Viktorianische Morde

Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #1-3

by Anne Perry

Return to the origins of the Victorian-era sleuthing couple with the first three mysteries in the “unfailingly rewarding” New York Times–bestselling series (The New York Times Book Review). “For nearly four decades Anne Perry’s riveting detective novels have played out against the backdrop of the Victorian era” (The Washington Post). Now in a single volume, readers can enjoy the “exemplary Victorian company” of this incomparable pair of sleuths in their earliest adventures (The New York Times). The Cater Street In the series debut, Inspector Thomas Pitt seeks an elusive strangler among upper-class British society, with the help of the outspoken Miss Charlotte Ellison, whose maid fell prey to the killer. As their relationship shifts from antagonistic sparring to romantic sparks, the socially mismatched pair must solve the mystery before the hangman strikes again. Callander As her husband investigates the discovery of two dead infants found buried in an elegant square in London, a pregnant Charlotte uses her social status to gain access to the parlors and inner chambers of the fashionable neighborhood. With the help of Charlotte’s sister, Emily, Lady Ashworth, who lives on Callander Square, the sleuthing couple attempts to unearth secrets a seemingly upright aristocrat would kill to keep. Paragon When Charlotte’s brother-in-law, Lord George Ashworth, becomes a suspect in an unspeakable crime committed on the posh London street of Paragon Walk, she must balance supporting her sister, Emily, with assisting Thomas in exposing a monster cloaked in gentleman’s clothing.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

829 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2000

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

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

2021-06: Paragon Walk: 3 stars.
I found this case didn’t really hold my attention. I kept getting the characters mixed up, and kept forgetting about the victim, which is never a good sign.
I was glad that Charlotte and Emily still are fond of each other, and sleuthing together. Pitt didn’t really have much of a presence in this book, and it’s Charlotte who figures things out, though her revelation comes right at the very end of the book, which ended pretty abruptly.
I did really like George’s great aunt, or whatever the relationship is. Vespasia was a favourite, and all, “I’m too old to give a damn about being polite!”

2021-05: Callandar Square: 3.5 stars. Two dead babies are unearthed in Callandar Square, which brings Thomas Pitt to the wealthy families in the area. Charlotte, meanwhile, is happy in her now two-year marriage to Thomas, while Emily is quite satisfied with George, though growing a little bored now that she's done well for herself. The sisters take it upon themselves to investigate the families, as they're aware that Thomas will not likely get to the truth because of his social standing. Together, the women find a mess of secrets, trysts, and rape, while Thomas is stymied by the families anxious to hide it all from him.
The clue that solved the murders was delivered rather late, but was easy to see. I particularly liked the interactions between Charlotte and Emily, who seem to now be much more relaxed and affectionate with one another.

2021-04: Cater Street Hangman: 3.5 stars. An interesting start to a long-running series. We meet Charlotte Ellison, middle daughter of a gentleman, who has a tendency to not hide her thoughts and make herself small, pleasant and stupid to suit her class’ expectations of a lady.
Young women are being garrotted near the Ellison's home, and Thomas Pitt investigates, and meets Charlotte when one of her family’s maids is murdered. Charlotte’s eyes are opened slightly to the inequality that her class depends on.
I was pleasantly surprised at Perry’s dissection of the gentry and their pomposity, unearned privilege, misogyny and condescension of the lower classes.
I think that Perry did not lay quite enough groundwork for the reveal of the murderer, but I still enjoyed this book.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels by Anne Perry are an interesting set of stories that present intriguing mysteries set in early 1800 England. The tiers of society-rich versus common-play in the lives of the characters. Charlotte is from a well-to-do family while Thomas Pitt is a police detective from a lower class family. While the mysteries are complex and the perpetrators not evident, the societal issues play into investigations and the motivations of the characters. These stories are very readable and provide a look into a past to which some currently would like to see return.

[Susan Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure I read these three murder mysteries in the early 90s, but I've read so many books since then that I had no memory of them, other than the fact that I'd enjoyed them. They're all quick reads, with red herrings galore, and one very subtle clue as to "whodunit" thrown into the mix. Once the perpetrator is revealed - boom! - the book is done, with no epilogue, though continuing on through the series does show how the events of the previous case(s) has affected the main characters.

[Gary and Sandra Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

These first three books of this series introduces us to Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, husband and wife who have the unique abilities of solving crime. Thomas is a police inspector who first meets Charlotte on a gruesome case that involves her family. Her sister Emily figures in all three books too. Ms. Perry has a intriguing writing style and prose. All her characters are interesting and her murders fascinating. Great stories.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read the first two books in this Victorian mystery series, and I have to say it's been a slog. The two main characters are completely underutilized and don't figure very prominently in the stories, as you'd think they would. While the writing is done well, the plots are underwhelming. This is the first time reading this author and it will be my last. I'm not going to bother reading the last book in this bundle (the third in the series) as it is not worth my time.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are very well written and I enjoyed them. The first two were excellent but I felt the third book did not flow as well, it did not follow the path of a normal type of investigation that Thomas would have conducted. I look forward to reading more books by Anne Perry.

[h. patricia smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read on a rainy day

THree stories in one were great i did not even guess the culprit in any of them. Enjoyed reading about customs of the time with the disparity between the classes - rich and poor or servants. Good entertainment and hard to put down

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historical accuracy of these novels is extremely impressive. Not just the superficial things like clothes and servants, but the whole culture. And they are good and engaging mysteries, too! I'll be continuing to read.

[Michal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this and it wasn't what I thought it was about.
Manners and class in England.
DNF? I don't know if I'm coming back. I read one of these years ago, and liked it enough that I wanted to read the series in order but I'm rethinking this.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

Enough twist in story to keep you reading. I like stories about that time period. Will read more of her books

[Doris L. Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific series

I really enjoy reading about English aristocracy and the detectives. I think their methods working around the social status' are interesting.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read each one of thes in one day--had to find out how the stories resolved. But no more for now. I've had enough of Victorian society and its hypocrisies!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like mysteries and I read The Cater Street Hangman. I like Perry's voice and will read more.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usual Victorian mystery - you'd think no one would want to be friends with crimes happening to all their acquaintances.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed these first 3 novels in the series. I like the crimes but I love the utter bitchiness of the upper class ladies to each other. We are reminded of the poverty of Victorian London and the idleness of many of the rich.

[Faribura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich mag diese viktorianischen Krimis, die mehr Sittengemälde als Kriminalfall sind. Frauen sind die Helden, die im Verborgenen agieren und die Männer unterstützen. Erschreckend wie selbstverständlich das ist.

[Kristyn Bray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read 1-2 not 3 yet

[Heather Reynolds]

Always enjoy these stories.