Rating: 
Summary: BACK TO THE OLD STYLE
Review: I look forward to every Anne Perry novel, and also the excellent audio recordings of her novels. The last couple of books have had a bit too much of stilted moralizing. I am happy to say this new book is much more like her earlier novels--exciting, vivid, a real page turner. I like the way Perry gives different regular characters the focus each time. If anyone found this "jack the ripper" info intriguing, read Robin Paige's "Death at Whitechapel". It is more detailed and will definitely give you giant goosebumps. Thanks also to Harriet Klausner for all recommendations. When she says a mystery is worthwhile I know I won't regret buying it.
Rating: 
Summary: Anne Perry is back in top form
Review: I sometimes have the tendency to overlook shortcomings in authours I admire very much. And until I read "The Whitechapel Conspiracy", I didn't realise how much I've missed reading Anne Perry at her best. And in this latest Thomas & Charlotte Pitt mystery novel, Anne Perry is in top form! This novel with all it's dangerous conspiracies, and it's seemingly motiveless murder made for some very compelling reading indeed.The novel opens with the trial of John Adinett: he has been accussed of murdering his friend Martin Fetters. Pitt was the investigating officer in this case, and while he found evidence of Adinett's guilt, and of Adinett's hasty attempts of trying to pass of Fetter's murder as an accident, Pitt was unable to discover a motive for the murder. Pitts acquits himself well in the witness box in spite of the Adinett's lawyer's attempt to paint Pitt as a vindictive and envious man. Adinett is found guilty; but Pitt is vilified in the newspapers, and Adinett's powerful friends who seem to be member of the Inner Circle (a secretive group that Pitt has locked horns with before) cause Pitt to relieved of his post at Bow Street and seconded to the East End as an undercover agent for the Special Branch. While devasted at the turn of events, Charlotte Pitt and the Pitt's maid Gracie refuse to take things lying down. To this end they decide to try and discover a motive for Fetters's murder. Charlotte decides to enlist Fetter's widow to this end, while Gracie recruits Sergeant Tellman. So while Charlotte and Mrs. Fetters go through Fetters's private papers and effects, Gracie and Tellman roam the streets of London, never dreaming that their quest to vindicate Pitt would lead them to Whitechapel and into the very middle of one of England's most notorious of cases. This novel pivots mostly on the detecting efforts of Gracie and Tellman; and the chapters the describe Tellman and Gracie scurrying around all over London, following faint clues, until they finally end up at Whitechapel, makes for riverting and breatheless reading. I couldn't stop reading until I reached the end of the book! This novel also belongs to the female characters: Charlotte and Juno (Fetters's wife) who intrepidly go on in their search for answers even when they realise that there are those that will try to stop them by whatever means necessary; to Gracie who stubbornly keeps going in spite of the danger; and to Vespasia who uses whatever little power she has to help Pitt. "The Whitechapel Conspiracy" also centers around questions that were on everyone's mind back in the 1890s and it is now: whether or not there was a place for a rather out of touch monarchy in modern times, and the need for drastic social reforms. Unlike the Amazon.com reviewer, I found such ruminations interesting and compelling. For quite a few Victorians, the very thought of a revolution that would do away with all the instituitions they were familair with, would have been frightening; and I found getting the points of view of people from differnt walks of life -- from Sgt. Tellman to Vespasia -- enlightening. The need for reform is obvious, but would a revolution that took away all that was good as well all that was bad be beneficial to all? "The Whitechapel Conspiracy" showcases Anne Perry's brilliant tale spinning art at her best. I read the book in one sitting: I simply could not put this book down. Definitely recommended reading.
Rating:
Summary: Anne Perry is better than ever
Review: In this new novel, Anne Perry returns to her popular sleuths, Charlotte and Thomas Pitt. Pitt once again angers the Inner Circle by gathering evidence against one of their members in a murder case. The member is found guilty and hanged. Soon after, he is stripped of his command and sent to the East End to work undercover with a unit charged with exposing anarchists. It would be giving the story away to tell any more, but let it suffice to say that Pitt uncovers much more than he ever expected. The characters are as well drawn as ever, giving more emphasis to Gracie and Tellman. Charlotte's family and Vespasia are not as important. I didn't enjoy Vespasia as much, Perry seems to be letting her spirit grow old, I liked her much better in the past. Read and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Anne Perry is better than ever
Review: In this new novel, Anne Perry returns to her popular sleuths, Charlotte and Thomas Pitt. Pitt once again angers the Inner Circle by gathering evidence against one of their members in a murder case. The member is found guilty and hanged. Soon after, he is stripped of his command and sent to the East End to work undercover with a unit charged with exposing anarchists. It would be giving the story away to tell any more, but let it suffice to say that Pitt uncovers much more than he ever expected. The characters are as well drawn as ever, giving more emphasis to Gracie and Tellman. Charlotte's family and Vespasia are not as important. I didn't enjoy Vespasia as much, Perry seems to be letting her spirit grow old, I liked her much better in the past. Read and enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: An Interesting Historical Read
Review: Overall, I found The Whitechapel Conspiracy to be an enjoyable read. Anne Perry does a good job with the characters and the plot. However, I have found some of her earlier novels to be even better in covering the bases of a good historical novel. Still, I would recommend this one to Jack the Ripper buffs who enjoy any conspiracy type mysteries to chew on. As a Ripperologist and novelist myself, I enjoy reading for fun other authors points of view on the subject matter. From the author of the historical Jack the Ripper novel, IN THE DARK OF NIGHT. -- R. Barri Flowers
Rating:
Summary: Fast-moving and topical
Review: Since the beginning of Anne Perry's two Victorian mystery series, I've wondered what she would do about the most famous crime of the era. She couldn't simply ignore it, as she's always most meticulous in describing the events and attitudes that shaped the times. On the other hand, she couldn't very well have one of her detectives collaring the perpetrator when we all know his identity is still up for grabs.
In "The Whitechapel Conspiracy" she solves the problem neatly by involving Pitt in a related case. This allows her to use the climate of fear, as well as some of the more fanciful theories, surrounding the Ripper and still give Pitt and company an interesting case to solve. One of her best in recent years.
Rating:
Summary: This is a gread addition to this dynamite historical myster
Review: Superintendent Thomas Pitt of the Bow Street police station testifies against John Adinet, under trial for allegedly murdering antiquarian Martin Fetters. Martin and John were best friends who believed in social reform. Though no motive surfaces, circumstantial evidence and Pitt's compelling testimony swings the jury to deliver a guilty verdict. John's appeal fails leaving his execution in three weeks. Meanwhile, the verdict leaves Thomas with some powerful foes since John was a member of the "Inner Circle," a group of influential men protecting each other's interests. They know that cannot save John, but they need to release their anger while also gaining revenge for one of their members. They go after Pitt starting with obtaining a transfer for him to the East End slum looking for anarchists. This forces John to separate from his wife and children, but his spouse, peers, and friends refuse to sit back while an injustice occurs. A nne Perry, known for her enthralling Victorian historical mysteries, provides her audience with an unusual take on the Ripper murders. The various subplots, each one starring a different main character, adds up to a fascinating and plausible story line. THE WHITECHAPPEL CONSPIRACY highlights the squalor of the lower classes while only a few miles away the heir apparent is hosting a party that could feed the masses for a week. Ms. Perry's fans will receive plenty of pleasure from her latest novel. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Gripping from start to finish.
Review: The Whitechapel Conspiracy shows that even Thomas Pitt is not immune from the grasp of the Inner Circle. Punished for doing his duty, Pitt is exiled to the misery of Whitechapel and Spitalfields in East London where he has been attached to the undercover branch of the Metropolitan Police dealing with anarchists and bombers; a far cry from his usual cases. The greater down side to this is that Pitt must leave his family and live on his own in his new patch. The minor charecters in this latest work by Anne Perry get a great deal of developement. Gracie Phipps and Samuel Tellman are back scraping and fussing with each other, as their regard for each other grows deeper. Tellman especially has his work cut out for him since he has been forbidden to contact or work with Pitt. Tellman has to do the bulk of the work to get Pitt returned to his position at Bow Street. But at times, Gracie is the better detective. Then to add to the mixture, another secret organization makes its appearance. This group, the Masons, is a much more public organization, even the Prince of Wales was a Mason. Yet they have their agenda as well. It is interesting to see the competing agendas get worked through in this book. Aunt Vespasia's early life is revealed in much more detail. Who'd have throught it will be many readers reactions, I think. The only down side to the book as far as I could see is that with all the turmoil going on, with Pitt's transfer and all, that the Pitt's children's reactions to this are left out. I can imagine that for two young children to suddenly have dad disappear without an explanation they can understand, it would be quite upsetting. I would think that Charlotte's reading to them at night and visits with Aunt Emily wouldn't be enough to compensate. In all, this is a very good book. I devoured it at one sitting. I think everyone who reads this will feel the same. I highly recommend it to all Victorian period enthusiasts.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Group Effort to Solve This Case
Review: This book is a rare example of Pitt and Charlotte having to work on their case totally separately, as Pitt has been transferred in disgrace thanks to the powerful Inner Circle. However, the intrepid Gracie and her reluctant swain Sergeant Tellman more than take up the slack. There is an intrepid Clark Kent type reporter, a Supreme Court justice with his own agenda, and, of course, a brief visit by Emily, who functions as a shoulder to cry on and a babysitter, which is something of a loss to those who remember her courage and resourcefulness in other books. Aunt Vespasia is a major figure, and we learn some secrets of her past. About halfway through the book, it began to remind me of a movie I had seen about 20 or so years ago called Murder by Decree, starring Christopher Plummer as Sherlock Holmes, James Mason as Doctor Watson, Susan Clark as a London prostitute, and Genevieve Bujold as an unfortunate young woman. If it's available to you, watch it in conjunction with this book. You'll see what I mean. It was good to see the Gracie/Tellman story unfold a little more. Anne Perry is outstanding at developing romances. Long may she write!
Rating:
Summary: A Political Potboiler!
Review: This is an excellent book. It's more a political story than a mystery in some ways, but the mystery is still there, and Ms. Perry keeps you guessing until the very end. This book is quite a bit different than the later Thomas Pitt series, but still exciting. Thomas has offended some very highly placed political enemies, and they have seen that he has been separated from his wife and family and placed in the degraded East End of London, to ostensibly look for anarchits. More than anarchists are found though, and this plot threatens the whole Engligh way of life as it was known at this time in history. We see Charlotte and Vespasia play less dominant roles in this book than they usually do, but Gracie has stepped up to the plate and what a delight she is! This is an excellent mystery, and again the era is so well depicted it feels like you're actually there.
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