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Summary: Of mediums and politics
Review: I am a real Anne Perry fan and have never read a book of hers that I didn't like. She has a wonderful grasp of the customs and political environment during Victorian times and she imparts that information to the reader while spinning a wonderful mystery at the same time. In this latest Thomas and Charlotte Pitt tale, Thomas is about to leave on a 3 week holiday with his family. He is summoned by Victor Narraway who tells him that he will not be able to make the trip because he must stay and try to foil the efforts of Charles Voisey, a Tory who is seeking a seat in Parliament. Pitt has tangled with Voisey before and knows what a dangerous man he is and what evil he could do in a position of power. He has no choice but to give up his trip and purue Voisey. In the middle of his investigation, a death occurs which seems to be tied to some politicians and their wives who will be effected by the outcome of the election. Pitt continues to investigate both the death and Voisey, while fearing for the safety of his family in the country. Perry presents several people who have a motive for killing the dead victim and, in the end, ties the tale together neatly. For those who have followed Perry's two series and for those who are new readers, this is a recommended book.
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Summary: Superb Victorian mystery
Review: In late nineteenth England, it is not the monarchy or parliament who rules the country but a clandestine organization known to only a few as the Inner Circle. Thomas Pitt, a Metropolitan Street policeman, once tangled with a member of that group and for his effort was fired from his position as the superintendent of the Bow Street Station. When he was able to neutralize his enemy Queen Victoria reinstated him.
Unfortunately, his enemy was able to hold on to his power and thus pulled strings to force the transfer of Pitt from Bow Street to Special Branch, an organization involved in guarding England's from her enemies. Pitt is assigned the task of neutralizing his old enemy who is running for a seat in the House of Commons. The former superintendent knows that if he wants to keep his wife and children safe, he must succeed in his assignment and do it before his enemy has a more powerful base than he already has.
Anne Perry, the leading writer of Victorian mysteries, has published her best work to date in SOUTHAMPTON ROW. It is as much a political thriller as it is a Victorian historical mystery. The details of the era are so detailed and colorful, that it feels as if the author actually lived in that period. The mystery is complex and creative but the most fascinating part of the book is the political picture Perry paints for her audience that turn a potent tale into a masterpiece. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Southampton Row
Review: One of the better books in the series so far, Southampton Row focuses on the "big plot" centered on the sinister Inner Circle. The element of continuity gives added interest to these volumes of Perry's long-running series of Victorian mysteries. This book doesn't stand alone; one has to have read the previous several volumes to get the most out of it. I've always regretted that Perry doesn't challenge her characters more, or involve them in physical action. Here she does so -- still not as much as would make for a *really* exciting book, but it's an improvement. Pitt's career is in danger, and Tellman actually gets a fight scene to his credit. Characterization progresses here -- the characters' relationships with one another deepen and become more meaningful. At the end, there's even hope for the forlorn Isadora. I'm not certain how believable the Parliamentary politics/conspiracy theory theme really is, but it's an interesting one. I'd recommend this as one of the strongest of the series.
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Summary: A superb read
Review: Southampton Row continues the story of Pitt's fight against the Inner Circle. Now we see that the shadows of this group are becoming flesh and blood and the power that the body weilds is much clearer and directed towards Pitt in particular. The story involves Pitt becoming involved in an election process that will return Gladstone to power although it is early made clear that this will be a short lived government and that what is really going on is positioning for the next election. Perry's grasp of the British election process of the 1890s is excellent and the attention to detail extremely important. By products of the election are the death of a spirit medium, a bishop doubting God and changing personal relationships. We also see the developement of Pitt's former superior, Cornwallis into something more than a former Naval officer. Tellman has moved up in the police world and is now an inspector. Pitt is bounced again from Bow Street and resumes working for the Special Branch and it's shadowland of combating treachery against the state. It is a little strange that in order to combat the Inner Circle and its shadowy operation, Pitt has found himself working for the very organization that would like to put the Inner Circle down. Pitt is shown to be out of his element in this area but when survival counts, he learns quickly. Charlotte and the family are smaller elements in this story. It is to be hoped that the author remembers her audience base and gives Charlotte a greater role in up-coming books. However, being a mother in the 1890s, raising two children and running a home somewhat cut into crime solving time. It remains to be seen how Ms. Perry makes this situation work. This is a fine read for those interested in pure mystery and late Victorian social issues. However, if a reader is looking for how Charlotte gets invovled, it will not be up to their expectations. In all, I found this to be a fascinating story and one that I will revisit.
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Summary: Definitely Not the Last
Review: Southampton Row is an enjoyable read. Ms. Perry's knowledge of the Victorian era is undeniable extensive and the rich tapestry she is able to weave intrigued me. Reading this novel, I experienced the sounds, smells, and sights of Victorian London, not to mention the political climate of the time. In Southampton Row, Pitt is troubled by his duty to discredit the sly Sir Charles Voisey. He's much better at solving murders. Fortunately for him, and the readers of this novel, Pit gets to do what he's best at. Pitt is a likeable hero and a pleasure to read. Although the male characters are well written, what fascinated me most about Southampton Row are the female characters. Pitt's wife, Charlotte, is portrayed as a reluctantly obedient wife, but the other female characters are strong and individual, not stereotypical. Pitt's sister-in-law, Emily, is an intelligent political figure. Vespasia, Charlotte's great-aunt, is a pillar of strength and influence. Mrs. Underhill shines as the discontented, but dutiful, wife of the Bishop. In fact, all the female characters in Southampton Row are portrayed in fantastic detail. Ms. Perry gets inside the mind of every woman in her story. After reading the novel, I felt as though I knew all these women personally, like old friends. Southampton Row is only the second Anne Perry novel I've read so far. It will definitely not be the last.
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Summary: Strong Female Presence Missed
Review: There is a lack of a strong female presence in this novel and it is the weaker for it. Charlotte and Gracie (a delightful character I wish we saw more of) are sent on holiday only to be "rescued". The use of the Inner Circle as a plot device (again) is not particularly original. The novel leaves you lacking a sense of closure. Good enough read, but not the best of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Strong Female Presence Missed
Review: There is a lack of a strong female presence in this novel and it is the weaker for it. Charlotte and Gracie (a delightful character I wish we saw more of) are sent on holiday only to be "rescued". The use of the Inner Circle as a plot device (again) is not particularly original. The novel leaves you lacking a sense of closure. Good enough read, but not the best of the series.
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Summary: Political Intrigue and Murder
Review: This is a sequel to the previous novel, "The Whitechapel Conspiracy," which should be read first to fully understand the characters and background. The book possibly gets a little heavy into the position of women in society, etc., but otherwise is a good mystery. Charles Voisey was thwarted in his attempt to seize the government, but now is knighted and seeking a seat in the House of Commons. Thomas Pitt has been sent back to Special Branch, and the Inner Circle still exerts an evil influence on events. Some people have a lust for power and are willing to commit crimes to gain their objectives. A spiritualist is murdered. Her death may be connected to the politics of the coming election. Pitt must send his wife and children off to the country on their own when his vacation is cancelled. Investigations lead to some surprising connections between individuals, and Pitt finds his reputation threatened before the case is finally resolved. Politics breed strange bedfellows, and Pitt's brother-in-law finds himself in an awkward position where he must decide between a friend and his own career in politics. It is better to deal with an enemy you know rather than one you don't know. Crimes sometimes go unpunished, even murder.
Rating:
Summary: Political Intrigue and Murder
Review: This is a sequel to the previous novel, "The Whitechapel Conspiracy," which should be read first to fully understand the characters and background. The book possibly gets a little heavy into the position of women in society, etc., but otherwise is a good mystery. Charles Voisey was thwarted in his attempt to seize the government, but now is knighted and seeking a seat in the House of Commons. Thomas Pitt has been sent back to Special Branch, and the Inner Circle still exerts an evil influence on events. Some people have a lust for power and are willing to commit crimes to gain their objectives. A spiritualist is murdered. Her death may be connected to the politics of the coming election. Pitt must send his wife and children off to the country on their own when his vacation is cancelled. Investigations lead to some surprising connections between individuals, and Pitt finds his reputation threatened before the case is finally resolved. Politics breed strange bedfellows, and Pitt's brother-in-law finds himself in an awkward position where he must decide between a friend and his own career in politics. It is better to deal with an enemy you know rather than one you don't know. Crimes sometimes go unpunished, even murder.
Rating:
Summary: Pitt on his Own
Review: This is definitely a strong novel. Again we're faced with the political consipiracy theory and the Inner Circle. In this book Pitt is on his own. His estimable wife and the irrepressible Gracie have been removed out of London for their own safety. I for one miss them, but we still have Emily and Aunt Vespasia, and that's enough. The characterization and the mystery are both wonderful in this book. Ms. Perry seems to have found her stride again in the last two books in this series. It is really awesome how she recreates the time and all the hidden counterplots in late Victorian England. Even the characters appear to have been plucked right out of their setting and placed in this book for us to get to know them. We do get to know them. We get to feel their joy and their pain. We learn what conventions must be followed at all costs, and what not to say when in society. Ms. Perry can recreate this era like no other.
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