Book description
In the debut of the New York Times–bestselling Victorian crime series, Inspector Thomas Pitt seeks an elusive strangler among upper-class British society.
Panic and fear strike the Ellison household when one of their own falls prey to the Cater Street murderer. While Mrs. Ellison and her three daughters are out,…
Why read it?
4 authors picked The Cater Street Hangman as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This kick-off to Perry’s iconic Victorian detective series shines with its twisty mystery and depiction of the heroine’s liberation from the social constraints of her day. I recall reading this book years ago and being shocked by the revelation of the killer.
Of course, this is because Anne Perry has laid the groundwork so well in a trail of clues that lead inexorably to a tragic showdown. The husband-and-wife team of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt go on to star in a few dozen novels, all of them very much worth reading.
From S.K.'s list on page-turning mysteries set in Victorian England.
I will admit it’s been a while since I read this, the first Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mystery.
The fact that I still remember it and include it on this list says something. The mystery is convoluted enough to keep readers interested and the story of the lead characters going against societal norms (young woman from a good family attracted to a “lowly” police inspector) is intriguing.
Throw in the foggy atmosphere of Victorian London and you’ve got a real winner. Be aware, though, Hangman is the first of 32 Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels.
From Anastasia's list on dark and stormy Victorian vibes.
Still Perry’s best, in my opinion. Charlotte Ellison is the plain, outspoken daughter of a wealthy Victorian family. A series of murders, that includes Ellison’s maid, brings a lower-class policeman into the house. Thomas Pitt is the son of a gamekeeper and therefore not marriage material. The growing affection between the too-clever Charlotte and the compassionate Thomas is a scandal in this class-ridden society.
A great mystery that highlights the repressive mores of that time, and wonderful appealing characters.
From Eleanor's list on historical mysteries with a dash of social commentary.
If you love The Cater Street Hangman...
Come To Harm
This is Detective Chief Superintendent Fran Harman's first case in a series of six books. Months from retirement Kent-based Fran doesn't have a great life - apart from her work. She's menopausal and at the beck and call of her elderly parents, who live in Devon. But instead of lightening…
I’m a woman. I have been successful in my profession, but even in today’s world, I have had to endure patronizing and sometimes obstructive men, who clearly showed that women were not welcome. The maxim that to succeed in a man’s world you had to be twice as smart and work twice as hard, still holds true. So, I am drawn to stories of strong women, like Charlotte Pitt in The Cater Street Hangman, who overcame the obstacles created by the beliefs and rules of the society in 1800s England. I am also the great-granddaughter of the protagonist of…
From Helen's list on strong women who have survived restrictions.
If you love The Cater Street Hangman...
Come To Harm
This is Detective Chief Superintendent Fran Harman's first case in a series of six books. Months from retirement Kent-based Fran doesn't have a great life - apart from her work. She's menopausal and at the beck and call of her elderly parents, who live in Devon. But instead of lightening…
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