From Publishers Weekly
Inspector Thomas Pitt, Anne Perry's gentle and astute hero of eight other Victorian mysteries, assumes a secondary role in this complex, gripping and highly satisfying mystery. High officials in the Foreign Office wish to reopen the unsolved murder case of one of their diplomats, Robert York, and Pitt is reluctantly chosen by Supt. Ballarat, his arrogant and ambitious superior, to head the investigation. Ballarat is fearful of offending powerful friends, so he cautions Pitt to be thoroughly discreet, thus rendering him ineffectual. Charlotte, Pitt's able wife, decides to aid him by exploring the upper levels of society that are closed to a police inspector. Skillfully assuming the role of a country girl with breeding and money, she befriends key figures in the York murder: Veronica, the stunning yet fragile widow, and Loretta, York's steely and self-contained mother. Emily, Charlotte's titled and wealthy sister, carries the investigation a step further by hiring on as Veronica's ladies' maid, where, her real identity unknown, she is able to eavesdrop on both upstairs and downstairs gossip. The mystery is an adroit blend of thick London atmosphere and a convincing cast, mingled with the complex and straitlaced conventions of Victorian England. A bonus is a totally surprising yet wonderfully plausible finale. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Lovers of historical fiction and mystery dare not miss this newest title, featuring late Victorian Inspector Pitt ( Paragon Walk , Cardington Crescent ). Unjustly accused of murdering a prostitute central to a case, Pitt languishes in prison, unable to prowl. Wife Charlotte therefore plays a more important role than usual, as she and sister Emily desperately employ disguise and deceit to save Pitt from wrongful hanging. Pervasive period ambience; distinctive, literate use of dialogue and accent; effective portrayal of class subtleties; and deeply human characters make this superb, memorable reading. REKCopyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
When Inspector Thomas Pitt is asked to reopen a three-year-old murder case which had taken place in London's luxurious Hanover Close, he knows that his superiors want him to smooth things over. But that is just not the way Pitt operates. With his wellborn wife, Charlotte, to aid him in penetrating the well-known reserve of high society, the inquisitive Pitts discover a secret so shocking it would lead to more deaths--and, quite possibly -- Pitt's own....
"[A] complex, gripping and highly satisfying mystery...An adroit blend of thick London atmosphere and a convincing cast...A totally surprising yet wonderfully plausible finale."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY



From the Inside Flap
When Inspector Thomas Pitt is asked to reopen a three-year-old murder case which had taken place in London's luxurious Hanover Close, he knows that his superiors want him to smooth things over. But that is just not the way Pitt operates. With his wellborn wife, Charlotte, to aid him in penetrating the well-known reserve of high society, the inquisitive Pitts discover a secret so shocking it would lead to more deaths--and, quite possibly -- Pitt's own....
"[A] complex, gripping and highly satisfying mystery...An adroit blend of thick London atmosphere and a convincing cast...A totally surprising yet wonderfully plausible finale."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

ANNOTATION

Anne Perry's Victorian-era mysteries starring crusty, low-brow Inspector Pitt and his well-born wife, Charlotte, have proved a steady delight for mystery mavens, history buffs and Anglophiles. Now, Inspector Pitt is back, searching for the killer of a Foreign Office employee. Not even Charlotte can help him when the trail leads to the homes of rich people protecting their own! Martin's.

FROM THE PUBLISHER