- Paperback: 330 pages
- Publisher: Random House Inglaterra (February 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0345465075
- ISBN-13: 978-0345465078
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 10 x 3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 200 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
London detective Thomas Pitt is investigating the murder of a junior diplomat by a notorious Egyptian woman and her lover, a senior Cabinet minister involved in negotiating the conflict between Egypt's cotton growers and England's textile industry. Lovat, the diplomat, once served in Egypt, and to unravel the mystery of his death, Pitt travels to Alexandria, where he finds that the beautiful Ayesha Zakhari is not who she appears to be--and that Lovat's murder may be tied to an old crime which, if exposed, could set the Middle East aflame. While Pitt is in Egypt, his wife, Charlotte, occupies herself with a more mundane matter--the disappearance of a valet whose sister is a friend of the Pitt's housemaid. It's not long before the reader realizes the connection between the two crimes; meanwhile, Perry layers this smoothly plotted mystery with a fascinating history of Egypt in the days of the British Empire and the religious and economic tensions whose repercussions still resonate more than a century later. Perry, the author of two Victorian-era series (the other stars investigator William Monk), does her usual fine job of bringing the colorful time period alive, helped along by the details of domestic life provided by her protagonists' wives, interesting and accomplished women who have lately played all but equal roles in solving their husbands' cases. --Jane Adams
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
In her 23rd Victorian mystery featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt (after 2002's Southampton Row), Perry uses a pending economic crisis to good effect. Now firmly ensconced in his job with Special Branch, Thomas looks into the murder of a junior diplomat, whose corpse turns up in a wheelbarrow in a garden belonging to a mysterious and beautiful Egyptian woman, Ayesha Zakhari. Pitt travels to Egypt for answers, but the more he learns about Miss Zakhari the more he suspects that she's the pawn in some ugly political game. The Pitts' maid, Gracie, involves Charlotte in the search for a missing valet. Gracie also enlists the aid of Thomas's former subordinate, Sergeant Tellman, and in one of the charming subplots of the book, their romance develops further. The trail leads Charlotte into the dark and dangerous alleys of London's Seven Dials district, and eventually she and Thomas discover that the two cases intersect in a horrifying way. Perry once again delivers a complex and satisfying tale that fans of the series will devour.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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First Sentence
PITT OPENED HIS EYES but the thumping did not stop. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
PITT OPENED HIS EYES but the thumping did not stop. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seven Dials Deserves Seven Stars!,
By
This review is from: Seven Dials (Hardcover)
A new Pitt & Charlotte book is always a cause for celebration, and this one is no exception. Pitt finds himself faced with a murder case that could have major national and international repercussions, while Charlotte and her maid, the intrepid Gracie, look into the disappearance of Gracie's friend's brother, a valet. Gracie is a wonderful character, and her relationship with Inspector Tellman takes a step forward. Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould plays a major role in both investigations and, as always, is a truly memorable character. While Pitt's investigation takes him to the exotic Alexandria, Egypt, Charlotte's carries her to one of London's worst slums. Of course both cases will dovetail into a most satisfying solution. I must confess that I had suspected something slightly different from the actual solution, but Anne Perry's was far superior to mine! I wish Emily Radley, Charlotte's sister, could have played a bigger role, but maybe next time!
5.0 out of 5 stars
another fascinating Victorian mystery,
By
This review is from: Seven Dials (Hardcover)
After exposing the workings of the Inner Circle, Thomas Pitt was fired as superintendent of Bow Street. For his and his family's sake he went to work for Special Branch, a top secret agency charged with keeping Great Britain safe from its' enemies. His latest case involves an Egyptian woman, Ayesha Zakhari, the mistress of cabinet minister Saville Ryerson.The police believe that Ayesha shot and killed minor diplomat Edwin Lovatt, her lover when he was stationed in Egypt over a decade ago. Ryerson and Ayesha were disposing the body when the police caught them. The government doesn't want Ryerson implicated in a scandal and he doesn't want his mistress who he loves very much to hang for murder. Pitt's boss sends him to Egypt in the hope of discovering more about the players and if anyone else had a reason to kill Lovatt. Anne Perry has written another fascinating Victorian mystery and this one is better than most (and that is saying something) because the reader receives an intriguing look at Egypt through the filtered eyes of a veteran foreign police officer. The audience also gain the perspective of how many Egyptians feel towards their British masters. History aside, in SEVEN DIALS, the hero's wife is working on a missing person case that has to do with Pitt's homicide investigation. Watching these two cases intersect is mesmerizing and realistic if one has faith in coincidence. Harriet Klausner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Didn't Want it to End,
By bookworm (Wenatchee, WA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Seven Dials (Mass Market Paperback)
I can't find a negative thing to say about Perry's stories. I just think she has the greatest way with words and the things her characters say without saying anything, by just a scowl, or smothered smile are so eloquent. I don't know if she means to continue with Charlotte and Thomas or Mr Monk now that she is starting a new series, but I will miss them for sure. This was a great story and even with the obvious it's not the whole story. Sometimes I wonder who really solves these crimes Thomas or Charlotte. Don't mis this new chapter in their lives.
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