The Inheritance by Charles Finch

The Inheritance: A Charles Lenox Mystery by Charles Finch --- 294 pages

Tenth volume in the mystery series set in Victorian London, with a former member of Parliament who has thrown over politics in favor of a career as a private detective.

Charles Finch is contacted by an old school friend who is visitng London because of an unexpected and mysterious legacy. To his surprise, Finch learns that Gerald Leigh has become a celebrated scientist, invited to speak to the Royal Society about his work with microbes. But for some reason Leigh is being pursued by two thugs from one of London's most notorious street gangs; he's been attacked and narrowly escaped twice already. Not surprisingly, Leigh is ready to chuck London, the legacy, and the Royal Society, and return to his travels. But when the highly respectable solicitor who was handling the details of the legacy is found murdered in his chambers, Leigh relectantly agrees that the situation merits further investigation.

The Lenox series is notable for its attention to the details of life in Victorian London, from the privileged life of the upper classes to the desperate poverty of the slums.  An enjoyable read for fans of the classic British mystery.

Click HERE for the review in Publishers Weekly.

Click HERE for the review in Kirkus Reviews.

Click HERE for a review from the Denver Post.

Click HERE for the review from the Historical Novel Society web site.

The Secret Chord - Geraldine Brooks

The Secret Chord - Geraldine Brooks - 320 pages

This is the (fictionalized) story of King David's life, from start to finish.  If you're in the mood for something lushly written about warfare, power, polygamy, and betrayal, this is definitely for you.  If you're looking for a story that lays heaping praise and golden light on biblical figures, this is not for you. David is a deeply flawed character, even in the eyes of his prophet narrator and lifelong friend and companion Natan.  He's arrogant and thoughtless with his wives, blind to the flaws of his many children, and often shortsighted about the long term consequences of his actions large and small.  But he's also the shining unifier of his people, builder of great cities, and an accomplished musician.  His story is really the story of his legacy, built over a lifetime of bloodshed and rare remorse.

Legacies: A Shadow Grail Novel by Mercedes Lackey

Legacies: A Shadow Grail Novel by Mercedes Lackey - 320 pages

After her family is killed in an accident, Spirit is sent to Oakhurst Academy -- a school for magicians.  Turns out she is a legacy -- a child of a former student.  Oakhurst is a place where young magicians are taught while keeping them safe from the dark forces wanting to prey on them.  But it seems Oakhurst is not as safe as Spirit was told.  Students are going missing and nobody but a few of Spirit's friends even seem to be aware of it.

This is the first book in Mercedes Lackey's teen series The Shadow Grail.  I'm surprised I never read it before as Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorite authors.  However, I like that I won't have to wait for the books as the series is now complete.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.