The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry

[snugglekitty]

Anne Perry is a well-known writer of Victorian mystery. I am a well-known lover of Victorian mystery (at least among my close friends, ha ha). So I decided to see what the fuss was about.

Charlotte always says exactly what is on her mind, to the distress of those around her. Emily will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Sarah and Dominic seem like the perfect couple - but are they? Edward is by turns loving and autocratic, while Caroline wants peace. Sound like the latest Hollywood drama? Actually, it is the backdrop for a creepy Victorian mystery.

The period details in this piece are perfect. It is slow to start, but once it gets going, you won't be able to put it down. Whodunit is an interesting question, but what makes this book fascinating are the interpersonal dynamics, which become strained, tense, and increasingly complex as the serial killer strikes again and again. Four stars, and I am planning to read on in the series. Those who enjoy period mysteries should give it a try.

Comments

[redjo.livejournal.com]

Is that the first one in the series? If so I've read it and I agree. I love Anne Perry's books, I've read the entire Inspector Monk series. I should follow up with the Charlotte and Thomas (?) novels as well.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

It is the first one in the Charlotte and Thomas series, yup. I thought it was great.

What do you like about the Inspector Monk series?

[redjo.livejournal.com]

My first criterion for good mysteries (besides the mystery part ... good ones are the kinds that I'll RE-read) are the characters. In the Monk series she sets up compelling characters that grow and change over the course of the series. I love that. Next, I like the social commentary that feels accurate for the time but also relevant to today.

And finally, I love that Monk and Hester HATE each other, but find a way to work together on causes they believe in. I won't say more. :) I will say that I think the Monk series is darker in tone than the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, but I've only read Cater Street Hangman so that may not be completely accurate.

And finally, I think the quality of her writing deteriorates over the series. The last couple of books seemed to have stock descriptions in them, and not as much true emotional development. I still wanted to know what happened to the characters, and the plotting is still quite good, so they're not a waste of time, but be forewarned. I don't know if this happens with the Pitt books.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the long, thoughtful reply. I agree with you about the characters - I have to care about them and like them, or it just doesn't work for me. I enjoyed the social commentary in CSH and thought it was actually pretty progressive for when the book was written.

Good to know about the writing quality deterioration. That is something that I tend to be on the lookout for, especially with long series. Apparently Charlotte and Thomas have 25 books, not counting the Christmas series (which makes me turn away in horror, given my hatred of all things Christmas. Is there a word for a Christmas phobia out there?), which strikes me as enormously long. I think I would be sick of the characters after 25 books, even if I loved them!