Death with a Double Edge

Daniel Pitt #4

by Anne Perry

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

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

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

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

293 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2020

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

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Series: Daniel Pitt #4
Publication Date: 4/13/21
Number of Pages: 304
** 3.4 STARS **

I love this author and this series, but this is my least favorite book so far. I’m not saying it isn’t a good read, I’m just saying that it isn’t as good as previous books. I am usually very good at figuring out whodunit, following the clues, etc. but this one just kept me scratching my head throughout - not in a good way. I just didn’t get some of those ‘logic leaps’ that were made and I’ll give you some reasons below.

Daniel Pitt, twenty-five years old, a lawyer in the law chambers of fford Croft and Gibson, son of Sir Thomas Pitt, head of Special Branch, receives a summons from the police to come to the morgue to identify a body. The only identifiable item on the body was Daniel’s business card. Daniel had already been worrying about his friend and fellow lawyer, Toby Kitteridge because he was always early, never late – and today he was late to work. Daniel, filled with fear and trepidation at what he might see when he gets into the morgue, seems to have his worst fears confirmed when he sees Kitteridge’s unsightly coat hanging in the morgue. Then, they escort him into the area where the body has been kept. Daniel swallows hard, takes a deep breath, and tells them he is ready. What he sees will haunt him forever – a horribly slashed face (and body) – but it isn’t Kitteridge – it is another lawyer from their firm, Jonah Drake.

Why would Jonah Drake be in that depraved part of London – in the wee hours of the morning? Was he pursuing some perverse inclinations at one of the bawdy houses? Not likely. Was he pursuing leads on a case on which he was working? His current case was a tangled financial one, not something that should take him to that area. Is it something from a previous case? It could be. As they question and look into Jonah’s life and cases, they meet a man they didn’t know existed. Jonah was seen as aloof and cold – a workaholic at the office – no personal life, yet, in the notes and drawings they find as they go through his paperwork, they get to know a brilliant mind, a perceptive mind, a witty mind, a lonely man. How could they all have ignored this man who was so much more than they ever imagined?

As their investigation goes on, Daniel’s father gets involved as well as others who have made appearances in previous books. We have more bodies turning up in almost the same place and still no idea who or why the murders have happened.

For me personally, this wasn’t a great mystery – but it was a lovely way to see Daniel grow as a person, and perhaps that was one of the purposes of the book. Daniel has been sort of a man-child who was learning his way in the world and trying to get out of the shadow of his wonderful larger-than-life father. He also sees his own shortcomings in judging someone by outward appearances/actions. His learning to appreciate Jonah as the person he was rather than the person he projected hopefully taught Daniel a valuable lesson he’ll use in future books. He saw his father was human and vulnerable just like everybody else and that was a good thing.

Here are some of the reasons the mystery part of this book left me scratching my head: (1) Daniel seemed totally inept and almost played a secondary role. (2) Daniel, his father, and Kittreridge went over the same evidence time-after-time-after-time. (3) Daniel, his father, and Kittridge asked the exact same questions of themselves and each other time-after-time-after-time. (4) Giant leaps in the progress of the case would happen, with nothing to support it. They just all suddenly decided this is what happened and off they went. (5) Somehow, because Marcus is getting forgetful, they immediately start assuming he must have done something shady. (6) When Charlotte is kidnapped, Daniel and his father sit around reading files trying to solve the murder. How is that going to tell them where Charlotte is being kept? Why didn’t they just ask Roman Blackwell and his mother to check the area where they were sure Charlotte was being held – after all, that area is their old stomping grounds?

Anyway, the book was an okay read, but I wouldn’t read this one again. I’ll certainly be looking forward to the next book and will be hoping that a post-COVID book will have a different flavor/feel than one written during COVID.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Randi Annie Framnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

Main character, junior barrister Daniel Pitt is well connected with a middleclass upbringing. He seems quite empathic and broad minded for a man of his time, particularly his view of women is quite impressive. It’s easy to name him my favorite of this story.
Supporting character is colleague and friend Toby Kitteridge who has worked in the law firm for 8 years. He seems a methodical, trustworthy and kind man who seems to devote all his time to the job.

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

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

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

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll start with what I wrote when I was about half-way through the book: "Oh, this book is so frustrating! The plot is clever and the characters are wonderful but the writing quality is disappointingly awful. Where was the editor?!?!! So much repetition... So. Much."
I regret to say that held true for the rest of the book.
There were a two set pieces near the end that were on par with Perry's best writing; it's a darn shame that the rest of the book did not live up to that level.

[Alternate explanation for all the repetition: the author was trying to give us a good sense of Daniel Pitt and Toby Kitteridge's frustrations with the investigation they had undertaken. Alas, under this interpretation, all I got was a sense that they were spinning their wheels. No two ways about it--there was just too much for the good of the story.]

As the book progressed I thought the mystery plot became rather too convoluted. There was an event towards the end that had me rolling my eyes; I thought that bit of drama verged on being Over The Top. The final confrontation was fine; the results gave us the best possible outcome. However, the abrupt ending of the book was a let-down--I wanted a bit more.

Fans of character Miriam fford-Croft will notice her absence--I thought the story suffered for it.

Note: I have been a fan of Ms Perry's work since 1979, when her first book (The Cater Street Hangman) was published. I will undoubtedly pick up the next in this Daniel Pitt series, hoping for a better reading experience.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

During the read time of the first 1/3rd I had better expectations than most Anne Perry Daniel Pitt series fare (can she churn them out)- but it didn't pan out to be as intriguing as I thought it would. After the first half, the usual sidesteps and angst Pitt family druthers or moving around and location description mode took over. Also some of the law aspects for a case which was left by a hung jury were not sufficiently played out in the tale despite 100 pages of looking back at a friend's and a workmate's memory and Pitt family interchanges in the story progression. The law aspects became mere mentions. All was so loosely tied into the present situation, when it should have been more detailed to "hung jury" aftermath. There were some very confusing leaps of character logic or knowledge in the novel as a whole that were circuitous. All kinds of other issues or concerns of reality to what may have occurred were possible. Usually the path to the eventual brutality or crime is far more clear than it was here.

So it was almost exactly average for this genre and author. Daniel is developing in age but I found the period in which Charlotte was missing and Thomas Pitt more involved went beyond my believability quotient. Staid and stolid is one thing, but not when your core person is kidnapped and/or not being located!

Regardless, Perry posited a good case or two study this time and Daniel at 26 years of age finally seems to be gaining some true adult perspectives upon judging other work mates and also being more apt to consider having "fun in fellows well met" occasionally. l do truly like his relationship with his landlady. That's superb. She's an excellent character.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder strikes the law firm of fford Croft and Gibson!

1911 and King George V is England’s monarch. The violent death of a senior lawyer in the law firm where Daniel Pitt works, fford Croft and Gibson, rocks the firm and opens up chaos and danger for Daniel, Thomas and Charlotte.
A man Daniel believes to be Kitteridge is discovered brutally murdered in a seedy part of London, an alley in Mile End, a “pretty bad part of the East end.” Heart in mouth Daniel goes to identify the body. It turns out the dead man is Jonah Drake. “Drake had been a very clever man, had won most of his cases, even when they seemed impossible.” A man who “knew the law as Daniel knew the alphabet.” The question is, what was it that took Drake to this area?
Daniel and Kitteridge need to investigate whether Drake’s murder has anything to do with his previous cases. Drake’s main area of expertise has been with cases around embezzlement. Concerns for the firm’s reputation drive Daniel and Kitteridge along as one murder soon turns to three.
Meanwhile one of Drake’s cases is to do with the murder of a woman. The man, Evan Faber was accused of beating a woman to death. Drake had successfully defended Fabre and he had been acquitted.
However the more Daniel digs the uglier things could become.
It seems Faber’s father is a noted ship builder, owner of the biggest shipyards in the UK. An essential business in these days of rising European tensions. Apparently Thomas has been told by the Home Secretary to leave the father alone. Daniel’s investigations look like leading him not only into danger but into conflict with the Home Office.
Meanwhile the shadow of corruption, a slight stain over the firm of fford Croft and Gibson, is waiting to burst forth into a full blown scandal. As events turn even more suspect, both Thomas and Daniel find themselves facing and making hard choices. Marcus’s daughter, Miriam, is away in Holland studying forensic science. Daniel is reluctant to call her back, even as he worries about Marcus’ memory and his ability to handle the current situation.
Another clever and suspenseful read from Perry featuring some of my favorite personalities.

A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change

[Daniel Shindler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Perry is a prolific author who has written two series set in the Victorian Era. Her signature series featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt begins in 1881 and through thirty two books moves sequentially through this era,focusing on social structure and issues. The books are strong on character development and atmosphere, giving the reader a sense of being transported to Victorian London. Her most recent series features Thomas’ son Daniel, a young barrister, and moves the timeframe into the twentieth century in the fourth installment of the current series.

In June,1911, Daniel is summoned to the dangerous Mile End of London to identify a man who has been viciously murdered in the middle of the night.The deceased has one of Daniel’s cards in his overcoat. Daniel identifies the man as a senior member of his firm, Jonah Drake. He is a brilliant but remote member of Daniel’s firm and Daniel has had little professional or personal contact with him. It is shocking that a highly respected member of the bar is found in a district of ill repute at such a late hour.The scandal of this discovery could reflect poorly on the reputation of the firm, leading to unpleasant revelations that could compromise the ability to attract new clients. The head of the firm, Marcus fford Croft, urges Daniel to discretely try to discover the reason for Drake’s visit to this insalubrious area and dispel the innuendos that are sure to arise.

Daniel sets out on a twisting inquiry that is initially filled with questions that have no apparent answer. In the process, he enlists the help of his father, now elevated to the head of Special Branch and knighted as Sir Thomas Pitt. Their task takes them to the warrens of depraved and dangerous neighborhoods as well as the bastions of power and influence. They encounter physical danger and political obstacles that must be overcome before a solution becomes apparent.

The strength of an Ann Perry novel lies in the social issues and characterization put forth. These strengths are evident in this book. England has embarked on the reign of George V. His reign begins the nascent period of British imperialist expansion to its fullest extent. The need to expand naval capabilities to continue hegemony is a concern that appears throughout the plot. Additionally, there is a wonderful portrayal of the relationship between Daniel and his father that raises the issue of a son’s anxieties about living up to his father’s achievements and expectations. Daniel’s attempts to know the personality of the deceased Jonah Drake by reading his case notes also adds a layer of interest to the novel.

Clearly, there is much to engross the reader in this work. I have always found the social and personality aspects of Perry’s novels more intriguing than the mysteries involved.This book produced the same reaction for me.The plot sometimes wanders before righting itself. Despite this shortcoming, the book is an immersive and satisfying read, portraying a specific point in time and hinting at the fissures and trauma soon to envelop both Europe and the world.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

I really enjoy this author's work and this book series, but this is my least favorite book in the series so far. I didn't find the mystery as compelling as in past books, and there seemed to be a lot of filler and repetitiveness to the story.

Jr. barrister Daniel Pitt is asked to identify a man that's been murdered in a bad part of town. He has no id, but Daniel's card is in the man's coat pocket. As the police describe the man and coat, Daniel fears that it's his friend and colleague that hasn't shown up to work yet. It is indeed one of Daniel's colleagues, but not his friend Toby. Fearing that a scandal could ruin the law firm's reputation, Daniel and Toby begin searching for clues to solve the murder. Their managing partner seems to know more than he's telling them, but with his daughter out of town studying and his failing memory, it's uncertain how much help he will be. Their search will take them to seedy brothels and have them rubbing elbows with powerful and corrupt people. Their efforts are blocked in multiple ways, and danger lurks everywhere.

While I still like Daniel, and the supporting characters, there was just something amiss about this book. Perhaps it was because his usual sidekick, forensic scientist Miriam, is not with him for this mystery. Or perhaps it was because the subject matter was rather blah. The characters seemed to spin their wheels a lot in this book and go over the same questions over and over again. The constant inner dialogue and self doubt started to really annoy me half-way through the book. Daniel had made such strides in his skills and confidence since the first book, and this time he seemed to slip back into his old ways a bit. While it may be more realistic, I didn't enjoy it.

Even with those minor criticisms, I still liked the book and still enjoy reading this author. I will definitely check out the next book in the series when it is released, and I encourage you to read this book in the meantime.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Ballantine Books. All opinions are my own.

[LJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

First Sentence: Daniel was worried.

Jonah Drake, a senior lawyer with fford Croft and Gibson, has been murdered, his body found with Daniel Pitt's card in the pocket of his jacket. Almost more important to the law firm than who killed Drake, is learning whether the murder was personal, or involved the legal chambers. Looking into his past cases, which were mostly financial but also involved two murder cases, Daniel and colleagues are concerned about possible wrongdoing on Drake's part, and whether Marcus fford Croft, the firm's founder, was involved.

The book starts off very well with Perry adroitly setting scenes that convey the transformation from the Victorian era to the Georgian period, and with the thoughts and anxiety Daniel feels traveling to the morgue. The dialogue is audible; one not only hears the words but the intonation and emotion. Perry wraps one inside Daniel, allowing one to know his thoughts.

Unfortunately, that becomes the book's downfall as we spend too much time with Daniel thinking and not doing. It is the protagonist making decisions and acting on them that creates a compelling read. The constant dithering of Daniel, and later even Pitt, becomes repetitive and, frankly, boring.

It was nice to have Daniel's parents, Thomas and Charlotte, involved. Kitteridge, a colleague in the firm, is a good secondary character, but fford Croft is ill-used, and Roman Blackwell and his mother, the two most fascinating characters, were seriously underutilized, which made no sense as they were the ones with the skill and contacts to have done the on-the-street investigation.

There are huge leaps and assumptions made with no substantiation. At the point of danger and suspense, Perry backs off since one knows the threat isn't dire and won't be acted upon. The situation makes no logical sense, and the character behind it could not possibly have thought the threat would work. Even so, once again, the characters sit and dither rather than act. Worst of all, the ending is abrupt making it completely unsatisfactory.

"Death with a Double Edge" is not the best representation of Ms. Perry's fine writing. As has been noticed for other authors, this may have been a case of trying to write during a period when no one's focus or attention was quite up to par. One must hope that the next book will be up to Perry's usual standard.

DEATH WITH A DOUBLE EDGE (HistMys-Daniel Pitt-London-1911/Georgian) – Poor
Perry, Anne – 4th in series
Ballentine Books, Apr 2021, 304 pp.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review Death with a Double Edge. All opinions are my own.

Daniel Pitt, our protagonist in his fourth book, this one set in May, 1911 is fighting to save his law firm and solve a murder at the same time in Death with a Double Edge. When he's called to the scene of a terrible crime he finds the body of one of the senior partners of fford Croft and Gibson. It’s a bad part of town – what was the man doing there? And how will this affect the firm? Was it a case, or something in the man’s past, even blackmail perhaps. How many murders – and mystery books – deal with that!

Obviously, the firm may not survive this scandal, and with Marcus fford Croft unwell, it’s up to Daniel and Kitteridge, his friend and fellow lawyer to ferret out the truth and save everyone’s reputation. And find the man’s murderer, of course.

Daniel begins to wonder how Marcus is involved – something underhanded? This has him more and more worried. Much of the book is taken up with these fears. And maybe some questions could have been put to the man, and that aspect of the case cleared up much sooner. But hey, who am I to judge.

Another murder takes place, part of a case from the dead man’s legal past. It’s becoming quite evident that that one case is proving to be the key to everything. There’s some twists and turns that readers will not see coming! The brilliance of this book is its plotting, the degree to which everything ties together. There is also a true sense of time and place, and the undertone of how England is moving towards war.

Towards the end Daniel’s family is personally involved, and some tension-filled scenes occur that will keep readers definitely invested in the outcome. Finally, he has all the proof he needs to find the true killer and additionally, save the firm’s reputation.

My final criticism of the book was that the ending came around rather abruptly, it seemed to me. All’s well that ends well, even if it ends brusquely. But Daniel Pitt can breathe a sign of relief and continue the practice of law, in Death with a Double Edge.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death with a Double Edge is the fourth book in the Daniel Pitt series by the incomparable mistress of the historical mystery, Anne Perry. I'm a rather new fan of this author, and I've yet to read anything by her that wasn't fabulous. If you haven't read the first three books of this series you won't be confused, as this mystery is a stand-alone. You will, however, want to go back and read more about these fascinating characters.

Daniel Pitt, a junior barrister, is summoned by the police to identify a murdered man who had Daniel's card in his pocket. Fearing it is his best friend and co-worker Toby Kitteridge, he discovers the deceased is actually Jonah Drake, a senior barrister in their firm. What was Drake doing at Mile End, a dangerous part of the city, in the middle of the night? Marcus fford Croft, the head of their firm, seems to know more than he lets on...or is his issue his deteriorating memory? Daniel and Toby investigate Drake's past cases, and one in particular leads them to a wealthy shipbuilder whose business is important in building up Britain's naval fleet. Suddenly there's another murder, then another, and Daniel's investigation is being blocked by officials; even Daniel's father Thomas Pitt, head of Special Branch, is warned off the investigation. Then Charlotte Pitt, Daniel's beloved mother, disappears...

The story starts out slowly, with Daniel and Toby looking into Drake's past cases. However, soon things start to speed up, turning into a complicated mystery with many twists and turns and plenty of red herrings thrown in to notch up the suspense. I just adore Daniel, an up-and-coming young barrister building a name for himself. He's a smart man, but he's also willing to ask for help when he needs it. I really enjoyed the times Daniel went over his case with his parents to get their keen insight. We have a good amount of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt in this series installment, and they were a welcome addition. Marcus fford Croft's situation herein was unsettling; was he involved in this mess and keeping secrets, or were his health issues the problem? Daniel agonized over the situation, as fford Croft was his mentor, but was also the head of their firm; if he was involved in wrongdoing, the entire firm would be adversely affected. The only thing that displeased me in the story was the lack of Miriam fford Croft's presence, as she was studying in Holland during most of the book. I missed her working the case with Daniel...thank goodness she arrived in time to help wrap up the case! I hope Ms. Perry won't make us wait too long for Daniel's next adventure!

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.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inexplicable murder of one of the firm’s best lawyers in the seedy East End has Daniel and the others scrambling to find out the truth because more than the firm’s reputation is riding on it. Each new installment in the series has me eager to see how young, intrepid Daniel Pitt will beat the odds and get to the truth as danger mounts.

Death With a Double Edge is the fourth of the Daniel Pitt series which is a spinoff series of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. These are standalone mysteries, but there is a series arc that build the character and relationships as the series progresses.

I love that the author has written this next generation series to continue the legacy of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt by following the career of their son, Daniel. Rather than law enforcement, Daniel has gone into law and is a junior barrister at a prestigious law firm. He is young enough to need to prove himself to his parents, to his boss, Marcus, and to himself.
The death of a senior barrister at the firm places him into a position where he must investigate the death to make sure the firm isn’t implicated in some secret crime associated with the death. His investigation pits him against a powerful captain of industry in the shipbuilding world even while his father is ordered to take a hands off in the situation because the shipbuilder is building ships for the Navy.

I’ve always been impressed with how this author writes complex characters and allow the readers deep inside their psyches. Daniel is young and slowly gaining experience and wisdom. He has fears and struggles, but he is also an intelligent, tenacious person. In this book, he is faced with the possibility that a man he respects highly might be involved in something underhanded even while he realizes that he missed an opportunity to know an amazing person in the man who died because he allowed himself to be put off by a not-so-easy personality. Like with past books, Daniel and those who help him are up against something bigger and more powerful than he is where the safest option is to let it go. In this case, it was a blind eye being turned when those with status or power should be facing justice.

Historical backdrop is always vividly drawn so period setting, society, and culture are all a strong element. I enjoyed the update that Miriam fford Croft is off in the Netherlands getting her degree in forensic science because England didn’t offer the degree to women, but she is determined to pursue it as a career even though she is middle-aged. And, yes, there is still that whiff of affection that Daniel feels for this older, talented woman that I hope becomes more.

As to the mystery, this started slow for me. Daniel is left casting about for the right trail for a great while. He is reluctant because he fears where the trail leads, but also he has to work out which is the right trail. Once he was on it, the murder and the past leading to it seemed obvious. Though yes, there were a few surprise twists that lead to a bit of suspense near the end.

An extra treat for Thomas and Charlotte fans was that they played a strong role in this book including their own minor storylines. I liked that the author waited until the series was well established before she did this so that Daniel was already the established and welcome lead character.

All in all, this latest in the series was engaging both for character development and the mystery. Those who enjoy historical mystery with a strong leaning toward character and background development should definitely give these a try.

I rec’d an eARC from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

2022: I'm still disappointed with these, and the Minnie Maud thing still bugs me, but I liked it better on the reread. I'd give it a 2.75 if I could.

This series is admittedly better than her awful Elena Standish books, but they still feel as if Perry is trying to extend a series that she should have ended. She attempts to make it feel like the Thomas and Charlotte series by giving them active roles into this one, but even that feels like an effort. She also plops in Minnie Maud, whom I assume is the maid from the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books, but seems almost a stranger here. Another mediocre book from someone who is capable of far far better things, and if you have never read a Perry book go back and get "The Cater Street Hangman" and start there.

And if you have read the entire series, you should be as disappointed as I am with these recent books.

[Glenda Gallagher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read every book in the Pitt series, and this one, I have to say, I could not even finish. I’ll likely not read anything more of this author, and that is a shame, but the series has grown very stale for me.

[Marybeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first book by Anne Perry and it will be my last. I’ve never read a more melodramatic piece of rot.

[Poptart19 (the name’s ren) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

A fun, twisty historical mystery with great characters.

[What I liked:]

•The characters are excellent! Each one, including most side characters, have their own quirks & distinguishing personality traits. I either liked or was intrigued by them all. It’s not a character-development-heavy book since it focuses on the mystery, yet Daniel does think & have his mindsets challenged by the discoveries he makes about the people around him, & takes the time to consider the cost of his actions. I thought that struck a nice balance.

•The writing is smooth, & for the most part not too wordy or dense. The dialogue was believable. I especially liked how the writer paid attention to facial expressions & nervous tics & other subtle tells, adding nuance to the description of conversations.

•I loved all the little delicious & unique details of this story! Such as Drake’s cartoons, Toby’s weird fashion sense & special brand of organized chaos, the unusual murder weapon, the character with memory issues, the unconventional love interest, etc. They helped the story stay memorable, & made it enjoyable to read; not like a formulaic plot with generic characters.

•The plot is decent, with enough hints that the twists don’t seem random, but also subtle enough that the mysteries aren’t transparent. There were several layers, complexities, & actors involved to keep the action interesting.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•I figured out the perpetrator early on, & so I was a bit disappointed the MC’s remained so clueless & didn’t suspect *anything* at all in that direction. Not even a hint, when it felt obvious to me. Of course there were plenty of details and motives & complexities to the case that I quite enjoyed watching slowly being revealed throughout the book. It’s not like I had everything figured out. But the way the MC’s raised every single possible angle (even far fetched ones), except one, pointed a big red fat arrow in the direction they were blithely ignoring; which confirmed my suspicions without giving me any uncertainty to keep me guessing.

•There is lots of repetitious discussion of the facts of the case in dialogue. Some amount of hashing out the details & asking pertinent questions is necessary of course, but at times it felt like the *same exact* hand wringing & conversation (Whodunnit? Why? Etc.) was being repeated every chapter without any new angle, bepuzzlement, or bits of info. This got annoying & felt very boring. I wish these conversations were varied a bit more so there had been more of a sense of forward momentum to solving the case. (The overall pace of the action, however, is excellent!)

•A certain fight involving some women seemed far fetched to me. Both are on the ground & injured, & two of their attackers simply flee? Wouldn’t the attackers have finished them off?

CW: murder, physical violence

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

From time to time, I have read some of Anne Perry’s Victorian mysteries. They are literate, atmospheric, and well written. This is the third book in her new series featuring Daniel Pitt, the barrister son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, the main characters in her earlier books.

The story is interesting, but somewhat plodding, with a lot of review of the evidence and facts of the case over and over again. Perry’s detailed, descriptive language paints a strong picture of the characters and their environments and there is fascinating insight into the life and times of early twentieth century London. It is worth a read for those factors more so than as an enthralling mystery.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find myself liking the characters more than I care about the actual mystery, but I will probably continue to listen to this series since I do like the characters.

[Joe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incompétent detectives inspired by an author who is just filling pages never solved the crimes. Suspect just died on his own.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Review to come.

[Jo Dervan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Daniel Pitt, a young attorney in a prestigious London firm, was called to the police station to identify a body, he was shocked to find that it was Jonah Drake, one of his colleagues. The deceased was a brilliant attorney who was killed in the early morning hours in a seedy part of London. Marcus fford Croft, the head of the firm, gave Daniel & another attorney the task of finding out why Drake was killled and whether it would affect the reputation of their firm.
Daniel examined a recent case where Drake successfully defended the young son of a very wealthy and influential shipbuilder in a murder case. The murder of a popular young woman remained unsolved but the police were not interested in finding the killer. Then the acquitted son was murdered in the same manner as Drake and in the same location.
Daniel sought the help of his father, Sir Thomas Pitt, the head of Special Branches. While investigating the murders, Daniel met with both the wealthy son and Bella Blades, an attractive young woman. Soon Bella was also murdered and it was discovered that she was the assassin who had killed Drake and the wealthy young son.
Daniel and his father join forces to find out who was responsible for the murders of the 4 people and how they were connected.
The author often sprinkles her mysteries with details of life in England and she continues that tradition in this book. The story takes place in the years leading up to World War I when England was trying to bolster their navy.
I have written several books by this author. I enjoy how skillfully she weaves a tale based on historical facts while adding details about domestic and social life at the time.
I received this ARC from the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Kate Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in talented author, Anne Perry's, Daniel Pitt novels is a delicious mystery and quagmire from the underbelly of 1911 London's streets. Multiple murders are revealed but are they somehow related? You'll want to read the book to find out. It's great to see Sir Thomas and Lady Pitt of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series written into this story alongside their junior barrister son, Daniel. The interpersonal relationship is strong yet tender.

Ms. Perry's historical research is spot on. She writes of the seediness of London's slums, the obvious differences among classes, their homes and attire. Her writing is rich in description and one is easily drawn into the scenes as though watching from the corner of the room. The dialogue is well crafted such that the reader senses the personality of the speaker, their depth of their character and their idiosyncrasies. If you enjoy historical fiction mysteries, then I suspect you will enjoy this series as much as I.

Publication Date: April 13, 2021
Pages: 304
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9780593159330


I am grateful to author Anne Perry and Ballantine books for having provided a complimentary uncorrected proof of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

[Lynn Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Perry's work, and the characters of the Pitt series (both this one, and the one about Daniel's parents) are generally solid reads. For that reason I'm giving Death with a Double Edge three stars instead of two.

Death with a Double Edge is my least favorite of all the Pitt books. At the 32-percent mark (I checked), I wondered how often the characters were going to tell each other that they had to get to the bottom of the case/mystery. (By the way, Daniel Pitt is a barrister/attorney, hence the use of the word, "case.") I had to agree with them: cut the internal dialogue and chasing around London and GET SOMEWHERE with the storyline.

[Cynthia Kauffmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know the game where the first person says a word, the next person repeats that word and then adds their own, and it goes on like that?

That is this book, tell the event, tell the event and add one more fact, tell the event, add the fact and one more new one. I felt like I couldn't get out of the circle.

It seemed like a billion times it was said, " we have to find out the truth before the police do".

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt that this was the best yet in the Daniel Pitt series. I thought the portrayals of the characters was very touching. Especially poignant was the treatment of the senior barrister. I like Daniel's sensitivity to his family and colleagues.

[Kathy Sebesta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talk about a book that goes around, and around, and around, and around. Everyone working frantically to solve the case and no one making any progress until ten pages from the end, when the solution is handed to them on a silver platter. Not one of her better plots.

[Ray Palen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junior barrister Daniel Pitt is quite annoyed that his colleague Toby Kitteridge is late for work. Especially since this is something the often-disheveled Kitteridge never is --- late. Not long after he had these feelings a young Police Officer comes into the law offices of fford Croft and Gibson specifically asking for Daniel. He is needed to come down to the morgue to identify a body that was found with one of Daniel’s business cards in his pocket. Suddenly, Daniel’s annoyance with Kitteridge immediately turns to fear as he believes he is going to be identifying his good friend.

Thus begins the fourth novel in Anne Perry’s Daniel Pitt mystery series, DEATH WITH A DOUBLE EDGE. Long-time readers of Perry’s work will recognize the name Pitt because Daniel is the son of Head of Special Services Thomas Pitt who has long been featured in another of her mystery series where he stars alongside his wife, Charlotte. Daniel enters the morgue and the first thing he sights is the frumpy overcoat that belongs to Kitteridge hanging in the room. When he approaches the body and the surgeon pulls the sheet back, he is shocked to see the face of another law firm colleague, the much older Jonah Drake.

What is almost as surprising as the body reveal is when Daniel learns that Jonah Drake was found sliced up by what appears to be a sword in the Mile End area of London. Daniel understands Mile End is a seedy and dangerous place at any time of day, but especially so at 2 A.M. which was the time the police claim Drake was found. Daniel is asked by the head of his firm, Marcus fford Croft, to go through some of the recent and more controversial cases Jonah Drake had worked on. To begin with, Daniel always found Drake to be a bit of a miserable loner and is surprised to learn from his assistant and others who he worked with that he was a very nice, if not private, man. One case involved a man accused of murder who Drake saved from hanging. The man in question, Lionel Peterson, was angry that his wife was never called to the stand to attest to his innocence, but other than that he did not appear to have been mad enough to kill Drake.

The other case was more interesting and one that Daniel’s own father, Thomas, urged him to stay far away from. It involves a wealthy young man named Evan Faber whom Drake also got off on a murder charge where he was accused of killing a popular young woman named Marie Wesley. It wasn’t so much about the murder victim as it was about the young man’s father --- Erasmus Faber --- who was a business owner and ship builder responsible for helping to build the U.K.’s fleet. The year was 1911, and if the U.K. does not have a strong naval fleet, they will be easy targets for the other growing super-powers within Europe.

Daniel defies his father’s wishes and meets with Evan Faber, who he end up liking very much. They even go on a pub crawl one evening. The only difference is that Daniel ended up with a hangover while Evan ended up dead in the police morgue, his body found in the same Mile End area as Jonah Drake was found and killed in nearly the same manner. Now, it is apparent that Drake was killed over something to do with the Evan Faber case --- but what? Why would Jonah Drake ever be in that area much the same as the wild young Evan Faber? They were both wealthy, upper-class gentlemen who would never be seen in such an area. This makes Daniel Pitt’s plight extremely interesting and deadly.

The key to this mystery ends up being Charlotte Pitt. At one point, she offers up the term ‘catspaw’ to Daniel and it was unfamiliar to him. She then educates him that this stood for someone who does dirty work for someone else because they didn’t want to get dirty themselves. This was quite intriguing and now Daniel had to fit together these puzzle pieces to see how Drake and Evan Faber fit in. The story then takes and ironic and unexpected twist when Charlotte is abducted by two sinister men and held in a brothel in Mile End. She tries her best to talk her way out of it, but it may be far more difficult than she imagined, and it might be her husband and son’s investigation into these deaths that put her in this position.

Anne Perry is always good for including a morality tale within her work that makes it so timely to the period and engaging. In this novel, it is clearly just a depiction of the large difference in classes, much like a Dickens novel. No one who is wealthy or in a position of power seems to be trustworthy or above getting their hands dirty. This includes the local Police Chief Letterman as well as the afore-mentioned shipbuilding magnate, Erasmus Faber. All in all, it makes for another terrific mystery and Daniel Pitt is really growing into his own man in Perry’s newest series of novels.

Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young attorney Daniel Pitt, when called to identify a man in the police morgue who had his card, is at first afraid that it is Kitteridge, one of the younger partners who had been late to a meeting. However, it turns out to be Jonah Drake, one of the firm’s senior partners, who has been viciously murdered in one of the seamier parts of London. Concerned for the reputation of the firm, Daniel’s employer, Marcus fford Croft, assigns him and Kitteridge to comb through Drake’s recent cases for a connection.

They soon hone in on two cases, one in which the son of a shipping magnate was acquitted of the murder of a young woman, and another in which the defendant was left with a stain on his reputation, despite not being convicted. Keeping on the right side of the shipping magnate, Erasmus Faber, is vital to the British government’s national interests as they attempt to build up their navy in the years leading up to WWI, so Daniel is warned by his father, Sir Thomas, head of Special Branch, to avoid involving him if possible, but this is where the trail seems to lead. Soon others are murdered, and Daniel, Sir Thomas, and his mother, Charlotte, find themselves deep in a web of corruption and scandal.

Since Miriam fford Croft, the daughter of Daniel’s employer and his usual partner in detection, is attending medical school on the Continent, and due to the unusual nature of the case, both of his parents have a far more central role than they have in the earlier books in this series. I, for one, was glad to see them back in the thick of the action once again, and the love of the parents for their son and for each other, even after thirty years of marriage, as well as his for them, is believable and well drawn, especially when Charlotte is put in danger in a bid to stop the investigation and they fear that they may never see her again.

The mystery, as always, is enjoyable, although I felt that the solution maybe wasn’t quite up to snuff, but where Ms. Perry has always excelled is in the creation of often quirky but always believable characters who seem to jump off the page. The first victim, Jonah Drake, in particular, comes to life (ironically, after his death), as Daniel searches his papers and possessions for clues to his murderer, and he comes to see what he thought was rather standoffish, even boring, older man as a brilliant, passionate legal mind with a wry humor and even artistic talent. Marcus fford Croft, who may be contending with the early stages of dementia, is also perceptively and sympathetically drawn.

Death with a Double Edge is a worthy entry into a series that, with the 32 Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books, now stands at 36 books, all well written and enjoyable. I look forward to Daniel’s further adventures and growth as both a human being and an attorney.

I received a copy of Death with a Double Edge for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the fourth in the Daniel Pitt series, which is actually a spin-off of Perry’s Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. Daniel is their son and is a lawyer. The setting of the book is England in 1911. In this installment, a senior partner in the law firm is found dead in a rough area of London and it’s up to Daniel and his colleague Toby Kitteridge to find out what the man was doing in this part of town. They don’t know if it’s related to any of his current or past cases or if something more personal brought him to this dangerous area. They don’t want to invade his privacy, even after his death, but they need to know if anything he’s been could cause problems for the law firm.

You don’t need to read earlier books from either series to enjoy this book. Daniel is a likable character in his own right. He wants to think the best of people, but is smart enough to know that people are imperfect and have secrets. He respects Marcus, the head of his law firm, but objectively investigates to see if he had any involvement in immoral and/or illegal activities that could have led to the death of one of their firm’s top lawyers.

New readers will enjoy the book, fans of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series are in for a treat because Daniel’s parents play a large role in this story. The book begins slowly, but definitely picks up when Thomas and Charlotte become involved. Fans of the Daniel Pitt series will be happy that there are a few returning characters from prior books, such as Roman Blackwell and his mother, Mercy. Miriam, Marcus’s daughter and potential love interest for Daniel, is away in Holland for most of the book so she doesn’t appear until near the end of the book. Although the investigation goes in circles in the beginning, after a few twists, the pieces come together by the time the story concludes. However, the ending is a bit abrupt and could have used an additional chapter to wrap things up. Fans of the series and of the author will enjoy this well-researched, well-written book.

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Ballantine Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another historical murder mystery in the Daniel Pitt series. When Jonah Drake, one of the senior barristers in the law firm is found murdered in a seedy part of London known as Mile End, Daniel is asked to secretly investigate to see what Jonah was working on that would've taken him to that part of town and in the wee hours of the morning at that.

Daniel has his friend and colleague Toby Kitteridge have to sort out Jonah's case files and notes, but Miriam fford Croft is in Holland getting her forensic scientist qualifications, and Daniel can't ask her, as much as he'd like to, to miss classes to help with the case.

This case brings up a lot of questions and Daniel and Toby need to find the answers as several more people are murdered and Daniels' mother, Charlotte is kidnapped. Was Jonah Drake taking bribes? Was Jonah's murder personal? Did it have anything to do with the recent murder case even though the man was found innocent? Why was one of the bodies moved after the person was killed?

This story had several twists and turns, and I couldn't figure out who the bad guy(s) was until Daniel and Toby started revealing the evidence at the end. I liked that we see more of Daniel and his parents together, in fact, Daniel works with his father to help find his mother. I was glad we got to see Miriam towards the end, and I'm still wondering if she and Daniel will get together romantically. I liked how Daniel and Toby discovered more about their aloof colleague, Jonah, while investigating his murder. He was a brilliant attorney and it will be interesting to see how the firm fills in the space he left behind.

I received a complimentary copy by the publisher Ballantine via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in my review are my own.

[Sue F · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Death with a Double Edge, author Anne Perry has created a really nice pre-WWI historical mystery featuring Daniel Pitt, the son of the protagonists (Charlotte and Thomas Pitt) in her earlier “main” series. Daniel has become a lawyer, and after the gruesomely murdered body of one of the senior partners in the firm where he works is found in a decidedly not-nice part of town, he feels compelled to investigate. Why was Jonah Drake there? Was it tied into one of his previous cases? Or was it something personal? And what does the head of Daniel’s chambers, Marcus fford Croft, know about it? Oh, and by the way, is Marcus starting to suffer from memory loss – either intentional or otherwise? Readers will enjoy following along as Daniel and one of his fellow junior lawyers try to find answers to their questions and figure out who killed Jonah, with some help from Charlotte and Thomas.

But what makes this book a bit different, and a bit more than just another historical mystery, is that Perry also riffs a little on a timeless human issue: what it means to be the son of a very successful man. One of the sons of a famous father, is, of course, Daniel Pitt himself. By the time of this spin-off series, Thomas Pitt is the head of Special Branch, and quite well known in many circles. So when, early in the book, Inspector Letterman asks Daniel if he’s related to Thomas, readers can almost feel the weariness in Daniel’s voice when he says, “my father”. But there’s also another son of a famous father in this tale – Evan Faber, who had been successfully defended by Drake in a rather notorious murder trial only a few years earlier. His father, Erasmus Faber, is a titan of the ship-building industry, which is growing in importance as pre-WWI tensions are building between Britain and Germany, and Evan struggles a bit in comparison. Evan and Daniel are both likeable as they negotiate trying to live up to their fathers.

All-in-all, Death with a Double Edge is a smooth and enjoyable read. Please keep in mind that I rarely give 5-star ratings, reserving them for a very very few books – maybe one in thirty or forty books that I read. So the 4-star rating that I’m giving Death with a Double Edge is a solid recommendation to read this book! And my thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance review copy.