Synopses & Reviews
"DIFFICULT TO PUT DOWN . . . Descriptive, evocative, and always precise . . . The mystery plot is tricky and beautifully paced."
*The Virginian-Pilot
The ritual murder of a prostitute named Ada McKinley in a bedroom on decrepit Pentecost Alley would ordinarily occasion no stir in Victoria's great metropolis. But, under the victim's body, the police find a Hellfire Club badge inscribed with the name Finlay Fitzjames--a name that instantly draws Superintendent Thomas Pitt into the case.
Finlay's father *immensely wealthy, powerful, and dangerous *refuses to consider the possibility that his son has been in Ada McKinley's bed. The implication is clear: Pitt is to arrest someone other than Finlay Fitzjames for Ada's demise. But Thomas Pitt is not a man to be intimidated, and with the help of his quick-witted wife, Charlotte, he stubbornly pursues his investigation *one that twists and turns like London's own ancient streets. . . .
"Stands as one of her most intricately constructed plots . . . Perry packs a triple wallop into the final pages, one climax following another."
*Chicago Sun-Times
"Vibrant . . . Alluring."
*The New York Times Book Review
A MAIN SELECTION OF THE BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB
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.