NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
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.
“Fast moving and utterly engrossing … Perry’s Victorian novels attain the societal sweep of Trollope or Thackeray; she has absolute command over both political history and the small fascinating details of everyday life.”—Booklist, starred review
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"Best so far! I really love these books, and now that there is a conspiracy thread that continues from book to book, they are better than ever. This one had the most suspense so far, the most loyalty, and I found myself more attached to the characters than I have before. But a big *Note* - if you are not reading the series in order, I would read at least The Whitechapel Conspiracy before this one to give you the background you need."
— Geneve (5 out of 5 stars)
" Again, I'm not really a fan of mysteries, but I chose this book anyway because I needed something safe to listen to during a long drive. It was better than A River in the Sky, but maybe because it wasn't as long. It is also from in a series where I haven't read the previous books, but it did keep my interest better though. I guess I like Anne Perry better than Elizabeth Peters and Thomas Pitt more than Amelia Peabody. "
— Laura, 2/20/2014" This is the first book I've read in the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. Knowledge of previous events is not required but I imagine I would have given the book a higher rating. I was a little lost when it came to the Inner Circle and the characters' previous interactions. Set in Victorian England, the culture and politics will be interesting enough for me to read other books in the series. "
— Sooze, 2/8/2014" Used ot really like this author, who has done two series (at least) of mysteries. This was the more cutesy series. I like the other one (with Monk) better. More gutsy. "
— bookczuk, 2/2/2014" This is one of the most dull books I have ever read by Anne Perry. The Monk series are much more interesting. When a medium Maude Lamont is found dead in her home, asphyxiated by cheesecloth and egg white, the last three people that attended the seance the night before are all suspected of murdering her. One of the guests is the wife of a political candidate and the elections are coming up, so there is a potential risk for his position. Unfortunately, there is no supernatural elements at work here, this novel is more of political thriller. The murder is described graphically, and it's about the most suspenseful aspect of the story, in my opinion. The detail is very realistic; the actvities, the fashion, the vocabulary,everything helps put the reader into the time and era. This plot could have been much better, I'll stick to the Monk series. "
— Athena, 1/15/2014" I wouldn't have thought I would enjoy a Victorian mystery featuring politics and spiritualism...but I really did. This is the second I've read in the series, and so far the best. "
— Vicki, 1/5/2014" I have some bias about Ms. Perrys books, and just always like them, especially have enjoyed the manners and times of the characters, complete with the rules for living during those times. "
— Lavezzij, 12/26/2013" Bit too political for me - found it a slower read than usual for Anne Perry. Good page-turning ending though. And I'm sure a very good insight into the politics of the time, if you like that sort of thing. "
— Kathy, 12/23/2013" This is the first in the Pitt series that I have really enjoyed in a while. Perry was able to succeed again at tying in the inner circle plot line with an a mystery that one could follow and make sense of. "
— LeslieVA, 12/16/2013" I had hoped she'd killed off the Inner Circle plot device a couple of novels ago, but no such luck. It's back with a vengeance, and Charlotte plays almost no role in this one. One of my least favorite of the Pitts series. "
— Catherine, 12/13/2013" Not that impressed overall - but this book held a private gem for me uncovered at a very difficult time. I'm willing to give Ms. Perry another chance. "
— Annie, 12/9/2013" another good read from Anne Perry. She never disappoints for a good story with an unsuspected ending. "
— Pam, 11/27/2013" If you like historical fiction with a mystery involved, these are fun, easy reads. I read one after another and really enjoyed all of them. "
— Kristi, 11/3/2013" Perry at her best! "
— Phyllis, 10/22/2013" This book was harder for me to read because of the danger and sadness of the characters for most of the book...however, the ending took a twist and the last 75 pages were very exciting! Couldn't put it down! "
— Natalie, 7/16/2013" Thomas Pitt is yanked away from Bow Street again, this time to prevent dirty tricks by a ruthless republican determined to win a place in Parliament. "
— Barb, 6/7/2013" a very interesting thomas and charlotte pitt story "
— Mary, 1/24/2013" Typical enjoyable Anne Perry mystery. Pitt's new boss isn't doing anything for me. Am I supposed to like him or not? Is he a good guy or not? The danger to Pitt's family did add some excitement. "
— Allison, 11/25/2012" I don't mind this one, per se. It's downgraded because of the Inner Circle. Not a fan of that line. Too bad I have several more in my future as I continue on my plan or reading them ALL in a row. 8-) "
— Mary, 10/22/2012" Perry brings the late Victorian period alive - its society, morals, fashions, food, and politics- and that is a real gift to the reader, or in my case, listener. And there's a crime or two for Thomas Pitt to solve as well! "
— Joan, 5/21/2012" My first Anne Perry book. I like mysteries set in England and this one did not disappoint me. "
— Tejus, 3/28/2012" This entry in the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series includes a focus on spiritualism and seances as well as a Parliamentary general election. I liked it, but Charlotte was mostly out of the story and I like her interaction with Thomas, so that was a bit of a let down. "
— Donna, 1/9/2012" An enjoyable book in the series. I liked that this one was a bit suspenseful, as Charlotte and the children were in some danger. "
— Margaret, 9/28/2011" inspector Pitt "
— Cheryl, 6/17/2011" 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. "
— Sue, 4/26/2011" Enjoy this author's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series set in 19th century London...exceptionally well researched. "
— Carol, 3/29/2011" 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. "
— Sue, 11/19/2010" Typical enjoyable Anne Perry mystery. Pitt's new boss isn't doing anything for me. Am I supposed to like him or not? Is he a good guy or not? The danger to Pitt's family did add some excitement. "
— Allison, 9/12/2010" a very interesting thomas and charlotte pitt story "
— Mary, 7/8/2010" Enjoy this author's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series set in 19th century London...exceptionally well researched. "
— Carol, 11/22/2009" This book was harder for me to read because of the danger and sadness of the characters for most of the book...however, the ending took a twist and the last 75 pages were very exciting! Couldn't put it down! "
— Natalie, 8/25/2009" This is the first in the Pitt series that I have really enjoyed in a while. Perry was able to succeed again at tying in the inner circle plot line with an a mystery that one could follow and make sense of. "
— LeslieVA, 2/20/2009" Used ot really like this author, who has done two series (at least) of mysteries. This was the more cutesy series. I like the other one (with Monk) better. More gutsy. "
— bookczuk, 12/27/2008" another good read from Anne Perry. She never disappoints for a good story with an unsuspected ending. "
— Pam, 9/28/2008" If you like historical fiction with a mystery involved, these are fun, easy reads. I read one after another and really enjoyed all of them. "
— Kristi, 2/27/2008" Not that impressed overall - but this book held a private gem for me uncovered at a very difficult time. I'm willing to give Ms. Perry another chance. "
— Annie, 2/2/2008" Perry, Anne-SOUTHAMPTON ROW-G+ <br/>Her characters and historical research are the best part "
— LJ, 9/19/2007" This entry in the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series includes a focus on spiritualism and seances as well as a Parliamentary general election. I liked it, but Charlotte was mostly out of the story and I like her interaction with Thomas, so that was a bit of a let down. "
— Donna, 9/10/2007Anne Perry (1938-2023) was an English author of historical detective fiction, mysteries, young-adult fantasy, and young-adult fiction, and holiday novels, with several making the New York Times bestsellers list. Her novels were set in Victorian England, the Ottoman empire, and in Europe during WWI and WWI.