The Cater Street Hangman

By: Anne Perry

Narrated by: Davina Porter

The Cater Street Hangman is the first of Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries. Set in the Victorian era, it is an elegant and complex mystery full of well-drawn characters and rich period detail. When a maid in the upper class Ellison household is strangled, Inspector Pitt is called in to investigate. He finds a world ruled by strict manners and social customs, where the inhabitants of the Ellison's neighborhood appear to be more outraged by the thought of scandal than they are by murder. Inspector Pitt finds a most unlikely ally in Charlotte, the Ellison's spirited daughter. But as the murders continue, Charlotte and Pitt find themselves drawn together by more than the investigation.©2005 Linda Lael Miller (P)2007 Recorded Books,LLC

Three quarters time period, one quarter story

Many of the reviews I read before buying this book mentioned the plot being weak or the book being tedious and I bought it anyway. Having listened I now understand what they were getting at. The time period itself is a large part of this book. If you want to know more about the Victorian Era and how things worked at that time, it's great. If you're looking for a strong plot that is front and center, this isn't your book.

Essentially this was a nice mystery that could have been described in a quarter of the time had the time period not become a major part of the writing.

A glutton for punishment, I listened to the next in this series hoping that now that we know about the time period the plot would become more important. No such luck.

Davina Porter was, as always, amazing. I listened, in part, just because she was narrating and I love listening to her voice.

Fine Narration, Good Story

This book was recommended for me be Audible and I really did end up enjoying it. I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the books in the series!

Surprised?

I've read several of Anne Perry's books through the years and found her descriptions and ways of the past fascinating. I think had I started with this one, I would never have read another one. All of the drivel made me fast forward several times. The narrator wasn't pleasing to the ear and her women sounded at times more gravelly than the men.

Hugely satisfy

There’s really nothing not to like with this book. The reader is perfection and the story compelling. I did guess the bad guy towards the end but that did not take away any enjoyment. This is my first Perry book but will not be the last.

Murder mystery in Victorian England

That’s why you pick up an Inspector Pitt novel, right? This was my first Anne Perry book,following immediately after listening to unabridged versions of Oliver Twist and David Copperfield. You would rather read Anne Perry. Her characters are almost as good, her plot is better, and her prose is infinitely better. Remember, Dickens was being paid by the word—and it shows. Perry writes for your reading enjoyment.