Fifth in the Charlotte & Thomas Pitt historical mystery series set in late Victorian London and revolving around Detective Inspector Pitt and his busybody of a wife.My TakeThis particular story provides an in-depth look at how the mere accident of losing a trinket can have a profound effect on everyone in one's circle. Followed with that step up to true scandal whether it's murder or stepping out on one's spouse.For all the desperation Caroline feels about recovering her locket, I don't see why

I think I’m beginning to understand the attraction to Anne Perry. I think she writes for slow readers, so that is the pace I set for this novel. I took care to absorb every word, and I very nearly escaped re-reading of any lines or passages. I was able to follow the story line and even the implied meanings of conversation, although I’m unsure how anyone of this time period ever knew what they were talking about. They most definitely were never certain of another person’s intention, even when pla...

For me it's been the weakest in the series so far. But the atmosphere and the characters (both, main and recurring) are so well portrayed that I'll obviously read the following.

There are numerous reasons to enjoy books. I applaud the reception of “Rutland Place”, 1983 and scowl at three-star feedback or less; protesting “This isn't a typical mystery”. How nice to see most appreciating that a swerve from the usual is a talent and a treat. Think of the opposite. Wouldn't we groan if Anne Perry only churned out cases, without acquaintance of chief characters, personal scenes, and heart? I constantly say this: the most creative mysterious of all are not crimes! This one ev...

I love Anne Perry mysteries. I have most likely read more books by her than any other author. Most of her books were excellent and I have never given any of them I believe less than 3 stars.....Until now. I guess I would rather have Pitt in the lead. This could not keep my attention. know her mysteries are steady with action dispersed throughout but not in a thrilling way, but this one was dull and my mind wandered everywhere which gave me none of the escapism from the toils of life like so many...

I truly wanted to like this book. I love mysteries. I can't put my finger on why I didn't like it. Was it the he said she said dialogues that got to me or the lack of clear clues,or the slow moving very inactive plot? I began to enjoy the characters about 2/3 of the way through the book. Normally would have given up before then, but for some reason was compelled to know the ending. Weird, I know.

This is worth reading, if only for the image of Charlotte Pitt on the verge of being falling-down drunk on champagne. But, of course, there is a solid mystery here, as well and Perry's dependable characters.

I may just have read too many of these in a row.

(Genre:Mystery) I am always torn when I read Anne Perry. She writes a great mystery with distinct characters and wonderful attention to detail for the Victorian English culture. But I usually can only read a book or two of hers before I need a break. Her writing usually explores some hidden and dark elements that we usually don't associate with the time period (probably due to the social constraints at the time, not because they didn't exist). I've asked myself while reading her books if murder

It is difficult to keep a series going, to prevent it from becoming repetitive. Perhaps this is especially true for a series set in Victorian England, where the main characters are women and the roles allowed them are so very narrow.The Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series is premised on the idea that upper class society will not open up and allow the police to discover the murderers and other types of dirty laundry in their midst. That Charlotte and Emily are privileged, high-born women that gives

Having read a number of Pitt mysteries, I can honestly say this was not my favourite. Too much of the time was devoted to women at tea and idle chatter in drawing rooms. Life must have been incredibly dull for well to do ladies in the 19th Century. I much prefer those stories involving Thomas Pitt out in the streets trying to solve some grisly murder!!

Society In polite circles dictated they only spoke using innuendo, loaded questions and smears. ...! How sad to have lived in that era where plain outspokenness was unforgivable. I found it refreshing that some of the female characters appeared to break that mould, if only in a small & desperate way!

As much as I love Anne Perry I really didn't care much for this story. Can't really say why though.Charlotte's mother, Carolyn, has a missing necklace with a photo she does not wish anyone to see. The photo is of someone other than her husband and she is afraid the person who has it will try to blackmail her with it. Whil shee has done nothing wrong (this is just an infatuation) she knows everyone will think the worst of her. While Charlotte, her husband, sister and mother look for the necklace

Thievery!After the theft of personal items are stolen from her family and some of the neighbors, Charlotte once again, goes undercover to help her husband solve the case.

Caroline Ellison, mother of Charlotte Pitt [our amateur sleuth who is the wife of a policeman], sends a frantic note to her daughter asking for help with a disturbing "event." When Charlotte arrives at her parents' house, she finds her mother nervous and upset over the loss of a small locket. After much difficulty in getting straight answers from Caroline, Charlotte finally learns that the locket contains a somewhat compromising photograph...of a man who is not Edward Ellison. Caroline has also

Rutland Place begins with a series of petty thefts, and escalates to bloody murder and a troubling denouement. Once again, Charlotte uses her upper-class family connections to dig out secrets that her policeman husband Thomas Pitt simply could not access.This is not a series to read for pace and suspense. Anne Perry is much more interested in the interior lives of her characters, and in probing the hypocrisy of the Victorians’ attitude to gender, class, and sexuality. The mysteries are always in...

I liked some aspects of this, mainly the recurring characters of Thomas & Charlotte Pitt, but on the whole I found it insipid and silly, expecting us to care about a murder victim whom no one liked and to give a fig about the indiscretions of genteel neighbors? Spare us the madness of polite Society in Rutland Place and give us the teeming world of Victorian London any day!

Continuing on with Perry's series set in Victorian England. At first I was only going to give this three stars, but then I realized that it took me to the end to solve the mystery. That's a good mystery. Besides, I like to read of the life and ways of this period.

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.

It all started with small thefts: a silver buttonhook, a gold chain, a snuffbox, a locket. Charlotte Pitt’s mother asks her to come to see her right away. She confides that a locket was stolen – one that her mother-in-law (Charlotte’s paternal grandmother) had given her. Eventually, Charlotte comes to realize why this small theft is so crucial to her mother. The locket contains a photograph. The photograph is not of her father.Then there is a death. Is it suicide? An accident? Or is it murder? N...