Paragon Walk [Hardcover]

Anne Perry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1981

In the affluent London street of Paragon Walk, an unspeakable and baffling crime is committed: a young woman is raped and murdered. The elegant masks of the aristocractic suspects begin to slip, and it becomes appallingly clear that something ugly lurks behind the handsome facades of Paragon Walk. There appear to be no clear clues to follow. Is it the work of a madman? Is it a game of the idle rich that got out of hand? Charlotte Pitt's personal connection to one resident enables her to ask the questions nobody wants to hear...and this leads to a shocking revelation.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Residents of Paragon Walk tighten their lips when Inspector Pitt begins his investigation after young Fannie Nash is murdered. In the third in Perry's Victorian crime series, Pitt's wife, Charlotte, collects the inside line on Paragon Walk's society with the help of her sister, Emily, Lady Ashworth, a Walk resident. If descriptions of apparel made character, these ladies would come alive; the timbre of Davina Porter's narration fits these people like afternoon tea. Fans of the British cozy might have the patience for this one; others may pass. Sandy Glover, West Linn P.L., OR
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“When it comes to the Victorian mystery, Anne Perry has proved that nobody does it better.”—San Diego Union-Tribune

“The period detail remains fascinating, and [Anne Perry’s] grasp of Victorian character and conscience still astonishes.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Perry combines murder with a profile of the morals and manners of Victorian society. . . . Murder fans who prefer their crimes with a touch of class should heat some scones and nestle back for the afternoon.”–Atlanta Journal & Constitution

“Perry has the gift of making [the Victorian era] all seem immediate and very much alive.”—Philadelphia Inquirer
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 204 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (January 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312595980
• ISBN-13: 978-0312595982
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,188 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

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As intense as the first., November 29, 2000

By 

MLPlayfair (Ravenna, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Paragon Walk (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the third in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. It's been two years since their marriage, and I like the way their relationship has grown. Charlotte's simple but happy life is seen here against her sister's more affluent lifestyle. The story is complex, like the first one, with a nice vision of the social system and a not-obvious ending. Interesting and well done. Makes me want to read the next one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Mannerly Mystery, September 12, 2005

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 110,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Paragon Walk (Mass Market Paperback)

Mysteries that involve historical periods can easily be swallowed up by their period dress, distance from our current lives and uncommon mores. In this third novel in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, Anne Perry seems to find her footing more effectively in Victorian England than in either of the two previous books, The Cater Street Hangman and Callander Square, and surpasses the usual costume mystery.

A 17-year-old woman is raped and murdered . . . dying in the arms of her sister-in-law. Thomas Pitt is assigned to investigate. Matters are complicated by the victim having just returned from visiting Pitts' sister-in-law's house . . . making his brother-in-law a possible suspect.

As in Callander Square, the investigation soon begins to take its toll on the haughty heads of the houses on Paragon Walk.

Once again, Charlotte is able to work on the investigation by insinuating herself into the social lives of the walk's residents through her sister's introductions.

The solution of the mystery is a fair one, built up logically from all of the clues.

The story itself moves along fairly nicely, and the book can be read in one pleasant sitting if you are in a hurry. Or you can spread it out if you prefer.

The book still lacks enough action, and the pace of the plot and character developments will strike most people as slow. As a result, this book will be best liked by those who are drawn to the verbal warfare that's often found in Victorian drawing room novels.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit of a letdown, July 11, 2005

By 

Felicia Jordan (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paragon Walk (Mass Market Paperback)

In "Paragon Walk," Anne Perry once again delivered a penetrating look at Victorian society along with witty, sharp-edged dialogue. But I felt deflated after finishing it. The solution to the mystery included some silly, far-fetched elements, and it did not answer my nagging questions the way I hoped it would.

In its favor, the book had many intriguing characters. I am glad to learn Aunt Vespasia returns in future novels. As for the nastier residents of the Walk, their cutting remarks and veiled references to unsavory subjects made me want to see them stripped bare and to learn all their secrets. Once again, the ending let me down.

I was also disappointed Inspector Pitt did not do much sleuthing this time around. He spent too much time asking the same questions of himself and sending another officer off to question servants. Also, the novel had too many scenes at society parties, where people displayed their dislike of one another. I almost wanted to scream, "Enough! I get it that so-and-so hates this other person. Give it a rest, already!"

Overall, I enjoyed reading "Paragon Walk," but as I worked through the last 30 pages, I didn't know whether to laugh or to fling the book across the room. I hope next time, Pitt gets to do more detecting and that my curiosity about various characters is better satisfied.