Ashworth Hall [Hardcover]

Anne Perry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

When a group of powerful Irish Protestants and Catholics gather at a country house to discuss Irish home rule, contention is to be expected. But when the meeting's moderator, government bigwig Ainsley Greville, is found murdered in his bath, negotiations seem doomed. Unless Superintendent Thomas Pitt and his wife, Charlotte, can root out the truth, simmering hatreds and passions may again explode in murder.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Longtime readers of Anne Perry will be familiar with Inspector Thomas Pitt, the low-born London copper with a better-born wife, Charlotte. Set during the Victorian era, Perry's mysteries usually examine the dark underbelly of aristocratic life. Homosexuality, adultery, and pedophilia have all been subjects of her previous books; in Ashworth Hall she injects a new ingredient: politics.

Ashworth Hall is the name of an estate where, in the autumn of 1890, a highly secret meeting is being held to discuss Anglo-Irish relations. The "Irish Problem" soon takes a backseat to murder, however, and Inspector Pitt, who as the son of servants grew up on just such an estate, is called in to solve the case. While he investigates below-stairs, Charlotte gathers clues above. As usual, their collaboration is successful, both in crime-solving and as literature. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Perry, the reigning queen of historical mysteries, adds another jewel to her crown with this latest story, featuring Victorian policeman Thomas Pitt of Scotland Yard and his wife, Charlotte. It's 1890, and the recurring "Irish problem" has England and Ireland in turmoil. Leaders from the warring factions have been invited to a country-house party to try to establish a peaceful compromise, with Ainsley Greville, consummate politician, chosen to lead the meeting. Scotland Yard is fearful that violence will erupt, given the high emotions, long-standing hatreds, and volatile tempers of the participants. Who better to safeguard Greville and the other participants than Pitt? The meeting begins with high hopes--until Greville is found murdered. Pitt knows that the peace process, the future of the two countries, and certainly his own career hang on whether he can find Greville's killer. Perry's gift is her superb mastery of authentic period details and her ability to bring history alive with carefully crafted plots. Her latest story is especially fascinating, providing a glimpse of the history behind the current situation in Ireland. An intriguing read with well-drawn characters and some unexpected twists, this book is sure to be a hit with Perry fans. Expect high reader demand, and buy plenty. Emily Melton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 607 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Pr (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786210842
• ISBN-13: 978-0786210848
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,427,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WARNING, March 28, 2006

By 

Cynthia J. Ryan "Cynthia Jean O'Ryan" (The Silly Hat State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ashworth Hall: A Novel (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt Novels (Audio)) (Audio Cassette)

This audio book is respresented here as 'Unabridged.' It is not. It is abridged. I know, I own a copy.

I have found this misrepresentation very often here on Amazon.com

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Anne Perry's Best, January 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ashworth Hall: A Novel (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt Novels (Audio)) (Audio Cassette)

As a diehard Anne Perry fan, I was disappointed in Ashworth Hall. I couldn't stay with it. I don't know what went wrong! I have loved every other book she's written, and I've read all but the newest Thomas and Charlotte, and one Monk. Ashworth Hall didn't seem like an Anne Perry book at all.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, not great, either, July 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ashworth Hall (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt Novels) (Hardcover)

Having read all of the Pitt and Monk novels, I find myself continuing to look forward to the next one despite seeing the same flaws repeated from novel to novel. The real strength of her writing, and which fascinates me, is the characterization of interesting people-their lives and emotions- during an exciting period in time. The mysteries themselves often require such amazing leaps in logic and fantastic coincidences that I find my belief occasionally strained. This does not detract from my enjoyment of the novels, however!