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Summary: Into the hearts of Dominic and Thomas we go. . .
Review: . . .and what a fascinating trip! Dominic Corde--such aninsensitive cad in the Cater Street Hangman--turns up here in the lastplace you'd expect to find a man of his calibre--and he's a likely suspect in the first murder case in this outing. Unlike some of the other readers, I didn't really mind that Emily was on vacation and Great-Aunt Vespasia was only in one scene. Life's like that, folks. Hey, you give me a choice between going to Rome and meddling in a politically nasty murder investigation and I'll say, arrivederci, baby:) Dominic is definitely the center-stage, pivotal character in this book. Everyone in this book except maybe Gracie, Tellman, and the Pitt children has been deeply affected in some way by what he was, is, or is perceived to be. I've reread this book three or four times just to savor the wonderful interplay between Dominic and Thomas, as well as Charlotte's coming to terms with her past feelings for Dominic--a perspective that also proves pivotal as the book draws to a close. Borrow it if you don't want to buy it. . .
Rating: 
Summary: Cut 100 pages!
Review: Although the details of Victorian society were interesting, I found that the characters kept repeating themselves; rambling speeches that went on way too long without adding anything to the progression of the plot or introducing any new information. Also, I think many readers will be able to figure out who the culprit is - it becomes fairly obvious at the end.
Rating: 
Summary: What a disappointment !
Review: As a fan of Anne Perry, I look forward to read one of the adventures of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. However, this latest novel is so disappointing that I am not sure I will ever read another one. As several other readers have pointed out, the culprit is obvious early on. But my biggest criticism is that the explanation of "how it was done" is not credible and really does not make sense. I feel cheated !
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Summary: An insight into Thomas Pitt.
Review: Brunswick Garden is a story that is set in the home of a highly placed religious scholar. A death there brings Pitt to investiage. However, before Pitt even gets more than a brief glimpse of what has happened, pressure is brought to bear from the government and Church of England to reach a quick conclusion with as little public fanfare a possible. This sets Pitt onto a path that is even more determined to be thorough and as painstaking as possible; he shows he will not be dictated to as he carries out his investigation.As he enters deeper into the household, he discovers that he has crossed paths with his brother-in-law Dominic Cord - a man Charlotte, Pitt's wife, was infatuated with as a teenager and young woman. His return to their life rekindles Charlotte's thoughts of him and also restokes Pitt's resentment towards him. The fact that he is a suspect makes it harder for Pitt to remain purely objective because of the inner resentment he feels against Dominic. This situation makes Pitt more human and believeable. If I met a man in the course of my work, who was once the object of my wife's adoration, I'd have a hard time staying neutral and not resenting the hell out of him too. Perry catches this emotional load that Pitt has to bear exactly right. Throughout the book, emotions are barely under the surface. From Charlotte's renewed attention to Dominic, Pitt's resentment of Dominic and Charlotte, religious beliefs etc., there is an current that is almost palpable and real. Where these emotions lead is surprising as well as sad. In one case, these is the start of an affection that can only be returned obliquely and indirectly, not as it should be. While Tellman and Gracie continue thier somewhat eccentric courtship - neither has recognized thier true feelings for the other or if they have, they are reluctant to admit them, to themselves and to each other. This is a book that I found on par with Perry's other writings. This gives us a new developement of Pitt's charecter - we see his emotions and his own insecurities quite vividly. I think it goes a long way to giving background and depth to the relationship of Charlotte and Thomas, making them more believeable as people. I highly recommend this book to all Perry fans.
Rating:
Summary: An insight into Thomas Pitt.
Review: Brunswick Garden is a story that is set in the home of a highly placed religious scholar. A death there brings Pitt to investiage. However, before Pitt even gets more than a brief glimpse of what has happened, pressure is brought to bear from the government and Church of England to reach a quick conclusion with as little public fanfare a possible. This sets Pitt onto a path that is even more determined to be thorough and as painstaking as possible; he shows he will not be dictated to as he carries out his investigation. As he enters deeper into the household, he discovers that he has crossed paths with his brother-in-law Dominic Cord - a man Charlotte, Pitt's wife, was infatuated with as a teenager and young woman. His return to their life rekindles Charlotte's thoughts of him and also restokes Pitt's resentment towards him. The fact that he is a suspect makes it harder for Pitt to remain purely objective because of the inner resentment he feels against Dominic. This situation makes Pitt more human and believeable. If I met a man in the course of my work, who was once the object of my wife's adoration, I'd have a hard time staying neutral and not resenting the hell out of him too. Perry catches this emotional load that Pitt has to bear exactly right. Throughout the book, emotions are barely under the surface. From Charlotte's renewed attention to Dominic, Pitt's resentment of Dominic and Charlotte, religious beliefs etc., there is an current that is almost palpable and real. Where these emotions lead is surprising as well as sad. In one case, these is the start of an affection that can only be returned obliquely and indirectly, not as it should be. While Tellman and Gracie continue thier somewhat eccentric courtship - neither has recognized thier true feelings for the other or if they have, they are reluctant to admit them, to themselves and to each other. This is a book that I found on par with Perry's other writings. This gives us a new developement of Pitt's charecter - we see his emotions and his own insecurities quite vividly. I think it goes a long way to giving background and depth to the relationship of Charlotte and Thomas, making them more believeable as people. I highly recommend this book to all Perry fans.
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Summary: Finally discover: "Whatever happened to Dominic?"
Review: Frankly, I've been finding some of Perry's recent books a tad too predicatable. I found this a refreshing change from the "Emily and Charlotte meddle in Thomas' case routine". They were becoming a little too much like a Victorian Lucy and Ethel for my taste. I had always wondered what had ever become of Dominic. He is the only main character from the first book who we've not heard from in quite some while(of course not counting those that are deceased). Perry's initial characterization of him was so interesting, I've always wondered what became of him. This book clearly centers more on Dominic and Thomas than Charlotte. With the question "Can a leopard reaaly change his spots?", truly being explored. Also, there is a nice inner struggle with Thomas trying to maintain his objectivity, while fighting the "green-eyed monster". All-in-all it's not the best of Perry's books, but it is worth the read.
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Summary: sorely disappointed!
Review: I am a great fan of Anne Perry but had difficulty finishing this book. Perry's mysteries dealing with Thomas and Charlotte Pitt have recently been sliding in originalty and suspense. This book centers around the murder of Unity Bellwood, a classic's scholar who is found dead after apparently being pushed down the staircase in her employer's home. Charlotte and her usually familiar partners in detection are notably absent. Instead the book concentrates on the boring lamentations of the suspects in the house. I found the dialogue boring and there was no other action to speak of until the last fourth of the book. I am so disgusted with her recent caliber of writing that this one might be my last.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing
Review: I gave this book two stars because I'm a loyal fan of Anne Perry and have come to care about the characters, but, frankly, this book just isn't worth the money. Instead of Charlotte, Emily and Aunt Vespasia sleuthing and spying all you get are endless dialogues about feminism and religion. I hope I'm wrong to fear the worst for this series but next time I'll definitely wait for the paperback edition.....
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Summary: One of Anne Perry's best
Review: In 1891, Thomas Pitt has been named Commander of London's Bow Street Police Station. His current investigation involves the suspicious death of Unity Bellwood, a pregnant woman, who died from a fall down a set of stairs. Though most people, including the renowned Vicar Ramsay Parmenter, insist this was an unfortunate accident, Thomas thinks a murder has occurred. Thomas decides that there is enough cause to continue the investigation even though pressure for a fast solution is immense. He begins to uncover secrets about Ramsay, the man's alienated son, and the curator that makes both of them look like possible suspects. His spouse Charlotte, attending social functions, provides Thomas with additional data. However, before he can reach a substantiated conclusion, a second murder occurs. This forces Thomas to expedite the investigation before anyone else is killed. The eighteenth Thomas Pitt, late Victorian mystery is a fascinating novel that will be thoroughly enjoyed by fans of the series as well most historical fiction readers. Thomas remains an interesting character and the insight provided about his spouse and their relationship immensely adds to the reading pleasure. Though Anne Perry's story line is not quite at the level of some its predecessors, BRUNSWICK GARDENS remains a great book. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Thomas and Charlotte Pitt at their best!
Review: In the late 1890s, what did it mean to be a woman in England? What did it mean to have a religious faith against Charles Darwin's new theory of evolution? Anne Perry at her finest draws the reader to experience what only one could have imagined. 10 years after Sarah's death in Cater Street, dashing Dominic Corde has taken the cloth of the curate, sharing the home with Reverend Paramenter and his family and Unity Bellwood, 'a new woman', who has a passionate belief in educating women, having the vote, and Charles Darwin. Religion and those who follow it are fodder for her mockery of such arachaic notions. So, who causes her violent death at the bottom of the Paramenter's staircase? Thomas and Charlotte must traverse through some of marriage's most difficult tests and examine their beliefs, when it appears as if Dominic might be the murderer. Jealousy, freedom to choose who one might wish to marry, passions that cause people to act and react, play an intricate ! part in this latest Perry, making the reader question are some choices worth dying or are desires and wants as useless as crying over split milk?
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