Death on Blackheath

A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel, Book 29

By: Anne Perry

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Anne Perry's superb New York Times best-selling novels set in the glorious reign of Victoria are loved by listeners far and wide. Now, with this new Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mystery, Perry returns us to that charmed era, when wealth and power rule - but where, alas, poisonous corruption lies coiled in the heart of empire.

As commander of the powerful Special Branch, Thomas Pitt has the job of keeping Britain safe from spies and traitors. So there' s no obvious reason why he is suddenly ordered to investigate two minor incidents: the blood, hair, and shards of glass discovered outside the home of naval weapons expert Dudley Kynaston, and the simultaneous disappearance of Mrs. Kynaston' s beautiful lady's maid. But weeks later, when the mutilated body of an unidentified young woman is found near Kynaston' s home, Pitt realizes that this is no ordinary police investigation.

Far from it.

Is Kynaston - one of Britain's most valuable scientists - leading a double life? Is Pitt saddled with a conspiracy so devilishly clever that it will ruin him? A baffled Pitt has never needed his friends more desperately, including his indomitable wife, Charlotte; his canny old colleague Victor Narraway; and his personal drawing-room spy, Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould. But even these allies may not be able to save Pitt - or Britain.

Only Anne Perry could have created the tense unfolding of plot and counterplot, love and betrayal, scandal and murder that follows. Death on Blackheath is rich with fascinating characters, authentic period flavor, knife' s-edge suspense, and a haunting, unforgettable denouement.

©2014 Anne Perry (P)2014 Recorded Books

My favorite of the Pitt series

I just reread again....still emjoyed just as much! Like a beautiful jigsaw puzzle where sections of the puzzle are solved, lots of sections, until the whole puzzle is solved, and resolved too. ❤ story included.

Excellent

So exciting as usual. Murder, major mystery and happy for a new couple!!

Excellent narration and storyline!!!

Good mystery, well read.

Where does Death on Blackheath rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I enjoy Anne Perry's mysteries. I have just re-listened to this having just finished the Angel Court Affair-- her more recent book-- not wanting to leave the characters behind. It was as good as the first time I listened to it.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I remembered vital parts of the mystery, but I still got caught up in the story and was interested in the outworking of the mystery again.

Which scene was your favorite?

Lady Vespasia falls in love. I have always liked her and I was happy to have more time with her.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I like the thought that a woman becomes more valuable as she ages.

Any additional comments?

I was struck this time repeatedly that I love to listen to Davina Porter read.

Character depth increased!

Would you listen to Death on Blackheath again? Why?

Great suspense.

What did you like best about this story?

Development of side characters increased, much to my delight.

Which scene was your favorite?

Can't say or I'd give it away.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending.

Any additional comments?

Anne perry is rewarding longtime readers with some humorous chapters in the arc of certain side characters. You'll love it. It's the novel you've waited for.

The Best of the Series Since the Early Books

I had loved the early books in this series but found some of the more recent ones disappointing. This book breaks that mold; it was as interesting as the early ones. Good characters, good story, plenty of intrigue.

Anne Perry has done it again!

If you could sum up Death on Blackheath in three words, what would they be?

Still believable & exciting!

What other book might you compare Death on Blackheath to and why?

Revisits Resurrection Row but takes it to a new level of intrigue and mystery!

Which character – as performed by Davina Porter – was your favorite?

I love to listen to the many voices of Davina Porter, but I still love to hear her turn into Lady Vespasia.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried when Lady Vespasia is faced with her feelings and such a hard choice to make!

Any additional comments?

Love, love, love it! The development of the story between Pitt and Charlotte still has so much to share. Can't wait to see how he grows and adjusts to Jemima growing up.

Another great Special Branch tale.

"Death on Blackheath" is the tenth book which portrays Pitt as a member of Special Branch, a government agency concerned with security, espionage and government secrets. When Anne Perry first moved Pitt from the police to Special Branch, I had difficulty adjusting: the espionage and thriller parts just didn't ring true for me. But I hung in there, believing that Perry would get it together so that Special Branch would be as believable and engrossing as the earlier police novels were. And the last few Special Branch books did finally come up to the quality of plot and style that I had so enjoyed in the police stories.

In this latest installment, Pitt and Stoker of Special Branch are called to investigate matters which would not otherwise come under their jurisdiction, except that they occured at the home of Mr. Kenyston, an important scientist doing secret weapons work for the government. As things progress, bodies are discovered near the same home, all causing Pitt to focus on Kenyston. It turns out that some of those things were intended just to create that focus.

Anne Perry writes with her usual fine eye for detail, both physical and emotional detail, and describes minute details of her characters that allow the reader to see the faces, and the new lines caused by aging, hard work, fear and other factors.She allows us to understand and feel what the characters are feeling, and the exceptional narration of Davina Porter makes us feel the fear, the happiness, the love and the hatred that the characters experience. Many of Perry's continuing characters appear in this installment. This book may be one of my favorite Pitt books, because it also lets us see, and feel, new love between two of my favorite Perry characters.

Highly recommended!

Fast paced.

Loved it. I thought I had it figured out but no I was so wrong.

Very very good book

This is one of Anne Perry's best
books. I enjoyed it very much.
It was great

Transporting and full of surprise

I love Anne Perry I've read both the Pitt and Monk series. Hearing Davina Porter read them is a real treat. She makes each character sound different. It's like meeting old friends again and her plots are always fresh.