What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #25
Buckingham Palace Gardens
The Prince of Wales has asked four wealthy entrepreneurs and their wives to the palace to discuss a fantastic idea: the construction of a six-thousand-mile railroad that would stretch the full length of Africa. But, alas, the prince’s gathering proves disastrous when the mutilated body of a prostitute hired for a late-night frolic (after the wives have retired to bed) turns up among the queen’s monogrammed sheets in a palace linen closet.
With great haste, Thomas Pitt, brilliant mainstay of Special Services, is summoned to resolve the crisis. The Pitts’ cockney maid, Gracie, is also recruited–to pose as a palace servant and listen in on the guests’ conversations, scan their bedrooms, and scrutinize their troubled faces for clues to hidden rivalries and attachments that could have lead to murder. If Pitt and Gracie fail to find out who brutally murdered the young woman–as seems increasingly likely–Pitt’s career will be over, and the scandal may just cause the monarchy to fall.
With great haste, Thomas Pitt, brilliant mainstay of Special Services, is summoned to resolve the crisis. The Pitts’ cockney maid, Gracie, is also recruited–to pose as a palace servant and listen in on the guests’ conversations, scan their bedrooms, and scrutinize their troubled faces for clues to hidden rivalries and attachments that could have lead to murder. If Pitt and Gracie fail to find out who brutally murdered the young woman–as seems increasingly likely–Pitt’s career will be over, and the scandal may just cause the monarchy to fall.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2008
295 people are currently reading
1502 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
364 books3,382 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
May 3, 2020
I used to read every Charlotte & Thomas Pitt mystery as soon as it came out. It started when the Borders I worked at got an ARC of Half Moon Street. I immediately bought The Cater Street Hangman and never looked back. And then . . . I dunno, I stopped? At this one? And it's been on my to-read list for YEARS. TWELVE YEARS. Why . . . how did I get so far behind? Realizing that this was available as an audiobook digitally (during this time of pandemic and library closure) I thought, if not now, when?
And I loved it. And I am cursing myself that I put it off so long! The mystery was great, of course, though sadly Charlotte is barely involved. But that's because it takes place IN Buckingham Palace! And Gracie goes undercover! So good! I immediately downloaded the next available audiobook!
And I loved it. And I am cursing myself that I put it off so long! The mystery was great, of course, though sadly Charlotte is barely involved. But that's because it takes place IN Buckingham Palace! And Gracie goes undercover! So good! I immediately downloaded the next available audiobook!
February 12, 2022
A prostitute is murdered in Buckingham palace. Too boring and slow for my tastes. DNF
November 28, 2019
I am a sucker for books on Victorian London and royal residences be they fact or fiction so this was a must for me. While I thoroughly enjoyed the ambience and the characterisation of the Prince of Wales in particular, the storyline was sometimes a little weak and laboured and the ending was certainly a little insipid. However, overall the good points outweighed the bad and 'Buckingham Palace Gardens' turned out to be an enjoyable read.
It all begins with Queen Victoria absent at Balmoral so the Prince of Wales has some friends at the Palace to discuss the possibility of building a Cape to Cairo railway in Africa. In addition to the business discussions there is some pleasure planned and, once the ladies have gone off to bed, three prostitutes are introduced for a little light entertainment! Unfortunately one of them ends up dead in the linen cupboard and she is wrapped in some of Queen Victoria's own bed sheets.
Immediately the Prince calls in the Special Branch of Scotland Yard in the form of Inspector Thomas Pitt and his superior, Narraway. Most of the investigation, particularly within the Palace confines, is left to Pitt, who often has the assistance of his wife Charlotte in his cases but she does not appear in this episode. Instead Pitt is accompanied by one of their domestics, Gracie, who is inveigled into the domestic staff within the Palace so that she can glean anything that is said about the death and which might help the investigation.
She does this splendidly, practically without arousing any suspicions, so her reporting to Pitt leads him onto different threads to try and uncover the murderer. The most domineering of the visitors is one Cahoon Dunkeld and he leads Pitt a merry dance for his only itinerary is to get the Special Branch out of the way at the earliest possible moment so that negotiations for the railway can continue.
But Pitt is not easily put off and, rather like a dog with a bone, he probes deeper and deeper. And then when a second murder is committed the plot thickens for he is initially struggling to find any connection between the two incidents. Narraway sometimes intervenes and tries to undermine Pitt's ability to discover the truth but, doggedly, Pitt continues his investigations unabated.
And, after much good work on his and Gracie's part, the truth eventually comes out and the perpetrator of the crime is unmasked ... and all in good time before the Queen returns to her dwelling.
It all begins with Queen Victoria absent at Balmoral so the Prince of Wales has some friends at the Palace to discuss the possibility of building a Cape to Cairo railway in Africa. In addition to the business discussions there is some pleasure planned and, once the ladies have gone off to bed, three prostitutes are introduced for a little light entertainment! Unfortunately one of them ends up dead in the linen cupboard and she is wrapped in some of Queen Victoria's own bed sheets.
Immediately the Prince calls in the Special Branch of Scotland Yard in the form of Inspector Thomas Pitt and his superior, Narraway. Most of the investigation, particularly within the Palace confines, is left to Pitt, who often has the assistance of his wife Charlotte in his cases but she does not appear in this episode. Instead Pitt is accompanied by one of their domestics, Gracie, who is inveigled into the domestic staff within the Palace so that she can glean anything that is said about the death and which might help the investigation.
She does this splendidly, practically without arousing any suspicions, so her reporting to Pitt leads him onto different threads to try and uncover the murderer. The most domineering of the visitors is one Cahoon Dunkeld and he leads Pitt a merry dance for his only itinerary is to get the Special Branch out of the way at the earliest possible moment so that negotiations for the railway can continue.
But Pitt is not easily put off and, rather like a dog with a bone, he probes deeper and deeper. And then when a second murder is committed the plot thickens for he is initially struggling to find any connection between the two incidents. Narraway sometimes intervenes and tries to undermine Pitt's ability to discover the truth but, doggedly, Pitt continues his investigations unabated.
And, after much good work on his and Gracie's part, the truth eventually comes out and the perpetrator of the crime is unmasked ... and all in good time before the Queen returns to her dwelling.
July 30, 2012
I am a huge Anne Perry fan, so it pains me to give one of her books only one star, but this particular outing was stuffed full of irrelevant detail that had nothing to do with the murder, and made it hard slogging to get through the book.
The premise was excellent - a murdered prostitute turning up in a linen closet at Buckingham Palace after the Prince of Wales and several of his houseguests partook of "services" from the murdered women and a couple of her compatriots.
Naturally Inspector Pitt is summoned, this clearly being a special branch situation.
If Perry had stuck to relating it to the investigation of the murder I wouldn't have minded the large sections about the politics of the Prince and the men (who were guests at the Palace with their wives) trying to build a railway in Africa. However, she also put in lengthy sections about the dysfunctional marriages of all the men, all of whom were suspects in the murder.
By halfway through, this book felt more like an episode of the Dr. Phil show, than an Anne Perry murder mystery. I was disappointed in this outing by Inspector Pitt. Hoping Perry gets back to focusing on the murder next time and leaves out the self-help stuff!
The premise was excellent - a murdered prostitute turning up in a linen closet at Buckingham Palace after the Prince of Wales and several of his houseguests partook of "services" from the murdered women and a couple of her compatriots.
Naturally Inspector Pitt is summoned, this clearly being a special branch situation.
If Perry had stuck to relating it to the investigation of the murder I wouldn't have minded the large sections about the politics of the Prince and the men (who were guests at the Palace with their wives) trying to build a railway in Africa. However, she also put in lengthy sections about the dysfunctional marriages of all the men, all of whom were suspects in the murder.
By halfway through, this book felt more like an episode of the Dr. Phil show, than an Anne Perry murder mystery. I was disappointed in this outing by Inspector Pitt. Hoping Perry gets back to focusing on the murder next time and leaves out the self-help stuff!
February 9, 2009
I have long enjoyed the Victorian era series featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. They are an appealing couple and Perry's mastery of the period is impeccable. She has a feel for the nuances of social conventions of the period that is without peer in my reading experience. I can't say that I've ever read one of her books, either in this or the Monk series, that did not entertain me, and this is actually one of her better efforts, I think.
Over the years, Perry has taken us throughout the mean streets of 19th century London. We've seen the lowest of the low as well as the poshest life styles that the period had to offer. This time she takes us where she never has before - inside Buckingham Palace itself.
A fearful murder has taken place there and Special Services chief Narraway is called in to clean up the mess - discretely. His top man is Thomas Pitt and so he is the obvious one to do the investigation inside the Palace.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria is not in residence at the moment but will return in a few days and the murder must be solved - and hushed up - before her return. The reputation of the Prince of Wales must be protected. Not an easy matter considering his licentious behavior which may have led to the murder of the "woman of the streets."
What's different about this entry is that Charlotte is not featured and so we get more of Thomas and his methods of investigation. Another difference is that his maid, Gracie, is drafted to serve at the Palace and learn what she can from the servants. Gracie is well-named - she is an ingratiating character.
In the end, as always seems to be the case in these mysteries, Thomas must pit (pun intended!) himself against the great and the powerful in order to reach his conclusions and serve the cause of justice. And just as we've come to expect of him, he does it.
This was a very satisfying read.
Over the years, Perry has taken us throughout the mean streets of 19th century London. We've seen the lowest of the low as well as the poshest life styles that the period had to offer. This time she takes us where she never has before - inside Buckingham Palace itself.
A fearful murder has taken place there and Special Services chief Narraway is called in to clean up the mess - discretely. His top man is Thomas Pitt and so he is the obvious one to do the investigation inside the Palace.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria is not in residence at the moment but will return in a few days and the murder must be solved - and hushed up - before her return. The reputation of the Prince of Wales must be protected. Not an easy matter considering his licentious behavior which may have led to the murder of the "woman of the streets."
What's different about this entry is that Charlotte is not featured and so we get more of Thomas and his methods of investigation. Another difference is that his maid, Gracie, is drafted to serve at the Palace and learn what she can from the servants. Gracie is well-named - she is an ingratiating character.
In the end, as always seems to be the case in these mysteries, Thomas must pit (pun intended!) himself against the great and the powerful in order to reach his conclusions and serve the cause of justice. And just as we've come to expect of him, he does it.
This was a very satisfying read.
February 24, 2014
I have to say that I enjoyed the historical part of this book. I know that the Prince of Wales is mentioned in many of her books but I liked reading about Princess Alexandra. I had no idea that she was hard of hearing which caused many people to think that she was stupid about what was going on around her. I read up on her after reading this book and found that she was well liked by the people, and devoted to her children. It was said that her husband liked her but he still had many mistresses and played around as was written in this book. I did get very tired of hearing the same statements and complaints coming from the characters, especially degrading Mr. Pitt's competency. Michael Page, of whom read this book on this CD, certainly made a character named Cahoon Dunkeld sound extremely obnoxious! I hated hearing him speak but it certainly added some spice to the story. I kept thinking to myself If these "special" people didn't keep so many immoral secrets they wouldn't be afraid of answering Mr. Pitt when he asked his questions but then there would be no story. The twist in the ending was not how I expected the story to end! Anne Perry can certainly keep me guessing until the end.
January 22, 2015
This book was just not brainy enough for me, I guess. It read like a soap opera. This didn't have as much to do with the actual plot, which I found pretty unbelievable, but with the way the story was told. The pace was really slow, because everyone's inner thoughts and feelings had to be described. This was done either by narrating the main character's thoughts (usually in in the format of the person posing a bunch of questions to themselves) or else by relating the facial expressions or tone of voice or body language of everyone else. The author devoted excessive space to pedestrian descriptions of furnishings and clothing, mostly using the verb "to be." ("Her shoulders were unblemished." "The wine was superb.") You could almost see the cameras pan, or zoom in for a closeup. I guess if you watch a lot of soap operas you might enjoy a book like this (and apparently many do, as Anne Perry has written whole shelves full of books), but I don't, so I didn't. The only reason I read it is that I had it on CD from the library in my car for a long drive.
April 26, 2016
3.5 stars.
Wow, Pitt has really made a powerful enemy this time! The Prince of Wales no less! I wonder what the future brings for him and Special Branch?
Wow, Pitt has really made a powerful enemy this time! The Prince of Wales no less! I wonder what the future brings for him and Special Branch?
September 25, 2018
Per chi come me la legge da sempre, Anne Perry e le sue serie sono una garanzia. L'atmosfera vittoriana, lo studio analitico delle relazioni personali, i rapporti e le gerarchie sociali, tutto ormai ha contribuito a costruire un mondo ben preciso che il lettore affezionato riconosce all'istante e in cui si immerge piacevolmente.
January 12, 2019
Book #25 in the series-as always with this series it seems to drag a bit until about 1/2 way through and then it is difficult to put down until you know how it ends. This book had quite a bit more of Gracie, but I've missed having Charlotte's sister and mom as part of the story. Just a glimpse of Aunt Vespasia in this one and barely any Charlotte. Moving on to #26
"The Prince of Wales has asked four wealthy entrepreneurs and their wives to Buckingham Palace to discuss a fantastic idea: the construction of a six-thousand-mile railroad that would stretch the full length of Africa. But the prince’s gathering proves disastrous when the mutilated body of a prostitute turns up in a linen closet among the queen’s monogrammed sheets. With great haste, Thomas Pitt, the brilliant mainstay of Special Services, is summoned to resolve the crisis. The Pitts’ cockney maid, Gracie, is also recruited to pose as a palace servant and listen in on the guests’ conversations. If Pitt and Gracie fail to find out who brutally murdered the young woman, Pitt’s career will be over, and the scandal may just cause the monarchy to fall."
"The Prince of Wales has asked four wealthy entrepreneurs and their wives to Buckingham Palace to discuss a fantastic idea: the construction of a six-thousand-mile railroad that would stretch the full length of Africa. But the prince’s gathering proves disastrous when the mutilated body of a prostitute turns up in a linen closet among the queen’s monogrammed sheets. With great haste, Thomas Pitt, the brilliant mainstay of Special Services, is summoned to resolve the crisis. The Pitts’ cockney maid, Gracie, is also recruited to pose as a palace servant and listen in on the guests’ conversations. If Pitt and Gracie fail to find out who brutally murdered the young woman, Pitt’s career will be over, and the scandal may just cause the monarchy to fall."
November 27, 2024
The spotlight turns on Gracie, as she takes a job as a maid at Buckingham Palace, where Pitt is trying to solve the murder of a prostitute at a party for the Prince of Wales. And he'd better hurry before the Queen returns home!
The Prince is not too happy with Pitt by the end of this, but Pitt does get his man and saves the day. And I have always read a lot about the royal family, and it was nice to see Alexandra, the Princess of Wales, get to be an important player here.
The Prince is not too happy with Pitt by the end of this, but Pitt does get his man and saves the day. And I have always read a lot about the royal family, and it was nice to see Alexandra, the Princess of Wales, get to be an important player here.
March 12, 2025
9/10
Even though Thomas Pitt is now working for Special Branch and is no longer a regular police detective, he is thrust back into the world of solving a murder. What makes it so tricky is 1) the body is found in Buckingham Palace and 2) there are a very limited number of suspects (kind of like a locked-room crime). The Pitt household maid Gracie plays a large role in the story as she works undercover for Special Branch in the palace. Convoluted in the extreme, but very absorbing.
Even though Thomas Pitt is now working for Special Branch and is no longer a regular police detective, he is thrust back into the world of solving a murder. What makes it so tricky is 1) the body is found in Buckingham Palace and 2) there are a very limited number of suspects (kind of like a locked-room crime). The Pitt household maid Gracie plays a large role in the story as she works undercover for Special Branch in the palace. Convoluted in the extreme, but very absorbing.
May 31, 2015
De lo mejorcito que ha escrito Anne Perry, te lo lees de un tirón de lo interesante que es.
November 28, 2019
What saved this book for me was Gracie's undercover work for Pitt and Narroway as a Buckingham Palace servant. Yey for Gracie! I am still giggling over another reviewer's astute comment concerning the inordinate amount of writing on the dysfunctional marriage relationships between the three other suspects feeling more like an episode of The Dr. Phil Show. I wholeheartedly agree.
March 3, 2020
I love Anne Perry's books - the story lines "read" as simple but they are actually pretty complex...I'm never sure what's happened before it's revealed - which I can't say with too many books I read.
May 27, 2021
Thomas Pitt continues to delight in this long standing series. While his wife, Charlotte, was absent from this book, their maid, Gracie, had a prominent role in solving the mystery. Most of the action takes place at the palace with glimpses into the inner workings of the British monarchy.
September 19, 2023
2.75/5. Very slowing moving at times and ridiculously far fetched.
May 20, 2022
A good mystery with social consciousness thrown in. I hadn’t read an Inspector Pitt story in a long time. This one was very good, murder and political intrigue. One villain was easy to figure out, the other one was a surprise. A fun read.
August 21, 2018
What a pleasure I've had reading this book! I can assure you that this book comes with a great deal of mystery and needed curiosity. However, I gave this 4 stars because its very slow-paced. I don't cope very well with an intricately detailed story-line. Though, for some, that may be their go-to preference.
Characters
Pitt: DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED! The way Anne describes his actions and every move is superior to any investigator I've ever read about. Although, to be fair, I didn't read that many mystery novels yet... Pitt gives you sense of aching towards him, and its the good kind, *wink wink. It sad I haven't read much about his wife, Charlotte, since she wasn't in any scene except for one.
Narraway: He was described as a very masculine, bold, and brave figure. But he was also described as being severely lonely and having no one to go home to. To be honest, the way Anne described every character was with a kind of lust and fury, it was hard NOT to imagine them.
Gracie: I THINK SHE WAS MY FAVV! Honestly, the only reason I adore Gracie so much, (the maid), was because she was Irish. I love Anne for attempting to write the words the way they were pronounced, in an IRISH ACCENT. How cool is that?
Plot
I'm gonna go ahead and tell you that the murderer was a little bit expected. I wouldn't want to divulge it, but overall, the plot was a bit predictable. I think that's the reason I gave it a 4/5. A clever outcome with unnoticed evidence would have been infinitely cooler. I really hope her other books aren't as predictable as this one. Except, I still find this book to be insanely quick-witted and sharp, Because let's face it-any novel taking place in a historic event always turns out to be awesome.
Favorite quote: "If you were afraid of offending people, you would never do anything at all. Its a matter of degree"- mr. Forbes I like this quote because it can certainly apply to many aspects other than business, much rather it can apply to life in general. Us humans, are always trying to be conscious about what we do, in order to not offend anybody. This just places and unnecessary obstacle in the way. Don't see how this relates to the book, but I just really enjoy learning from the small remarks any book has to offer.
thanks for making it this far
TOOTALOOTSSS
Characters
Pitt: DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED! The way Anne describes his actions and every move is superior to any investigator I've ever read about. Although, to be fair, I didn't read that many mystery novels yet... Pitt gives you sense of aching towards him, and its the good kind, *wink wink. It sad I haven't read much about his wife, Charlotte, since she wasn't in any scene except for one.
Narraway: He was described as a very masculine, bold, and brave figure. But he was also described as being severely lonely and having no one to go home to. To be honest, the way Anne described every character was with a kind of lust and fury, it was hard NOT to imagine them.
Gracie: I THINK SHE WAS MY FAVV! Honestly, the only reason I adore Gracie so much, (the maid), was because she was Irish. I love Anne for attempting to write the words the way they were pronounced, in an IRISH ACCENT. How cool is that?
Plot
I'm gonna go ahead and tell you that the murderer was a little bit expected. I wouldn't want to divulge it, but overall, the plot was a bit predictable. I think that's the reason I gave it a 4/5. A clever outcome with unnoticed evidence would have been infinitely cooler. I really hope her other books aren't as predictable as this one. Except, I still find this book to be insanely quick-witted and sharp, Because let's face it-any novel taking place in a historic event always turns out to be awesome.
Favorite quote: "If you were afraid of offending people, you would never do anything at all. Its a matter of degree"- mr. Forbes I like this quote because it can certainly apply to many aspects other than business, much rather it can apply to life in general. Us humans, are always trying to be conscious about what we do, in order to not offend anybody. This just places and unnecessary obstacle in the way. Don't see how this relates to the book, but I just really enjoy learning from the small remarks any book has to offer.
thanks for making it this far
TOOTALOOTSSS
June 4, 2008
BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDENS (Hist Mys/Pol Proc –Thomas Pitt-England-Victorian) – Ex
Perry, Anne – 25th in series”
Ballantine Books, 2008, US Hardcover – ISBN: 978-0-345-46931-1
First Sentence: She was apparently found in the linen cupboard, poor creature,” Narraway replied, his lean face dour, his eyes so dark they seemed black in the interior shadow of the hansom cab.
Now with Special Branch, Thomas Pitt and his boss, Narraway, have been called to Buckingham Palace. The Prince of Wales is having a gathering of businessmen and their wives. Once the wives retired, the man partied with prostitutes brought in for them. In the early morning, one of the women is found naked and brutally murdered, her body in a linen closet. To help solve the crime, quickly and quietly, Pitt brings in his household maid, the cockney Grace, to become part of the staff and look for clues.
I am so glad Perry has moved away from conspiracy theories and back to a classic murder mystery. Yes, I missed that Charlotte wasn’t in this story much, but I loved that sassy little Grace, at 4’11.5”, had a chance to shine. It provided her an opportunity to emotionally grow while working for her country. Pitt is a marvelous character who, here, is torn between his regard for the monarchy, yet his having to face the weaknesses of the individuals. The wonderful Lady Vespasia makes a brief, but important appearance. Perry’s characters are so perfectly drawn and wonderfully alive, you do feel you get to know them.
The mystery, itself, is a good one. There are a lot of twists and turns along the way and her depiction of Victorian life among the classes is always fascinating. Not only has Perry not lost her touch, with this, her 25th book, she’s as good as ever and always provides and excellent read.
Perry, Anne – 25th in series”
Ballantine Books, 2008, US Hardcover – ISBN: 978-0-345-46931-1
First Sentence: She was apparently found in the linen cupboard, poor creature,” Narraway replied, his lean face dour, his eyes so dark they seemed black in the interior shadow of the hansom cab.
Now with Special Branch, Thomas Pitt and his boss, Narraway, have been called to Buckingham Palace. The Prince of Wales is having a gathering of businessmen and their wives. Once the wives retired, the man partied with prostitutes brought in for them. In the early morning, one of the women is found naked and brutally murdered, her body in a linen closet. To help solve the crime, quickly and quietly, Pitt brings in his household maid, the cockney Grace, to become part of the staff and look for clues.
I am so glad Perry has moved away from conspiracy theories and back to a classic murder mystery. Yes, I missed that Charlotte wasn’t in this story much, but I loved that sassy little Grace, at 4’11.5”, had a chance to shine. It provided her an opportunity to emotionally grow while working for her country. Pitt is a marvelous character who, here, is torn between his regard for the monarchy, yet his having to face the weaknesses of the individuals. The wonderful Lady Vespasia makes a brief, but important appearance. Perry’s characters are so perfectly drawn and wonderfully alive, you do feel you get to know them.
The mystery, itself, is a good one. There are a lot of twists and turns along the way and her depiction of Victorian life among the classes is always fascinating. Not only has Perry not lost her touch, with this, her 25th book, she’s as good as ever and always provides and excellent read.
March 4, 2019
A Queen Victoria era mystery with a leaning toward Jack the Ripper. I am adding Anne Perry to my list of mystery authors to seek and read. The style captured me and the glimpses of English society proved interesting. I mean, I kind of always knew the gentry felt themselves to be above the law, but didn't think about the local constabulary and even MI-6 being considered on the same social level as (Downton Abbey reference) Mr. Carson or Branson.
This mystery mirrors (somewhat) the logic problem of the locked room. If no one can get in how did it happen? Who is guilty? Some one is murdered in Buckingham Palace...what?!...it can only be one of these people, but why and how. Bring in Inspector Pitt and Gracie! Oh, and Narrway too; he does the outside footwork. These three main characters are filled with heart and determination.
Now the secondary characters...those who are the main suspects. Four couples are the guests of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The men are trying to propose and get funding for a rail project in Africa. Each man has his own issues and disagreeable personality traits. The women are likable and end up being almost tertiary in importance, but don't be fooled like their menfolk. These women are observant, strong, and in the end they are tops!
I enjoyed the style and character development. The way the mystery opened and clues began to unfold drew me in and kept my attention. Good investigation work here.
A nice read! I'm sharing this one with my mom.
This mystery mirrors (somewhat) the logic problem of the locked room. If no one can get in how did it happen? Who is guilty? Some one is murdered in Buckingham Palace...what?!...it can only be one of these people, but why and how. Bring in Inspector Pitt and Gracie! Oh, and Narrway too; he does the outside footwork. These three main characters are filled with heart and determination.
Now the secondary characters...those who are the main suspects. Four couples are the guests of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The men are trying to propose and get funding for a rail project in Africa. Each man has his own issues and disagreeable personality traits. The women are likable and end up being almost tertiary in importance, but don't be fooled like their menfolk. These women are observant, strong, and in the end they are tops!
I enjoyed the style and character development. The way the mystery opened and clues began to unfold drew me in and kept my attention. Good investigation work here.
A nice read! I'm sharing this one with my mom.
October 19, 2011
One of the challenges of a long-running series is how to make each book complete and independent, so that a new reader lacks nothing, without boring established readers with repetition of everything that has gone before. I was struck by Perry's craft in handling this, as Thomas Pitt, a detective on loan to Special Services, investigates a murder in Buckingham Palace. His own character and those of the returning personages are deftly and seamlessly woven into the plot.
A group of gentlemen -- organizers, engineers, accountants, diplomats -- attend a party at Buckingham Palace in the hopes of enlisting the support of the Prince of Wales for a trans-African railroad. Part of the evening's entertainment, after the wives have tactfully withdrawn for the night, includes a trio of prostitutes, one of whom is found dead, wrapped in the Queen's own sheets, in the linen cupboard. This isn't quite the "locked room" type of mystery because the African connection proves to be critical. Throughout, Perry introduces an element of compassion for her characters; I love the dignity and intelligence she bestows upon even the lowliest of them. If you haven't read her Victorian mysteries, this one is a good place to start.
A group of gentlemen -- organizers, engineers, accountants, diplomats -- attend a party at Buckingham Palace in the hopes of enlisting the support of the Prince of Wales for a trans-African railroad. Part of the evening's entertainment, after the wives have tactfully withdrawn for the night, includes a trio of prostitutes, one of whom is found dead, wrapped in the Queen's own sheets, in the linen cupboard. This isn't quite the "locked room" type of mystery because the African connection proves to be critical. Throughout, Perry introduces an element of compassion for her characters; I love the dignity and intelligence she bestows upon even the lowliest of them. If you haven't read her Victorian mysteries, this one is a good place to start.
June 18, 2009
I've done it! Completing "Buckingham Palace Gardens" has brought me to my goal of reading all the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books published to date. Thomas is called to Buckingham Palace to investigate the murder of a prostitute. Thomas has been called in because he works for Special Branch and this murder occurred after a private party held by the Prince of Wales, the future king of England. Thomas and his superior enlist the aid of Thomas's maid, Gracie to act as a new maid on the palace staff to see if she might be able to unravel some clues about this murder. She does. If you are a fan of this series you maybe disappointed by the fact that Charlotte appears very briefly in this story. I have enjoyed this series. The historical setting appeals to my interest in history. AP is great at giving you an insight into the Victorian age in Great Britain. That adds to my enjoyment of the novels. In addition I have wanted to follow the exploits of my favorite characters in the series.
October 24, 2008
I’ve read this series about Inspector Pitt and his wife Charlotte since the beginning because I’m interested in Victorian London and because they’ve always come to a spectacular end, usually with the most powerful/power hungry person guilty of the most heinous crime. The crimes usually have a sexual element and always involve the rich victimizing the poor. The stakes for Pitt are always extremely high. The writing isn’t spectacular and the plotting is often awkward, with fairly obvious clues artificially planted. But this may be my last. This time the guilty one was obvious from very early on, though I must admit the ending was up to Perry's usual standard. I spent a lot of time wishing, though, they’d had fingerprint and DNA analysis, making the detective work easier. Charlotte was missing completely from this one. Aunt Vespasia was only in one scene. The maid, Gracie, helped Pitt by disguising herself as a maid in Buckingham Palace where there had been a murder—a body in the linen closed and blood on the Queen’s monogrammed sheets while Her Majesty is out of town.
July 27, 2011
This book was worth reading, and certainly drives the overall story of Thomas Pitt, as well as Gracie, his maid. There was barely anything of Thomas' wife Charlotte, which is a pity, because I like the balance between Thomas' contributions and Charlotte's. I was somewhat taken aback at the idea that Gracie's manner of speech would fit in as an (undercover) Buckingham Palace servant, and was more so that the other maids spoke the same way--but what do I know?
However....how many more high-up enemies can Thomas MAKE? I'm getting a little tired of his life getting more doom-and-gloomy with every new book in the series...next thing you know he'll be getting sent off on a convict ship to Australia or something and then where will we be (in Australia, I guess)? Can we get a breather...even if he's still Special Branch with all its skulduggery and deep doings, can we step back and have a book that does not mean the workings entire British Empore depends upon Thomas solving some crime, and even when he does solve it, he's hated and doomed anyway? Sigh.
However....how many more high-up enemies can Thomas MAKE? I'm getting a little tired of his life getting more doom-and-gloomy with every new book in the series...next thing you know he'll be getting sent off on a convict ship to Australia or something and then where will we be (in Australia, I guess)? Can we get a breather...even if he's still Special Branch with all its skulduggery and deep doings, can we step back and have a book that does not mean the workings entire British Empore depends upon Thomas solving some crime, and even when he does solve it, he's hated and doomed anyway? Sigh.
July 15, 2019
Wow, another 4 star. I thought I owned all the books, but gasp, I got to my shelf and did not have it. I immediately rushed to see if my local library had it, and yes, but it didn't open until one!! Drove to the library as soon as it opened, and read all day! This book actually took place in Buckingham palace, with the Prince of Wales misbehaving while his mother was at Balmoral. Gracie becomes a servant at the palace to help Pitt, so we don't see much of Charlotte or Tellman, but Narraway plays a big roll. I figured out 2 plot points, but still a terrific ending. I did have to stop and look up some of the history, was a Cape Town to Cairo railway ever built? The history of imperialism in Africa plays a big roll in this story. Also, I was at Buckingham palace last year, and happened to be there on a day the whole royal family came out on the balcony. It was very exciting and standing there with thousands of people just as excited. Now
On to another Christmas story.
On to another Christmas story.
April 22, 2015
WOW! Leave it to Anne Perry to dream up a murder in Buckingham Palace. One that has to be investigated and solved but kept quiet so as not to embarrass the Queen, who is not home at the time, or the Crown Prince. There are so many twists in this story it will keep you guessing for a good long time but you do narrow in on the suspects and then the final twist that throws you for a real loop.
Thomas Pitt solves this mystery with the help of his own household maid, Gracie. She is smart and unwavering in her job even though there are members of the Palace staff who resent her and try to make her life miserable. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Victorian mysteries as the settings are clear and totally imaginable and the characters well written and likeable.......at least the good ones!
Thomas Pitt solves this mystery with the help of his own household maid, Gracie. She is smart and unwavering in her job even though there are members of the Palace staff who resent her and try to make her life miserable. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Victorian mysteries as the settings are clear and totally imaginable and the characters well written and likeable.......at least the good ones!
October 4, 2015
To be fair, this is the first book I've read by this author, Anne Perry. I don't very often read a book out of my comfort zone, but this book was definitely out of my comfort zone.
I wasn't surprised by much in this mystery. It just surprised me that it took the police so long to figure it out. I didn't enjoy the book at all. I thought it drug on and on for way to long. I know many like the descriptive writing in their novels, but I just enjoy the storyline, and would liked the story so much better if a lot of the filler were deleted from the story. But I am not a writer so what do I know? I am just a reader with an opinion. Like I said this is the first book I've ever read by this author.
This book is a part of my personal library, I picked it up one day while meandering around at Barnes and Nobles.
I wasn't surprised by much in this mystery. It just surprised me that it took the police so long to figure it out. I didn't enjoy the book at all. I thought it drug on and on for way to long. I know many like the descriptive writing in their novels, but I just enjoy the storyline, and would liked the story so much better if a lot of the filler were deleted from the story. But I am not a writer so what do I know? I am just a reader with an opinion. Like I said this is the first book I've ever read by this author.
This book is a part of my personal library, I picked it up one day while meandering around at Barnes and Nobles.
February 28, 2010
Mystery is never my first choice of genre, but if you are going to read a mystery, Anne Perry is the author to read. I began listening to this one reluctantly (because I had no other audio books for treadmill time), but became totally engrossed in the plot. Perry creates excellent characters and deals with personal relationships and feelings, not just action and blood.
I listened to this book at the same time I was reading another mystery and it became intensely clear that Perry was a far superior author. She kept the pace of the story going without focusing on the more disturbing details of the murder. I also appreciate Perry's attention to period detail and the history of the time in which she sets her mysteries.
I listened to this book at the same time I was reading another mystery and it became intensely clear that Perry was a far superior author. She kept the pace of the story going without focusing on the more disturbing details of the murder. I also appreciate Perry's attention to period detail and the history of the time in which she sets her mysteries.
December 16, 2012
Another fascinating story from this master of Victorian mysteries that again showcased the skill of Inspector Thomas Pitt. The delicacy and protocol of the environment - Buckingham palace and the Prince of Wales - adds a powerful dimension to this rather complex story.
Pitt is up against the bombastic and dastardly Dunkeld and with some excellent help from his housekeeper/assistant, Gracie Phipps, they unravel the terrible crime they are confronted with.
an excellent read and some interesting insights to the lives of the aristocrats of the period.
Pitt is up against the bombastic and dastardly Dunkeld and with some excellent help from his housekeeper/assistant, Gracie Phipps, they unravel the terrible crime they are confronted with.
an excellent read and some interesting insights to the lives of the aristocrats of the period.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews