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There are currently 21 member reviews
for Home by Nightfall
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Mark O. (Wenatchee, WA)
An Upper-class Mystery
"Home by Nightfall" seems more akin to historical fiction than mystery; the murder seems accessory to the story. This is the Victorian England of Sherlock Holmes. But the sleuth-protagonist , Charles Lenox, is a member of the gentry and the detecting is more teamwork and legwork than eccentric genius. There are two mysteries afoot, the primary mystery evolving in the rural market town near the Lenox familial estate. We meet characters from most of the Victorian social strata through the noblesse oblige of Charles and family. This is the ninth of the Charles Lenox mysteries but my first. I enjoyed this dignified mystery so I'm looking forward to a long read, starting from book one.
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Pamela F. (Sun City West, AZ)
Going to be hooked on another series
This was my first time reading a book in this series. I love books of an historical genre and also love mystery series because of the beautiful way they develop the main & supporting characters that make you long to spend more time with them with each published book. I think that anyone who is a fan of Louise Penny would enjoy this series as well as M.C. Beaton. I look forward to going back to the first of this series and moving forward!
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Maggie R. (Canoga Park, CA)
A Good Mental Vacation
Another first time reader here. Home By Nightfall prompted a mental movie a la PBS Mystery. Charming characters, small town Victorian setting, intriguing mysteries, all in a package that can be read quickly with the reader choosing the ideal cast!
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Alan K. (Westport, MA)
Gentle, Fast Read
The ninth in the series, Home By Nightfall certainly can be read as a stand alone. Gentlemen sleuths, simultaneous mysteries, well developed characters and a good feel for both the English countryside as well as grittier London combine for a good read with a cup of tea. After reading this one, I am definitely interested in reading them in order from the first.
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Sarah W. (Frenchtown, MT)
Victorian mystery in easy doses
This was a fun, quick read. It is a mystery set in London and the English countryside that is full of interesting characters, a plot that moves along steadily and not one, but two parallel evolving cases. The contrast between city and country living is explored, and tender family relationships are heartfelt. After the sleuthing is done, the feeling remains that people are basically the same regardless of the century.
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Sue Z. (Cornelius, NC)
Home by Nightfall
When I began "Home by Nightfall" I didn't know that this book was the newest in a series by Charles Finch. One reviewer described the writing as between Jane Austin and Charles Dickens, an observation I found to be quite accurate. This gentle and well-written mystery is the ideal book to read on a wintry day in front of the fire with a cup of tea to hand. The description of a Victorian village is somewhat idealized but the characters are well depicted and the story moves along a good pace. It is not for the reader who likes lots of gun-play and cool customers, but for the lovers of Agatha Christie this is just ideal
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Linda W. (Arlington, TX)
Leisurely Historical Mystery
This is a pleasant, leisurely-paced mystery set in 1876 England. Charles Lenox is a gentleman detective who runs a private detection agency. The plot features two mysteries--the disappearance of a famous German pianist, and strange goings-on in Lenox's home village. It gives an interesting picture of noisy, smelly, bustling London, and of intertwined relationships in the little village of Markethouse. This is not a world-beater, but a pleasant read for those of us who like historical mysteries.
This is the first Charles Lenox novel I've read and I plan to seek out the others.
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