Half Moon Street

At first I was a little worried with the fact Charlotte was not going to be in the book. However, her mother Caroline and her relationship with her husband and mother-in-law provided some of the most interesting scenes in the story. Perry uses wonderful characterization and as always provides a very enjoyable experience. Highly recommended.

I have read every one of Anne Perry's books, and this is the best yet. Her thought-provoking subjects, such as censorship and women's rights add to the depth of her plots. In HALF MOON STREET she also delves further into the personalities of her continuing characters, particularly Caroline, Charlotte's mother; and Mariah, Charlotte's grandmother. In my opinion, one of the best things about a continuing series is getting to know the characters in depth, and Ms. Perry continues to deliver in this area.

I have read every single one of Anne Perry's books. I love them. This is a good one, and it's different because Charlotte isn't it. She's away on vacation for the duration. If anybody wonders how dirty pictures started, this book will tell you that. It's a good mystery and it really proves that the fall-out from pornography is not limited to our times.

Half Moon Street was a book I could not put down, but it was disturbing in its look at both sides of the censorship (and art vis-a-vis pornography)issues. Also the issue of women's total subjugation to men and their desire for freedom or at least for equality comes into play. The murder is almost a McGuffin to lead into these matters. Caroline Ellison Fielding, Charlotte Pitt's mother, plays a very prominent role, as does Mariah Ellison, her hateful mother-in-law. Charlotte and Gracie do not appear except in Charlotte's letters to her husband and in Sgt. Tellman's thoughts of Gracie, whom he has come to love. Lady Vespasia makes a brief but welcome appearance. Tellman, Caroline, and even Mariah learn some valuable lessons and continue to grow as human beings. And Cecily Antrim is a fascinating character. All in all, one of Perry's best.

His wife Charlotte accompanied by her sister and brother-in-law are vacationing in Paris and his children are at the shore with their nanny. Bow Street police Superintendent Thomas Pitt feels a bit empty and lonely.That changes when a murdered male corpse is found floating on the Thames. The victim's arms are chained to the boat's sides and he is wearing a dress. The case is difficult because the victim's name remains unknown. Eventually, Pitt learns the deceased is famous photographer Delbert Cathart, an artist known for capturing the essence of his subjects. The placement of the body, a parody of sexual fulfillment, suggests this is a crime of passion, the perpetrator one of the many individuals who have posed for Delbert or have been affected by his work. The diligent Pitt continues his investigation seeking a motive that hopefully will lead him to the perpetrator.Anne Perry is one of the giantesses of the mystery genre as her works constantly reach readers on different levels, many of which are emotionally charged. Victorian London is vigorously brought to life as a place where men struggle to keep the power that women want for themselves. The who-done-it of HALF MOON STREET is entertaining and puzzling as Ms. Perry continues to be the leading light of the Victorian mystery.Harriet Klausner