Another book full of depravity. This series is somewhat dark to begin with, add in the author's obvious interest in wallowing in the worst filth that can be found in Victorian times. I read for light entertainment, and this is not it. Add in that I find the pacing slow and the characters insipid. Done with the series.

As usual, the character-building, social commentary, and relational dynamics are riveting in this novel. The twisted nature of the March family even approached, at times, the tension of a gothic horror novel. Some beautiful character development from Emily, and Charlotte and Thomas were on point as always. It was also sad, but fascinating, to see Vespasia in a more vulnerable state. Add in compelling side characters in the form of Tassie and Jack Radley, and the hateable Mrs. March and Eustace, and I was absolutely riveted!

The solution to the mystery wasn't unsatisfying, per se, but it was a little underwhelming after so much despairful buildup (I had guessed who the culprit might be, but I sort of dismissed them due to the true tragedy being couched in priorities of the time period). Particularly, I think it was an unceremonious way for the victim(George) to die - it seemed more like a catalyst for some very rich character development for others, which is a bit of a shame for the victim. I also took issue with how the subplot was woven in. The social commentary it sparked was rich and pointed, but the fact that it was completely divorced from the main plot save for one minuscule coincidence didn't sit well with me. It seemed uncharacteristically clunky for Anne Perry; I think it could have been better integrated into a different plot.

Still, despite this novel's shortcomings, Anne Perry deserves the utmost respect for her keen observations of human psychology and her deft sense of the small wounds that, added together, create heart-wrenching tragedy.

Emily and George are visiting the March family. George becomes enamered with Sybilla, the wife of the son in the family. When George is found dead (of digitalis), the March family assume the Emily could be the killer. Aunt Aspasia calls Pit to come detect and Charlotte to help Emily. Pitt has his work cut out. At one point Emily sees the unmarried daughter come home in the wee hours with a smile on her face and blood on her clothes. The case becomes even more complicated when Sybilla is also found dead by strangling with her own hair! This is the book where one becomes acquainted with Jack Radley, who has been invited to the party so he can marry the young daughter. However,
she is not at all interested in him, and Emily flirts with him. This is definitely a very complicated plot, but all turns out okay at the end.

I've probably said it before: these Charlotte & Thomas Pitt books aren't great literature, but I always like the characters and want to know what happens to them. Sometimes, often even, that's enough for me.

I couldn't put this one down because there were so many ways the story could go. When I got to the end my mind went "huh"-the ending was such a let down.

"When Charlotte Pitt’s sister is charged with murder, she and her husband Thomas must work fast to clear her—and find the real killer. As Inspector Thomas Pitt works to resolve the case of a dismembered woman, his womanizing brother-in-law, George March, Lord Ashworth, is poisoned with his morning coffee at the country estate of his cousins. The primary suspect? Charlotte’s sister, Emily, the murdered man’s wife and Pitt’s sister-in-law. Charlotte and Pitt take on the March clan with the help of Great-aunt Vespasia, their formidable relative and a member of the clan, to break through the wall of deceit and silence. When Sybilla March, George’s suspected paramour, is found strangled by her hair and Emily is the one who found her, the case would seem hopeless—for anyone but the indomitable Pitts. Their pursuit of the truth takes them down a path of corruption, depravity, and murder, from the elegant townhouses lining fashionable Cardington Crescent to the horrifying slums of London."

The development of the main characters will keep fans of this series waiting for the next book. Charlotte's character continues to delight while the backdrop of London provides some perspective on the thoughts and actions of characters.

Eighth in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mystery series set in late 19th century London.

The Story
The Eustace March is having a house party and part of its intention is to vet Jack Radley and arrange his marriage to Tassie. For some reason, George, Emily, and Aunt Vespasia are part of the party; Vespasia is Eustace's mother-in-law and George's great-aunt. William and Sybilla March are also visiting.

As the members of the party pursue the activities of upperclass-dom, George takes up an overt flirtation with the very willing Sybilla with whom he is falling in love and Emily is terrified at the thought of losing her George. Emily's misery is showing and making George angry [prick!] and Emily determines that she will fight fire with fire and become the life of the party. It does work…on Jack. This does catch George's attention and Emily believes they have a chance again only to find that chance forever shattered when she finds George dead in his bed.

As much as he likes Emily, even Thomas is concerned that she may be the murderer. A grave concern when yet another murder occurs within the house. Fortunately for Emily, Charlotte arrives to stay…and detect. The resolution of it revolving around the family dynamics and dysfunctions…with a little help from yet another murderer.

The Characters
Lady Ashworth, Emily, is married to George in what has been, up to now, a very happy marriage. She is also Charlotte Pitt's sister.

Charlotte Pitt married seriously down, class-wise, when she insisted upon marrying Thomas Pitt, the son of a gamekeeper and now a detective with the Metropolitan Police force in London. Of a naturally curious bent, Charlotte regularly "helps" Thomas solve cases by using her upperclass connections---sometimes with Emily and Vespasia's help. It's been a lovely collusion as it provides a showcase for discussing social issues of the day---and satisfying to Perry's readers as Vespasia collaborates with the powers of the day to do something about those issues.

Thomas is a social misfit in more ways than just marrying way above himself; he also thinks himself good enough to enter anyone's house…gasp…by the front door. He does try hard not to make political waves, but he still "don't take no shit". Ya gotta love him just for that! Together, they have two children, Jemima and Daniel.

Aunt Vespasia, Lady Cumming-Gould, was beautiful as a girl and has retained the beauty and the confidence to be honest and compassionate…and a very smart, no-nonsense woman in her older years. She doesn't put up with much from either Eustace or Mrs. March---go Vespasia!

The characters relevant to this particular story include Eustace March who is the head of the family and a more overbearing, self-righteous, know-it-all prick I never want to encounter again. He has a dark, disgusting secret, which only reflects his attitudes. Between him and his mother, they manage to tear everyone apart over and over as they combine forces to railroad Emily.

William March is the son of the house and an accredited painter and in 12 years of marriage to Sybilla has not yet managed an heir. A lack his father and grandmother never cease to rail about. Sybilla herself is a beauty in both looks and personality, too bad about her morals, flirting outrageously with George.

Tassie March is the daughter of the house and takes after Vespasia's side of the family---she has a compassionate heart. However, she also has carries a family-destroying, bloody secret.

Jack Radley is, like Emily, an outsider amongst the Marches with only his face, his personality, and his wit to recommend him although Eustace is courting him for his bloodline. If he marries Tassie, Eustace might get his peerage.

My Take
As ever, Perry does a lovely job of recreating the sense of the late 19th century through the dialog and the mores, culture, and styles of the time. The part I don't understand is why Emily and George and Aunt Vespasia are even staying at the Marches. They all live in London. Why would they be spending weeks at a house where they can't stand its matriarch or her son??

I also resent the summary on the back of the book where it claims that George is a womanizing aristocrat. Sure, he's an aristocrat. But this is the first time [in the series] that George has behaved this way. This does not make him a womanizer!

This is just like book covers…don't the summarizers or cover artists ever read the damned book??!

Now that I have that off my chest. It's a very frustrating and terrifying read as there seem to be no clues to help clear Emily and the only allies she has are Aunt Vespasia [I do love this woman!] and Jack, the man she suspects of having killed George.

The Cover
The cover is…different. In two shades of gray, there is an inch-and-a-half diameter circle rich with an empurpled London street scene at night which doesn't appear to have anything to do with the story.

I love this kind of well-written historical mystery, with plucky main characters and hints of darkness and complexity. This was several books into the series, but I never felt like I was missing anything by not reading the earlier books. I'll read more books of this series if I can find them.

I've enjoyed books 1-7 immensely, but this one lacked something. The red herrings in this story were a bit hard to join with the plot. Red herrings should misdirect you, but feel fluid with the story. I also do not understand the ending. I know who did it, but the exact reasoning is very fuzzy. It leaves me feeling like I'm missing something important.

Overall beautifully written, a very enjoyable story. However -as many other reviews have already said- the ending is rather confusing and abrupt. While I know who murdered George, and understand the motive it seems a little lackluster. To add to that it's almost frustrating to read how Charlotte and Pitt never get closer to the answer until less than ten pages before the end. Nonetheless the pacing and everything else was very well done.

I also enjoy the Pitt and Monk Series entries because they combine two of my interests: mystery and a sociological look at history. The place of women in Victoria and Edwardian society is a specific theme.

When Charlotte's sister Emily is accused of murdering her own husband, George March, Charlotte and Thomas vow to clear her name. While the March family will do anything to keep their own name from being dragged in the mud Charlotte and Thomas find out just what lies beneath the surface of their very souls and it is not love.

Another great Anne Perry mystery.