Product Description

Not since the bloody deeds of Jack the Ripper have Londoners felt such terror as that aroused by the gruesome beheadings in Hyde Park. And if newly promoted Police Superintendent Thomas Pitt does not quickly apprehend the perpetrator, he is likely to lose his own head, professionally speaking.
Yet even with the help of Charlotte Pitt's subtle investigation, the sinister violence continues unchecked. And in a shocking turn of events that nearly convinces the pair of sleuths that they have met their match, the case proves to be Pitt's toughest ever . . . .
"Very satisfying, a lovely way to spend a rainy spring weekend." -- USA Today
"Thrilling . . . [Perry's] understanding of the historically rich period enables her to devise a plot true to its time yet timeless in its approach to human nature." -- The Orlando Sentinel

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #126721 in Books
• Published on: 1995-01-30
• Released on: 1995-01-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 352 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780449223505
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
This compelling Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novel set in fin de siecle London involves the discovery of a series of decapitated corpses.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Well-known series protagonist Thomas Pitt, newly promoted to police supervisor, faces fierce pressure to apprehend a notorious murderer who beheads his victims. More fine work from a popular historicist.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Perry's name is synonymous with deft plotting and wonderfully authentic period ambience, characters, and dialogue. Her fourteenth mystery featuring inspector Thomas Pitt and his wife, Charlotte, is every bit as intriguing as the previous 13. Turn-of-the-century London comes vividly alive as readers follow Pitt, recently promoted to superintendent, as he struggles to solve the brutal and confounding murder of Captain the Honorable Oakley Winthrop, R. N., who's been found beheaded in Hyde Park. Pitt suspects the victim knew his killer, but it's only after three more deadly murders take place that enough evidence can be mustered to accuse the real killer. Perry's fans won't be disappointed in this fast-paced, clever, absorbing tale of crime in Victorian London, and those new to the author will find it an intriguing introduction to a captivating world. Emily Melton

Customer Reviews

A Solid Murder Mystery
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.

Why does everyone dislike this book so much?
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.

Some Chills
While the killer is easily figured out (for us reading the book) the main thrust of this book is the continuing story of Pitt and his work. The benefit of reading a long series is those readers can follow a family through good years and bad, anticipating the continuation of a story line. Some of the sub-plots in this book will be continued in future volumes. I felt Charlotte and Emily were underused in this story although Perry explained that away. Not the best in the series, not the worst.