Julie B. (heartinthehighlands) reviewed The September Society (Charles Lenox, Bk 2) on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I enjoyed the first book in his mystery series, 'A Beautiful Blue Death'. And I liked this second one even more. It takes place in Oxford and you can tell that the author knows and loves the city well. We enjoy watching the friendship/relationship between Charles and Lady Jane develop. The mystery has some surprise twists and turns at the end. These take place in Victorian England and the author gives us lots of interesting information about the times without it's being in any way a dry history. I don't often buy a book when it comes out, but I will probably buy his next one. I don't think I will want to wait in line with a hold on it at the library.
Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed The September Society (Charles Lenox, Bk 2) on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I am beginning to think that Charles Finch put way too much effort into this somewhat lacking second addition to the Charles Lennox saga.
What begins with intrigue slowly muddles down into too much description of the colleges that make up Oxford in 1866 and by doing so, puts the murder mystery beyond the backburner.
When Lady Annabelle Payson shows up in Lennox's front hall she presents him with a rather dubious mystery. Her son George has gone missing. Lennox doesn't usually take on something so mundane, but how do you turn down a lady in distress whom had already lost a husband under mysterious circumstance in war and now her son too may possibly be dead.
With unique clues and the mysterious September Society, a secret society made up of gentlemen that served in the 12th Suffolk 2nd, Lennox must now risk his life to untangle two very similar webs and hopefully bring answers to those that felt the truth would always be beyond them.
As time wore on, I found myself having to write down characters names with little descriptions of exactly who they were and how they fit into the story. Though new characters have been added that should spice up future books, I don't find myself running out to get the next book so quite so quickly.
After the first book, which I loved, this one was a bit of a let down. I don't want to be completely negative, there are some good parts, but unfortunately, you have hack your way to the end to get there.
What begins with intrigue slowly muddles down into too much description of the colleges that make up Oxford in 1866 and by doing so, puts the murder mystery beyond the backburner.
When Lady Annabelle Payson shows up in Lennox's front hall she presents him with a rather dubious mystery. Her son George has gone missing. Lennox doesn't usually take on something so mundane, but how do you turn down a lady in distress whom had already lost a husband under mysterious circumstance in war and now her son too may possibly be dead.
With unique clues and the mysterious September Society, a secret society made up of gentlemen that served in the 12th Suffolk 2nd, Lennox must now risk his life to untangle two very similar webs and hopefully bring answers to those that felt the truth would always be beyond them.
As time wore on, I found myself having to write down characters names with little descriptions of exactly who they were and how they fit into the story. Though new characters have been added that should spice up future books, I don't find myself running out to get the next book so quite so quickly.
After the first book, which I loved, this one was a bit of a let down. I don't want to be completely negative, there are some good parts, but unfortunately, you have hack your way to the end to get there.
A first rate Victorian detective story! Charles Lenox is not quite the Sherlock Holmes, but infinitely more likable. This mystery has plenty of twists and turns to keep you quickly page turning. Charles is happily planning his trip to Morocco when he receives a request for help from an acquaintance to find her missing son. He travels to Oxford only to find plenty of clues but even more mystery. And the relationship between he and his neighbor, Lady Jane, is developing through the story in a most delightful way.
I greatly enjoyed this book. A historical whodunit featuring Charles Lennix, a graduate of Yale and Oxford and living in England. Everything ooses "Victorian". I enjoyed it enough to go back and read the debut Of the Lennix Series, a Beautiful Blue Death.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The September Society (Charles Lenox, Bk 2) on + 1452 more book reviews
Before I begin I must admit that I have not read the first novel in this series, A Beautiful Blue Death. However, I did not feel like some other readers that that novel should be read first. September Society seemed to stand alone to me even though I can see where the first novel must have gone.
Charles Lenox is an entertaining and complex character. I like him very much even while he struggles with his personal issues. Should he ask Lady Jane to marry him or not? Well he must focus on why a young Oxford University student is killed in much the same way as his father died almost twenty years ago. Can they possibly be linked and what about the mysterious group called the September Society. As the novel unwinds it all becomes clear but to say more would give too much away. My advice is to read the novel for yourself. And, if you like pick up A Beautiful Blue Death first to understand the character more clearly.
Charles Lenox is an entertaining and complex character. I like him very much even while he struggles with his personal issues. Should he ask Lady Jane to marry him or not? Well he must focus on why a young Oxford University student is killed in much the same way as his father died almost twenty years ago. Can they possibly be linked and what about the mysterious group called the September Society. As the novel unwinds it all becomes clear but to say more would give too much away. My advice is to read the novel for yourself. And, if you like pick up A Beautiful Blue Death first to understand the character more clearly.
