The Angel Court Affair: A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel (Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Series Book 30)

Anne Perry writes a great story with excellent characters. Unlike some novelists, her characters are moving through life with new experiences and aging in the process. This one is about a kidnapping victim and the ways a 1900 police force (and Special Branch) in the UK have to deal with it. I highly recommend any one planning to read this, to also read at least some of her earlier novels in the same series. I think you might get lost if you don't understand Narraway's background, as well as Inspector Pitt and his wife Charlotte. The earlier novels continue to be my favorites because of the historical context and backgrounds of the characters. A good read!

***spoiler****I thought this mystery was well thought out and motivated for the most part. There are some parts I don't understand (why the ransom demand that Sophia's husband repudiate her religion and destroy her reputation?) Perhaps to throw Pitt off the scent in making him believe it was a religious motive rather than a financial one? to some how flush Castillo out? Although it was pretty clear who was probably behind the kidnapping from the beginning. The psychological aspects were interesting as always.I like the way Anne Perry is beginning to bring Jemima into the fore, and perhaps Daniel as well. I wish Charlotte was not so much in the background. In the next installment, I hope Emily and Charlotte are featured more prominently.I found the musings on God and religion interesting.I'm glad it ended on a positive note. Not all of Perry's dark mysteries do.

As usual I will skip a recap of the plot, as that has been done by many others. I knew when I read the first chapter of Anne Perry's latest, "The Angel Court Affair" that she had taken a huge risk with this one. But one of the many things that keeps me reading her books is my respect for her willingness to take a risk. Over the years, she has frog marched her protagonist from a "mere" policeman to a position of heavy responsibility, with all the advantages and disadvantages to such a job. Of course he is going to have some questions about his fitness for the position, and that is a good thing that keeps him from becoming a part of the political establishment. One of the drawbacks to being an extremely successful novelist must be the challenge of keeping some kind of freshness and creativity alive when your readers demand book after book of the same theme and characters. You can't crowd every book with all your circle of characters while you introduce new faces and develop their personalities, but adding those characters must give the writer a degree of satisfaction--even if it is a risk. While I do not feel that The Angle Court Affair will go onto my list of favorite Anne Perry books, it gave the characters new space for growth, kept me reading until late into the night and provided a realistic woman-in-jeopardy to root for. The book was intelligently written--unusual today, it seems--with a fresh look at some familiar characters and the opportunity for new ones to develop. Like Sofia in the novel, Ms Perry is not afraid to go where others fear to tread and encourage her readers to think about deeper ideas. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a well written story with intelligent, vulnerable and courageous characters.

I love Anne Perry's writing, characters. I have read all the William Monk and Inspector Pitt books. They always have intricate plots, interesting characters, spell binding court drama and wonderful description of the times the novels are set in. It is an interesting read, and I loved the author's inclusion and expansion of Charlotte and Pitt's children, Daniel and Jemima. Their daughter is growing up and, much to Pitt's dismay, she becomes involved in PItt's latest case (mentored by Charlotte)...wrestling with issues of integrity and faith. Ms. Perry does an interesting job of working through those issues...integrity and faith based on the main character who is a female evangelist who disappears under dramatic circumstances. And, we see Aunt Vespasia and Pitt's former boss and head of special services, Victor Narraway, in their newly married status. This book, however, did not seem to hang together as the others do. Nor did the plot and action have the intensity,depth, twists and nail biting moments so typical of Ms. Perry's novels. It moves, but there seem to be some holes, both in action and development of the characters. It is a different Perry creation, but, worth the read for those of us who have come to love Pitt and his family and the literary gifts of Anne Perry.

This book is a little more detailed, with more emphasis on political, monetary, religious, ethical issues that have created rifts in humanity and civilizations. Anne Perry is an extraordinary author, not allowing her values/beliefs to overshadow the plot or character personalities and essence readers have come to love. Perry details the varied viewpoints of issues during the Victorian Era, utilizing the core characters (Thomas & Charlotte Pitt, & family) and special characters across economic, social, and vocational backgrounds to express the relevant information in a twisting, turning, intricate plot. The novel remains true to its historical time and keeps the reader engaged until the very last page. Perry delves into character traits, and she uses just enough detail of landscape to keep a level of focus on the mystery of who committed the crime?

I have to admit that it took me a few goes to get involved in this novel. To me, this plot is a bit out of the ordinary for Charlotte and Thomas as he attempts to preserve the life of a religious figure who appears at odds with the Church of England, at least. It is interesting as both their children have a great deal more to say as the story develops. It also sees the newly weds Narraway and Vespesia taking a bit of a working honeymoon. Public schools of the 1890s get a jaundiced eye turned on them and the role they play in society and the plot.As I said earlier, this was a bit of a challenge at first but once I got involved it was a good read.

I love Anne perry books. I have the set of Thomas Pitt and Monk too!

Good story

but the story is boring.

I enjoyed this murder mystery, although a little gruesome, because it was so different from anything else I have read. Inspector Thomas Pitt is a sympathetic character, and unlike a lot of detectives, happily married, which makes a change. Some parts very tense.

Love Anne Perry. Always a surprise waiting as you turn the pages. Ms. Perry obviously puts a lot of time to research and it always pays off!!!

A force de soulever toujours les mêmes sujets, Perry visiblement s'essouffle. On finit par se lasser de son style aux sempiternelles questions, ses "états d'âme" perso au détriment d'une intrigue peu crédible plongée dans un contexte "politique" sans grand intérêt.Un livre qui m'a si peu intéressée que je l'ai abandonné, sans le finir, sur un banc à Bordeaux................