#Historical Murder Mystery Book Review: #Death with a double Edge by #Anne Perry

 

Summary: Death with a double Edge (A Daniel Pitt Novel ) by Anne Perry

Daniel Pitt’s investigation into his colleague’s murder leads him through London’s teeming underbelly to the suspicious dealings of one of England’s most influential shipbuilding magnates in a thrilling novel from New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry.

When junior barrister Daniel Pitt is summoned to the scene of a murder in the London district known as Mile End, he knows only that the victim is a senior barrister from the same firm. To Daniel’s relief, it is not his close friend Toby Kitteridge, but the question remains: What was this respected colleague doing in such a rough part of the city? The firm’s head, Marcus fford Croft, may know more than he admits, but fford Croft’s memory is not what it used to be, and his daughter, Miriam—Daniel’s friend and sometime sidekick—isn’t in the country to offer her usual help. And so Daniel and Kitteridge must investigate on their own, lest the police uncover something that may cast a suspicious light on the firm.

Their inquiries in Mile End lead them to a local brothel and to an opium den, but also—unexpectedly—to a wealthy shipbuilder crucial to Britain’s effort to build up its fleet, which may soon face the fearsome naval might of Germany. Daniel finds his path blocked by officials at every turn, his investigation so unwelcome that even his father, Special Branch head Thomas Pitt, receives a chilling warning from a powerful source. Suddenly, not just Daniel but his whole family—including his beloved mother, Charlotte—is in danger. Will Daniel’s devotion to justice be the undoing of his entire life, and endanger Britain’s defense at sea? As ever, the fates of family and history are inextricably intertwined in this spellbinder from Anne Perry (from Goodreads). 

My review of this historical murder mystery

Death with a double Edge is book 4 in the historical murder mystery series by Anne Perry, published by Ballantine Books.  If features junior barrister Daniel Pitt who is assigned to secretly investigate the mysterious murder of  top financial barrister Jonah Drake to keep the law firm above suspicion in case his last activity was not exactly above board. Danile’s father, Head of Special Branch Thomas Pitt, offers valuable advice while his trusted friend and colleague Toby Kitteridge works on the legal issues. Together they reveal ties to the murder of a woman with connections to a number of wealthy men and find links to politics and dangerous illegal activity. As the case moves forward, more people are found dead in the same area of London. –Even to Daniel’s own family get too close to danger.

Main character, junior barrister Daniel Pitt is well connected with a middleclass upbringing. He seems quite empathic and broad minded for a man of his time, particularly his view of women is quite impressive. It’s easy to name him my favorite of this story.

Supporting character is colleague and friend Toby Kitteridge who has worked in the law firm for 8 years. He seems a methodical, trustworthy and kind man who seems to devote all his time to the job.

The setting of this story is late spring/early summer of 1911in London. Other books I have read of Anne Perry has been set in autumn/winter with plenty of  darkness, rain and foggy cold weather where the characters are in need of huddling in front of fireplaces with cups of tea to warm themselves and dry up.  This one stands out with its spring vibe and descriptions of light, sun and flowers. I also loved the historical context of London 1911. Technical inventions like motor driven vehicles have replaced hansom cabs and horse drawn carriages. The writing is beautiful and I particularly loved the description of feelings and closeness between Daniel and his parents which are my favorite part s of the story. When Daniel uses his parents as sounding boards, it clarifies the drama and adds an enjoyable sense of danger and gloom to the story. The dialogue is super clear and helps readers follow every step of the way as the plot is meticulously ironed out.

Readers who enjoy historical murder mystery would enjoy this one and might wish to follow the new series. Fans of Anne Perry would love this addition to her extensive work. Thank you to Ballantine Books, author Anne Perry and my local library for the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

Conclusion:  Death with a double Edge is the fascinating story where junior barrister Daniel Pitt investigates the murder of his senior colleague who has gotten too close to a case with ties to politics and a luxury prostitute with connections to a number of wealthy men. Daniel’s own family ends up in danger. 

Rating: 5 stars / 5

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Book Details

Publisher : Ballantine Books (April 13, 2021)
Language : English
Hardcover : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 0593159330
ISBN-13 : 978-0593159330

About The Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland (from Amazon) For more information, visit author's website https://anneperry.us/about-me/ 

#Crime Fiction Book Review #One Fatal Flaw by #Anne Perry

Summary: One Fatal Flaw (Daniel Pitt Mystery #3) by Anne Perry

It is 1910 and a warehouse fire on the banks of the Thames has left one criminal dead and another charged with his murder. Convinced of his innocence, Jessie Beale begs barrister Daniel Pitt to defend the accused. It's a hopeless case - unless Daniel can find an expert witness, whose testimony on fire damage is so utterly convincing that any jury would believe him.

Daniel's friend Miriam fford Croft was taught by formidable forensic scientist Sir Barnabas Saltram, who has built his reputation on giving evidence of this kind. But when Saltram agrees to testify, thus saving an innocent man from the gallows, Daniel unwittingly starts a chain of events that has devastating consequences for all of them...(copied from Goodreads).

Book Review: One Fatal Flaw 

Lawyer Daniel Pitt is asked to defend a criminal in a case of arson and murder which seems cut-and-dried, only it escalates into another case. Two warehouses have burnt down and two murders have been committed exactly the same way. He calls upon experts on forensic science to present evidence of what really happened in these fascinatingly complex cases.

One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry is number 3 and the last in Daniel Pitt Mysteries Series published by Ballantine Books. We follow new lawyer Daniel Pitt as he is asked to defend a known criminal in an arson-murder case. Soon there is an identical case, and they both seem disturbingly similar to a case 20 years ago. Daniel gets help from forensic scientist Miriam fford Croft as well as his powerful father, Thomas Pitt of Special Branch, to prove what really happened.

Secondary character Miriam fford Croft is an interesting female character with views that would fit right into the 2000s. She is well educated and is frustrated that women are not allowed to earn degrees in England 1910. I think she is hard working and an impressive character despite having had serious setbacks in her personal life. I was pleased to see she found a way to deal with her professional problems and I she is my favorite in this story.

The historical setting of this plot is London 1910 when English women were expected to marry. Education was considered a waste of time. Miriam fford Croft managed to complete her studies, but didn’t earn a degree because she was a woman. As Anne Perry’s books are set mainly in 1800s, there are elements of male prejudice against women in most of them. In One Fatal Flaw it is a prominent part of the plot, which I enjoyed a lot in the way I would a horror movie.

One Fatal Flaw (Daniel Pitt Mystery #3) by Anne Perry is a quick and easy read with an exciting plot set in a new century. The writing is vivid and the character building excellent. I enjoyed reading Triple Jeopardy #2 in Daniel Pitt Mysteries Series, just as it was released. One Fatal Flaw includes hints to previous stories, giving just enough info about characters for it to work excellently as a standalone as all other works of Anne Perry. I love Anne Perry’s unique cockney dialect writing, and the mystery element of Miriam’s personal life, which was revealed as a little gem right at the end. I am excited to read anything else she releases in future.

Fans of Anne Perry will love One Fatal Flaw. As will readers of historical crime fiction. Similar authors to explore might be C.S. Harris or Charles Finch.

Thank you to the local Public Library of Kristiansand for providing One Fatal Flaw which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

 

My rating: 5 stars / 5

Main reasons: Excellent plot, superb writing, great characters

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Book Details: (from Amazon)

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Headline (April 16, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1472257316
ISBN-13: 978-1472257314

About The Author (from Amazon)

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland.

Author's website: http://www.anneperry.co.uk/

Book Review: Murder on the Serpentine (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #32) by Anne Perry

Summary: Murder on the Serpentine (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #32) by Anne Perry

In the history of Anne Perry’s bestselling Victorian mystery series, the stakes have never been greater than now—as a mission for queen and country places the future of the British Empire squarely in Thomas Pitt’s hands.

It is not the custom for the commander of Special Branch to receive a royal summons—so Thomas Pitt knows it must be for a matter of the gravest importance. The body of Sir John Halberd, the Queen’s confidant, has been found in the shallow water of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, bearing the evidence of a fatal blow to the head. At Her Majesty’s request, Sir John had been surreptitiously investigating Alan Kendrick, a horse-racing enthusiast who seems to have had an undue amount of influence on her son, the Prince of Wales.

Now Commander Pitt must navigate the corridors of power with the utmost discretion and stealth, for it seems certain that Sir John’s killer is a member of the upper classes. Aided by his wife, Charlotte, and her social contacts, Pitt seeks out the hidden motives behind the polite façade of those to the manner born—and uncovers a threat to the throne that could topple the monarchy.

With Murder on the Serpentine, Thomas Pitt nears a crossroads in his brilliant career—one that promises new challenges, both professional and personal, still to be met. But first, he and Charlotte must conquer the twists and turns of suspense master Anne Perry’s most cunningly crafted plot yet—to achieve their finest hour, or suffer their darkest.

Book review: Murder on the Serpentine (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #32) by Anne Perry

Head of special branch, Commander Thomas Pitt, is summoned to Buckingham Palace by Queen Victoria for a secret mission, as his new job is to deal with threats to the safety of the nation.
The queen’s close friend and confidante Sir John Halberd is found dead in a rowing boat on the Serpentine. She asks Pitt to discreetly investigate. He must investigate persons of interest very closely indeed, which leads him to information he feels uncomfortable having. Nevertheless, it seems vital to a successful outcome, which is exactly what The Queen expects of him. Connections to the royal family, horse racing and politics within the country and abroad broadens Pitt’s investigation.

The plot develops through social connections, family, friends, acquaintances, people who know people in Society. Pitt’s superior believes he has both the skill and the stomach for the job as Head of Special Branch, if not the breading or the social background to go with it. But Pitt feels out of his depth. He worries that as he is not born into aristocracy, he will not be able to do his work well. I find his insecurities very human and relatable.

Commander Pitt goes about gathering information and dealing with what he learns in a compassionate way I feel he should really be prouder of. I wish he was more relaxed about his character and abilities. The thorough understanding of people’s nature is probably a result of his experience as a police detective. I enjoy following his thought process throughout the story as it seems to include a mix of ethical and philosophical deliberations probably adjusting him to his new position at Special Branch.

Charlotte Pitt is born into High Society and understands the intricacies, mannerisms and codes of behavior among the upper crust. She helps her husband gather information he would otherwise not have been privy to, and doesn’t want him to carry the burden of what he finds out on his own. Charlotte doesn’t want to look the other way faced with tough and dangerous issues and has helped her husband with investigations before. She wants to contribute to justice for whoever needs it, and makes sure her husband doesn’t get too daunted by the enormity of his job. Does Thomas Pitt have the perfect wife or what? I find her totally admirable.

Emily Radley, Charlotte’s younger; sister takes part in the investigation when information from Society is needed. Together they sift through all the gossip for snippets of information that may be useful to the investigation and passes it on to Pitt. They go to parties and social gatherings where they conduct verbal fencing worthy any politician.

With every book I read by Anne Perry, I enjoy new aspects of her writing. There are such detailed local descriptions of London at the time, which I find totally fascinating. Murder on the Serpentine gives vivid descriptions of people’s reactions and feelings as well as how they looked and dressed. We get glimpses into the way the characters lived, both the affluent and the working-class, like The Pitt family. All this makes the writing come alive in a unique way very few authors can replicate. I’m so drawn into the plot, I’m lost to this world for hours while I find out who the culprit is.

There is an unexpected learning experience about human relations and communication skills from reading Murder on the Serpentine. I would so much have enjoyed a few conversations with Commander Pitt in person, if indeed he were real. Enormous amounts of research must have gone into crafting his and the other characters for this series as they seem so multi layered and real.

There is this impressive, whole universe of reoccurring characters who make larger or smaller appearances in every book, and who are all fascinating. I really appreciate that the plot includes small background stories to complement the main plot, so new readers may catch up on what part characters have played in previous installments. Ideally, I should have read the series in order, but I first happened upon Anne Perry’s Christmas novellas. After that I seem to have jumped back and forth a bit. It is great to read them as standalones, but I have decided to go back and start with #1 in order to fully appreciate the story line running through the whole Charlotte & Thomas Pitt series.

Murder on the Serpentine is recommended for a fan of Anne Perry’s other work. -There really is plenty to choose from. Readers of crime fiction or historical crime fiction will enjoy Murder on the Serpentine too. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

My rating: 5 stars / 5

Book Details

Print Length: 289 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (March 21, 2017)
Publication Date: March 21, 2017
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01HA4LFW0

About The Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland.
To learn more about Anne Perry, visit: http://www.anneperry.co.uk/books

Book Review: Corridors of The Night by Anne Perry

Summary: Corridors of The Night

One night, in a corridor of the Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, nurse Hester Monk is approached by a terrified girl. She's from a hidden ward of children, all subject to frequent blood-letting, and her brother is dying. While William Monk's River Police fight to keep London safe from gun-runners, Hester takes on a new role at the hospital, helping to administer a secretive new treatment. But she slowly realizes that this experimental cure is putting the lives of the children at risk. Attempting to protect the young victims, she comes under threat from one rich, powerful, and very ill man who is desperate to survive...(copied from Goodreads)

Book Review: Corridors of The Night

Ex Crimean Nurse Hester Monk covers a shift for a friend when she finds a secret hospital ward where scared and very sick children are kept. While Hester tries to keep them alive, she finds out they are part of a cynical medical experiment. The three children and Hester herself soon find themselves in grave danger having been abducted to help with the experiment.

This is installment #21 in The William Monk Series. I enjoy them as stand-alone works and love the universe of characters she creates who show up like old friends. This story contains new male characters with discriminating behavior. By today’s standards Hester has to deal with appalling views on women. Discrimination against women in the work place seems to be an additional theme in the plot, which I find interesting from a historic point of view.

The descriptions annoy me even though I realize the characters have been crafted for this exact purpose. The patient Bryson Radnor, is the main example even though the chemist Hamilton Rand is also quite skilled in patronizing and condescending behavior towards Hester. Radnor has the full range of bad traits being condescending, ungrateful, manipulative and patronizing trying to undermine Hester for not being a man. In his defense I have to say he is sick and angry, not able to deal with receiving nursing help, but the way he makes the most of every moment to bully his own daughter as well as Hester makes me incredibly angry.

In this story Hester is the main character, even if there is a separate story line where Monk and his River Police are trying to keep London safe. They conduct an operation against a cargo ship smuggling weapons, which is not exactly a roaring success. This shorter part of the story seems like addition to the real story, whereas Hester stars in the main part. Monk, however, has to use his detective skills to rescue her towards the end of the plot.

Hester is faced with plenty of dilemmas connected to blood transfusion. I would imagine there were not much in the way of ethical regulations at the time even though blood transfusion had been tried on and off for hundreds of years. I find it interesting reading as we get to follow Hester’s though process when dealing with patients. She focuses mainly on keeping the children alive through this cynical experiment, when she is their only advocate.

The patient Radnor has consented and is paying for experimental treatment as this is his only hope to survive “the white blood disease”, today known as leukemia. Against Hester’s will she helps with the secret experimental treatment. As a nurse of the time she doesn’t seem to have much power or say in what she takes part in. Seems she pretty much does as she’s told even though she is the one with experience with severe blood loss, being an ex WW1 battlefield nurse.

I enjoy the cast of recurring characters, among them is Squeaky Robinson who somewhat lightens up the otherwise dark plot with his volatile temper and failed attempts to cover up his feelings. He has a good heart which he thinks nobody knows about. Having a history as a brothel owner involved in a number of shady and underhanded dealings, he has now somewhat cleaned up his act to only include the occasional forgery. I find it funny that Monk knows Squeaky sometimes colors outside the lines a bit, but closes his eyes as long as it’s nothing major. He works as a semi-reliable accountant for Hester’s health Clinique for prostitutes. In return he gets to live there for free.

The written East London Cockney dialect I sometimes find a bit hard to read, but I enjoy it a lot and feel it adds authenticity to the plot. The way Perry makes sure readers know upper class characters from lower class, I think works quite well in her stories.

Fans of Anne Perry’s numerous works will enjoy Corridors of The Night. It is also recommended for readers of historical fiction.

All opinions in this review are completely my own.

My rating 4 stars / 5

Book Details

Series: A William Monk Novel
Hardcover: 473 pages
Publisher: Thorndike Press; Large Print edition (October 7, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1410480364
ISBN-13: 978-1410480361

About The Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland. To learn more about the author, visit http://www.anneperry.co.uk/books

Book Review: A Funeral in Blue (William Monk #12) by Anne Perry

 

Summary: A Funeral in Blue (William Monk #12) by Anne Perry

When her brother arrives on her doorstep, Hester Monk is shocked - as much by the unexpectedness of the visit as by the reason for it. For since her marriage to Monk, Charles and his elegant wife, Imogen, have kept their distance. But now Charles needs Hester's help. He believes Imogen is having an affair - there can be no other explanation for her recent strange behaviour. However, before Hester is able to investigate, a tragedy occurs. In a nearby artist's studio two women have been brutally killed. Having left the police force with extreme ill feeling between himself and his superior, the last thing Monk wants to do is face the demons of his past. But, in the course of his work, Monk is left with no choice but to visit his old adversary, Runcorn, and involve himself with the sensational murder case.

Book Review: A Funeral in Blue (William Monk #12) by Anne Perry

When two women are found brutally murdered in an artist’s apartment, private detective William Monk and his wife Hester team up with well connected and wealthy Lady Callandra Daviot to find out what happened to them. It seems very hard to know who the intended victim was and who just was at the wrong place at the wrong time. One is an artist’s model and the other doctor’s wife Elissa Beck. Elissa Beck’s husband is very soon charged with the murder of the two women. He is Hester Monk’s colleague and friend. She believes him innocent, so she desperately wants to help clear his name. As Hester and William investigate, secrets start to unravel relating to the victims’ pasts. As the Becks used to passionately battle for reform in the Austrian Revolution of 1848, it becomes vital for William to travel to Vienna to gather additional information about the Beck’s role in the Vienna Uprising.

Main Characters

Hester Monk is an ex Crimean War nurse who now volunteers at a hospital. She is married to William Monk who investigates cases privately as he has resigned from the police force under a bit of a cloud. They enjoy a close and happy marriage and are able to read each other very precisely, which is both a blessing and a curse while investigating this case. Hester is friends with both hospital surgeon dr Beck and member of the hospital board Lady Callandra Daviot. William feels he has to tread very carefully to protect his wife’s feelings when he discovers potentially hurtful facts. I enjoy the considerations of both William and Hester when they try to keep each other safe from emotional hurt throughout the investigation.

Lady Callandra Daviot is a wealthy widow and a member of the hospital board. She tries to keep a secret that she loves surgeon Kristian Beck. She officially takes an interest in the doctor’s case and gets Head of the Board to approve her as the doctor’s employer. In reality, she tries to do everything she can to help him without being judged by society.

Elements I Enjoyed

I so much enjoy the emotional care the Monk’s take when they investigate; both towards each other as well as towards other persons involved. They seem to experience a lot of fear as the investigation progresses and are constantly considering who to tell what and when. This makes me exited to know what happens next.  I get to know the relationship between the characters while the plot develops and I feel invested in them. Descriptions of the characters being wet and cold while moving around London in the rain and fog add to the gloomy feel of the story. As does descriptions of dark and unheated rooms. It is expertly balanced out with tea breaks in cozy withdrawing rooms in front of fires, or the eating of hot stews in a warm kitchen. I like that Anne Perry creates a universe with a vast number of characters who make appearances in different stories. It’s like brief visits from old friends.

The historical events description sets the plot at approximately 1860. The story develops gradually through the first half. In the second half the plot seems to bounce around a little bit. New information comes to light and a major twist adds up to a quite surprising conclusion. I find there is a lot to enjoy in this work. Fans of Anne Perry would love this novel, and I think readers of crime fiction would too.

My rating: 4 stars / 5

(All opinions are my own)

About The Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland (copied from Amazon)
To learn more about the author, visit http://www.anneperry.co.uk/

Book Review: A Christmas Escape (Christmas Stories #13) by Anne Perry

Summary: A Christmas Escape (Christmas Stories #13) by Anne Perry

December, 1866. Charles Latterly, Hester Monk's brother, travels to Italy to spend Christmas on the volcanic island of Stromboli. In his secluded mountain hotel a curious group of people has gathered, and Charles senses a brittle strain between some of his fellow guests as they visit the crater of the island's famous rumbling volcano.

While the guests prepare for Christmas, the volcano threatens to erupt, and they realize they must leave at once. As they plan their escape, with Charles thrust reluctantly into leading the group to shelter, one in their group is found dead. But if this is murder, there is a killer in their midst, and Charles must navigate a path to safety...

A Christmas Escape is the intriguing and dramatic new festive tale from the pen of Anne Perry, the master of Victorian crime.

Book Review: A Christmas Escape (Christmas Stories #13) by Anne Perry

As a recent widower, Charles Latterly decides to take a vacation to Italy where he plans to spend 3 relaxing weeks walking and thinking. This is not exactly what happens. He is staying in a hotel at the volcanic island of Stromboli, where a group of other British people is also gathered. The innkeeper, Stefano, assures them all that the volcano will not erupt. He says it merely rumbles and sputters a bit from time to time. He is totally proved wrong.

Charles becomes friendly with the lively 14 year old girl, Candace Finbar. She stays at the hotel with her slightly old and ailing uncle, Roger Finbar. They just seem to “be there” without any explanation or view into their thoughts before taking the trip. Why Stromboli? Why this particular inn? This is also lacking for all the different guests, save for Charles himself. What seems strange is that Roger persuades Charles, a perfect stranger he has just met, to take care of Candace if something should happen to him. It’s like he expects to be dying soon and seems quite desperate to find someone to care for her. As he seems such a nice and caring man, it seems strange that he would put his nice in a vulnerable circumstance? The story doesn’t seem consider that she might not be safe.

Wealthy Isla Bailey is there with her husband Walker-Bailey. Theirs is a difficult marriage. He is unkind, insensitive and cruel to her. She is frustrated and angry about his heavy handedness, but finds some support in Colonel Bretherton, who admires her. That just makes Walker-Bailey even more angry and cruel. He is generally negative to the other guests who dislike him and spends his time walking in the area on his own.

Percival Quinn is a writer with some success. He has written a bestseller but suffers writer’s block as he is trying to write book number two. Walker-Bailey seems to be intensely jealous of him and Quinn doesn’t like Walker-Bailey much either.

Main character, Charles Latterly, takes on a bit of an observer role in this story. After the volcano has erupted and a body is found, he takes charge of leading the group to safety a few hours walk down to the coast.

The famous, rumbling volcano seems to be a character in itself contributing to the sense of danger. It represents the backdrop which drives the plot, and maybe it also adds a distraction to avoid finding out what really happens. They are too focused on staying safe to consider what happened to the victim. The story seems to be focusing on the main characters. The supporting characters of the group seem less developed.

I felt there was little explanation as to what had happened to the victim, just some brief facts.

The person suspected of the murder was sprung out on me towards the end of the story. I had not noticed a buildup of clues along the way, so it surprised me. I suspected some fishiness about the murderer, but had not foreseen exactly how it all panned out. I had not picked up on this person having a motive. It was explained briefly towards the end but the whole thing felt a bit unfulfilled. There were very little of the Christmas theme in this story, only a few lines at the end.  I have read quite a few of Anne Perry’s Christmas novels before, and she usually manages to create Victorian Christmas cheer mixed up with the crime element. Not so much this time. I realize it would be difficult to add a Christmas vibe to this plot, but I can’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

Overall the story felt a tad rushed, but I realize there are only 150 pages to do elaborations. I’m sure there would have been strict priorities as to what to emphasize and what to leave out.. Fans of Anne Perry’s work would find this an ok read.

My rating 3 stars /5

(all opinions are my own)

About The Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland.
To learn more about the author, visit www.anneperry.co.uk

Crime Fiction #Book Review: A #Christmas Hope (Christmas Stories #11) by Anne Perry

Summary: A Christmas Hope (Christmas Stories #11) by Anne Perry

Although she lacks for nothing, Claudine Burroughs dreads the holiday season for forcing her to face how empty her life has become. She no longer expects closeness with her coldly ambitious husband, and she has nothing in common with their circle of wealthy, status-minded friends. The only time she is remotely happy is when she volunteers at a woman’s clinic—a job her husband strongly disapproves of. Then, at a glittering yuletide gala, she meets the charming poet Dai Tregarron and finds her spirits lifted. But scarcely an hour later, the charismatic Dai is enmeshed in a nightmare—accused of killing a young streetwalker who had been smuggled into the party.
  
Even though she suspects that an upper-class clique is quickly closing ranks to protect the real killer, Claudine vows to do her utmost for Dai. But it seems that hypocritical London society would rather send an innocent poet to the gallows than expose the shocking truth about one of their own.

Nevertheless, it’s the season of miracles and Claudine finally sees a glimmer of hope—not only for Dai but for a young woman she befriends who is teetering on the brink of a lifetime of unhappiness. Anne Perry’s heartwarming new holiday novel is a celebration of courage, faith, and love for all seasons.

My thoughts about this book

The Setting of the story

This story is set in Victorian London, even though the year is not specified in this one. It is about Claudine Burroughs, a wealthy woman volunteering in Hester Monk’s charity run Clinique for sick or injured prostitutes. As she has no children of her own, she is trying to find something meaningful to do with her time. She lives in a desperately unhappy marriage, so the work becomes a means to get away from her husband who tries to make her stop volunteering.

 Claudine and her husband take part in a ball as usual, only this time there is a serious incident taking place in the garden of the manor house. 4 drunken men and a prostitute are involved. She has been attacked, is unconscious and bleeding badly. Claudine sets out to help her and to discover what really happened. The prostitute suffered a serious blow to parts of her head and face, but there are no witnesses as to who actually struck her. When Claudine arrives to help, poet Dai Tregarron is bending over her trying to revive her, and is subsequently blamed for the sinister deed. However, he denies having attacked her. Claudine believes him and tries to carve out information about what really happened. Who did actually strike the victim Winnie Briggs?

The endless work Claudine has done for years keeping in contact with members of society has resulted in her having a substantial social capital which becomes crucial as this story progresses. She uses her connections for all they are worth to carve out information. Backdrop to the story is the extensive Christmas celebrations, and the fun and games which are on everyone’s mind. All members of society feel it important that nothing gets in the way of all the partying planned for the Christmas season.

The Characters

Claudine has a difficult, unhappy, arranged marriage to her husband. The volunteer work at Hester Monk’s Clinique for sick and injured prostitutes gives her a sense of accomplishment and positive input she certainly does not get at home, or when going to charity committees like her husband wants her to.

Husband Wallace doesn’t love his wife. He is consumed with the craving for more and more wealth, power and standing in society and treats his wife as a tool to help him achieve this. He tries to prevent Claudine from doing charity work, having relationships with people he doesn’t know and generally having a life and a mind of her own. I really found him an appalling person. I could notice no positive traits whatsoever, save for the fact that he did not drink or gamble. Maybe Perry made him a bit one-dimensional, but he was probably perfect for the husband role in this story.

Overall 

I have read quite a few of Anne Perry’s Christmas stories and find them enjoyable and interesting each in their own unique way. This one I felt kept quite a bit of focus on the importance of nothing interfering with the fun and games of Christmas celebrations. Not even a murder. Society are trying their best to cover up the attack on the prostitute as she is not wealthy, important or connected and therefore in their heads it would be best to forget about her and let fun and games of the Christmas season have priority. It all becomes a curious and shallow mix of Christmas cheer and murder investigation. Short as it is, only 154 pages, this story manages to unsettle me. I feel sad and angry about the total disregard for the victim, but pleased to see that there seems to become a sense of urgency to do the right thing and tell the truth towards the end.

I enjoyed reference to the quite new custom emerging which was the sending of Christmas cards. This would probably set this story around 1843 when the first Christmas card was sent. A Christmas Hope - Christmas Story #11 is recommended for fans of Anne Perry’s previous extensive number of works and for readers of crime fiction in general.

My rating: 4 stars / 5

(All opinions are my own)

About The Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland.
To learn more about the author, visit www.anneperry.co.uk

Summary: A Christmas Gathering (Christmas Stories #17) by Anne Perry

A cold case adds an extra chill to the holiday season as bestselling author Anne Perry whisks readers to an elegant home in the English countryside for a Christmas of secrets, soul-searching, and forgiveness.

As beautiful as it may be, their friends’ country house is not where Lady Vespasia wishes to spend Christmas with her new husband, Victor Narraway. She’d have preferred a relaxing holiday at home with him—especially as Victor, former head of the London Special Branch, seems to be hiding undercover dealings with the other guests who have gathered at the spacious estate.

As tensions grow, the young and beautiful Iris Watson-Watt becomes the center of several men’s focus. Unbeknownst to Vespasia, Iris carries a sensitive package that she must pass to Victor in the hope of unmasking a British traitor. While Victor plots his moves, he is reminded of a similar case from twenty years before, when a young Frenchwoman also carried a clandestine message—one that resulted in her murder, unsolved to this day. Victor has always been tormented by his failure to protect her, and now, with all eyes on Iris, Victor must act fast before history repeats itself.

With the joy of Christmas at risk of being forgotten and Vespasia feeling alone with a distracted husband, Victor must ultimately learn to forgive himself in order to save both his country and the spirit of the holiday.

Book Review: A Christmas Gathering (Christmas Stories #17) by Anne Perry

A quick and easy read which is perfect when you want to take a break from your Christmas preparations.

Lady Vespasia and Victor Narraway are invited to spend Christmas at a beautiful country estate in Kent. What seems on the outside to be a pleasant holiday with Vespasia’s society acquaintances ends up being a rather less pleasant affair. There is a secret backdrop to the house party which pans out in a in a rather sinister and dangerous way with Victor and Vespasia in the centre of the whole ordeal.

Main characters Lady Vespasia’s and Victor Narraway’s relationship is vividly described, taking ample time to describe the fact that they are newlyweds. I feel Vespasia’s experience helping with solving previous murder cases shines through in the confident way she deals with events throughout the story.

When choosing to read Anne Perry’s work, I am not expecting the plot to be simple, sweet and uncomplicated. On the contrary, I expect twists and turns throughout, and that is exactly what I got in this story. Must say I would have enjoyed a little bit more Christmas feel, especially in the beginning, but no major issue. It is after all a crime story, which has the murder in the center of it.

A Christmas Gathering is highly recommend for readers of Anne Perry’s other works and for fans of historical crime fiction in general.

My rating: 4,5 stars /5

(All opinions in this review are my own)

About The Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland. (From Amazon)
To learn more about the author, visit www.anneperry.co.uk