A Stranger in Mayfair [Hardcover]

 

 

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I have read all of Charles Finch's mystery novels featuring his victorian gentleman - cum- politician - cum private detective Lenox. I have therefore had the pleasure of seeing Finch develop his detective and other characters over the course of several books. Overall, Finch has done a very good job of it. The intricacies and idiosyncrasies of the victorian aristocratic world make interesting reading, as do the minute descriptions of Oxford University and Westminster. It is obvious that Finch has personally walked the streets and observed the sights he is describing. The few occasions when he boldly brings in real historical figures (like Disraeli and Gerard Manley Hopkins) in cameo roles add some unexpected spice. The writing style, which was rather painfully wooden and constrained in the first novel, has now relaxed and Finch's language now flows without too may jarring notes in between.
On the negative side, these novels could do with better character development. Apart from Lenox himself, many of the important characters seem somewhat two-dimensional. Their emotions and feelings are presented to the reader on a platter. As a result, the reader always feels a distance from these characters and ends up not knowing what to make of them. More dialogue on the part of the 'side' characters would enable readers to understand their natures and feelings without departing from the flow of the story.
'A stranger in mayfair' is an entertaining read. But it's major drawback is that it has a predictable plot. Finch has lost control of the 'mystery' in this mystery. When reading this novel, I was able to easily figure out within the first few chapters what the motive for the murder was. Some of the 'twists' Finch sprung in the middle of the story were, therefore, no surprise at all. They just served to confirm my ideas. As the story progressed, it became obvious where the author was leading up to and I was sure of the murderer's identity long before the denouement in the final chapter.
Writing a mystery is an arguable tougher task than writing any other genre of fiction, because the author has the onerous task of keeping the readers in the dark throughout, while keeping them sufficiently interested to keep turning the pages. Finch undoubtedly has talent. A little more practice would perhaps be good. Being British, he is heir to the legacy of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. I look forward to seeing him mature into a skilled and entertaining mystery writer.

First Sentence: 'Clara, who is that gentleman?'

Charles Lenox has, at forty, entered a new phase in his life. He is newly married to Lady Jane, for years his best friend and neighbor, and he is newly elected to Parliament's House of Commons. The second of these events necessitates spending less time doing detective work'but not yet. A colleague in Parliament, Ludovic Starling, has asked Lenox to investigate the murder of one of his footman. As Lenox, and his protégée Dallington, move forward in the investigation, they are met with resistance not only from Scotland Yard but from Starling, who asks them to give up the case. An attack on Lenox stiffens his resolve to find the killer.

Finch has become a favorite of mine and this book, once again, demonstrates why as there were so many levels on which I enjoyed this book.

We are introduced to Lenox and Lady Jane through a conversation held by others, via a prologue which actually works as it allows their back story to be told without it seeming forced or cumbersome. Each of the characters are fully drawn with very brief exposition that brings them to life. One thing by which I am very impressed is how, with each book in the series, the characters lives individually grow and develop. This impacts not only each character but the relationships amongst them. Relationships are something Finch does extremely well, including the awkwardness of a newly married couple and a man making a major change in his career.

Mr. Finch's knowledge of Victorian England is evident in every page and yet, again, so seamlessly incorporated into the plot that it is informative rather than intrusive. Through Lenox's work in Parliament, we learn the concerns of the period and meet historical figures in their proper settings and appropriate roles. Through the birth of a child, we observe the customs and etiquette of the time. Although Finch is American, is studied at Oxford, now lives in the UK and delightfully conveys British humor and understatement, 'For an Englishman is was a strange time to be in France'.first because of Napoleon's rather uncouth attempt to conquer Europe'' The dialogue has a natural flow but also reflects the speech of the time.

Neither of the above is meant to undervalue the plot. The mystery is intriguing, and full of effective twists. I like that solution is no more obvious to Lenox than to us, the reader. We are presented with numerous possibilities, each dismissed, until the final resolution. Might I have figured it out? Perhaps; but the story involved me to the point where I wasn't deliberately trying.

The only reason I did not rate the book as 'excellent' was the use of portents which were completely unnecessary. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do highly recommend it with the proviso suggestion of starting the series at the beginning.

A STRANGER IN MAYFAIR (Hist Mys-Charles Lenox-London, England-Victorian) - VG+
Finch, Charles ' 4th in series
Minotaur Books, ©2010, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780312625061

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