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Charlotte & Thomas Pitt #22
Southampton Row
In Victorian England, a divisive election is fast approaching. Passions are so enflamed that Thomas Pitt, shrewd mainstay of the London police, has been ordered not to solve a crime but to prevent a national disaster. The aristocratic Tory candidate—and Pitt’s archenemy—is Charles Voisey. The Liberal candidate is Aubrey Serracold, whose wife’s dalliance with spiritualism threatens his chances. Indeed, she is one of the participants in a late-night séance that becomes the swan song of a stylish clairvoyant who is found brutally murdered the next morning in her house on Southampton Row. Meanwhile, Pitt’s wife, Charlotte, and their children are enjoying a country vacation—unaware that they, too, are deeply endangered by the same fanatical forces hovering over the steadfast Pitt.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2002
162 people are currently reading
1225 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
362 books3,375 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
April 24, 2016
2.5 stars.
Ever since Thomas got kicked out of Bow Street and shoved into Special Branch, the books have gone into more political intrigues and maneuvers . Not sure I like it as much as the previous more straight-forward murder-mysteries.
Ever since Thomas got kicked out of Bow Street and shoved into Special Branch, the books have gone into more political intrigues and maneuvers . Not sure I like it as much as the previous more straight-forward murder-mysteries.
October 31, 2014
Disappointing. Charlotte has become an afterthought. I love this series, but after reading the last two, I'm not sure I like the direction it's heading in. Charlotte is not even mentioned on the dust jacket to the next book. I love Thomas, but I also like having different perspective through Charlotte. The Pitt novels started out as a mystery series featuring Thomas and Charlotte. It seems to be turning into spy novels focusing mainly on Thomas. Unfortunately, not looking forward to the next book as much as usual.
November 19, 2010
Not her best, I think she is overdoing the inner circle story. And if Voisey is so twisted, he needs to get what is coming to him. Pretty ridiculous that he and his sister can murder an innocent man, and the authorities know it, with no repercussions.
November 23, 2024
Perry and her editors make a notable goof here: the Beatrice Potter mentioned here in a conversation between several ladies is NOT the author of the Peter Rabbit books. That is BEATRIX Potter. Beatrice Potter Webb, wrote about workers rights and related subjects, not about hedgehogs and bunnies!
October 18, 2023
Anne Perry's books about crime in Victorian England are kind of meh if you ask me. They are not actively bad, but they aren't great either. In Southhampton Row, a medium is found dead in her palatial London house. Only three people came to see her the night she was killed, so the murderer must be one of them, right? Thomas Pitt just has to prove it.
I would advise against reading this book first if you have never read another Anne Perry book. It refers back to The Whitechapel Conspiracy, an earlier book in which Pitt was fired from the Bow Street police station and assigned to Special Branch, which seems to be something like the FBI. If you haven't read The Whitechapel Conspiracy, Southhampton Row will seem puzzling at times.
The three visitors to the medium were a highly thought of army officer, the wife of a man standing for Parliament and a mystery person, who is identified only by a small drawing called a cartouche. Pitt goes back and forth, interviewing the two known visitors and trying to puzzle out the identity of Cartouche. He has another assignment, to foil the election of Charles Voisey to Parliament. Voisey is Pitt's sworn enemy. His evil deeds are featured in The Whitechapel Conspiracy, so as I said, read that one first.
This is a beach house book. Perry does a decent job of making her books historically accurate but this one failed to hook me.
I would advise against reading this book first if you have never read another Anne Perry book. It refers back to The Whitechapel Conspiracy, an earlier book in which Pitt was fired from the Bow Street police station and assigned to Special Branch, which seems to be something like the FBI. If you haven't read The Whitechapel Conspiracy, Southhampton Row will seem puzzling at times.
The three visitors to the medium were a highly thought of army officer, the wife of a man standing for Parliament and a mystery person, who is identified only by a small drawing called a cartouche. Pitt goes back and forth, interviewing the two known visitors and trying to puzzle out the identity of Cartouche. He has another assignment, to foil the election of Charles Voisey to Parliament. Voisey is Pitt's sworn enemy. His evil deeds are featured in The Whitechapel Conspiracy, so as I said, read that one first.
This is a beach house book. Perry does a decent job of making her books historically accurate but this one failed to hook me.
May 9, 2021
Belle enquête malgré quelques longueurs et répétitions. J'aime moins le côté intrigue politique et le cercle intérieur me semble de plus en plus présent avec son lot d'invraissemblances. S'il était aussi puissant, il n'y aurait plus de Pitt depuis longtemps... J'espère que les prochains tomes seront davantage dans la veine policière des débuts.
December 1, 2020
I really enjoy Anne Perry books.
This story was very interesting.
I like the time frame and the couple.
Charlotte and Thomas Pitt
This story was very interesting.
I like the time frame and the couple.
Charlotte and Thomas Pitt
Read
January 27, 2012An entertaining if at times a bit confusing read. The storyline is farfetched at points combining politics, the sensation of the Spiritualist movement and murder most foul. Even from the historical fiction point of view the way Spiritualism is presented is too dramatic for it to be a 'meaningful' element. This is allowing too for liberties associated with dramatic license. A minor complaint probably as it is fiction!
Popular writers of this type, regardless of the genre they excel at, usually are an acquired taste. The obvious style is certainly what has drawn readers back for many works. Perry excels indeed, just not my cup of tea. [Had to throw in one British euphemism at least!]
This selection has more to do with a random pick than anything else to satisfy my curiosity. This writer came to my attention beyond just awareness of the string of books on the best seller list/stand because of a movie. Yes, that movie, for those of you who are fans and followers of Anne Perry.
"Heavenly Creatures" tells a partially fictionalized account of the writer Anne Perry (by her real name as Perry is a nom-de-plume) and a portion of her childhood in New Zealand. Dark tale that she has only granted one known interview regarding since her release from prison.
A good series of books it seems from this one dip in the pond.
Popular writers of this type, regardless of the genre they excel at, usually are an acquired taste. The obvious style is certainly what has drawn readers back for many works. Perry excels indeed, just not my cup of tea. [Had to throw in one British euphemism at least!]
This selection has more to do with a random pick than anything else to satisfy my curiosity. This writer came to my attention beyond just awareness of the string of books on the best seller list/stand because of a movie. Yes, that movie, for those of you who are fans and followers of Anne Perry.
"Heavenly Creatures" tells a partially fictionalized account of the writer Anne Perry (by her real name as Perry is a nom-de-plume) and a portion of her childhood in New Zealand. Dark tale that she has only granted one known interview regarding since her release from prison.
A good series of books it seems from this one dip in the pond.
July 30, 2012
If you enjoy murder, mystery and the Victorian era, then Anne Perry is the author for you!!
In this outing, the intrepid Inspector Pitt has been re-assigned to Special Branch as retaliation by Sir Charles Voisey, whom Pitt thwarted in an attempt to become so powerful as to make England a Democracy under his own leadership.
Pitt is asked to solve a murder with highly political implications, while dealing with the appearance that he has, among other things, caused the suicide death of a much beloved pastor (he didn't, of course but that's how Voisey makes it look).
All the usual wonderful supporting characters are here: Charlotte - Pitt's higher-social strata wife, Gracey - the Pitt's spunky maid, Inspector Narraway - Pitt's boss at Special Branch, and of course, the absolutely delightful Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould, Charlotte's aunt, and an amateur sleuth who frequently helps Pitt out in solving his cases.
Great characters, interesting murder investigations, and the Victorian era styles, politics, and decorum. What more could you want?
In this outing, the intrepid Inspector Pitt has been re-assigned to Special Branch as retaliation by Sir Charles Voisey, whom Pitt thwarted in an attempt to become so powerful as to make England a Democracy under his own leadership.
Pitt is asked to solve a murder with highly political implications, while dealing with the appearance that he has, among other things, caused the suicide death of a much beloved pastor (he didn't, of course but that's how Voisey makes it look).
All the usual wonderful supporting characters are here: Charlotte - Pitt's higher-social strata wife, Gracey - the Pitt's spunky maid, Inspector Narraway - Pitt's boss at Special Branch, and of course, the absolutely delightful Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould, Charlotte's aunt, and an amateur sleuth who frequently helps Pitt out in solving his cases.
Great characters, interesting murder investigations, and the Victorian era styles, politics, and decorum. What more could you want?
January 5, 2012
This was a good enough read but I didn't enjoy it as much as other Thomas Pitt mysteries I read in the past. The main problem is that this is a sequel to "The Whitechapel Conspiracy", which I haven't read. I think I would have understood the characters and background better had I read it before "Southampton Row". I was also disappointed that Charlotte & Gracie were sent on holiday and I did miss their presence a lot. Still, it was en enjoyable read and I do love Anne Perry's writing style:)
June 14, 2018
I really liked this book in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. The political intrigue combined with the fraudulent medium kept me reading far into the night. Looking forward to the next book.
June 8, 2015
Esta novela se centra más en cuestiones políticas, y no tanto en el crímen que se investiga.
December 26, 2019
The ironical result of the Whitechapel Conspiracy (Book 22) was that the thwarted villain was knighted for 'saving' the realm... reaping the benefits of Pitt's and the other law enforcers' efforts of averting the disaster of turning the Monarchy and Parliament into a Presidential Republic and thus completely turning upside down what was truly British ~ the reassuring comfort of thousands of years being ruled by monarchs, who may be flawed but were/are symbols of English pride, unity and belonging... and this would be the reason why though the change of government could be plausible it would not be possible because the English people would not stand for it. So, Sir Charles being now a hero could not be seen overtly overthrowing the Monarchy and thus he must run for a seat in Parliament (mortifying Vespasia and the others) and then later on be Prime Minister and because his opponent was outspokenly naive with his socialist views and his wife involved herself with the current preoccupation of the aristocracy with mediums and séances, Sir Charles would probably win. Vis~á~vis his campaign for a Parliamentary seat, Voisely's campaign to discredit Pitt and hurt him via his family also commenced. Meanwhile Pitt was tasked with preventing a scandal surrounding the Serracolds specially when the medium that Rose was seeing died of asphyxiation. Another engrossing story.
June 25, 2021
I have always enjoyed the Thomas & Charlotte Pitt series (& the William Monk series) of Anne Perry. She writes very detailed stories of 19th century England which give the reader a clear picture of what life was like in this time period as well as interesting tales of mystery, murder, police procedure, & historical fiction. I'd gotten away from this series for awhile, but enjoyed getting back to it. Thomas Pitt is a police inspector heading up Bow Street, investigating the crimes of London. His wife, Charlotte, a member of an upper class society family who gave up her privileged place to marry him, often becomes involved in helping him with his cases. Thomas has become involved in trying to prevent a powerful secret society from undermining the government which has been dangerous for him as well as his family & lost him his position at Bow Street but found him a place in the Special Branch dedicated to hunting out anarchists & fighting the Inner Circle. In this adventure, the murder of a psychic medium may have something to do with the government elections taking place & involve a revenge plot by the man who Thomas foiled in his bid to take over the government. This was a good story which kept the interest & pages turning to discover the wicked plan. I enjoyed it very much.
October 7, 2018
Okay-so I'm 22 books into this series and I think it may be a love/hate with me. Actually, I think if they just cut out about 100 pages from the middle, I'd totally love the series. Because usually I'm hooked in the first 100 pages and I can't put it down for the last 100...but it drags in the middle. Totally true in this case!
"In Victorian England, a divisive election is fast approaching. Passions are so enflamed that Thomas Pitt, shrewd mainstay of the London police, has been ordered not to solve a crime but to prevent a national disaster. The aristocratic Tory candidate—and Pitt’s archenemy—is Charles Voisey. The Liberal candidate is Aubrey Serracold, whose wife’s dalliance with spiritualism threatens his chances. Indeed, she is one of the participants in a late-night séance that becomes the swan song of a stylish clairvoyant who is found brutally murdered the next morning in her house on Southampton Row. Meanwhile, Pitt’s wife, Charlotte, and their children are enjoying a country vacation—unaware that they, too, are deeply endangered by the same fanatical forces hovering over the steadfast Pitt."
"In Victorian England, a divisive election is fast approaching. Passions are so enflamed that Thomas Pitt, shrewd mainstay of the London police, has been ordered not to solve a crime but to prevent a national disaster. The aristocratic Tory candidate—and Pitt’s archenemy—is Charles Voisey. The Liberal candidate is Aubrey Serracold, whose wife’s dalliance with spiritualism threatens his chances. Indeed, she is one of the participants in a late-night séance that becomes the swan song of a stylish clairvoyant who is found brutally murdered the next morning in her house on Southampton Row. Meanwhile, Pitt’s wife, Charlotte, and their children are enjoying a country vacation—unaware that they, too, are deeply endangered by the same fanatical forces hovering over the steadfast Pitt."
May 21, 2017
So glad we are almost back to her old style... Although Pitt has another set back. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Pity anyone who reads them out of order....
In Victorian England, a divisive election is fast approaching. Passions are so enflamed that Thomas Pitt, shrewd mainstay of the London police, has been ordered not to solve a crime but to prevent a national disaster. The aristocratic Tory candidate—and Pitt’s archenemy—is Charles Voisey. The Liberal candidate is Aubrey Serracold, whose wife’s dalliance with spiritualism threatens his chances. Indeed, she is one of the participants in a late-night séance that becomes the swan song of a stylish clairvoyant who is found brutally murdered the next morning in her house on Southampton Row. Meanwhile, Pitt’s wife, Charlotte, and their children are enjoying a country vacation—unaware that they, too, are deeply endangered by the same fanatical forces hovering over the steadfast Pitt.
In Victorian England, a divisive election is fast approaching. Passions are so enflamed that Thomas Pitt, shrewd mainstay of the London police, has been ordered not to solve a crime but to prevent a national disaster. The aristocratic Tory candidate—and Pitt’s archenemy—is Charles Voisey. The Liberal candidate is Aubrey Serracold, whose wife’s dalliance with spiritualism threatens his chances. Indeed, she is one of the participants in a late-night séance that becomes the swan song of a stylish clairvoyant who is found brutally murdered the next morning in her house on Southampton Row. Meanwhile, Pitt’s wife, Charlotte, and their children are enjoying a country vacation—unaware that they, too, are deeply endangered by the same fanatical forces hovering over the steadfast Pitt.
July 25, 2021
Being a long time fan of Anne Perry, I found this 2002 novel in a used book store in like-new condition. It didn't take me long to read the entire book and realize how much I enjoyed Thomas Pitt and his wife Charlotte, mostly Thomas in this thriller.
While my knowledge of the British Parliament, particularly over a hundred years ago, was pretty shaky, I was able to understand the politics sufficiently enough to understand the parties, issues, and election that was purported to be taking place. This was in addition to the murder of a clairvoyant during a séance. Since I really enjoy a good murder mystery, this one intrigued me because of its investigation which left even me questioning 'who-done-it?'
A satisfactory ending to the story topped off my enjoyment, as I can recall with most of the author's
conclusions to her books.
While my knowledge of the British Parliament, particularly over a hundred years ago, was pretty shaky, I was able to understand the politics sufficiently enough to understand the parties, issues, and election that was purported to be taking place. This was in addition to the murder of a clairvoyant during a séance. Since I really enjoy a good murder mystery, this one intrigued me because of its investigation which left even me questioning 'who-done-it?'
A satisfactory ending to the story topped off my enjoyment, as I can recall with most of the author's
conclusions to her books.
January 31, 2018
Interessante come tutti i gialli di AP, storicamente ben costruito - anche per quanto riguarda comportamenti individuali e sociali- trama coinvolgente, che si risolve come di consueto in una bolla di sapone.
Ma .... ma AP è sempre più radicale nell'esporre i sentimenti, il sentire, i moti dell'animo. C'è una perentorietà nelle sue affermazioni che lascia quasi imbarazzati; la sua partecipazione al dolore, alle tragedie, alle vicissitudini è troppo dichiarata, troppo trasparente, e spesso reiterata fino alla noia. Una caratteristica che spesso induce a saltare interi paragrafi con un senso di déjà lu assai fastidioso.
edit: 1 settembre 2012.
Noooo, avevo già letto anche questo! rimosso completamente dalla memoria e riletto in ebook ....
Ma .... ma AP è sempre più radicale nell'esporre i sentimenti, il sentire, i moti dell'animo. C'è una perentorietà nelle sue affermazioni che lascia quasi imbarazzati; la sua partecipazione al dolore, alle tragedie, alle vicissitudini è troppo dichiarata, troppo trasparente, e spesso reiterata fino alla noia. Una caratteristica che spesso induce a saltare interi paragrafi con un senso di déjà lu assai fastidioso.
edit: 1 settembre 2012.
Noooo, avevo già letto anche questo! rimosso completamente dalla memoria e riletto in ebook ....
September 5, 2022
Unlike the previous murder mysteries that Thomas Pitt solved with the aid of his wife, her family and his trusted, if quirky, associate, these last two books have been more political and filled with social commentary. Unfortunately this makes the stories repetitive and overlong and takes away from the sense of adventure. My main concern is that Charlotte, Gracie and the children have been marginalized for their safety. Supposedly the most powerful man in England hates Pitt with a burning passion and will do anything to destroy him. We see this man's ability to get away with murder and the all-consuming power of the Inner Circle and it's getting tiresome. If Pitt remains stuck in this loop I may have to bid these books adieu.
May 5, 2022
Now that Thomas has been forced into Special Branch, he has to deal with lots of political intrigue. Which is super fun to read. There was much discussion about imperialism & Home Rule for Ireland, trade, and worker's rights as Parliament elections are going on. Emily's husband, Jack, is facing re-election & supporting a candidate for another seat who is now in Pitt's professional sights as he is forced to investigate the murder of a popular medium. It's all very tangled but the circle slowly tightens as the danger comes close to his family. Very good read.
October 5, 2017
Another great story of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt's Victorian England. A woman was murdered shortly after conducting a seance. Although Thomas Pitt is now in Special branch, he is brought into the murder investigation because of its possible connection to an upcoming election. Running in the election are Pitt's brother-in-law, the young politician he is mentoring plus Pitt's enemy Charles Voisey.
August 11, 2018
Nothing like coming in at the middle. No 22 in a series? Now I have to go back and find the first 21. I enjoyed the characters and the plot and the setting and the writing, which in this edition anyway, explores the nature of politics. Although it was published in 2002, I found it especially convicting in this Age of Trump. Motivations for civil service, affect of power, means of achieving power, difficulty of innocence, danger of naivete.
May 15, 2020
Thomas Pitt Series
I'm this book Thomas Pitt has again been removed from command of the Bow Street Station and reassigned to Special Branch. He and his family are about to depart for a holiday when Victor Narraway tells him that he needs to stay in London to try to keep Air Charles Voissey from winning election to Parliament in Lambeth South. How Pitt does that while still keeping his family safe makes for an enthralling read. Highly recommend this book and the series.
I'm this book Thomas Pitt has again been removed from command of the Bow Street Station and reassigned to Special Branch. He and his family are about to depart for a holiday when Victor Narraway tells him that he needs to stay in London to try to keep Air Charles Voissey from winning election to Parliament in Lambeth South. How Pitt does that while still keeping his family safe makes for an enthralling read. Highly recommend this book and the series.
March 13, 2021
One of the most boring books I've ever read! The first 3/4 of the book was a soap opera, spending page after page describing parties, wardrobes and how the characters felt. The pace FINALLY picked up at around page 250 and the last quarter of the book was mildly enjoyable. If the author had scrapped the first 3/4 and made a short story of the remainder, I would have given it three stars. This series is a roller coaster for me - I enjoy one or two books and then dislike the next one or two.
September 26, 2022
Best served cold?
Pitt is dismissed once again from Bow Street, finding himself back with Special Branch, seeking to satisfy Narraway’s demands while not fully sure he can trust him. Fear for the resentments and revenge Voisey may inflict leads him to send Charlotte, Gracie and the children off on the holiday he’d planned to take with them, hoping they would be safe. But can anyone be out of the reach of the Inner Circle and a man of implacable hatred?
Pitt is dismissed once again from Bow Street, finding himself back with Special Branch, seeking to satisfy Narraway’s demands while not fully sure he can trust him. Fear for the resentments and revenge Voisey may inflict leads him to send Charlotte, Gracie and the children off on the holiday he’d planned to take with them, hoping they would be safe. But can anyone be out of the reach of the Inner Circle and a man of implacable hatred?
September 18, 2018
3.5 / 5
Quite a good suspense, but I found there were a little too much to take in = not only problems vis-à-vis Thomas Pitt, but many moments of politics which were a little boring, though I assume necessary to the plot.
I give it only 3.5 stars, but recommend it if you want to know who the new head of the Inner Circle is.
Quite a good suspense, but I found there were a little too much to take in = not only problems vis-à-vis Thomas Pitt, but many moments of politics which were a little boring, though I assume necessary to the plot.
I give it only 3.5 stars, but recommend it if you want to know who the new head of the Inner Circle is.
November 21, 2018
I always enjoy books in this series... I do wish I had a chance to read the ones before this one, but it does stand on its own nicely. Pitt has to work a lot of things through without support he has previously counted on. He encounters plenty of danger, twisting of facts, and brick walls, but his determination to right things wins.
March 14, 2020
A little far fetched
I’m hooked on the Pitt books but this one relied on too much supposition. There was no way some of the events could happen other than a leap of faith by the reader. I was disappointed. But then again. I will not stop reading anything by Anne Perry. The atmosphere she creates of Victorian England is magnificent.
I’m hooked on the Pitt books but this one relied on too much supposition. There was no way some of the events could happen other than a leap of faith by the reader. I was disappointed. But then again. I will not stop reading anything by Anne Perry. The atmosphere she creates of Victorian England is magnificent.
April 4, 2020
Poor Thomas Pitt has been unjustly demoted from his position in the police force by a very dangerous enemy who unfortunately occupies a prominent and respected position in the British government. This man is out to ruin Pitt even if he has to revenge himself by attacking Pitt's wife and family. It is a suspenseful novel and one I enjoyed reading.
July 30, 2022
I enjoy seeing how these books unfold, becoming deeper in their texture and in the authors understanding of human character as the series unfolds. I especially appreciate how the author deals with human frailties and shortcomings, not turning a blind eye to them, yet offering compassion to those who fall short and are in need of kindness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews