Brunswick Gardens

Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Mysteries, Book 18

By: Anne Perry

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 17 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Like the great Victorian novelists whose mantle she wears with such distinction, Anne Perry creates a rich and intimate world and fills it with remarkably vivid characters who experience the majesty - and shame - of the British Empire at its brilliant zenith.

Now, in Brunswick Gardens, she explores the controversial birth of a philosophy that enflamed fiery debate - and possibly murder.

A century ago, Charles Darwin's revolutionary theory of evolution rocked the civilized world, and the outraged Anglican church went on the warpath against it. In a mansion in London's affluent Brunswick Gardens, the battle is intense, as that most respected clergyman, the Reverend Ramsay Parmenter, is boldly challenged by his beautiful assistant, Unity Bellwood - a "new woman" whose feminism and aggressive Darwinism he finds appalling.

When Unity, three months pregnant, tumbles down the Parmenter staircase to her death, Thomas Pitt, commander of the Bow Street police station, is virtually certain that one of the three deeply devout men in the house committed murder. Could it have been the Reverend Parmenter, his handsome curate, or his Roman Catholic son? Powerful forces demand that the scandalous matter be cleared up immediately. But Pitt and his clever wife, Charlotte, refuse to settle for less than the truth...and justice.

Like all Anne Perry's novels, Brunswick Gardens translates great moral issues into deeply moving human dramas. Perhaps the most psychologically penetrating book she has written, it is a distinguished addition to her acclaimed body of work.

©1998 Anne Perry (P)2021 Recorded Books

Victorian T wists & Turns

Ms. Perry has done it again! l love the characters and , as always, her story is a joy to experience. Looking forward to the next.

A bit hard to listen

Did not get interesting until you absolutely knew who did it. struggled with most of the narration. Too slow and dragged most of the time.

Hard to listen to

The narrator decided to whisper one of the main characters’ dialogue throughout the entire book. It was difficult to hear, but hiking the volume only made the rest of the book far too loud. TBS, I do love a Pitt mystery.

Excellent!

Wow this had me on pins and needles trying to figure it out!

Perry is truly gifted in her storytelling and I am addicted to this series! The narrator was perfect!

A Veritable Lake of Red Herrings

Great Honk! What a magnificent, convoluted yarn of murder. Every intriguing, multilayered character proclaimed alternative solutions with absolute conviction. Typically, Perry avoided no sacred cows in her often-brutal glimpses into Victorian religious battlegrounds, institutionalized misogyny or repressive social structures. There is not a shallow or hollow character to be found in her rich panoply of actors. These murder-mysteries just seem to get increasingly addictive.

Always like Anne Perry

Anne Perry always entertains, goes deep, creates engrossing mysteries. This one could have been a bit shorter.