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A review by plantbirdwoman
Buckingham Palace Gardens by Anne Perry
4.0
I have long enjoyed the Victorian era series featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. They are an appealing couple and Perry's mastery of the period is impeccable. She has a feel for the nuances of social conventions of the period that is without peer in my reading experience. I can't say that I've ever read one of her books, either in this or the Monk series, that did not entertain me, and this is actually one of her better efforts, I think.
Over the years, Perry has taken us throughout the mean streets of 19th century London. We've seen the lowest of the low as well as the poshest life styles that the period had to offer. This time she takes us where she never has before - inside Buckingham Palace itself.
A fearful murder has taken place there and Special Services chief Narraway is called in to clean up the mess - discretely. His top man is Thomas Pitt and so he is the obvious one to do the investigation inside the Palace.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria is not in residence at the moment but will return in a few days and the murder must be solved - and hushed up - before her return. The reputation of the Prince of Wales must be protected. Not an easy matter considering his licentious behavior which may have led to the murder of the "woman of the streets."
What's different about this entry is that Charlotte is not featured and so we get more of Thomas and his methods of investigation. Another difference is that his maid, Gracie, is drafted to serve at the Palace and learn what she can from the servants. Gracie is well-named - she is an ingratiating character.
In the end, as always seems to be the case in these mysteries, Thomas must pit (pun intended!) himself against the great and the powerful in order to reach his conclusions and serve the cause of justice. And just as we've come to expect of him, he does it.
This was a very satisfying read.
Over the years, Perry has taken us throughout the mean streets of 19th century London. We've seen the lowest of the low as well as the poshest life styles that the period had to offer. This time she takes us where she never has before - inside Buckingham Palace itself.
A fearful murder has taken place there and Special Services chief Narraway is called in to clean up the mess - discretely. His top man is Thomas Pitt and so he is the obvious one to do the investigation inside the Palace.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria is not in residence at the moment but will return in a few days and the murder must be solved - and hushed up - before her return. The reputation of the Prince of Wales must be protected. Not an easy matter considering his licentious behavior which may have led to the murder of the "woman of the streets."
What's different about this entry is that Charlotte is not featured and so we get more of Thomas and his methods of investigation. Another difference is that his maid, Gracie, is drafted to serve at the Palace and learn what she can from the servants. Gracie is well-named - she is an ingratiating character.
In the end, as always seems to be the case in these mysteries, Thomas must pit (pun intended!) himself against the great and the powerful in order to reach his conclusions and serve the cause of justice. And just as we've come to expect of him, he does it.
This was a very satisfying read.