Play Book Tag discussion

I read a few of these books decades ago and thought they were interesting but very similar to the Gaslight Mysteries which I preferred. I recently found a copy of the fourth book, Resurrection Row, and decided to give the series another try.

After a rare night at the theatre, Thomas and Charlotte Pitt find themselves confronted with a corpse in the driver's seat of a cab. Even more shocking, it is the body of a peer who had been buried the week before. While the doctor insists Lord Fitzroy-Hammond died a natural death and other dead, but previously buried, men are found in odd places, Thomas Pitt is determined to get to the bottom of it. Charlotte takes an interest when Pitt tells her that her former brother in law is one of the suspects.

There is a fascinating parallel storyline about a pending bill in Parliament to provide some sort of benefits to the poor. That led to some serious social commentary and showed some of the most horrible situations in Victorian London. Scenes from Seven Dials and the workhouse, provide a vivid portrait of Victorian England in some of its worst places.

This is an early Anne Perry novel, published in 1981, so it's not as smooth and polished as her recent books. The period detail remains fascinating, and the author's grasp of Victorian character and conscience is excellent. Perry's strength is writing memorable characters and an ability to evoke the Victorian era in every chapter. I will definitely pick up another when I have the opportunity.