A new Thomas & Charlotte Pitt mystery is like visiting again with an old and dear friend, and this latest installment quite lived up to my expectations. Special Branch is called in to Buckingham Palace to avert a scandal - the Prince of Wales has been entertaining four guests to discuss plans to build a railway across Africa, and after a night of decadence, a prostitute is found in the linen closet, throat slashed and disemboweled. Pitt soon realizes the murderer must be one of the distinguished party, and the situation is fraught with political landmines. Desperate to solve the horrifying crime before the Queen arrives back from her holiday, Pitt enlists his maid Gracie's assistance as an undercover agent with the palace help. Although I was a tad disappointed not to have his wife Charlotte and her Aunt Vespasia involved in this story as they usually are, the development in Gracie's character quite made up for it, and it is another stellar addition to a brilliant series.

Share/Like this Review?

Anne Perry mysteries are among my favorite- The Pitt's and Gracie are great!
I was a little disappointed in this one because of all the "back and forth" talking that goes on between three couples who spend time at Buckingham Palace. I would have preferred Pitt "thinking out loud" more like he does in other novels.

Share/Like this Review?

No one does a better job of bringing Victorian London to life than Anne Perry. In this excellent entry in the Thomas Pitt series, the crimes in question take place within the walls of Buckingham Palace. An interesting twist is that most of the members of Pitt's family make only cameo appearances, but Gracie plays a pivotal role and comes into her own in this novel. Well-written with a fun puzzle and the usual well-drawn characters and effective historical atmosphere and setting.

Share/Like this Review?