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Summary: Sleuth your way into the Victorian Age!!
Review: To the delight of this reader, Anne Perry captures the mode and mannerisms of Victorian England in this wonderful mystery. Her central characters are a prim and proper upper class family, the Ellison's. They find their sophisticated lives rudely interrupted by a gruesome serial killer. Young girls are being carotid on nearby Cater Street and an Inspector Thomas Pitt must find the killer. Begrudgingly at first, the young Ellison daughter, Charlotte, helps the inspector by providing information to his investigation. Charlotte's privileged upbringing makes her feel disdain toward what she sees as a lowly policeman; but she matures to relay important leads for the inspector. Perry takes one through the array of social attitudes and classes as her mystery unravels. She has terrific description in her storytelling, not only in place and people, but in the nature of dialogue between the characters. She can lay on the twists and turns as thick as any London fog. And her keep-you-guessing style in this one haunts you through the pages. From gas lamps and tea times this is great escapism.
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Summary: Had me on the edge of my seat!
Review: What a great read! With plenty of historical detail, and tiny touches, Anne Perry sweeps the reader into the world of Victorian England, where manners are everything. But a murder turns family against each other, and doubts begin to erode the perfect facade these rich people put up for each other.It's the perfect blend of suspense, history, and a touch of romance! If you're looking for the queen of mystery, here she is: Anne Perry!
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Summary: The book that revived the historical mystery.
Review: What plot! What a setting! What characters! Anne Perry started a revolution with this book, the first in her Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series (Charlotte is not "Pitt" yet in this book). When murder disturbs the elite and proper world of the Ellison family, the cracks begin to show in the family's heretofore placid exterior. Family members start to look at each other with fear and doubt, and suspicion is as frightening as truth. Perry's depiction of Victorian England is detailed and fascinating--she is as knowledgeable of upper-class life as she is of the working-class. Her characters are realistic and sympathetic, and the kicker of an ending in this book is the sort that has become her trademark. You cannot call yourself a fan of the historical mystery without reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: The book that revived the historical mystery.
Review: What plot! What a setting! What characters! Anne Perry started a revolution with this book, the first in her Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series (Charlotte is not "Pitt" yet in this book). When murder disturbs the elite and proper world of the Ellison family, the cracks begin to show in the family's heretofore placid exterior. Family members start to look at each other with fear and doubt, and suspicion is as frightening as truth. Perry's depiction of Victorian England is detailed and fascinating--she is as knowledgeable of upper-class life as she is of the working-class. Her characters are realistic and sympathetic, and the kicker of an ending in this book is the sort that has become her trademark. You cannot call yourself a fan of the historical mystery without reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: The book is better than the movie...
Review: Which is saying a lot because I liked the movie very much. I hope they make more of her books into movies. I only wish they would stick closer to the book when they make the movies, because its hard to improve on her books. :)
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Wow! What a debut! I'm not usually a big fan of mysteries, but I'd heard such great things about Anne Perry that I had to get one. I was NOT disappointed! This is a fast-paced, well plotted, interesting book. The characters will keep you guessing. Charlotte is a terrific heroine and Pitt is delightful. Can't wait to read more about these two and their adventures.
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