Silence in Hanover Close Book

Having pieced together almost all of Anne Perry's series secondhand; this ninth mystery of 1988 brings me in line with her William Monk début. I will shift from the Pitts after their 1991 novel. The sixth and seventh volumes were weaker. The seventh ushered in such a perceptible wind of change, my level of praise is nearly back to five stars again! Thomas increasingly accepts collaboration from Charlotte and Emily and begins to count on them. His chief is swayed by political pressure instead of morality for all as equals. Thomas tolerates it no longer. The questionable sense of duty of London policemen is so flimsy, he might as well take all the investigating help that comes to hand. In "Silence In Hanover Close", Thomas is blamed for the murder of a suspect. Charlotte and Emily must hold the family and his life together!

In the last novel or two, I clued in that Anne portrayed them to be a century behind each publishing year. It is easy to picture the time period. Readers with any memory for details should allow this series to build in chronological order. Previously, Emily lost her husband to murder. She cares for someone new but is a titled heiress. The man might not court her, lest he look like a gold-digger. She can not take Charlotte either, to visit Hanover Close as she normally might. She is a Victorian lady in mourning and in 1888, appearances cause enough stress to commit murder.

The way Emily helps Charlotte is thrilling and lends empathy to blue collar and tradesman classes. Never have I admired Emily more! Since I find that binging deflates full enjoyment of stories by hurrying through them; I am restraining myself from racing to see what the new family foursome dynamics are like!