Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Solid Murder Mystery, May 21, 2005
While this was not my favorite Perry novel, I enjoyed it far more than some of the other reviewers seemed to. The story centers around a series of beheadings that are discovered in or around the Hyde Park area of London. In addition to trying to solve these mysteries, Thomas Pitt must deal with conflict created by both subordinates and superiors who doubt that he is qualified for the Superintendent position to which he has recently been promoted. His inability to solve the mystery also becomes an issue in his brother-in-law's campaign for a seat in the House of Commons. In terms of my enjoyment of the novel, I think it makes a difference that I have read all of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novels up through this one. Over the course of those 10+ novels, Perry has created an interesting and likable couple that I enjoy following through their various adventures. The new characters introduced in Hyde Park Headsman are not as interesting as those found in some of her other novels, and this work lacks the psychological depth of some of the earlier works. Nonetheless, for those who have gotten to know Thomas and Charlotte through the earlier novels, this is an enjoyable page-turner.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Why does everyone dislike this book so much?, March 29, 2008
This is one of the better mysteries in the series set in 1880s London which feature Inspector Thomas Pitt and his wife, Charlotte (and a growing number of his in-laws, too). Pitt has just been promoted to be Superintendent of the Bow Street station, and he's beginning to discover the difficulties inherent in the increased responsibility. Then a decapitated body turns up in a small boat off the Serpentine and the public, which hasn't forgotten the Ripper killings the previous year, begins to get nervous. And then a second beheading occurs, and then a third, and Pitt can't find anything the three murders have in common. While Pitt struggles with the case, moreover, Charlotte is busy with the new house they've just bought on the strength of his increased salary, and Emily is deeply involved with her new husband's second campaign for a seat in Parliament. The Inner Circle is strongly in the background this time, which is unfortunate -- especially since the description of its activities reminds one of Prof. Moriarty's organization.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not her best,but better than the perryphobes say., March 29, 2009
Too many of the negative reviews seem to come from people who were hostile to the book before they had even read it, or because it was simply not the type of book they were looking for. For those who like historical mysteries, particularly Victorian, in which the manners and mores of the period play an important role in the motives of the characters and the solution of the crime, Anne Perry's books are page-turners, especially the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. However, I do agree with those who say that this is not one of her best. I wish she would drop the Inner Circle, a hackneyed and irritating plot device. If you don't know her books, I recommend reading them in strict chronological order, but be sure to start with this series, not the definitely inferior William Monk one. This will draw you into the development of the series characters,Thomas and Charlotte and her family (he has none) and carry you through the occasional slightly weaker books. I said " Slightly weaker". To read some of the reviews you would imagine this book is a disaster. It isn't. It's an enjoyable read, just not up to her brilliant best.
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