What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #1
O Estrangulador de Cater Street
Enquanto as irmãs Ellison - Charlotte, Sarah e Emily - visitam amigos e tomam chá nos melhores salões londrinos, uma das suas criadas é brutalmente assassinada. Para Thomas Pitt, o jovem e pacato inspector destacado para o caso, ninguém está acima de suspeita. A sua investigação na requintada casa da família Ellison vai provocar reacções extremas: para uns, será de absoluto pânico; para outros, de deselegante curiosidade; para a jovem Charlotte será algo mais íntimo e empolgante. Algo capaz de levar Thomas a perder momentaneamente o seu instinto detetivesco e a andar com a cabeça nas nuvens. Mas sobre o casal pairam sombras impossíveis de ignorar: Charlotte é uma menina da sociedade e Thomas pertence à classe trabalhadora... e o assassino que atormenta as ruas da cidade continua à solta, implacável.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
2230 people are currently reading
10717 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
360 books3,375 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 1,828 reviews
September 22, 2024
The Beginning!
This is the first book that I have read by Anne Perry and I fell in love with her writing.
I must say, she does seem to be sympathetic to the murderer, but that could be because of her own childhood.
I give the book five stars. I give the author zero.
Five stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
This is the first book that I have read by Anne Perry and I fell in love with her writing.
I must say, she does seem to be sympathetic to the murderer, but that could be because of her own childhood.
I give the book five stars. I give the author zero.
Five stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
June 22, 2018
In July 2003 I first came across Anne Perry’s “Charlotte and Thomas Pitt” series. I read 17 of them, including this one. However, I read them all out of order – and many of them were not available at all at my Library so it was a bit of a scrambled mess. One thing I do remember: I loved reading this series.
When I decided to fill in the gaps, I noticed that I had not read #2 through and including #5. So as soon as I had an available series spot, I decided to rectify this. Then I decided to read the very first one over again so there would be a bit more cohesion. I am very glad I did!
This series takes place in the Victorian era in England and Anne Perry did her research. So many of the “rules for women in polite society” would probably come as a gigantic surprise to many younger women today. It is even possible they might read this and decide it was all made-up nonsense, but I hope they read my review first! I can assure them that this was indeed the way women were required to behave, and we have come a very long way in a relatively short time (historically speaking).
Then there is Charlotte. The middle daughter, she is independent in her thinking and frequently gets into trouble with her family for her forthrightness. At the same time, her mother (especially) admires this daughter who doesn’t bother to hide her emotions and speaks her mind – possibly because that is what she would prefer to do herself.
We meet the rest of Charlotte’s family in this novel as well. There are several murders that take place and the frequency, combined with everyone knowing the victims, terrorizes the entire neighbourhood as they all take place on Cater Street. Inspector Thomas Pitt meets the family – and Charlotte – when one of their young maids becomes a victim.
Anne Perry is a terrific storyteller and guess what? I love reading terrific stories! If you are looking for a series that will keep you entertained and absorbed into a different time and place, I can highly recommend this series as it will definitely satisfy.
When I decided to fill in the gaps, I noticed that I had not read #2 through and including #5. So as soon as I had an available series spot, I decided to rectify this. Then I decided to read the very first one over again so there would be a bit more cohesion. I am very glad I did!
This series takes place in the Victorian era in England and Anne Perry did her research. So many of the “rules for women in polite society” would probably come as a gigantic surprise to many younger women today. It is even possible they might read this and decide it was all made-up nonsense, but I hope they read my review first! I can assure them that this was indeed the way women were required to behave, and we have come a very long way in a relatively short time (historically speaking).
Then there is Charlotte. The middle daughter, she is independent in her thinking and frequently gets into trouble with her family for her forthrightness. At the same time, her mother (especially) admires this daughter who doesn’t bother to hide her emotions and speaks her mind – possibly because that is what she would prefer to do herself.
We meet the rest of Charlotte’s family in this novel as well. There are several murders that take place and the frequency, combined with everyone knowing the victims, terrorizes the entire neighbourhood as they all take place on Cater Street. Inspector Thomas Pitt meets the family – and Charlotte – when one of their young maids becomes a victim.
Anne Perry is a terrific storyteller and guess what? I love reading terrific stories! If you are looking for a series that will keep you entertained and absorbed into a different time and place, I can highly recommend this series as it will definitely satisfy.
August 14, 2022
No es puramente una novela de misterio y asesinato del tipo Agatha Christie que era lo que me esperaba. Hay asesinatos y hay un estrangulador suelto que mata jóvenes bellas y hermosas, pero es todo una excusa para relatar las relaciones personales existentes en el Londres victoriano de mitad del siglo XIX: los amoríos, el decoro, los amantes, el pecado, la rectitud, la lucha de clases y de sexos, etc.
En verdad, según avanza la lectura, llegas a odiar la hipocresía de la época, la opulencia de las clases altas, el machismo de la sociedad. Te replanteas muchas cosas de hoy en día y algunas no han cambiado mucho.
La pareja protagonista de Charlotte y el inspector Pitt es hermosa. Rompe los arquetipos vigentes de la sociedad, aunque los inicios nunca son fáciles.
Lo que más destaca es lo bien que retrata la autora la sociedad de la época. El tema de los asesinatos es lo que vehicula la narración, pero la escritora llega a temas mucho más complejos.
Las relaciones entre la familia son muy interesantes: los descubrimientos que hacen, el guardar las apariencias, la figura de la abuela que es aun más retrógrada. El pero más grande es que se hace un poco repetitiva. Llega un punto en que quieres saber más sobre los asesinatos y ves que no se avanza y que la escritora se va por otros caminos ya tratados y tu lo que quieres es saber qué pasa con los asesinatos y que salga más el inspector Pitt.
Aviso para lectores ávidos de personajes del tipo Poirot o Marple o Holmes: no es una novela sobre investigación de asesinatos y como se resuelven.
-----------------------
It's not purely an Agatha Christie type murder mystery novel which is what I was expecting. There are murders and there is a strangler on the loose who kills beautiful young women, but it's all an excuse to tell the story of personal relationships in mid-19th century Victorian London: love affairs, decency, lovers, sin, righteousness, class and gender struggle, and so on.
In truth, as the reading progresses, you come to hate the hypocrisy of the time, the opulence of the upper classes, the machismo of society. You rethink a lot of things about today, and some of them haven't changed much.
The protagonist couple of Charlotte and Inspector Pitt is beautiful. It breaks the current archetypes of society, although beginnings are never easy.
What stands out most is how well the author portrays the society of the time. The theme of the murders is what drives the narrative, but the author reaches much more complex themes.
The relationships between the family are very interesting: the discoveries they make, the keeping up of appearances, the figure of the grandmother who is even more backward. The biggest drawback is that it gets a bit repetitive. There comes a point when you want to know more about the murders and you see that no progress is made and that the writer goes down other paths that have already been dealt with and what you want is to know what happens with the murders and for Inspector Pitt to appear more.
A warning to readers avid for Poirot or Marple or Holmes type characters: this is not a novel about investigating murders and how they are solved.
En verdad, según avanza la lectura, llegas a odiar la hipocresía de la época, la opulencia de las clases altas, el machismo de la sociedad. Te replanteas muchas cosas de hoy en día y algunas no han cambiado mucho.
La pareja protagonista de Charlotte y el inspector Pitt es hermosa. Rompe los arquetipos vigentes de la sociedad, aunque los inicios nunca son fáciles.
Lo que más destaca es lo bien que retrata la autora la sociedad de la época. El tema de los asesinatos es lo que vehicula la narración, pero la escritora llega a temas mucho más complejos.
Las relaciones entre la familia son muy interesantes: los descubrimientos que hacen, el guardar las apariencias, la figura de la abuela que es aun más retrógrada. El pero más grande es que se hace un poco repetitiva. Llega un punto en que quieres saber más sobre los asesinatos y ves que no se avanza y que la escritora se va por otros caminos ya tratados y tu lo que quieres es saber qué pasa con los asesinatos y que salga más el inspector Pitt.
Aviso para lectores ávidos de personajes del tipo Poirot o Marple o Holmes: no es una novela sobre investigación de asesinatos y como se resuelven.
-----------------------
It's not purely an Agatha Christie type murder mystery novel which is what I was expecting. There are murders and there is a strangler on the loose who kills beautiful young women, but it's all an excuse to tell the story of personal relationships in mid-19th century Victorian London: love affairs, decency, lovers, sin, righteousness, class and gender struggle, and so on.
In truth, as the reading progresses, you come to hate the hypocrisy of the time, the opulence of the upper classes, the machismo of society. You rethink a lot of things about today, and some of them haven't changed much.
The protagonist couple of Charlotte and Inspector Pitt is beautiful. It breaks the current archetypes of society, although beginnings are never easy.
What stands out most is how well the author portrays the society of the time. The theme of the murders is what drives the narrative, but the author reaches much more complex themes.
The relationships between the family are very interesting: the discoveries they make, the keeping up of appearances, the figure of the grandmother who is even more backward. The biggest drawback is that it gets a bit repetitive. There comes a point when you want to know more about the murders and you see that no progress is made and that the writer goes down other paths that have already been dealt with and what you want is to know what happens with the murders and for Inspector Pitt to appear more.
A warning to readers avid for Poirot or Marple or Holmes type characters: this is not a novel about investigating murders and how they are solved.
August 9, 2016
Historical mystery has turned out to be a favourite genre of mine. There is something very intriguing about watching the police attempting to solve crime without the use of all our modern techniques. Often, as in this case, the murderer is captured in the act which is pretty conclusive!
I had a few small issues with this book, for example the occasional info dumps which I actually skimmed. However these were more than made up for by the excellent story and the characters. I loved the little romance between Charlotte and her policeman and the ending was unexpected but sweet.
Anne Perry has written literally dozens of books yet this is the first that I have read. However it will not be the last. I very much enjoyed this introduction to Charlotte and Inspector Pitt and I will be following up the series.
May 13, 2023
(First review—1999)
As usual, I read the first book in this great Victorian mystery series somewhere around book three or four... Anne Perry is a great mystery writer with a sense of Victorian past... I definitely need to go back and finish this series.
(Second review)
3.5
I read this in memory of Anne Perry who has given me so many hours of reading pleasure. I enjoyed the second reading almost as much as the first— I forgot how much contemplating Charlotte and other characters get caught up in regarding their fellow neighbors as “the hangman” was on the loose. Rather sad and shocking (and rather abrupt) ending.
I am inspired to re-read the series in order until I catch up to when I stopped reading the Pitt series to take up the Monk series (which I readily admit) I preferred.
The re-read reminded me of Perry’s talent for uncovering the underbelly of early 19th century society.
As usual, I read the first book in this great Victorian mystery series somewhere around book three or four... Anne Perry is a great mystery writer with a sense of Victorian past... I definitely need to go back and finish this series.
(Second review)
3.5
I read this in memory of Anne Perry who has given me so many hours of reading pleasure. I enjoyed the second reading almost as much as the first— I forgot how much contemplating Charlotte and other characters get caught up in regarding their fellow neighbors as “the hangman” was on the loose. Rather sad and shocking (and rather abrupt) ending.
I am inspired to re-read the series in order until I catch up to when I stopped reading the Pitt series to take up the Monk series (which I readily admit) I preferred.
The re-read reminded me of Perry’s talent for uncovering the underbelly of early 19th century society.
June 29, 2024
* I work hard on these pieces and dislike empty like button clicks. Comments from friends and readers are my reward. *
Anne Perry is beloved and prolific. I picked up many books and discovered they belonged in series. I often wonder if historic society will feel too oppressed to enjoy, or to relate to protagonists. This writer shows a world without reciting an instruction manual and a reasonable percentage of scenes scurry towards the point of the story. With mystery, that is a must. In fact I would encourage her to let us unwind, following revelations. Her novels end with a thud; exciting but I would love to absorb the adventure. The speed engages you so much: I’m sorry that it was a huge personal loss, the death of my dear young cat; that put this novel aside! I was forty pages from finishing, that sorrowful day. This public record is for you, my ‘Love!’
Charlotte is forward-thinking; immediately likeable as well as relatable. Her fairness makes it impossible to suppress retorts and intelligence, as ladies of her station usually do. Her family winces over her, as much as we readers laugh over it. A second element that yielded enjoyment is a bold and suspenseful mystery that cannot classify as ‘cozy’. There is something to be said for literature that delves more skilfully into the original genre and which is devised entirely for the adult audience. Multiple murders have startled a neighbourhood into thinking about their safety. The acts are brutal, there is no known motive, no forewarning, nor any trace of the killer.
It seems policemen comprise a lower class and Charlotte’s family is uncomfortable with the frequent canvassing of Inspector Thomas Pitt. He scrapes together enough clues to make a few connections with her family in particular, warranting repeated visits to them and all neighbours. Caution is illustrated vividly, about putting religiosity and propriety, ahead of who we are.
Anne Perry is beloved and prolific. I picked up many books and discovered they belonged in series. I often wonder if historic society will feel too oppressed to enjoy, or to relate to protagonists. This writer shows a world without reciting an instruction manual and a reasonable percentage of scenes scurry towards the point of the story. With mystery, that is a must. In fact I would encourage her to let us unwind, following revelations. Her novels end with a thud; exciting but I would love to absorb the adventure. The speed engages you so much: I’m sorry that it was a huge personal loss, the death of my dear young cat; that put this novel aside! I was forty pages from finishing, that sorrowful day. This public record is for you, my ‘Love!’
Charlotte is forward-thinking; immediately likeable as well as relatable. Her fairness makes it impossible to suppress retorts and intelligence, as ladies of her station usually do. Her family winces over her, as much as we readers laugh over it. A second element that yielded enjoyment is a bold and suspenseful mystery that cannot classify as ‘cozy’. There is something to be said for literature that delves more skilfully into the original genre and which is devised entirely for the adult audience. Multiple murders have startled a neighbourhood into thinking about their safety. The acts are brutal, there is no known motive, no forewarning, nor any trace of the killer.
It seems policemen comprise a lower class and Charlotte’s family is uncomfortable with the frequent canvassing of Inspector Thomas Pitt. He scrapes together enough clues to make a few connections with her family in particular, warranting repeated visits to them and all neighbours. Caution is illustrated vividly, about putting religiosity and propriety, ahead of who we are.
October 31, 2015
What I thought I was getting: (i.e. the synopsis on Goodreads)
Careless of both murder and manners, Charlotte Ellison and her sister, two determinedly unconventional young women, ignore Victorian mores and actively join the police investigation, led by young Inspector Thomas Pitt, into the murder of their servant girl.
What I actually got:
Charlotte: "Oh my! These deaths are so tragic. I'll say everything that comes to my mind. Isn't my brother-in-law hot? Women are so down-trodden."
Emily: "Oh sure this guy I'm seeing is a philandering gambler who everyone is warning me about...but he is titled so its okay. I'll make him marry me. Women are down-trodden but we can use our wiles."
Sarah: "Do ALL the good works for the poor! Women are down-trodden."
Caroline: "Oh dear, my husband is coming. Women are down-trodden!"
Then there is the back of my copy of this book which adds:
"But it was not panic beating in the heart of pretty Charlotte Ellison. And something more than brutal murder was on Inspector Pitt's mind. Yet, such a romance between a society girl and so unsuitable a suitor was impossible the midst of murder..."
So I thoughts I would get a nice mix of romance and mystery. The truth is I'm still not sure Charlotte or Inspector Pit are even main characters. The writing continually switches POV between the family members, which I eventually got used to. It was not, however, the voices of two strong female leads (Charlotte and Emily) like I expected. It is mainly the tragic shock of the women in the house as they discover men are not to be trusted and that even the most seemingly loyal of gentleman have horrible secrets.
Bleh.
The romance is mainly Charlotte crushing on her brother-in-law at the end until, for no apparent reason, she decides 'That vulgar policeman...he might do! I'm now deeply in love!'
The mystery was obvious. There is really only two people who could be the hangman and so I found that kind of disappointing.
The ending was weird. Not just the very last paragraph (which ends abruptly) but Charlotte being all like 'even though every young woman has wandered around alone at dusk has died...I'm gonna just pop down the block'
WHY?!
Definitely a disappointment for my first my first venture into Anne Perry.
Careless of both murder and manners, Charlotte Ellison and her sister, two determinedly unconventional young women, ignore Victorian mores and actively join the police investigation, led by young Inspector Thomas Pitt, into the murder of their servant girl.
What I actually got:
Charlotte: "Oh my! These deaths are so tragic. I'll say everything that comes to my mind. Isn't my brother-in-law hot? Women are so down-trodden."
Emily: "Oh sure this guy I'm seeing is a philandering gambler who everyone is warning me about...but he is titled so its okay. I'll make him marry me. Women are down-trodden but we can use our wiles."
Sarah: "Do ALL the good works for the poor! Women are down-trodden."
Caroline: "Oh dear, my husband is coming. Women are down-trodden!"
Then there is the back of my copy of this book which adds:
"But it was not panic beating in the heart of pretty Charlotte Ellison. And something more than brutal murder was on Inspector Pitt's mind. Yet, such a romance between a society girl and so unsuitable a suitor was impossible the midst of murder..."
So I thoughts I would get a nice mix of romance and mystery. The truth is I'm still not sure Charlotte or Inspector Pit are even main characters. The writing continually switches POV between the family members, which I eventually got used to. It was not, however, the voices of two strong female leads (Charlotte and Emily) like I expected. It is mainly the tragic shock of the women in the house as they discover men are not to be trusted and that even the most seemingly loyal of gentleman have horrible secrets.
Bleh.
The romance is mainly Charlotte crushing on her brother-in-law at the end until, for no apparent reason, she decides 'That vulgar policeman...he might do! I'm now deeply in love!'
The mystery was obvious. There is really only two people who could be the hangman and so I found that kind of disappointing.
The ending was weird. Not just the very last paragraph (which ends abruptly) but Charlotte being all like 'even though every young woman has wandered around alone at dusk has died...I'm gonna just pop down the block'
WHY?!
Definitely a disappointment for my first my first venture into Anne Perry.
March 25, 2018
More of a family drama in the background of a series of murder of local women
A bit trying, all that drama, was, and the end too abrupt.
However, I did like the MCs well enough to try the next book in the series of 30 😵 odd books
A bit trying, all that drama, was, and the end too abrupt.
However, I did like the MCs well enough to try the next book in the series of 30 😵 odd books
June 4, 2019
The story started so slowly that I was a little apprehensive about reading on, but it soon got better. Although this is light reading I thought it very enjoyable.
March 12, 2016
I read this on a day I stayed home sick from work. I felt terrible, but escaping into this book gave me several hours of wonderful distraction. Perry perfectly evoked the spirit and flavor of the era and what life was like for an intelligent and curious young woman in a time when those were not considered favorable attributes for women.
The mystery is good, touching as it does the obsessions the Victorians had for sex and religion. The best thing for me in The Cater Street Hangman is the sense of increasing fear that Charlotte suffers as more women are killed and she begins to suspect everyone around her. She starts to realize that the pleasant faces shown in public hide a multitude of sins, hypocrisy, and secrets.
The mystery is good, touching as it does the obsessions the Victorians had for sex and religion. The best thing for me in The Cater Street Hangman is the sense of increasing fear that Charlotte suffers as more women are killed and she begins to suspect everyone around her. She starts to realize that the pleasant faces shown in public hide a multitude of sins, hypocrisy, and secrets.
June 10, 2016
3.5 Stars
Imagine if you will a society that expected women to stifle their feelings for the good of all. A proper lady would marry, bear children and serve her husband and family. She was to be pleasing and her household was presumed to run with complete order. Her goal was to avoid any cause for upset and she was expected to look the other way when necessary.
Charlotte Ellison was a product of the times. Though they loved her immensely, she was the bane of her parents. In her early twenties, she lived at home with no marital prospects on the horizon. She had never learned to mask her feelings as her sisters had done. Tempers flared, a few choice words were said and, depending on who the recipient was, forgiveness was asked.
I had to remind myself of two things as I was reading The Cater Street Hangman. This was Anne Perry's debut novel and it was first published in 1979. If I thought it was a standalone, I might have rated it lower. But I knew, going in, that it was the first story in a series. One of Ms. Perry's main purposes was to set up the background and introduce characters.
Charlotte was not the most likable heroine for the brunt of the story. For that matter, I had issues with most of the characters. Except Inspector Thomas Pitt. He was tall, his looks were plain but he had a beautiful voice. His clothes were rumpled and his hair needed to be brushed. He was also intelligent, patient and managed to overlook the continual rudeness that plagued him by the upperclass. Charlotte, included.
Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte. She thought she was in love with someone that was unattainable. She argued with her sisters. She pestered her father. She was snooty and abrasive at times. I thought, more than once, why was Thomas fascinated with her?
Besides the mystery, which was good, the novel was about hierarchy, social classes, and mores. Unlike so many historical romances, it did not glorify the Victorian era. Besides the actual murders, there were secrets, hidden agendas, guilt and, for lack of a better term, characters with eyes-wide-shut.
Imagine if you will a society that expected women to stifle their feelings for the good of all. A proper lady would marry, bear children and serve her husband and family. She was to be pleasing and her household was presumed to run with complete order. Her goal was to avoid any cause for upset and she was expected to look the other way when necessary.
Charlotte Ellison was a product of the times. Though they loved her immensely, she was the bane of her parents. In her early twenties, she lived at home with no marital prospects on the horizon. She had never learned to mask her feelings as her sisters had done. Tempers flared, a few choice words were said and, depending on who the recipient was, forgiveness was asked.
I had to remind myself of two things as I was reading The Cater Street Hangman. This was Anne Perry's debut novel and it was first published in 1979. If I thought it was a standalone, I might have rated it lower. But I knew, going in, that it was the first story in a series. One of Ms. Perry's main purposes was to set up the background and introduce characters.
Charlotte was not the most likable heroine for the brunt of the story. For that matter, I had issues with most of the characters. Except Inspector Thomas Pitt. He was tall, his looks were plain but he had a beautiful voice. His clothes were rumpled and his hair needed to be brushed. He was also intelligent, patient and managed to overlook the continual rudeness that plagued him by the upperclass. Charlotte, included.
Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte. She thought she was in love with someone that was unattainable. She argued with her sisters. She pestered her father. She was snooty and abrasive at times. I thought, more than once, why was Thomas fascinated with her?
Besides the mystery, which was good, the novel was about hierarchy, social classes, and mores. Unlike so many historical romances, it did not glorify the Victorian era. Besides the actual murders, there were secrets, hidden agendas, guilt and, for lack of a better term, characters with eyes-wide-shut.
March 30, 2025
This is the first Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novel for the series set in Victorian London. Although Perry had not intended for this to be a series and originally wrote it as a stand-alone novel. Thus, anyone following this series may note the difference in tone and perspective.
Thomas Pitt is a police inspector, who happens to meet his future wife, Charlotte Ellison in this story. Eventually they will go on as a married couple that get involved in investigating and solving cases.
As this story begins, there are several murders of young women near the wealthy Ellison family home, thus bringing Thomas Pitt and his future wife, Charlotte together. Charlotte has always been quite unconventional and forward thinking in her approach to life, even though women are discouraged from reading the newspaper and any other activities that would allow them to be independent from men. So, it is only natural for her to involve herself with the police inspector, Thomas Pitt as he investigates these murders.
Perry presents a well-researched portrayal of Victorian English society, as well as fleshing out her abundant cast of characters (keep a list handy). It started out slowly, but eventually paces itself towards an abrupt ending, which may annoy readers. This is not a cozy mystery read.
As a side note, this story went on to become a made-for-television film version in 1998 starring Eoin McCarthy and Keely Hawes in the lead roles. It should also be noted that the film departed slightly from the novel and provided a somewhat different ending.
Thomas Pitt is a police inspector, who happens to meet his future wife, Charlotte Ellison in this story. Eventually they will go on as a married couple that get involved in investigating and solving cases.
As this story begins, there are several murders of young women near the wealthy Ellison family home, thus bringing Thomas Pitt and his future wife, Charlotte together. Charlotte has always been quite unconventional and forward thinking in her approach to life, even though women are discouraged from reading the newspaper and any other activities that would allow them to be independent from men. So, it is only natural for her to involve herself with the police inspector, Thomas Pitt as he investigates these murders.
Perry presents a well-researched portrayal of Victorian English society, as well as fleshing out her abundant cast of characters (keep a list handy). It started out slowly, but eventually paces itself towards an abrupt ending, which may annoy readers. This is not a cozy mystery read.
As a side note, this story went on to become a made-for-television film version in 1998 starring Eoin McCarthy and Keely Hawes in the lead roles. It should also be noted that the film departed slightly from the novel and provided a somewhat different ending.
November 5, 2009
Anne Perry obviously did a great deal of research on Victorian England for this book, and she certainly paints a detailed picture of that time and its people. She definitely reveals the hypocrisy of the age. However, the conversations during which Pitt enlightens Charlotte about the “criminal underworld” and other aspects of life unfamiliar to her began to feel like the author lecturing the reader.
While I liked Charlotte and Pitt, some of the other characters became tedious at times. Perhaps that was the author’s intention; I don’t expect all characters to be likable.
The pacing was somewhat frustrating. There was such a slow build to the mystery and tension, with plenty of red herrings, and then, suddenly-- *bang!* --it was all over. I began to suspect the true identity of the killer in the last 80 pages, but the killer's motive was such a bombshell, I would've liked an epilogue.
I also had a problem with normally clever Charlotte foolishly going out alone with no one thinking anything of it, when no female is supposed to go out alone until the killer is caught and her own sister has just been murdered. It was just an excuse to put Charlotte in jeopardy so Pitt could rescue her--which might've been more romantic if they weren't already engaged. I also would've liked more about Charlotte's process of falling in love with Pitt to the point where she wants to marry him, no questions asked. That was unconvincing, given her personality and all that had recently happened around her.
Overall--not a satisfying reading experience.
While I liked Charlotte and Pitt, some of the other characters became tedious at times. Perhaps that was the author’s intention; I don’t expect all characters to be likable.
The pacing was somewhat frustrating. There was such a slow build to the mystery and tension, with plenty of red herrings, and then, suddenly-- *bang!* --it was all over. I began to suspect the true identity of the killer in the last 80 pages, but the killer's motive was such a bombshell, I would've liked an epilogue.
I also had a problem with normally clever Charlotte foolishly going out alone with no one thinking anything of it, when no female is supposed to go out alone until the killer is caught and her own sister has just been murdered. It was just an excuse to put Charlotte in jeopardy so Pitt could rescue her--which might've been more romantic if they weren't already engaged. I also would've liked more about Charlotte's process of falling in love with Pitt to the point where she wants to marry him, no questions asked. That was unconvincing, given her personality and all that had recently happened around her.
Overall--not a satisfying reading experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2013
I stayed up until 5:30am listening to this audiobook, because it was due back at the library today. I can't say that it was wasted time. It was a pretty good book and the narrator, Davina Porter does a satisfying job. However, I didn't love this book. I think the major issue I had was that I found most of the characters unlikable.
Charlotte did grow on me. She had some notions and beliefs that weren't ideal (she tended to be very naive about things and was somewhat snobbish and judgmental towards others), but at heart, she was a decent person. She matured a lot over the course of this book, and I liked how her feelings evolved for Thomas Pitt and how they changed from where they were initially. My favorite character, Inspector Thomas Pitt, doesn't have a point of view. We only see him though the eyes of the Ellison family, including Dominic, who is married to the oldest daughter, Sarah. It's a shame, because he's the only character I truly liked and respected without reservation. I guess I can say that I didn't have anything against Carolyn, the mother, but she lacked depth to me. She seemed to be a cipher for a 'good Victorian wife' and did not seem to know how to be true to herself. I am not being judgmental. I completely understand the pressures that were on her.
After all, this book focuses a sharp lens on the Victorian woman and the tremendous societal forces on her. In some ways, this book is more of a social commentary than a suspense novel. Yes the mystery is prominent, because someone is murdering young women (and the police are hunting for the killer) and this affects the lives of the Ellison family on a deeply personal level. But I feel that this series of murders is really more of a catalyst for the exploration of characters in this family and an examination of their individual roles in this microcosmic society of their family and the people they interact with in their periphery.
Anne Perry seems to know Victorian society. While she does not info-dump facts about the time period, the narrative doesn't bypass any opportunities to give the reader insight on the time period. I think that this was well-done. Perry uses characters, situations and conversations to convey the social mores of the times. It was pretty evident that Victorian women did not have it easy, whether they were upper class, titled society women or lower class women. It was just a question of whether they had the dubious security of marriage or the uncertain and likely demoralizing life of a single woman with few prospects as far as earning a living. Through the eyes of Carolyn and Sarah, we learn what it's like to be married to a man who we must spend our lives with and take care of, be the perfect wives to, and hope that they take their marriage vows as seriously as we do. And if they do not, we don't really have the agency to leave him or hold him accountable for his failings as a husband. Through Emily, we learn about the society girl's quest for an advantageous marriage to a man who clearly has shortcomings, but we have to make the most of the man and the opportunity. Martha Prebble's character is the vicar's wife, and she has spent many years subjugated to an unfeeling moralist, which has done her great emotional and mental damage. Charlotte is the next oldest daughter who has always felt alienated from society and who has been in love with her sister's husband for several years, but is unable and unwilling to act upon those feelings.
As you can see, there is a built-in complexity to this novel, despite the subtle presentation. It gave me something to think about, but as I said earlier, it was hard to get as invested as I wanted, since the characters were largely unsympathetic in their point of views. I don't know if that was a failing of the narrator in how she conveyed their POVs, or just the things they said and did. The characters seemed to be in a state of arrested development, although I did see growth in Charlotte's character, and Sarah as well. I especially disliked Dominic. I felt little sympathy for him, but then I have a huge issue with marital infidelity. Not to mention his inherent sexism. He treated his wife and other women like they were intellectually inferior to him. He was also a self-absorbed snob. Emily was a brat, and I didn't care for her manipulative nature. Thomas, on the other hand, had a maturity, a depth of character, and a firm, steady personality that allowed him to navigate the stormy seas of both high society and the rookeries to get his man. His love and admiration for Charlotte made me like her more as a person. I felt that Thomas Pitt showed great insight into the other characters that helped Charlotte to get past her emotional involvement with her family and societal counterparts and at the same time to trust her instincts about human nature as well.
After much rambling, I have come to the point of concluding this review. This was a good book. It had some insights to offer this reader, but it lacked characters that I could feel for, with the exception of Thomas and Charlotte, and to a lesser degree, Carolyn and Sarah. I felt terrible for those girls who were murdered, and I wish that more of the characters in this book were able to feel the wrongness and the waste of young life for reasons that were quite disturbing with the final reveal in this novel. The whole structure of this novel points to the issues of Victorian society in which hypocrisy is a facade for dark decay and the deep dysfunction that was integral to its institution.
I'd give this book 3.5/5.0 stars. Fortunately, my library has more of these on audio, so I will continue this series.
Charlotte did grow on me. She had some notions and beliefs that weren't ideal (she tended to be very naive about things and was somewhat snobbish and judgmental towards others), but at heart, she was a decent person. She matured a lot over the course of this book, and I liked how her feelings evolved for Thomas Pitt and how they changed from where they were initially. My favorite character, Inspector Thomas Pitt, doesn't have a point of view. We only see him though the eyes of the Ellison family, including Dominic, who is married to the oldest daughter, Sarah. It's a shame, because he's the only character I truly liked and respected without reservation. I guess I can say that I didn't have anything against Carolyn, the mother, but she lacked depth to me. She seemed to be a cipher for a 'good Victorian wife' and did not seem to know how to be true to herself. I am not being judgmental. I completely understand the pressures that were on her.
After all, this book focuses a sharp lens on the Victorian woman and the tremendous societal forces on her. In some ways, this book is more of a social commentary than a suspense novel. Yes the mystery is prominent, because someone is murdering young women (and the police are hunting for the killer) and this affects the lives of the Ellison family on a deeply personal level. But I feel that this series of murders is really more of a catalyst for the exploration of characters in this family and an examination of their individual roles in this microcosmic society of their family and the people they interact with in their periphery.
Anne Perry seems to know Victorian society. While she does not info-dump facts about the time period, the narrative doesn't bypass any opportunities to give the reader insight on the time period. I think that this was well-done. Perry uses characters, situations and conversations to convey the social mores of the times. It was pretty evident that Victorian women did not have it easy, whether they were upper class, titled society women or lower class women. It was just a question of whether they had the dubious security of marriage or the uncertain and likely demoralizing life of a single woman with few prospects as far as earning a living. Through the eyes of Carolyn and Sarah, we learn what it's like to be married to a man who we must spend our lives with and take care of, be the perfect wives to, and hope that they take their marriage vows as seriously as we do. And if they do not, we don't really have the agency to leave him or hold him accountable for his failings as a husband. Through Emily, we learn about the society girl's quest for an advantageous marriage to a man who clearly has shortcomings, but we have to make the most of the man and the opportunity. Martha Prebble's character is the vicar's wife, and she has spent many years subjugated to an unfeeling moralist, which has done her great emotional and mental damage. Charlotte is the next oldest daughter who has always felt alienated from society and who has been in love with her sister's husband for several years, but is unable and unwilling to act upon those feelings.
As you can see, there is a built-in complexity to this novel, despite the subtle presentation. It gave me something to think about, but as I said earlier, it was hard to get as invested as I wanted, since the characters were largely unsympathetic in their point of views. I don't know if that was a failing of the narrator in how she conveyed their POVs, or just the things they said and did. The characters seemed to be in a state of arrested development, although I did see growth in Charlotte's character, and Sarah as well. I especially disliked Dominic. I felt little sympathy for him, but then I have a huge issue with marital infidelity. Not to mention his inherent sexism. He treated his wife and other women like they were intellectually inferior to him. He was also a self-absorbed snob. Emily was a brat, and I didn't care for her manipulative nature. Thomas, on the other hand, had a maturity, a depth of character, and a firm, steady personality that allowed him to navigate the stormy seas of both high society and the rookeries to get his man. His love and admiration for Charlotte made me like her more as a person. I felt that Thomas Pitt showed great insight into the other characters that helped Charlotte to get past her emotional involvement with her family and societal counterparts and at the same time to trust her instincts about human nature as well.
After much rambling, I have come to the point of concluding this review. This was a good book. It had some insights to offer this reader, but it lacked characters that I could feel for, with the exception of Thomas and Charlotte, and to a lesser degree, Carolyn and Sarah. I felt terrible for those girls who were murdered, and I wish that more of the characters in this book were able to feel the wrongness and the waste of young life for reasons that were quite disturbing with the final reveal in this novel. The whole structure of this novel points to the issues of Victorian society in which hypocrisy is a facade for dark decay and the deep dysfunction that was integral to its institution.
I'd give this book 3.5/5.0 stars. Fortunately, my library has more of these on audio, so I will continue this series.
September 23, 2021
quel magnifique découverte pour moi.
C'est un mélange hommogene entre le style policer et le style classique
A travers laquelle on découverte la façon de vivre les gens en 19 siécle.a travers famille de " Charlotte" l'héroïne.
on partage avec elle les sentiments et l'angoisses qui se dissimulent sous le nom de lord ou le rang social tellement j'aime cette série
j'ai hâte à lire la deuxième roman de série et savoir si le père de Charlotte peut approuver leur mariage à l'inspecteur Pitt.
C'est le lien du film
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXZ8K3K...
19 Fev 18🌸.
C'est un mélange hommogene entre le style policer et le style classique
A travers laquelle on découverte la façon de vivre les gens en 19 siécle.a travers famille de " Charlotte" l'héroïne.
on partage avec elle les sentiments et l'angoisses qui se dissimulent sous le nom de lord ou le rang social tellement j'aime cette série
j'ai hâte à lire la deuxième roman de série et savoir si le père de Charlotte peut approuver leur mariage à l'inspecteur Pitt.
C'est le lien du film
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXZ8K3K...
19 Fev 18🌸.
April 5, 2022
Entretenido, mezcla suspense y amoríos.
December 4, 2013
The Cater Street Hangman is the first Charlotte & Inspector Pitt novel by Anne Perry. I had read some of the Pitt mysteries as a teenager and thought I might start at the beginning of the series and read them through. I remembered being fascinated by them at the time, but memory isn't always reliable. In fact, the story is intriguing, well-written, with an interesting twist at the end and a strong component of social commentary that is as relevent today as to the time period in which the story is set (Victorian England). It just wasn't as great as I remembered, but that is hardly the book's fault. One's taste can easily change in 10 or 12 years.
The plot: A murderer is on the loose in the respectable neighborhood surrounding Cater Street. He assaults and mutilates his female victims, then garrotes them with a wire. The killer has shaken this posh, upper-middle class community to it's core. As it becomes more apparent that the murderer is one of their own, rampant fear manifests itself in unspoken suspicions, quiet whisperings, and outright accusations - unfounded and true. Suddenly, as secrets are revealed, nothing is as it seems.
The characters: The novel centers around the Ellison family. Mother Caroline & father Edward have three daughters: Sarah (married to Dominic), Charlotte (unmarried and somewhat disinterested in the prospect), and Emily (on the lookout for the most suitable and advantageous match possible). The murder hits close to home when their maid is killed. Enter the impertinent and hard-nosed Inspector Pitt, determined to find the truth and solve the mystery.
What I liked most about the book is the protagonist: Charlotte. She's a strong female character: outspoken, clever, compassionate, and a bit defiant. In fact, all the female characters are well drawn. In addition, the author strives to expose the inequalities between what is socially acceptable for men and that which is condemned in women. She explores the effects of men's actions on the women around them. I believe this is a consciously feminist text, which is refreshing in the genre. So many mysteries are about clever male detectives, and while our Inspector Pitt is in fact a man, this is really a novel about women.
(As an aside: the author has very sordid past, which really informs the novel and affected my reading experience this time. The story is not for me to tell, but if you're curious, a little internet research into Anne Perry will clue you in to what I'm talking about. Creepy!)
The plot: A murderer is on the loose in the respectable neighborhood surrounding Cater Street. He assaults and mutilates his female victims, then garrotes them with a wire. The killer has shaken this posh, upper-middle class community to it's core. As it becomes more apparent that the murderer is one of their own, rampant fear manifests itself in unspoken suspicions, quiet whisperings, and outright accusations - unfounded and true. Suddenly, as secrets are revealed, nothing is as it seems.
The characters: The novel centers around the Ellison family. Mother Caroline & father Edward have three daughters: Sarah (married to Dominic), Charlotte (unmarried and somewhat disinterested in the prospect), and Emily (on the lookout for the most suitable and advantageous match possible). The murder hits close to home when their maid is killed. Enter the impertinent and hard-nosed Inspector Pitt, determined to find the truth and solve the mystery.
What I liked most about the book is the protagonist: Charlotte. She's a strong female character: outspoken, clever, compassionate, and a bit defiant. In fact, all the female characters are well drawn. In addition, the author strives to expose the inequalities between what is socially acceptable for men and that which is condemned in women. She explores the effects of men's actions on the women around them. I believe this is a consciously feminist text, which is refreshing in the genre. So many mysteries are about clever male detectives, and while our Inspector Pitt is in fact a man, this is really a novel about women.
(As an aside: the author has very sordid past, which really informs the novel and affected my reading experience this time. The story is not for me to tell, but if you're curious, a little internet research into Anne Perry will clue you in to what I'm talking about. Creepy!)
April 7, 2021
This books is a happy marriage between Lieutenant Colombo and Jane Austen! LOL
For the major part of the book I kept asking myself why the series is titled "Thomas Pitt" when he appears almost marginally there...
For the first half I was also wondering if I got the wrong book since it seemed more like a romance than crime/mystery!
Yes, there're crimes commited, but for the most part there's also a rigid protocol of visits, parish good-works, formal visits for tea, family dynamics, unrequited love, jealousy, ecc... and very little investigation...
Still I liked it. Not as much as other series, but it was good enough that I want to know how the things will progress with Charlotte and Pitt! :)
For the major part of the book I kept asking myself why the series is titled "Thomas Pitt" when he appears almost marginally there...
For the first half I was also wondering if I got the wrong book since it seemed more like a romance than crime/mystery!
Yes, there're crimes commited, but for the most part there's also a rigid protocol of visits, parish good-works, formal visits for tea, family dynamics, unrequited love, jealousy, ecc... and very little investigation...
Still I liked it. Not as much as other series, but it was good enough that I want to know how the things will progress with Charlotte and Pitt! :)
August 20, 2016
Some history, before I dive into the book. Yesterday, I read about the late Dee Dee Blancharde who clearly suffered from Munchhausen by proxy. One thing led to another, as it does so often in such cases, and soon, I was reading about the infamous Parker-Hulme murder case. Imagine my surprise when I read Hulme was actually a critically acclaimed writer! So I bought the Kindle edition of this book five minutes later, and here we are now.
Right off the bat, for some reason, the blurb made me think of J.D. Robb's In Death series, though the latter is set few centuries into the future. However, I must admit that Ms. Perry is a much better writer than Robb. Her characterisation is well-done, and the plotline progresses satisfactorily. She is also more adept than Robb at providing red herrings and misdirections. Ms. Perry does a good job with portraying Victorian London, and makes her characters endearing enough to like. Charlotte was the right mix of spunky and, well, 'aristocratic', as were the times. I liked that she was instrumental in solving the case without actually being a pain in the ass. Of course, she did fall into the killer's clutches, but if she didn't, this wouldn't be fiction now, would it? Thomas was the efficient inspector to boot, and a character I rather enjoyed also. I would read the next book in the series, not because it's addictive in an unsavoury manner, but because I'm genuinely curious about how Ms. Perry keeps the reader's attention as the stories progress. Somehow, I get the feeling that she wouldn't disappoint.
Right off the bat, for some reason, the blurb made me think of J.D. Robb's In Death series, though the latter is set few centuries into the future. However, I must admit that Ms. Perry is a much better writer than Robb. Her characterisation is well-done, and the plotline progresses satisfactorily. She is also more adept than Robb at providing red herrings and misdirections. Ms. Perry does a good job with portraying Victorian London, and makes her characters endearing enough to like. Charlotte was the right mix of spunky and, well, 'aristocratic', as were the times. I liked that she was instrumental in solving the case without actually being a pain in the ass. Of course, she did fall into the killer's clutches, but if she didn't, this wouldn't be fiction now, would it? Thomas was the efficient inspector to boot, and a character I rather enjoyed also. I would read the next book in the series, not because it's addictive in an unsavoury manner, but because I'm genuinely curious about how Ms. Perry keeps the reader's attention as the stories progress. Somehow, I get the feeling that she wouldn't disappoint.
September 26, 2017
The Cater Street Hangman is the first book in the Thomas Pitt series by Anne Perry. Inspector Pitt caught a case of the killing of young ladies at night around Cater Street London. During his investigation, Inspector Pitt met the beautiful Charlotte Ellison after the death of her maid. The Readers of The Cater Street Hangman will follow the twists and turns of Inspector Pitt investigation into the murders and will wonder if Charlotte and Inspector Pitt will fall in love.
I never thought I would enjoy reading historical mysteries until I found Thomas Pitt series. The first book I read of this series was Murder on the Serpentine and I enjoy so much I decided to go back and start at the beginning of this series. The Cater Street Hangman has not disappointed me, and now I am hooked on this series. I love the way, Anne Perry, portrayed her characters especially Inspector Pitt and Charlotte Ellison. Anne Perry does understand the English society during this period, and this knowledge allowed her to describe the subtle insult that the Ellis Family gave Inspector Pitt by calling him, Mister.
Readers of Cater Street Hangman will learn about London Society in 1800's. Also, the readers of The Cater Street Hangman will enjoy Anne Perry writing style and the way she describes her plot. Reading The Cater Street Hangman you will learn about law enforcement procedures during the 1800's.
I recommend this book.
I never thought I would enjoy reading historical mysteries until I found Thomas Pitt series. The first book I read of this series was Murder on the Serpentine and I enjoy so much I decided to go back and start at the beginning of this series. The Cater Street Hangman has not disappointed me, and now I am hooked on this series. I love the way, Anne Perry, portrayed her characters especially Inspector Pitt and Charlotte Ellison. Anne Perry does understand the English society during this period, and this knowledge allowed her to describe the subtle insult that the Ellis Family gave Inspector Pitt by calling him, Mister.
Readers of Cater Street Hangman will learn about London Society in 1800's. Also, the readers of The Cater Street Hangman will enjoy Anne Perry writing style and the way she describes her plot. Reading The Cater Street Hangman you will learn about law enforcement procedures during the 1800's.
I recommend this book.
May 19, 2011
I never really got into the rest of the series (or the Monk ones), but I really like this book. Rereading it now, there's a definite modern feminist slant, but it's never to the detriment of the plot, and is a big part of shaping Charlotte's characterization. The mystery is well-plotted and engaging, and you can practically hear the gas lamps sputtering...
December 11, 2018
Bel primo incontro con questa autrice. Il libro è un giallo abbastanza classico, ma quello che mi ha colpita è l'attenzione della Perry nella descrizione dei personaggi e dell'ambientazione nella Londra vittoriana moralista, ipocrita e con misure diverse per uomini e donne.
Forse il finale è un pochino affrettato, tuttavia credo che leggerò altro di questa autrice.
Forse il finale è un pochino affrettato, tuttavia credo che leggerò altro di questa autrice.
February 21, 2023
4.5 stars. This started slow but I really enjoyed it, and have already started the next one. It’s the first of a very loooooooooong, British, Victorian-era mystery series that is as much about the main, recurring characters as it is about the mystery, which I actually prefer.
For those looking for the “gentler” mystery series, this is one and if you’re interested in gender and class in history, you have another reason to read this. The writing is very good and this author is so prolific and widely available in all formats at the library that it’s almost a no-brainer for me to continue this. The ending was a bit abrupt for me, but all in all, I really enjoyed it.
And it doesn’t hurt that Davina Porter does the audiobook, because she makes every book she narrates even better!
For those looking for the “gentler” mystery series, this is one and if you’re interested in gender and class in history, you have another reason to read this. The writing is very good and this author is so prolific and widely available in all formats at the library that it’s almost a no-brainer for me to continue this. The ending was a bit abrupt for me, but all in all, I really enjoyed it.
And it doesn’t hurt that Davina Porter does the audiobook, because she makes every book she narrates even better!
May 19, 2021
Not a bad beginning to Perry's historical-fiction-detective-mystery-romance-family-saga-kitchen-sink. There's not a lot of detecting. From my experience reading her books, the mysteries don't tend to be diabolically clever. I had this one pretty much figured out early on. Perry's interest in writing seems to be more about character portrayal. There are definitely some colorful sketches herein. If you're an Austen fan, who also likes a bit of Dickensian murder and woe, this might be the series for you.
April 28, 2015
Crime fiction? Really? Mmm, Anne, I know you can make it better.
The only really good thing has been the end; so unexpected. And...ok, I like how you let us know the characters. But I hope a lot more from you! Come on!
The only really good thing has been the end; so unexpected. And...ok, I like how you let us know the characters. But I hope a lot more from you! Come on!
January 4, 2023
I’m glad I read it, but it wasn’t my cuppa joe.
December 11, 2012
This is Anne Perry’s first published novel, and it’s not too bad. I look forward to continuing this series (27 books!) which takes place in the late 1800’s, about 20-30 years later than her other Victorian mysteries featuring William Monk.
This book describes the meeting, under tragic circumstances, of Police Inspector Thomas Pitt and Charlotte Ellison, the daughter of a banker. Young women in Charlotte’s neighborhood are being murdered, and Pitt investigates the crimes while initiating a few more interviews with Charlotte than are strictly necessary. The social gap between them promises to provide interesting challenges in the future.
There is an excessive amount of extraneous lecturing on Victorian social ills, but I’ve read so much from Perry now that it’s becoming a comfortably familiar rant - like hearing a relative tell you the same story every time you visit. The ending is typically bizarre and abrupt, only a little worse than her usual.
I enjoyed the setting, though. The characterizations are interesting, and the suspense is nicely maintained until the rather unsatisfying reveal at the end.
This book describes the meeting, under tragic circumstances, of Police Inspector Thomas Pitt and Charlotte Ellison, the daughter of a banker. Young women in Charlotte’s neighborhood are being murdered, and Pitt investigates the crimes while initiating a few more interviews with Charlotte than are strictly necessary. The social gap between them promises to provide interesting challenges in the future.
There is an excessive amount of extraneous lecturing on Victorian social ills, but I’ve read so much from Perry now that it’s becoming a comfortably familiar rant - like hearing a relative tell you the same story every time you visit. The ending is typically bizarre and abrupt, only a little worse than her usual.
I enjoyed the setting, though. The characterizations are interesting, and the suspense is nicely maintained until the rather unsatisfying reveal at the end.
April 19, 2008
First in a series of books about Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. It is important to read this one as it sets the stage for all the characters in the rest of the series. The strange thing about this books is the way Thomas and Charlotte decide to get married. One day Charlotte is not sure how she feels about Thomas and within a few pages they have decided to get married. Perhaps I don't understand Victorian social conventions at all, but I thought that was a little strange. Still, Perry has to further the novel and the the series, so I suppose many pages of arguing with Charlotte's parents would not work.
The book has an odd twist at the end. I had an inkling of who the killer was, but was a little off. The way Perry writes does point to the killer in an oblique way.
Perry does an excellent job of researching the era.
The book has an odd twist at the end. I had an inkling of who the killer was, but was a little off. The way Perry writes does point to the killer in an oblique way.
Perry does an excellent job of researching the era.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2016
How can I not like this? It combines two of my favorite things… historical fiction and a murder mystery! It’s set in Victorian-era England, and I think all the intricacies of social life at that time are well portrayed. It must have been so stressful living at that time and always worrying if you’re doing and saying the right things! It seemed to me that the worst thing one could do was be “impertinent”.
I’m not sure how I feel about Anne Perry’s somewhat sordid past, but I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading/listening to the others in the series.
I’m not sure how I feel about Anne Perry’s somewhat sordid past, but I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading/listening to the others in the series.
February 2, 2019
I really enjoyed this Victorian Murder mystery. A nod to Jack the Ripper style but oh no Jack here......
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,828 reviews