Charlotte Pitt defends her own sister against a murder charge in Victorian England, in a novel “suffused with atmosphere, emotion, and suspense” (Booklist). As Inspector Thomas Pitt works to resolve the case of a dismembered woman, his womanizing brother-in-law, George March, Lord Ashworth, is poisoned with his morning coffee at the country estate of his cousins. The primary suspect? Charlotte’s … suspect? Charlotte’s sister, Emily, the murdered man’s wife and Pitt’s sister-in-law. Charlotte and Pitt take on the March clan with the help of Great-aunt Vespasia, their formidable relative and a member of the clan, to break through the wall of deceit and silence. When Sybilla March, George’s suspected paramour, is found strangled by her hair and Emily is the one who found her, the case would seem hopeless—for anyone but the indomitable Pitts. Their pursuit of the truth takes them down a path of corruption, depravity, and murder, from the elegant townhouses lining fashionable Cardington Crescent to the horrifying slums of London.
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I have read every book in this series. I am addicted. The characters are wonderfully developed and the mysteries are not obvious and often surprising .
This Anne Perry series was the first mystery series to be set in Victorian times. They are extremely well-written and meticulously researched. They also are great in the area of muti-dimensional character development – even those who are less likeable than others.
I enjoy novels which take place in Great Britain and other foreign countries. This is a great British mystery!
If you haven’t read Anne Perry’s two series of mysteries, you’ve missed a wonderful adventure. This woman can WRITE! They must be read in order. Visit Fantasticfiction.com to check the order of publication. I’ve read both series twice, my highest compliment to an author.
Difficult read. I never really cared about any of the characters. Maybe it’s because I started in the middle of a series but the character development left something to be desired. Ending was way too abrupt. There were some things that I felt needed wrapping up. Not sure if I’ll try to go back and read some of the earlier books in the series or not.
I think it’s one of Anne Perry’s very best. I felt I was right there with the characters.
Anne Perry is a great author. But it is best to read each series in order
Love Thomas and Charlotte Pitt and the storyline is always so well done.
Charlotte’s sister, Emily, is accused of murdering her husband in his family home while they were visiting his family. Inspector Thomas Pitt is called, but the family has secrets and problems that they don’t want anyone to know, so they are content to just want to blame Emily. Charlotte will not standby and let that happen. This Victorian mystery is well written and I love the characters.