Death Times Seven: A Daniel Pitt Novel

Daniel Pitt #7

by Anne Perry, Victoria Zackheim

Two violent crimes challenge the investigative skills of young Daniel Pitt and his wife, Miriam, in the final novel of iconic mystery writer Anne Perry's beloved Daniel Pitt series. Halfway written at the time of her death, this novel was completed by Perry’s trusted colleague, dear friend, and fellow author Victoria Zackheim.

1912: Junior attorney Daniel Pitt must step in for his friend and fellow attorney, Toby Kitteridge, whose parents have been brutally attacked. Toby's mother is dead and his father, the local vicar, is barely alive. With Toby back home in rural Ipswich, struggling with his grief and disbelief, Daniel is left in London to defend Peter Ward, a man on trial for the sexual assault and murder of a young woman.

Daniel is convinced that Ward is innocent, yet the evidence proves otherwise. Eager to assist, his pathologist wife Miriam fford Croft offers her forensics expertise regarding a community of fellow pathologists who have disguised their autopsy reports. Despite Miriam on the case, Daniel finds himself distracted by his desire to help Toby, still in Ipswich and too distraught to investigate the attack on his parents. When all evidence points to Toby’s father as the killer, Daniel faces two of the greatest challenges of his young to prove the innocence of both Peter Ward and Reverend Kitteridge. One mistake in London and a young man will hang. One mistake in Ipswich and Toby’s father will go to prison for life.

Death Times Seven, the seventh and final novel in Anne Perry’s Daniel Pitt series, has been completed with the assistance of Victoria Zackheim, an author and editor, as well as Perry’s close friend. Rich in intriguing investigation and courtroom drama, this engrossing novel marks a fitting finale to the career of an author widely praised as the queen of historical crime fiction.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, British Literature, Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published April 14, 2026

About the author

Anne 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

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It all seems to happen at once for poor Daniel when first his best friend learns his parents were shot and it seems the father shot the mother and Daniel must take the high-profile case his friend was working on. It will take all Daniel has including his incredible, talented wife Miriam and their friends to learn the truth in both cases before innocent people are punished.

Death Times Seven is that bittersweet book in that it was the last book Anne Perry was working on when she passed away. She had started it and close friend, Victoria Zackheim has completed it. It is the seventh in a series that works best when read in order because of the excellent character and relationships developed over the course of the series. In fact, Daniel Pitt series is a follow up to the previous Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series about the previous generation of detecting Pitt family members.

Death Times Seven opens with Daniel working in the law office on some case background work when he learns his friend Toby Kitteridge’s parents have died in a horrific fashion. Toby’s in court working a case of a man accused of rape. Toby is convinced his client is innocent, but the case needs delicate treatment and the evidence is damning so far. But, in the meantime, Toby’s own family situation back home where his father the vicar is barely holding onto life himself and stands suspected of having shot his wife and then himself.
Daniel needs to take on Toby’s current case, but he also needs to help his friend find the evidence to prove what happened with his parents. Both are life and death and both needed to be handled with superb care, care he is fearful his tired and tireless efforts won’t do well. But, he has Miriam and the others. He is not alone even if what he starts to uncover upsets dark powers that be who want him to not rock the status quo in the trial.

Death Times Seven has a thrilling premise and is settled in the legal Edwardian world Daniel Pitt inhabits. Anne Perry wrote historical backdrop so well. But, there is that philosophical and psychological depth she brings that slows the pace, yet sinks the foundation deep in each story she wrote. Daniel steel determination to do the right thing and his weaknesses are all layered parts of who he is and the choices he makes. I love seeing him brilliant in investigation and courtroom drama and Miriam with her evolving, growing knowledge of forensics and pathology partnering once again. It took half the book for the plot to really get rolling, but it was worth it and paid off as usual in the end.

I’m going to disappoint some folks because I have to admit that I can tell there were differences from first half to latter half writing style, but I’m not really good at telling you where Anne Perry cut off and Victoria Zackheim came in. I thought Victoria did a fab job of entering a talented writer’s world and plot to finish off the mystery with some aplomb. I was well satisfied with the book as a whole and in its parts. Those who love historical mystery with carefully researched backdrop, cunning plot, and complex characters should definitely give the Daniel Pitt and earlier series about his parents a go.

I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 4.29.26.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been a while since I read a book written by Anne Perry, and of course this is the last book she gave us. It was well done, but rather dramatic. But that is probably a description that could fit many of her books through the years. Amen, then.

Library Loan

[Heather Moll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was especially sad to read this since it’s the last Anne Perry I’ll get to enjoy. This posthumous/cowritten Daniel Pitt story begins with the introspection and humanity you expect from all of Perry’s books. I thought the story was slow to get off the ground, with not much plot development for the first third. But those sections where Daniel and Toby were in Suffolk were the ones where Perry’s voice was the strongest.

However, Daniel excels in court and those later scenes shine. The culprit and their motivation was obvious to me, but that’s doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy how Miriam and Daniel got there. I just wish the back half had more on-page details showing that pursuit. The procedural part wasn’t given as much attention. It lacked the detail and emotion to make that payoff worth it. The emotional beats just aren’t there.

I guess I wanted what I can’t have, a novel written entirely by Anne Perry and polished as she would have done. But I’d rather have this than nothing, and it’s a decent effort to finish what she started.

3.5 I received an arc from NetGalley

[Susan Lindemulder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't want this to end realizing it's the last book Anne Perry wrote. In the words of Charles Todd (another author I enjoy), "A superb finale to a wonderful career..."

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started Death Times Seven knowing it’s the last book Anne Perry worked on—and the final book in the Daniel Pitt series. It really did feel like a goodbye. This one has a lot going on, but in a good way. Daniel is juggling two major cases—one in London defending a man accused of assault and murder, and another much more personal one involving his friend Toby’s family. The stakes are high on both sides, and I liked how the story kept pulling me back and forth between the two. It kept that tension going the whole time.

This book really leans into the idea that things aren’t always what they seem. Daniel believes his client is innocent, but the evidence is stacked against him, and almost too airtight of a case. And then with Toby’s family situation? That just gets more complicated and heartbreaking the deeper it goes.

I loved getting more of Miriam in this one. Her forensic work added a really interesting layer, especially with the hints that not everything in the medical reports can be trusted. That part gave the story a slightly unsettling edge that I wasn’t expecting but really liked. Daniel was torn between doing what’s right and being there for the people he cares about. That internal struggle made everything feel more real, especially with everything on the line.

Having only discovered Anne Perry's books in the past couple of years, I couldn't tell which parts were written by Victoria Zackheim. It still felt like the same world and characters I’ve come to enjoy, which is exactly what I wanted from a final book. As a series finale, I think it does a solid job wrapping things up while still giving you that emotional hit at the end. Definitely a bittersweet read for me.

I received a digital copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Laila · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins in 1913 with Toby Kitteridge reeling from a savage attack on his parents. His mother is dead and his father the village vicar is gravely injured. Toby flees to his family home in Ipswich to cope, leaving Daniel to stand in for him in London. Daniel takes on the defence of Peter Ward, accused of the sexual assault and murder of a young woman. The evidence looks damning, but Daniel’s instincts tell him something is off. Miriam’s work is quietly devastating. She uncovers a network of pathologists who may have omitted or altered autopsy information in a way that warps the case against Ward.

At the same time the Ipswich investigation slowly reveals its own moral knots. Clues begin to point toward Toby’s father as a suspect in his wife’s murder. That is an awful burden for Toby and it puts Daniel in an impossible position. One misstep in London and an innocent man could be hanged. One misstep in Ipswich and a vicar could go to prison for life. The novel’s tension is not just about finding the killer. It is about deciding whether to expose a respected man and risk ruining a village’s faith, and about the corrosive effects of reputation when it shields cruelty.

I will spoil the outcome. Miriam’s careful forensic work and Daniel’s dogged legal wits pull the threads together. The truth about flawed or tampered pathology reports comes out in a way that clears the wrongly accused and lays bare the deeper rot. The guilty are confronted, whether by confession, cross examination, or the weight of evidence, and the book ends with justice meted out in a manner that feels earned rather than theatrical. The resolution is sober and bittersweet. There is relief and also the ache of what the revelations destroy.

If I have a small critique it is that the tone sometimes shifts slightly from Perry’s classic voice because another hand finished the manuscript. A few emotional beats feel cooler than in her strongest work. Even so the novel honours her strengths. It is meticulous about procedure and humane about motive. For me this was my first thriller of the year and I genuinely enjoyed it. If you like legal drama, historical detail, and mysteries that wrestle with the price of truth, Death Times Seven is a strong and satisfying final chapter.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always skeptical about books written after the author has passed away. Many of us from the 80s and 90s remember the VC Andrews left notes behind spiel that lead to some decent books but then spiraled out of control into something that basically destroyed her original works, or tried to. Most fans don't even acknowledge the books that touched on her own work. But unlike with Andrews this book was written by someone who was actually a friend of Perry's and according to the author's note Perry had written up to chapter nine before she became ill and passed away roughly three years ago.
And overall I am impressed. The book definitely reads like her other books, and if I hadn't known better I'd swear she wrote the whole thing herself.
In this final installment of the Daniel Pitt series and final Anne Perry book two cases are going on. Toby Kitteridge is defending Peter Ward on trial for the brutal assault and murder of a young woman. During the trial he learns his parents were both shot. His mother has died and his dad is clinging to life. And it's believed his dad did the shooting in a weird murder suicide plot though no one can fully grasp that he'd do such a thing.
Daniel takes over the Ward case while Toby deals with his grief and it soon becomes apparent that this murder is linked to a series of other similar cases, involving threats, bribes and cover ups from someone who will do anything to protect their good name. It also begins to look as though these two unrelated cases might be related after all.
This was a great way to end the series and career. Gripping and engaging from first page to the last. I'm sad there will be no more from Anne Perry but happy I still have a bunch of her other books to work my way through. I also hope the books stop here. Seriously enough with dragging out books from author's who have died, let them rest in peace and what works they have under their own names stand.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Times Seven by Anne Perry and Victoria Zackheim features Daniel Pitt, who is a fabulous character. Zackheim was asked to edit the partially finished book and later asked to finish it. She did a terrific job. Maybe experts can tell where one left off and the other began, but I couldn’t. Daniel is still the same think-outside-the-box trial lawyer he has always been. The book begins when Pitt has to go to Old Bailey and inform his friend and colleague, Toby Kitteridge, that his mother is dead and his father not far from it. The local police were turning it a murder-suicide, as that was the simplest conclusion. Until Toby’s father awoke, if he did, they would not know the truth of the matter. Toby was defending the attempted rape and murder of a young woman and was convinced he was innocent, although he had no proof. As the pair drove to Suffolk, Toby’s home, the air was filled with shock and grief. Of course, Miriam was not sitting still in the middle of this. She was to travel to Suffolk to do an autopsy on Toby’s mother, hoping for a clue.

Daniel Pitt is the product of two excellent characters; he is bright, well-educated, and creative. A prime example is his marriage to Miriam, a woman fifteen years his senior. Thus far it was proving to be a successful match. She was one of the first female doctors/pathologists in England and it had been a fight to get where she was now. It was still often difficult to get respect from certain segments of society. The crime is convoluted. The police were not organized to share information and so things hid. Out of “respect” for the victim and her family, an important piece of information was not mentioned in the autopsy report. It took plenty of legwork and some creative thinking to draw all of the various pieces of information into a cohesive picture, but it happened. Toby also got the answers he needed. Love this series. One wonders if Zackheim will adopt it permanently.

I was invited to read Death Times Seven by Ballantine. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Ballantine #AnnePerry #VictoriaZackheim #DeathTimesSeven

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never read any Anne Perry books until I began reviewing on NetGalley. There I became a huge fan of historical mystery and thrillers, and was so excited when I discovered the works of Ms. Perry. I was heartbroken when she died; such a rare talent who wasn't with us nearly long enough. And I admit I was selfish, thinking I would no longer have more books in my favorite series, Daniel Pitt and Elena Standish. Death Times Seven, the 7th and final book of the Daniel Pitt series, was truly a blessing to read; I got closure of a fantastic series, and it was a wonderful tribute to Ms. Perry's career. She was in the process of writing this book when she passed away, and it was finished by her dear friend Victoria Zackheim. I am thankful that she did such a wonderful job finishing this story, and she really kept Ms. Perry's voice.

In 1913 Britain, junior attorney Daniel Pitt must step in for his friend, fellow attorney Toby Kitteridge, whose parents have been brutally attacked. Toby's mother is dead and his father, a village vicar, is hanging on to life. With Toby returning to the family home in rural Ipswich, struggling with grief and shock, Daniel remains in London to substitute for Toby and defend Peter Ward, on trial for the sexual assault and murder of a young woman. Daniel is convinced that Ward is innocent, yet the evidence seems to prove otherwise. Assisting Daniel is his pathologist wife, Miriam fford Croft, who offers her forensics expertise and exposes a community of fellow pathologists who may have purposefully omitted information from their autopsy reports...but why? Despite Miriam’s involvement in the case, Daniel finds himself distracted by his desire to help Toby, who is too distraught to investigate the attack on his parents. When the evidence points to Toby’s father as the killer of Toby’s mother, Daniel faces two challenges: proving the innocence of both Peter Ward and Reverend Kitteridge. One mistake in London and an innocent man will hang. One mistake in Ipswich and Toby’s father will go to prison for life.

This book was the perfect ending for this phenomenal series! I hate to say goodbye to these characters, but at least I still have the first Daniel Pitt book to read. (The mystery in each book stands alone.) Thankfully I still have the William Monk and Thomas & Charlotte Pitt books to read, alone with a variety of other books this prolific author gifted us. I loved the characters in this book, especially - of course! - Daniel and his wife, Miriam fford Croft. I loved them as a couple. Miriam was 15 years Daniel's senior, and she sometimes worried about being older than her husband. Daniel didn't care; his love and respect for her was touching. Instead of following his father into police work, Daniel became a lawyer. He was still a junior attorney, but was becoming known for his work at the law firm, which was actually the firm started by Miriam's father. Daniel has taken many cases, but this one might be the most important; if he loses, an innocent man will hang. Daniel was lucky to have Miriam as a pathologist on this case, along with Eve Hall, a brilliant pathologist and Miriam's mentor. The story was exciting from the start, when Daniel learns that his dear friend Toby's parents were involved in a horrible incident, and his mother was dead. Daniel had to take over Toby's defense of Peter Ward, which was a death penalty case, but he was also involved in the investigation into the horror of what happened to Toby's parents. No one could believe that Reverend Kitteridge killed his wife then shot himself, but would they ever find evidence to exonerate him? The court scenes were very exciting, as well as Miriam and Eve's pathology studies and looking at other killings they believe may be tied to Daniel's case. I didn't want the story to end, knowing it was to be Daniel's last, but I just sped through my reading...I had to know the truth! This was a fitting end to a wonderful series, and I thank Anne Perry for the delight she has given me and her other millions of fans.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Ray Palen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always thought about the fact that we not only lose a writer’s enormous talents when they pass away but also the lives of all the great fictional characters, they have created. In the case of the late Anne Perry, who left us in 2023, we have the legacy of her different best-selling series that entertained readers for decades: William Monk, Elena Standish, Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, and Daniel Pitt.

DEATH TIMES SEVEN is the final story in the Daniel Pitt series and the responsibility for finishing this falls upon author Victoria Zackheim, who pays homage to Anne Perry not only in her dedication to this novel but also in breathing life into her creation Daniel Pitt for one final murder mystery. Ironically, Daniel Pitt is faced with the unspeakable burden of having to inform his mentor and friend, Attorney Toby Kitteridge, that his mother is dead and father wounded and nearly dead. Even worse, initial inspection makes it appear that Toby’s father Reverend Kitteridge may have shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself.

Now, Junior Attorney Daniel Pitt must not only step into an important murder case for Toby Kitteridge but also help out with the case involving his parents. The Peter Ward case, a man accused of sexual assault and murder of a young woman, is the mantle that Daniel must pick up. Daniel is convinced Ward is innocent and that he has an uphill battle against the evidence stacked against him which will most certainly sway any jury.

The first hurdle for Daniel is accompanying Toby to the town he was raised in to face the body of his deceased mother in the morgue while his father continued to fight for his life in the hospital. Toby also faces a tough battle with his sister Alberta who still resents him and his success while she was left behind in the small town where they were raised. When Toby and Daniel insist that an autopsy be performed on their mother to find out if there were any other reasons for her death, Alberta is not happy. She eventually relents, and Daniel has his wife Myriam travel to them to perform the autopsy. Although she uncovers a bullet inside the corpse, there is little else to point towards an alternate reason for her death.

Daniel realizes that Toby is not up to return to the Peter Ward case as he continues to face a battle to try to save his own family. Daniel returns and steps into a trial where everything is stacked against his client. As the trial edges forward, Daniel finds the best way to save Peter Ward from execution is to discredit the forensics that the prosecution is using to try and convict him. He has a big advantage on his side --- leaning on the expertise that Miriam brings to the game as she has uncovered evidence showing a community of pathologists who may have withheld and even fraudulently misrepresented evidence that could have instantly found Peter Ward innocent of the crime he is accused of. How will Daniel be able to convince a jury of this alleged conspiracy without causing an even bigger scandal? This is at the center of what has become the classic moral dilemma that every Anne Perry novel poses.

The dual murder mysteries at the heart of DEATH TIMES SEVEN makes for a dynamic and gripping read and, like all of Anne Perry’s legions of longtime readers, I give thanks to Victoria Zackheim for completing what can now be officially called the final Daniel Pitt novel. A remarkable finale for a beloved and memorable series!

Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter

[Bookreporter.com Historical Fiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an author passes away, we lose not only their enormous talents but also the lives of the great characters they have created. In the case of Anne Perry, who left us in 2023, we have the legacy of her various series that have entertained us for decades. Among them are William Monk, Elena Standish, Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, and Daniel Pitt.

DEATH TIMES SEVEN is the final Daniel Pitt novel, and the responsibility for wrapping up the series falls on Perry's friend, Victoria Zackheim, who pays homage to her in the book’s dedication and by breathing life into her protagonist for one more mystery.

Daniel is faced with the unspeakable burden of having to inform his mentor and friend, fellow attorney Toby Kitteridge, that Toby’s mother is dead and his father is barely alive. Even worse, it appears that Reverend Justin Kitteridge may have shot his wife before turning the gun on himself.

Now, the junior attorney must work on an important case for Toby. Peter Ward is accused of the sexual assault and murder of a young woman. Daniel is convinced that Ward is innocent, but the evidence against him most certainly would sway any jury.

The first hurdle for Daniel is accompanying Toby to the town where he was raised to face his mother’s body in the morgue while his father continues to fight for his life. Toby also has a tough battle with his sister, Alberta Walsh, who still resents him and his success while she was left behind. When Toby and Daniel insist that an autopsy be performed on their mother to find out if there were any other contributing factors to her death, Alberta is not happy. She eventually relents, and Daniel’s wife, Miriam fford Croft, performs the autopsy. Her findings only raise more questions.

Daniel realizes that Toby is not up to return to the Peter Ward case, so he steps into a trial where everything is stacked against his client. As the proceedings edge forward, Daniel finds that the best way to save Ward from execution is to discredit the forensics that the prosecution is using. He has a big advantage on his side --- leaning on the expertise that Miriam brings to the game as she has uncovered evidence showing a community of pathologists who may have withheld and even fraudulently misrepresented evidence that could have instantly exonerated Ward.

How will Daniel be able to convince a jury of this alleged conspiracy without causing an even bigger scandal? This is at the center of what has become the classic moral dilemma that every Anne Perry novel poses.

The dual murder mysteries at the heart of DEATH TIMES SEVEN make for a dynamic and gripping read. Like all of Anne Perry’s longtime readers, I am very grateful to Victoria Zackheim for taking on this daunting assignment. It’s a remarkable finale for such a beloved and memorable series.

Reviewed by Ray Palen

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an author passes away, we lose not only their enormous talents but also the lives of the great characters they have created. In the case of Anne Perry, who left us in 2023, we have the legacy of her various series that have entertained us for decades. Among them are William Monk, Elena Standish, Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, and Daniel Pitt.

DEATH TIMES SEVEN is the final Daniel Pitt novel, and the responsibility for wrapping up the series falls on Perry's friend, Victoria Zackheim, who pays homage to her in the book’s dedication and by breathing life into her protagonist for one more mystery.

Daniel is faced with the unspeakable burden of having to inform his mentor and friend, fellow attorney Toby Kitteridge, that Toby’s mother is dead and his father is barely alive. Even worse, it appears that Reverend Justin Kitteridge may have shot his wife before turning the gun on himself.

Now, the junior attorney must work on an important case for Toby. Peter Ward is accused of the sexual assault and murder of a young woman. Daniel is convinced that Ward is innocent, but the evidence against him most certainly would sway any jury.

The first hurdle for Daniel is accompanying Toby to the town where he was raised to face his mother’s body in the morgue while his father continues to fight for his life. Toby also has a tough battle with his sister, Alberta Walsh, who still resents him and his success while she was left behind. When Toby and Daniel insist that an autopsy be performed on their mother to find out if there were any other contributing factors to her death, Alberta is not happy. She eventually relents, and Daniel’s wife, Miriam fford Croft, performs the autopsy. Her findings only raise more questions.

Daniel realizes that Toby is not up to return to the Peter Ward case, so he steps into a trial where everything is stacked against his client. As the proceedings edge forward, Daniel finds that the best way to save Ward from execution is to discredit the forensics that the prosecution is using. He has a big advantage on his side --- leaning on the expertise that Miriam brings to the game as she has uncovered evidence showing a community of pathologists who may have withheld and even fraudulently misrepresented evidence that could have instantly exonerated Ward.

How will Daniel be able to convince a jury of this alleged conspiracy without causing an even bigger scandal? This is at the center of what has become the classic moral dilemma that every Anne Perry novel poses.

The dual murder mysteries at the heart of DEATH TIMES SEVEN make for a dynamic and gripping read. Like all of Anne Perry’s longtime readers, I am very grateful to Victoria Zackheim for taking on this daunting assignment. It’s a remarkable finale for such a beloved and memorable series.

Reviewed by Ray Palen

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

⚖️ Death Times Seven is a poignant and gripping finale to Anne Perry’s beloved Daniel Pitt series, completed posthumously by Victoria Zackheim with remarkable fidelity and emotional resonance. Set in 1912 London, the novel blends courtroom drama, psychological tension, and personal reckoning into a narrative that feels timeless yet timely.

🧠 Junior attorney Daniel Pitt is thrust into two harrowing cases that test his legal acumen and emotional resilience. First, he must step in for his friend Toby Kitteridge, whose parents have been brutally attacked—his mother murdered, his father (a local vicar) barely clinging to life. While Toby retreats to rural Ipswich to grieve, Daniel remains in London to defend Peter Ward, accused of sexual assault and murder. The evidence against Ward is damning, but Daniel suspects a deeper, darker truth.

As the cases unfold in parallel, Daniel and his wife Miriam—a forensic pathologist—must navigate a maze of secrets, moral ambiguity, and institutional resistance. The title’s “seven” refers not just to the seventh installment, but to the layered deaths—literal and metaphorical—that haunt the narrative.

🧬 This final installment is steeped in reflection. Perry and Zackheim explore:

- The fragility of justice in a society bound by class and gender

- The emotional toll of advocacy and forensic truth-seeking

- The evolution of Daniel and Miriam’s partnership—both professional and personal

- The legacy of violence and the courage to confront it

This novel interrogates the systems that enable crimes. It’s a fitting swan song for Perry’s career, honoring her legacy of socially conscious storytelling.

✍️ Zackheim’s contribution is seamless. The prose retains Perry’s signature elegance—measured, immersive, and morally incisive. The pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to absorb the emotional stakes and historical texture. The courtroom scenes are taut, the forensic details precise, and the character interactions layered with subtext.

🧩 Daniel Pitt shines as a man caught between duty and doubt. His growth across the series culminates here in a portrayal of quiet strength and ethical complexity. Miriam’s role is equally vital—her scientific rigor and emotional intelligence anchor the narrative. Toby’s subplot adds a raw, human dimension, reminding readers that justice is never abstract.

⭐ Death Times Seven is more than a mystery—it’s a meditation on justice, grief, and legacy. Perry’s final bow, with Zackheim’s deft hand, offers closure not just to a series, but to a career defined by compassion and courage.

For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this is a must-read.

[Kate Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 / 5.0 Stars

What a precious gift to the reading world this book is. It is beloved author Anne Perry's seventh and final book of the Daniel Pitt mystery series. It was half-written at the time of her passing and deftly completed by her friend, Victoria Zackheim, an author and editor.

London, 1912
Daniel Pitt has just delivered some unseemly and devastating news to fellow barrister Toby Kittredge. His father's is in hospital with a gun-shot wound and his mother murdered. Torn between being in the midst of defending a young man up on murder charges and heading home to Suffolk to attend to family matters, Toby accepts Daniel's promise to arrange fair representation to the you Mr. Ward. What little evidence there is, it does not look good for the young man. With the assistance of his pathologist wife, Dr. Miriam fford Croft, and his friend, Detective Chief Inspector, Ian Frobisher, they are racing against time to suss out the evidence which exonerates young Ward. Can they beat the clock before the judge's gavel falls? Only time will tell.

Ms. Perry has done a spectacular job of building the tension of this complex case and carrying the reader along for the ride. The first half of the book focuses on setting the evidentiary details and then the pace accelerates and the tension builds to a frenzy as lives hang in the balance.

Although part of a series, this book stands well enough on its own. The characters are well developed and the reader quickly gets a strong sense of each character's nature, knowledge and passion. The story is a police procedural and courtroom drama with sweet family and friend relations thrown in for that personal touch. We find Daniel and Miriam navigating their new marriage with all the tenderness which that entails. Each ardently loves the other. Yet, more importantly, they admire and respect one another. A rather fresh approach to marriage in 1912.

If this is your first foray into the Daniel Pitt mystery series, fear not, Ms. Perry's character development and setting of place is so well done that the reader is not asea without having read the prior installments in this series. However, I caution you, once you've read this one, you'll most likely want to go back and read the rest of the series. It is too good to be missed.

I am grateful to Ballantine Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication date: April 14, 2026
Number of pages: 288
ISBN: 978-0593982518

[Carole Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

He faces two of his most challenging cases...

...and one of them is personal

London, 1913.. Daniel Pitt is a junior partner who is shocked by the news that the mother of his colleague and good friend Toby has been murdered, his father barely clinging to life and suspected of the killing. Toby is in the midst of a case, defending a young man named Peter Ward who is himself accused of the brutal assault on and murder of a young woman. The case seems open and shut but Peter swears he is innocent and Toby is one of the few who believes him, so Toby's understandable need to withdraw from the trial and rush home to try to sort through the happenings there is a major blow to Peter's case. Daniel, after seeing Toby safely home, takes over the case and he too begins to believe that all is not as it seems in the investigation and trial. Aa he works to provide support to Toby while dealing with the pressure of the high profile case Daniel calls upon his pathologist wife Miriam and her mentor Eve as well as a friend in the police in a desperate bid to identify the real killer and save an innocent man from a grave injustice.
Death Times Seven is the seventh book in author Anne Perry's series featuring Daniel Pitt ( a spin off of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series), and after her death while in the midst of writing the novel it is the final one as well. It was finished by her friend and editor Victoria Zackheim, and in a way that feels very true to Ms Perry's own style. With its Edwardian setting, a murder investigation, courtroom drama and plenty of intrigue and ethical conundrums it exemplifies the best of Perry. Given the era there are social issues and class distinction, and the skepticism of women's ability to do "man's work", but it is the Ward case and Toby's horrific family situation that drive the plot. It can be read as a standalone novel, but readers of earlier installments will have a deeper understanding of the characters and their interrelations. Fans of the series, of Anne Perry's work in general, and those who enjoy well plotted period mysteries with strongly developed characters (readers of Charles Todd, Charles Finch and Jacqueline Winspear, for example) will enjoy this outing, a solid if bittersweet conclusion to a fantastic series. My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Charlene Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

Full disclosure, I have LOVED Anne Perry's books since I picked up The Cater Street Hangman MANY years ago. I especially liked the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, and now enjoy their son, Daniel's further adventures as a lawyer in London. But, sadly, this is the final Anne Perry novel, finished by her good friend Victoria Zackheim after Ms Perry's death in 2023.

In this book, Daniel and his wife Miriam are living happily, Miriam is a noted pathologist who often assists Daniel with the finer points of a crime and he is an up and coming junior attorney in her father's firm.

But when the clerk at the firm notifies Daniel that his friend, Toby Kitteredge's, parents have been brutally attacked, it is left to Daniel to break the news to Toby. At the time, Toby is deeply involved in a murder trial at the Old Bailey and Daniel has to interrupt the proceedings to not only notify Toby, but ask for a continuance in the proceedings. He drives Toby to his parent's town, where they find his mother has been killed and his father gravely injured in what seems to be a murder/suicide! Neither man believes that Toby's father, the village vicar would be capable of such a crime, but he is unconscious and may not survive to tell what really happened.

After a few days, Daniel is forced to return to London to take up the defense of their client, Peter Ward, who is accused of a heinous murder and sexual assault of a young woman. But Toby believes in Ward's innocence and Daniel trusts his judgement, but the deck is stacked against him almost from the beginning and he must use all the assistance of his wife, her colleagues, and even his old University roommate to solve the mystery and bring the real culprit to justice.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Uncorrected eBook File

In his office, working on a complicated brief, Daniel Pitt is interrupted by the chief clerk, Impney, bearing appalling news. Toby Kitteridge’s parents have been shot; his mother is dead, his father, the village vicar, is critically injured. As if any news could be worse than this, Impney reports tat the local police believe Reverend Kitteridge shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself.

Daniel takes Toby to Ipswich, where he speaks with the doctor and then with the police. They speak with Inspector Ridgeway and later have an awkward encounter with Toby’s sister, Alberta Walsh.

Did Reverend Kittridge murder his wife and then shoot himself? What reason could he possibly have for such an action? Can Toby and Daniel find the answers? And what will happen with Peter Ward’s case?

=========

Seventh in the Daniel Pitt series, this story, set in 1913 London, has sufficient backstory for readers new to the series and works well as a standalone. Relatable characters, a strong sense of place, and some unexpected plot twists all work together to keep the pages turning.

With compelling courtroom scenes, the gripping, emotional family interactions, and some surprising forensic discoveries, this compelling narrative is difficult to set aside before turning the final page. Filled with tension and suspense, readers will enjoy seeing Daniel and Miriam working together to expose the guilty.

Readers who enjoy courtroom procedurals, or those who have been following the series, will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable conclusion.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Ballantine / Ballantine Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#DeathTimeSeven #NetGalley

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Death Times Seven,” by Anne Perry and Victoria Zackheim,‎ Ballantine Books, 288 pages, April 14, 2026.

It is 1913. London junior attorney Daniel Pitt must step in for his friend, fellow attorney Toby Kitteridge, whose parents have been brutally attacked in rural Ipswich. Toby's mother, Delia, is dead and his father, Justin, a village vicar, is barely alive.

With Toby returning to the family home in rural Ipswich, Daniel remains in London to defend Peter Ward, on trial for the sexual assault and murder of a young woman, Alexandra Stanton.

Toby has a younger sister, Alberta, who is married to Esmond Walsh. The police believe that the vicar shot his wife, then tried to kill himself. Daniel’s wife, Miriam fford Croft, is a pathologist. Toby had asked Miriam to rerun tests on Alexandra’s body. Evelyn Hall, Miriam’s mentor, is still recovering from an earlier attack. Daniel asks Miriam to perform an autopsy on Delia.

When Miriam returns to London, she and Eve find that other pathologists have purposefully omitted information from several autopsy reports. They wonder what could be behind that ethical violation.

Anne Perry died in 2023. She had written half of this book. Her friend, Victoria Zackheim, an author, finished it. It’s sad to know that I’ve read my last Anne Perry novel. Her characters were always strong, although plots were often easy to figure out.

I rate it four out of five stars.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a rare writer to seamlessly complete an unfinished novel but Victoria Zackheim has done just that. Fans of Anne Perry will hear her ‘voice’ in the characters she created from beginning to end in this latest, and final, Daniel Pitt novel. It’s also clear from the explanation at the end of the book that Victoria Zackheim viewed Anne Perry as a beloved friend as well as colleague, and finishing this story after Anne’s death was a labor of love.

When Toby Kitteridge - in the middle of defending a young man accused of assault and murder - receives devastating news regarding his parents, Daniel Pitt finds himself thrust into the role of lead defense lawyer in this tricky case. At the same time, he feels compelled by his love for Toby to help figure out what exactly happened at his parents’ home in Ipswich, when his mother was shot and killed while his father (presumed to be responsible) lies unconscious in the hospital, severely wounded and as yet unable to provide insight.

Aided by his wife, Miriam, not only his constant support but also a brilliant pathologist in her own right, and Daniel’s good friend Inspector Ian Frobisher, they work to find the truth about not only Daniel’s defense case, but the tragedy of Toby’s parents.

I’m so sad to have read my last Anne Perry, but glad Victoria Zackheim did such a beautiful job completing this novel. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Anne Wolters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Times Seven concludes Anne Perry’s Daniel Pitt series, though this final installment comes with a bittersweet footnote: Perry passed away before completing the manuscript, and her close friend—author and editor Victoria Zackheim—finished the story in her stead.
Set in London in 1913, the novel opens with Toby Kitteridge defending Peter Ward, a young man accused of sexual assault and murder. Toby is convinced of Peter’s innocence. In the middle of the trial, Daniel Pitt bursts into the courtroom with devastating news: Toby’s mother has been killed, and his father is in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. Even more shocking, Toby’s father is suspected of murdering his wife before turning the gun on himself.
As Toby returns home to support his sister and uncover the truth, Daniel steps in to continue the defense in London. Despite the mounting evidence, Daniel also believes Peter is innocent. With the help of his wife, a skilled forensic pathologist, he uncovers startling details that were omitted from both the autopsy and the police reports.
The opening chapters move a bit slowly, but the pace builds steadily into a compelling, emotionally layered mystery. The combination of courtroom drama, family tragedy, and forensic intrigue makes for an absorbing conclusion to the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Joan Bechtold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Times Seven is Anne Perry’s final novel, and the seventh book in her Daniel Pitt series. The book was finished after her death by her personal editor, writer Victoria Zachheim. I had not read any of the books in the Daniel Pitt series, but that does not matter as you are provided with enough background information about the characters within the novel.

Death Times Seven is on the surface a tale of two murders, when in fact it is about much more, including the lawlessness of certain members of the ruling class. The novel opens on the trial of Peter Ward, who has been accused of murdering Alexandra Stanton. He is being defended by Toby Kitteridge, Daniel’s closest friend since joining the firm. In the midst of the trial, Toby learns that his parents have been shot in what police have assumed to be a murder/attempted suicide. As Toby must leave to take care of his parents’ affairs, Daniel agrees to take over the Ward case.

I really enjoyed this novel, especially the progressive relationship between Daniel and his wife Miriam. I also thought that the courtroom scenes were extremely well done, and the novel was suspenseful up to very end. For lovers of Anne Perry’s work, I was unable to detect where Perry’s writing ended and Zackheim’s began. The novel was a seamless whole.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books/Penguin Random House for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All of the opinions expressed in the review are wholly my own.

[Scilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the last book by Anne Perry which was finished by Victoria Zackheim after Perry's death. The book was very exciting. Toby Kittteridge is in court at Old Bailey representing the young man Peter Ward who is being tried for killing a young woman when Impney goes to Daniel Pitt and tells him that Toby's parents have been shot. Daniel goes to court to tell Toby, and the judge adjourns the case for a week. Daniel drives Toby to Suffolk. The police believe that Toby's father shot his wife and then tried to shoot himself. Toby and Daniel don't believe that could be true. Toby finally convinces his sister that Miriam should do an autopsy on his mother. Miriam goes to do it, and finds a bullet in her heart. One of the police told them that they had removed a bullet from the wall. When the second bullet is from a different gun, they know that the police were wrong and there had to be another shooter.

Meanwhile, the case at Old Bailey has started again, and Daniel is trying to save Peter Ward. He introduces the information that a piece of skin with pubic hair was taken from the body and that there were a few other similar cases. I will stop here as things get VERY exciting. This is a great book, and I thank Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC so that I could read the book before publication.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance reader copy of Death Times Seven. All opinions and comments are my own.

The last Daniel Perry novel by Anne Perry (with an assist from Victoria Zackheim, described in the Author’s Note) has the talented barrister helping his friend, fellow barrister Toby Kitteridge get through a horrific crime and also ensure that an innocent (as Daniel believes) man escapes the gallows.

There’s a lot going on here, including some surprises that might be evident with a little deep thinking. And it’s all hands-on deck for this one, as Miriam provides critical evidence, Inspector Frobisher pounds the pavements, and forensic scientist Dr. Eve Hall has some swan song moments.

Much of the book is taking up with the trappings of grief and the psychological effect that the cases are having on Daniel, as he agonizes on whether he is “the man for the job.” Then again, with a fine and sure authorly hand, explanations are all that matters, and readers will get that in spades. Justice prevails, of course, even as the ending seemed rather flat and rather rushed to me. But it is still a fine entry in an entertaining book series, and Daniel Pitt and Miriam fford Croft will be missed.

[Sheri Metzger Karmiol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved reading Anne Perry novels, from the first Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novel and through to William Monk, Elana Standish, Daniel Pitt, the Christmas novellas, and any number of other novels, each one as exceptional as the previous one. Knowing there would be no more Perry novels was so distressing, and then I saw a final Daniel Pitt novel, Death Times Seven, and it seemed a last gift from Perry to her fans. Thankfully, Victoria Zackheim was able to complete this final Perry novel and so brilliantly that I could not detect where Perry ended and Zackheim began.

Death Times Seven does not disappoint Perry fans. The characters and the mysteries are complex with the kind of layering and details that readers have come to expect from Perry. Daniel Pitt needs to help his friend Toby through a family tragedy and also step up to defend a man accused of murder, whom Toby thought to be innocent. How Daniel deals with this pressure, with the help of Miriam, Eve, Joe, Ian, and a group of other characters held my attention. I had to sit up and keep reading long past bedtime. All of the Perry elements are there, creating a book that is a joy to read.
Fans will not be disappointed with Death Times Seven, only sad it s the last novel from a much loved author.

5 stars

[Kathryn E Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragedy hits the law office of fford Croft and Gibson. Toby Kitteridge’s parents have been attacked. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for Toby and his client. Toby believes the young man, accused of murder, is innocent. Now another attorney will have to take over. How will this affect the verdict?

“Death Times Seven” is an exciting mystery, one that readers might not have had without the work of Victoria Zackheim, author and friend of the late Anne Perry. Zackheim completed the last half of the novel. I thought the transition was seamless.

I will miss Daniel Pitt and Miriam and Dr. Eve. So many characters in Anne’s other series were exceedingly memorable as well. I think of Thomas Pitt, Lady Vespasia, and others, even though it has been years since I first read the books they populated.

“Death Times Seven” is the seventh book in the Daniel Pitt series. I would recommend that you read them in order.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Times Seven
By Anne Perry with Victoria Zackheim

Anne Perry was a prolific writer, most notably of Victorian era murder mysteries. When she died in 2023, her close friend Victoria took on the task of finishing this, Anne's final novel.

Daniel Pitt, attorney, and Miriam fford Croft, his pathologist wife, are the protagonists here. The plot involves two separate murder cases, which are actually inter-related. A young man named Peter Ward is on trial for a heinous murder which he swears he did not commit. He is represented by Daniel's close friend Toby Kitteridge. But while Toby is arguing the case in court (because he truly believes in his client's innocence), we find out that a horrible crime has taken place, involving Toby's parents. With Toby pulled away to deal with this personal tragedy, Daniel must step in and defend Ward. What follows is a complex story which will have the reader second-guessing until the final reveal.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Marty Tool · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a standalone of a good series, you don't have to have read the previous ones, but you may want to after you finish this one. The year is 1913 there are two stories in this that need to be solved to save two people from the death penalty. Toby a fellow lawyer and personal friend of Daniel and his wife, Miriam, has to leave his client mid trial to travel home. His parents have been attacked, mother has died and his father is barely hanging on is being blamed for his wife as a murder suicide. The client is accused of raping and murdering a young women, Daniel steps in to cover Toby's legal work and brings in his wife to help with the pathology and fact finding. Working as quickly as they can, they ultimately solve both murders unexpectedly. Having been started by Ms Perry and finished by Ms Zackheim, it flows just as Ms Perry's previous books did, very well done. Having received an advanced book for an honest opinion, I thank the authors and publisher for a chance and truely enjoyed the book.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest and final book in the Daniel Pitt series, by Anne Perry. I am always skeptical of "beyond the grave" books written "in the style of".... However, the author had written the first 9 chapters, and her long time editor completed the book in the"Anne Perry" style. She did a fabulous job! It was hard was to believe that AP did not write the whole thing herself. It had all the elements of a good Anne Perry- the main characters, in all three series, have a strong marriage, they have loyal and trusted friends and colleagues in their inner circle, who are always welcomed in their homes any time of the day or night, who will go to great lengths to help solve the crime. As typical of both Pitt's series, it ended with a spectacular courtroom trial.

This is a fitting tribute to Anne Perry, as well as a final farewell to William Monk and Hester Latterly, Thomas and Charlotte Pitt (and Great Aunt Vespasia), and Daniel and Miriam Pitt. I will miss you all so very much!

Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC opportunity.

[Kristi]

Victoria Zackheim collaborated with the late Anne Perry, a bestselling historical mystery author, to complete Death Times Seven, the final novel in Perry's Daniel Pitt series. Zackheim, an editor and author, worked with Perry on the novel before Perry's death, finishing it from a partial manuscript and outline. Ms. Perry died in 2023. Most of the information about this book neglects the fact that the beloved author has been dead for 2 years. Is this like the books being written by James Patterson, who, though still alive, would not have enough hours in a year to either write or "collaborate" on the myriads of titles attributed to his name??? Note that below the title above only Anne Perry's name appears: Death Times Seven: A Daniel Pitt Novel (Hardcover) by Anne Perry. I do not like it when publishers capitalize on the name of an author without declaring openly that said author is writing from her grave. Greed is not good.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exciting mystery/legal thriller is a combination of two murder cases, two innocent men that could face the gallows and a group of close friends working hard to solve the cases. And with one of the people accused of murder being the father of Toby, Daniel’s friend, and fellow lawyer this intensifies the pressure to find the real murderer.

As the story unfolds, Toby goes home to help his family when his mother is murdered. Daniel takes on the legal defense of the cases and Daniel’s wife; Miriam takes on the investigation of the cases.

The characters are interesting, the legal facts of London courts fascinating, and the storyline is intriguing. It will keep you involved until the conclusion at the end.
I highly recommend this book even if you have not read any of the others in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.