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There are currently 21 member reviews
for Home by Nightfall
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Debra V. (Kenosha, WI)
Home By Nightfall
The beauty of reading a mystery set in the late 1800's is the pace -- nothing happens quickly and you have time to read every word and ponder the revelations as they unfold.
This was the first book I've read in this series by Charles Finch and I enjoyed his use of the more formal language of that era. It was a good change of pace from the mystery set in "modern times" where technology sometimes becomes the "star". The heart-felt rumination of the detective (Charles Lenox) on many topics added depth for me. Loved this one regarding how he felt when his father died -- "but a parent --while one's parents were alive, if they were decent parents, one was always at least in some small part of one's self protected -- from life, from fear, from reality. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a mystery set in the English countryside of the 1800's.
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Deanna W. (Port Jefferson, NY)
Not Quite Sherlock
I am an avid reader of historical mysteries. I enjoy Anne Perry, Charles Todd (mother-son duo) and my current favorite, Jacqueline Winspear. This is the 9th in the Charles Lenox series but it is my 1st. The author has a fine ear for dialogue and paints a vivid picture of Victorian London with his attention to period details. The twin mysteries in the plot were well developed and held my interest. I would have enjoyed this novel more if I had been more familiar with the back stories of the main characters . I plan to read the first novel in this series.
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Barbara C. (Riverside, CA)
Several plots to tie up.
I have read all the books in the series. The quality varies, but don't skip any of them. The detail of daily life was very interesting at Lenox House.. The country strand with Edmund and Mr. Hadley was well defined and the solution was satisfying. However, it appears to me that Mr. Finch ran out of ideas for the Muller strand. I really enjoy learning more about the Lenox family each book: I love Charles. Lady Jane, and Sophia. Every book gives us more detail about nineteenth century life.
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Constance C. (Manchester, NH)
Excellent Victorian series
Home by Nightfall by Charles Finch is a Victorian mystery series. Charles Lenox is the main character of the series, set in 1865, owner of a detective agency with 2 partners. This series has been getting better, the latest being the best as the author is confident in his characters.
I would advise reading this in order as to enjoy the growth of the different people. The plot moves along and kept me reading to find out the resolution. There are two mysteries involved. This book is a fine specimen of the historical period mystery, much period detail.
My only criticism is that the last section could ha been a little shorter.
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Molly B. (Longmont, CO)
More color, please
This is a light read with a complex, original plot that surprises at most turns. I wish the characters had been better developed, for there were some interesting ones. Unfortunately, one of these (Edmund's wife Molly) was dead. Another, a very funny Dallington, was only a minor player. Instead of a plethora of potentially interesting but underdeveloped characters, I would have preferred fewer characters with a better understanding of each. A satisfying book, but rather like watching a black and white movie when I would have preferred color.
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Ann D. (Clearfield, PA)
Tepid Tea
I love the English countryside, and London holds a special place in my heart. When I selected this book for a First Impression Review, I was excited thinking that is was going to be one of those special books filled with intrigue and set in familiar places. Well I must say I was more than mildly disappointed. Charles Finch's book, featuring Charles Lennox, read like something rejected by Young Adult readers, but perfectly suitable for the geriatric gentry.
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Grace W. (Corona del Mar, CA)
Victorian Detective
The advance, uncorrected proof that I read of "Home by Nightfall" by Charles Finch will greatly benefit from a major and a skillful editing of the draft book. I was greatly distracted by the awkward sentence structure, the inconsistencies in the scene descriptions, and story-lines addressed and left unresolved. Even if those concerns were resolved, I'm not sure if I could rate this book above average. The story seemed to plod along and was very easy to put down. Many characters held promise of being engaging, but really didn't engage me. Finch has obviously researched life in the Victorian Age, but what did the canary circus or the toy rasp have to do with the crime at hand?
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