• The Woman in the Water

  • Charles Lenox Mysteries
  • By: Charles Finch
  • Narrated by: James Langton
  • Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (666 ratings)

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The Woman in the Water

By: Charles Finch
Narrated by: James Langton
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Publisher's summary

London, 1850: A young Charles Lenox struggles to make a name for himself as a detective...without a single case. Scotland Yard refuses to take him seriously and his friends deride him for attempting a profession at all. But when an anonymous writer sends a letter to the paper claiming to have committed the perfect crime - and promising to kill again - Lenox is convinced that this is his chance to prove himself.

The writer's first victim is a young woman whose body is found in a naval trunk, caught up in the rushes of a small islets in the middle of the Thames. With few clues to go on, Lenox endeavors to solve the crime before another innocent life is lost. When the killer's sights are turned toward those whom Lenox holds most dear, the stakes are raised and Lenox is trapped in a desperate game of cat and mouse.

In the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, this newest mystery in the Charles Lenox series pits the young detective against a maniacal murderer who would give Professor Moriarty a run for his money.

©2018 Charles Finch (P)2018 Tantor

What listeners say about The Woman in the Water

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Satisfying prequel to this great series

I have listened to every book in the Charles Lenox Mystery Series and enjoy each one very much. To those unfamiliar with the series, I suggest you start with book 1 and work your way through them all before reading/listening to this one. So much of the pleasure of this book is its look back in time at the young Charles Lenox. A real treat is in store for devotees. This is a very entertaining and satisfying story and (I hope Charles Finch is reading this!) one can wish that it will be the prelude to many more stories from this period in the life and times of Mr. Lenox. Bravo Mr. Finch and Mr. Langton.

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30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Finch has yet another winner!

If you are just starting the series do thus one first. For those of us who waited patiently for publication, it was worth the wait. Even rolling back the years worked, the one concern my friends and I had was that finch was aging our dear Charles Lenox too rapidly, but Finch h

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I forgot how quirky and fun characters can be.

What did you love best about The Woman in the Water?

This book is a prequel and it did not disappoint. In all Charles Finch books, you get to escape into a beautiful world of colorful characters. In this book, the main character has just turned 23 years old and is embarking on his career as a private detective.

What did you like best about this story?

One of my favorite things is that Charles Finch always explores the inner mind of the detective. You can feel the wheels turning as you read a Charles Lenox Mystery. I love each moment when a new piece of the puzzle clicks into place.

Have you listened to any of James Langton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

James Langton always gives a great performance. You always know who is speaking and his voice is very relaxing. I like listening to him in the evenings when I'm winding down.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I devour every Charles Finch book. I can't wait for the next one. Until then, I will probably revisit the series as I find these books a wonderful escape. Some authors really know how to create a world people love to escape into. This series is one of my favorite worlds.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this author. I bought my first Charles Finch book on an audible sale and he has become one of my favorite authors.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The Best of the Best!

The best audiobook series out there!
Perfect narrator. You will travel to victorian England an enter a world long last!

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another excellent novel from Charles Finch

I have a question: how does someone born and living in the US manage to write so convincingly of Victorian England? Finch is better at this than any other author I have read, except perhaps Patrick O'Brian who was Irish and closer to the scene.

Finch's novels are very well crafted mysteries with likable characters who are real enough to enjoy without feeling like we are in the realm of soap opera or lame TV series. The subplots are intriguing and upbeat and the pace is just right.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Another series I'll need to read

I picked this up to get the back story to Lenox before plowing into the full series. I am glad I did. I very much enjoyed the book, particularly Lenox and Graham. They remind me very much of Lord Peter and Bunter (and Lord Peter will always be my favorite!).

The mystery was well plotted. The ending was not as strong as I had hoped, but I enjoyed the book enough that I will pick up the series.

The narrator was very good.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Disappointing

I've very much enjoyed other of Finch's Charles Lennox books. This is book 11 but the subject seems to be a retrospective to his first breaking family standards to become a detective. I suppose it makes sense that Charles is wimpy and effete -- nobility that doesn't want to, doesn't even know HOW to get their hands dirty, wash a dish. But it's annoying and is reflected in the plot which is also very tepid. If this were the first Charles Finch book I read I wouldn't read another.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So happy this prequel was written and read!

I feel closer to the characters, Lenox, Graham and Lady Jane! I'm anticipating more mysteries!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Love the Lenox series

I read a review Sunday in the Washington Post and every word came through my head in James Langton's voice. I've listened to every Lenox book and I'm usually pretty good at naming the villain based on past endings. Not this time! I didn't have a clue. And it was like a secret I held that he would eventually get Lady Jane. Can't wait for the next one.

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3 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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What is going on?

I can't keep track of the all that is happening because there is so many characters. I actually fell asleep.

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2 people found this helpful