Synopses & Reviews
Like the great Victorian novelists whose mantle she wears with such distinction, Anne Perry creates a rich and intimate world and fills it with remarkably vivid characters who experience the majesty--and shame--of the British Empire at its brilliant zenith. Now, in Brunswick Gardens, she explores the controversial birth of a philosophy that enflamed fiery debate--and possibly murder.
A century ago, Charles Darwin's revolutionary theory of evolution rocked the civilized world, and the outraged Anglican church went on the warpath against it. In a mansion in London's affluent Brunswick Gardens, the battle is intense, as that most respected clergyman, the Reverend Ramsay Parmenter, is boldly challenged by his beautiful assistant, Unity Bellwood--a "new woman" whose feminism and aggressive Darwinism he finds appalling.
When Unity, three months pregnant, tumbles down the Parmenter staircase to her death, Thomas Pitt, commander of the Bow Street police station, is virtually certain that one of the three deeply devout men in the house committed murder. Could it have been the Reverend Parmenter, his handsome curate, or his Roman Catholic son? Powerful forces demand that the scandalous matter be cleared up immediately. But Pitt and his clever wife, Charlotte, refuse to settle for less than the truth . . . and justice.
Like all Anne Perry's novels, Brunswick Gardens translates great moral issues into deeply moving human dramas. Perhaps the most psychologically penetrating book she has written, it is a distinguished addition to her acclaimed body of work.
Synopsis
The first features Thomas Pitt of the London Police and his wife Charlotte. It begins in 1881 with The Cater Street Hangman in which they meet and fall in love. Pitt comes from a humble background and Charlotte is much above his station. Charlotte loves him enough to sacrifice her social and financial comfort for the harder, but far more interesting life he offers her, and by the second novel they have been married... She becomes involved in most of Pitt's cases, lending a feminine view, acute observation, and the ability to mix in wealthy and aristocratic circles where Pitt would not be accepted. Pitt has become superintendent of The Bow Street Station and many of his cases involve high society, glamorous, controversial and politically sensitive issues, and social scandals. The twentieth book, Half Moon Street, is set in 1892 in the heyday of Empire. Intermingled with the wit and daring side of Victoriana is always there -- extreme poverty, social evils and injustices -- as it is in the William Monk series.
About the Author
Among Anne Perry's other novels featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt are Pentecost Alley, Traitors Gate, The Hyde Park Headsman, Highgate Rise, and Ashworth Hall, which was a Main Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club. She also writes the popular novels featuring investigator William Monk, including The Silent Cry, a Main Selection of the Mystery Guild, Weighed in the Balance, Cain His Brother, and Defend and Betray. "Her grasp of Victorian character and conscience still astonishes, said The Cleveland Plain Dealer about the author. Hundreds of thousands of readers agree.