Vanderbilts, Astors, Stuyvesants! Lenox moves to American High Society!

An Extravagant Death (Charles Lenox Mystery #14) by Charles Finch          

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An extravagant death! An interesting title and one worth contemplating post read. I think the clue to many things, including Charles last investigation, possibly pave the way for a turn of the page for Charles Lenox’s future.

It’s 1878 and Charles has been involved in a highly profiled dark investigation. Charles is now probably the most preeminent detective England.
Having been requested by the Prime Minister (Disraeli) to leave the country for a period whilst the trial is underway, Lady Jane encourages him to do what he’s always planned to do—travel.
Charles arrives in New York and through a set of circumstances ends up investigating the death of a young socialite, the fêted Lily Allingham, in Newport, near the famed Forty Steps along the Cliff Walk. The Cliff Walk is where the crème de la crème have their summer ‘cottages’.  Charles’ impressions of the very rich in this part of the United States as contrasted to the titled but often much poorer aristocracy of England are noteworthy.

The glimpses of life led by the wealthy upper crust of New York, the absolute extravagance of their lifestyles is eye opening. And we learn something more about the circles Lady Jane can move in. 

The food descriptions at Caroline Astor’s annual Newport Ball are staggering BTW.

With the help of the very earnest and pleasant ‘Teddy Blaine’, scion of a wealthy Newport family Charles moves forward with his investigations.

The resolution of Lily’s murder is somewhat of a shock, twisted and yet not, when you reflect.

A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley 

(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)