I have read a few books about Victorian era detectives, so I am familiar with the genre. I have to say, this one is a step above the rest! It has a well developed plot, interesting, believable characters, and a satisfying complexity. There is a nice mix of the detective’s personal life and his work as a detective. There is also a bit of romance. And finally, there is a twist at the end that I did not see coming. All in all, I certainly recommend this book!

I always look forward to a new book in this series and this one does not disappoint. A mysterious symbol carved into buildings, a orphan cousin an her companion arriving from India and the suffragette movement falling on Lenox’s doorstep make for a very good read.

The Hidden City by Charles Finch. #15 in the Charles Lenox Mystery Series. St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books, 2025.

Set in 1879, this story begins with London detective Charles Lennox, “a man just past the milestone age of fifty”, recovering slowly from a stab wound, in Portsmouth waiting for his late cousin Jasper’s young daughter to arrive by ship. He arrives home with his young cousin Angela and her friend Sari to find a letter from a long-ago former housekeeper asking for his help. Then Charles is at his gym, moving slowly, a shadow of his former fit self, when he finds himself on the receiving end of an odd comment about Lady Jane, his wife.

Historical details provide a rich snapshot of late 19th century London life in various situations and socioeconomic levels. Combined with what appears to be three storylines, my uncertainty over which was the main mystery made the first third of the book slow going - I kept picking it up and putting it aside, though I was not tempted to stop reading or start another book. It was not until Chapter 19, the dinner to introduce Angela and Sari to family and society, that I felt the pace pick up and was reminded of how much I enjoyed reading the series.

From that point, I could not put it down. The writing is flawless for the genre, supported by language, narrative and dialogue that flow smoothly with nothing to annoy or distract. The main characters are good and decent, well developed and consistently described. There are some dark spots but the book does not wallow in darkness. There are many twists; once again, I did not solve the puzzle before Charles Lennox.

I want to give this book 4 1/2 stars.

I warmly recommend reading this series, the first of which is set in 1865 when Charles Lenox was “a man of perhaps forty”, published in 2007 then shortlisted for the 2008 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. After that, one book per year appeared until 2021.

The Hidden City, #15 in the series (but oddly #12 on Goodreads) will be published late in 2025, after a four-year gap. There are also two short stories (numbered “#.5” in series order, by publication date), and three prequels set in 1850, 1853 and 1855 (#11-#13, 2018-2020). The first six books were published separately, and then as two 3-volume Kindle box sets.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Hidden City free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheHiddenCity #NetGalley

<b>Hidden in Plain Sight</b>
<i>A review of the Kindle eBook ARC (downloaded March 2025) of the Minotaur Books hardcover to be published November 4, 2025.</i>

I took a chance on <i>The Hidden City</i>, which is the 12th novel in the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/43812-charles-lenox-mysteries">Charles Lenox</a> Victorian era detective series of which I had not read any previously. I found that I had no trouble getting acclimated as brief backgrounds and/or relationships to the other running characters were provided throughout. What impressed me most about it was its attention to period detail. The setting is London, England in 1879.

There are several subplots running concurrently. Lenox is returned wounded from a previous investigation in America and is in rehab. An old servant asks him to look into the circumstances of a mysterious death. Lenox discovers an odd sigil-like marking in the doorway of the deceased. Gradually it is discovered that the same marking appears in the doorways of other houses where the inhabitant also came to a bad end. Meanwhile he is the absentee partner in a detective firm now mostly run by two of his friends. His wife is out protesting for women's suffrage. And an orphaned cousin shows up from India with her native Indian girlfriend who must both get acclimatized to London society.

It is all handled very well and the only odd element for me was the reveal and confrontation with the culprit towards the end where rather than play judge-jury-executioner, Lenox instead seems to play a father confessor / sin absolver role. I have no idea if that is characteristic of the series so I can't really say more about it. It felt like an <b>Ambiguous Ending Alert</b> was required though as it left the question of whether there is a continuing story yet to come.

My thanks to the author, publisher St Martins Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this advance reading copy of <i>The Hidden City</i> in exchange for which I provide this honest review.

<b>Trivia and Links</b>
For his rehab, Charles Lenox is a member at a London health club run by Swedish trainers. I looked up a bit of history about gym and health clubs at <a href="https://www.lesmills.com/uk/clubs-and-facilities/research-insights/audience-insights/history-of-health-clubs-how-gyms-have-evolved-through-the-ages/">History of Health Clubs, How gyms have evolved through the ages.</a>.

For some reason I had the idea that the Suffragist movement was an early 20th century action, but reading about the history I learned that it did have its foundations in England in the 1860s. So what I thought at first was anachronistic in the book, was actually completely true. See further at the Wikipedia article <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage_in_the_United_Kingdom">Women's Suffrage in the United Kingdom</a> and especially the section about Early Suffragist Societies etc.

The Hidden City is a masterful addition to the Charles Lenox series. If you haven't read them, I am jealous as you have a delight ahead of you. Please start at the beginning and savor each one. When you get to The Hidden City you will find a couple of new very interesting characters in the Niece of Charles Lenox and her companion plus our most loved characters are breaking out of the mold society has demanded of them in very surprising ways. I expected the story to go in a more predictable direction and was happily surprised by the twists and turns the story took. It almost seems like a new start to the series and I hope it continues for many more enjoyable books.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “The Hidden City” has an expected publication date of November 4, 2025.
And you can read all my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) blog site.
Warning: This is an outlier review.
Even though this is the twelfth book in the series about 19th Century British detective Charles Lenox, I took a chance hoping I wouldn’t be lost having missed the first eleven installments.
The good news-bad news is I didn’t feel like I had missed anything. And if I hadn’t opted to read this latest installment, I still wouldn’t have missed anything.
Sorry, but this book just bothered me from start to finish.
It’s 1879 in Great Britain, and Lenox is lured into investigating a murder that occurred seven years earlier. Why now? It seems someone is periodically sleeping in the entranceway to the same building where the seven-year-old murder occurred, perhaps even trying to get into the building, and the elderly woman living there is frightened she could be the next victim. Lenox, because of his prior relationship with this woman, takes on the case.
From there the narrative plods along at a snail’s pace. There are periodic discoveries that point Lenox in various directions, but nothing that even remotely engaged me in trying to uncover the mystery. More often, I found myself reading passages of what Lenox was investigating and thinking, how did we get here? There seemed no consistent focus for me to latch on to.
Three-quarters of the way through I still had no idea what the book’s title referred to. What hidden city, I kept thinking. But then, maybe thirty pages from the book’s ending – which was extremely flat and disappointing – the three-word title is spoken. But that’s it.
I also found it interesting that it appears Lenox never really solves the case. Rather, the killer presents himself through a much-too-lengthy rant, but then seems to disappear. Did he just walk away? Too big a loose end.
Needless to say, I have no intention of reading any of the first eleven installments in this series. And as noted earlier, this is an outlier review. Can’t muster up more than two stars for “The Hidden City.” I guess I’m just not a Charles Lenox fan.

Having not ready anything by Charles Finch before I felt I was a little behind. Quite a few characters and sub-plots to keep track of. A solid read after you get up with all the information.

This is an unusual ,interesting, atmospheric Victorian historical novel, set in 1879 London, bringing back sleuth Charles Finch, who after being injured, is still distraught by pain. As he is waiting for the boat from India, carrying his young cousin, Angela, and her friend Sari, there is a murder in the pub of his friend, Martel, a chemist. Lies and lying appear in every corner; money and opium, and the hidden city, as Finch launches his search among friends and enemies for the killer
Throughout, the book is full of sounds, places, shops and friends. It is a look into the wealthy and order of government and society: a picture of stressful family affairs, from young love, politics, historical names, to his wife Lady Jane’s connection with the women suffragettes budding appearance, and protest.
The Hidden City was thoroughly engrossing: What makes the world what it is? What is hidden? What is honest? Does love and honesty create who we are?
Charles Finch finds the truth and himself.
We ask ourselves what’s is coming next? What comes next, Charles Finch?

The author does an excellent job of introducing a new reader to an existing series without boring those readers involved from the beginning. I was subtly reminded of the time and place of the story by such details as a secondary character being very involved in the suffragette movement. There are really two mysteries going on here and they are well woven together by Finch. I greatly enjoyed his manner of storytelling.

This book was phenomenal.
I read it in one day, and could not put it down!
I would suggest for any sleuth readers!

I enjoyed reading it but the ending felt a bit unsatisfying - as if it dribbled to a finish. And something about the ‘solution’ was a letdown as well. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the first time I’ve dipped my toes into the world of Charles Lenox, and I feel like being late to the party took away some of my enjoyment and investment in the story. While I wasn’t missing any critical information that would impact my understanding of this particular plot, I never really felt like I connected with the main character. Perhaps some of his methods were ‘classic Lenox moves,’ but to me, I felt like I was playing catch-up, trying to understand his efforts after the fact. I suppose it’s possible that readers like the suspense this approach creates in a ’so that’s why he did that’ kind of way, but I prefer detective stories where readers get to play more of a partner role in investigations.

I did really like the smaller plot lines of the cousins arriving from India as well as Lady Lenox’s participation in the suffrage movement, and while I get why these weren’t fully explored ideas, I was honestly more interested in both of these subplots than the actual mystery to be solved.

3 stars

Thanks to Macmillan and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The novels in this historical mystery series are satisfying from a plot perspective, gratifying for s reader interested in character studies, and fun for those of us who learn their history through entertainment mediums, like novels.

I have read many, but not all , of the books in this series and they can each stand alone as interestingperiod novels, or fit together into a longer, very engaging saga of friends and family.

I live the time I spend with Finch’s sensitive hero, and always am charmed by his family of characters.

4.5 / 5.0 Stars

This fifteenth book in series, is yet another brilliant addition to the Charles Lenox mysteries by talented writer, Charles Finch.

It is early winter of 1879. We find our protagonist, Charles Lenox, recovering from a debilitating wound received during his last investigation. His stamina is suffering, despite his visits with his personal trainer, Sven, at the Gymnastiksaal. He receives a missive from a former servant requesting his aid in the resolution of a murder on her street and in the problem of someone parking themselves upon her doorstep at night. This prompts Lenox into action. He commences his evening wanderings through London while fleshing out the details of this case. In so doing, he reclaims his vigor and is much relieved. Over the course of the investigation, he identifies an enigmatic emblem carved into various buildings and is convinced that it holds significance in his endeavors. Yet no one recognizes it. Lenox is tenacious and always enjoys a good puzzle.

The depth of Finch's historical research appearing in each story is tremendous and spot on. The books usually hold more than just one mystery, and this one was no exception. The richness of descriptive detail transports the reader to a different time and place wrapping them in a richly woven blanket of observation and sensation. The subtle clues are all there but not easily discerned, thus pulling the reader along through all the various cat and mouse moments and red herrings. The energy builds up gradually over the course of the story to a striking moment and gently eases off toward a satisfying conclusion.

Yet, beyond the usual tension and machinations of a fine mystery, Finch also brings to bear a wonderful depth in his characters. As we hear the tender ruminations of Lenox regarding his young family or observe his irritations as a detective thwarted by those in power and wealth, we appreciate the humanity of his character. We grin at the playful exchange of emotion and banter between Lenox and his brother or his wife, Lady Jane. Our hearts melt at the tender moments shared between father and his children and newly added to the mix, his cousin's daughter.

All in all, this was a most enjoyable read and this reader for one, eagerly awaits the next installment in this richly told tale.

I am grateful to author Charles Finch and his publisher, Minotaur Books, for having provided a complimentary uncorrected digital galley of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Number of Pages: 288 pages
ISBN: 978-1250767165

This London based murder mystery is not my typical genre but I enjoyed it very much. Lenox, the main detective is thoughtful, a family man and very dedicated to his work. He is part of the British upper crust but not buried by the rules like others. The cast of characters includes ruffians, a worried old lady, a mysterious person leaving initials carved into stone entry ways, a Dr. whose become an alcoholic because society sees having an occupation as beneath his stature in society and a very smart young man forced to grow up on the streets. Many twists and turns and very engaging.

4-1/2 stars. I was not aware of this series and am now very excited to go back and read the first 11 titles. Finch transports the reader to Victorian London with great descriptive prowess and attention to detail. Add in an intriguing mystery and back story and details of his family life, past and present ,and you have a wonderfully entertaining mystery. I also appreciated the historical context as the novel is set in a very class and gender restricted time. Highly recommended for English mystery fans of the non-cozy variety. It would pair well with the fantastic new Ellie Griffiths Victorian mystery Frozen People..

‘The Hidden City’ by Charles Finch is an engaging mystery that pulls you into Victorian London. Detective Charles Lenox dives into a complex mystery while balancing his personal life, which adds a nice emotional depth to the story. Finch’s writing is sharp and immersive, making the setting feel alive, and his characters, especially Lenox, continue to evolve in a way that feels genuine. However, I did find myself a bit disappointed with the outcome of the mystery. The resolution felt anticlimactic and didn’t quite live up to the tension built throughout the story. I also found some of the filler moments to be a bit tedious, with certain sections dragging on longer than necessary. While I appreciate the character development and the world that Finch has built, there were times when the plot seemed to stall.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Reader Copy. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book before its official release.

Charles Lennox is back! Hooray! Interesting story with a lot of historical London. The case was solved pretty quickly but the story continued as Lennox explored some curious links he found.

Did not finish. My first in this series, and I felt all the characters were explained well enough (although there was clearly history behind them), but the pacing was so slow. Every time I put the book down, I felt no interest in picking it back up again.

This was a great story with more than a few twists and turns. I really liked the characters of this story Lennox is such a likable guy. His jaunts through town so well drawn with words.

I would recommend this book.

I want to thank NetGalley and St Martins Press for- Minotaur Books for this advanced reader copy and this is my honest opinion.