Paragon Walk: A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel Paperback – May 26, 2009

This is the third book in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels by Anne Perry and I am very glad to be able to give an enthusiastic five stars as my opinion of this offering.As a fan of these Victorian era mysteries I had wondered how Ms Perry was going to proceed with the investigative directions of Charlotte and Thomas. Now, after reading three, I feel that I have a better handle on which role will be played by each character and were they fit into the overall scheme of the books. The actual plot of the book has been very well described in other reviews. I enjoyed this title because it gave almost equal roles to Thomas, Charlotte and Emily. The residents of Paragon Walk were so fully developed and wonderfully rounded out that I began to think of them as real people. Perhaps there was a degree of closeness there which began to feel slightly artificial but it was a necessary part of the whole in order to make the ending believable. Neighbors in an upper class London street would probably not have been quite so much in each others pockets, but these were and the conclusion showed why that was so. I was able to see through two episodes which took place but never dreamed of the reason behind what the central dark portion of this case was all about.I found this an absorbing read. It held my interest and kept me wanting to find out what was going on and what was going to happen next. A distraction for me was Charlotte's sudden ability and desire to leave her child in the care of someone while she made many, many, many trips away from home to investigate the case with Emily. Did Pitt not have anything to say about her sudden abandonment of her home and child to investigate? (Now see, I wanted her to be more involved in book two and was slightly dissatisfied when she was not. Now that she is more involved in book three, I'm questioning if this would have been allowed by her husband. How is an author ever supposed to satisfy us all?) Another point, suddenly Aunt Vespasia (don't you just love that name? pure Victorian!) and Emily were manufacturing clothes right and left so that Charlotte could attend funerals and other functions with them. Did Pitt not mind? Did Charlotte not feel some sense of abandoning her decision to give up all that when she married "below her station" because she loved Pitt? I can't have it both ways but there was so much emphasis on clothes this time that it became an irritant to me.I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the fourth in the series, Resurrection Row. It looks as if the characters will take turns being front and center in the solving of the mysteries. This one was rushed quite a bit at the end and could have done with a lot more explanation of what happened after the solving of the case. Still liked it, though!

Book 3 in a long series of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt mysteries. I read the first three right in a row and I think it is time to take a break. Paragon Walk did not hold my attention quite as well as the first two books. However, that could be some burn-out on my part as these books certainly have a formula. Inspector Pitt tries to solve the murder and warns his wife to not get involved. She gets involved, is in danger, but also solves the murder. Not a bad formula as far as those things go.A virginal and insipid young girl is raped and murdered in a swanky area of Victorian London. All of the men in this exclusive neighborhood are suspects, including Inspector Pitt's brother-in-law who is keeping some secrets of his own. The men and women of Paragon Walk are all guilty of something. There are a lot of affairs, drinking, wild parties, and a hint of something evil. Emily, Charlotte's younger sister, invites Charlotte to parties and affairs and makes sure she has the right clothes to wear. Together, they are trying to solve the mystery and hopefully prove Emily's husband innocent. There is a lot of verbal sparring as Charlotte tries to remain proper but still maintain the upper hand. There are a couple more dead bodies before the mystery is solved.I had a difficult time keeping the characters straight in this book. That said, this book contained one of the most delightful characters. Emily's aunt-in-law Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould is an elderly woman who does not suffer fools and has a sharp tongue. She is a hoot and I hope she appears in later novels. There are also the usual class differences and prejudices as in the previous books. Though I did not have any clue about the murderer, I was eager for this book to end. I am going to take a break from Ms. Perry for awhile and come back when I am refreshed.

This is the third book in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series of historical cozies. Charlotte and Thomas are happily married, raising their daughter Jemina. Thomas has been called in to investigate the rape and murder of a well to do society girl, a neighbor it happens, to Charlotte's sister Emily. Emily's neighbors do not appreciate Thomas, or any of the police making inquiries into the crime, it is one they would all just as soon forget but gradually Thomas, aided by Charlotte and Emily begin to break through the wall of silence and uncover the secrets hidden in the respectable households.This series has a very strong overall story arc so begin as close to the beginning as possible and read the stories in order. Characters, events and relationships from previous novels recur throughout this series with only minimal refresher information. The series is excellent though, and well worth the effort needed to sort out all the characters and their background stories.

The first of the series was quite fun and a page- turner, as was the second. However, by the time I read the third, I thought—enough! The background is the late 1800’s in British upper crust society—with all their foibles, pretenses, secrets and acceptances of male misbehavior as expected and great condemnation for the woman who happens to do wrong or has been associated with a wrongdoer. The mysteries are intriguing and the answer only comes at the very end of each book. Charlotte and Thomas Pitt and Emily, Charlotte’s sister, are the main characters. Society”s view of everyone outside their social rank is rather disgusting, though I know that was part of the times. Reading 3 books of the series is enough for me.

A great book, like all Anne Perry books. You get involved in the story but also the lives of the characters.

J'adore m'évader par la lecture et me retrouver dans un autre lieu et un autre temps. Les dialogues sont savoureux, les préoccupations, la façon de vivre sont si bien représentés et selon les divers milieux sociaux aussi. L'Histoire vue d'un autre point de vue, d'un autre pays est un aspect très intéressant du livre également. Les personnages avec leurs faiblesses et contradictions sont très attachants.

When I read the first book of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt saga I didn't realise how addictive Anne Perry's stories are. Elegantly written, humorous at moments and a excellent description of Victorian London upper-class society. Every book, every story contains murders and twisted minds at their best!

l'ordine è stato evaso subito ed il libro è arrivato sano e salvo dopo pochi giorni e con molto anticipo rispetto alla data di consegna indicatathe order went through very quickly and the book was delivered earlier than indicated in the confirmation mailfive stars is a mustwill recommend

Sparkling, brilliant and full of intrigue and fine humour. Very entertining anf recommendable portrait of the Victorian society. Ann Perry is sharp and brilliant.