beginning with the first book in the series A BEAUTIFUL BLUE DEATH and have loved watching him mature and grow as a detective. Seeing late nineteenth century America through his eyes is a treat and the change of scenery a welcome diversion, although I miss his regular English haunts and the recurring characters that I have grown to love. Charles finds himself at a bit of a crossroads within these pages with his priorities shifting to Lady Jane and his young daughters. There is a feeling of finality here, and I do so hope that there are many more books to be read featuring Charles. Highly recommended to fans of Victorian era and Gilded Age mysteries and settings.

I gratefully received and ARC of this title from Minotaur Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

Well I’ve come late to the Charles Lenox party, say 11 books late! I’m sorry to have missed him for such a long time, but can catch up on some great reads. Charles finds himself hustled to American after solving a case that caught high level Scotland Yard Inspectors stealing. The country is in an up roar so Prime Minister Disraeli sends him on a law enforcement “tour” of America. He is actually enjoying himself until he is summoned by high society “Knickerbocker” to solve a murder of a young woman on his property in Newport, the playground of the rich. He tries to avoid the request but he is persuaded to go by a young man of great influence who is seeking to learn how to be a detective. Many twists and turns, but what I enjoyed most was a peak into high society New York including the Astors and the Vanderbilts. Charles is a brilliant even keel chap who is not intimidated and is able to circumvent the the difficulties he encounters. His down to earth nature ally’s him to the locals. Charles is a well developed character who loves his family but is often torn from them to run his detective agency. It is clear as a middle age man he is trying to find himself and his future. Thank you to Net Galley and Minitour Publishers for an advantage copy of this book for an honest review.

An Extravagant Death by Charles Finch is a very enjoyable historical mystery featuring the well-bred British detective, Charles Lenox, set in the late 1800’s. This series gets even better in this book with Charles taking a trip through both New York and Newport, RI, on the Queen’s seal no less, during the opulent Gilded Age.

I love a good, clean, well-orchestrated mystery that doesn’t insult my intelligence and has a satisfying ending. Add in likable, relatable characters and a bit of historical facts and trivia from NY and Newport and this is a very interesting read. I have read and listened to all 14 books in this series and this one definitely ranks in my top three favorites.

I enjoy the books of this series set in Charles Lenox’s later years. He has earned the respect of his peers, has a loving family and a thriving business. He is much more confident and life experience has made him an excellent judge of character. He is such a likable protagonist, I hated reading how poorly he was treated by his peers and Scotland Yard during his younger days. If you get through them though, you will celebrate his successes even more in this book series.


I’ve always been fascinated by the famous families of the Gilded age, from the old monied conservative Knickerbockers to the lavish lifestyles and ruthlessness of the new monied robber barons. This story is especially interesting as it is told through the eyes of Charles Lenox, a British upper class blue blood. I found the descriptions of his experiences, his opinions and comparisons between GB and America true to character, witty and honest. I admit to occasionally nipping out to Wikipedia for a peek at the areas visited in New York and Newport and found the author spot on.

This murder mystery pulled me in, kept my interest and surprised me at the unmasking of the culprit. The audiobook was narrated by James Langton, who has entertained us throughout the entire series. He is a great storyteller and has mastered the characters perfectly.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After spearheading a case that has many members of Scotland Yard in hot water, Lenox is heading to America at the insistence of the Prime Minister. After arriving safely in New York City and spending time among the rich and famous, Charles is traveling by train to his next destination on the tour when his train is stopped so an important message can be delivered directly to him. A member of the wealthy elite in New York is requesting Charles' help in investigating a murder that took place on his estate in Newport, Rhode Island. A beautiful young socialite by the name of Lily Allingham has been murdered, her body left on the beach where it was found. As Charles starts his investigation, he quickly learns that while there are numerous suspects with promising motives, clues are scarce and as he moves among members of the elite, the investigation becomes stalled at each turn. The victim was courted by numerous members of the elite, none of which have a desire to become involved in the scandal of a police investigation. However Charles is determined to solve this stateside case in the same discerning manner her uses overseas in his home territory, and while he may be without his usual resources, he does have the assistance of young member of the gilded elite with aims of becoming a detective himself. As Charles peels back the layers of this complex mystery, he grows ever closer to a killer hidden among the rich and powerful of Newport.
An Extravagant Death in the 11th book in the long running historical mystery series featuring detective Charles Lenox. While Charles is in a new setting, there is still plenty of his careful, methodical detective work and dry British wit present throughout the story. 1878 New York and Newport Rhode Island are brought to life with vivid detail and stunning imagery. Finch also provides readers with some fascinating insight into the differences between American and English society during this time, especially in regards to wealth and the Americans' preference to flaunt their privilege freely as opposed to the more reserved Brits. The mystery itself is expertly plotted and moves at a careful methodical pace, allowing readers to solve the case right alongside Lenox. Agatha Christie fans are sure to delight in this series as the style harkens back to the queen of mystery herself. I highly recommend An Extravagant Death to fans old and new to the series.

Charles Lenox accepted the British Prime Minister’s offer to take his first voyage to the bountiful land of America in 1870s.
Shortly after he had set foot on New York, Lenox was summoned to investigate the death of a charming young socialite. The adventure took him on a journey teeming with mysteries, surprises and great danger!

The brilliant Charles Finch has expertly woven intricate and atmospheric plots in AN EXTRAVAGANT DEATH, an undeniable delightful yet devilish mystery.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this wonderful read.

In AN EXTRAVAGANT DEATH, Charles Finch's 14th in the Charles Lenox gentleman detective series, the London detective is sent by prime minister Benjamin Disraeli on a diplomatic mission to the United States. On his way from New York to Boston his train is stopped so that he might receive an urgent message. There has been a mysterious death in Newport, Rhode Island. Could the eminent detective please stop in and have a look? Lenox transfers to a private train and is sped to Newport where he observes that a young beauty has been murdered and tossed over a cliff. It is 1878, the early days of the Gilded Age, and every robber baron on the New York Social Register is happily building a summer palace in Newport. Here, where feathers should never be rustled unless it involves an invitation to a popular tea party or ball, a full-fledged scandal is about to unfold. We are treated to insider looks at the palaces and summer mores of the rich and infamous as Charles Lenox plays a cat and mouse game with a dangerous killer. Fans of Finch's series will take delight in the change of scene. New readers such as myself are thrilled to discover such an intriguing series! Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an ARC of AN EXTRAVAGANT DEATH.