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A review by kathydavie
Bethlehem Road by Anne Perry
5.0
Tenth in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mystery series set in the late 19th century in London revolving around Thomas' career as a policeman and the help provided him by Charlotte.
The Story
Some madman, or woman, is murdering Members of Parliament only moments after they leave a late sitting in Parliament and no one has seen a thing. Thomas and his superior, Micah Drummond [at last! A good boss for Thomas!!], are completely baffled. It takes a great deal of tedious footwork and questioning. Always taking a different angle, a different approach before the key clue is discovered.
My Take
A horrifying look at the lack of women's rights in the late 19th century in England. I really don't care what excuses the Establishment came up with as to why women couldn't think for themselves. When Florence Ivory unleashes her tirade at Charlotte…I just wanted to cry. It's all well and good to make laws forcing women to be beholden to their husbands or fathers for every single object, thought, or happiness. It's quite another to expect that every one of those husbands or fathers would be concerned with actually considering their true welfare. Too many people, men or women, are tempted by absolute power.
I couldn't help but wonder at the women who so vociferously protested that women were not competent at holding opinions how they dared, or even could, come up with an opinion. Since they were not competent enough to do so…
It took a while to figure out the identity of the culprit but I never would have guessed at such a second-hand distance! I just love Perry's C&T Pitt series, she has such an excellent eye for the time period. And makes me so grateful to be living in today's world!
The Cover
The cover is certainly symbolic with its top hat on its side, the ends of a white silk scarf spilling from it topped with a primrose on a railing at Westminster Bridge. The title itself is a clue.
The Story
Some madman, or woman, is murdering Members of Parliament only moments after they leave a late sitting in Parliament and no one has seen a thing. Thomas and his superior, Micah Drummond [at last! A good boss for Thomas!!], are completely baffled. It takes a great deal of tedious footwork and questioning. Always taking a different angle, a different approach before the key clue is discovered.
My Take
A horrifying look at the lack of women's rights in the late 19th century in England. I really don't care what excuses the Establishment came up with as to why women couldn't think for themselves. When Florence Ivory unleashes her tirade at Charlotte…I just wanted to cry. It's all well and good to make laws forcing women to be beholden to their husbands or fathers for every single object, thought, or happiness. It's quite another to expect that every one of those husbands or fathers would be concerned with actually considering their true welfare. Too many people, men or women, are tempted by absolute power.
I couldn't help but wonder at the women who so vociferously protested that women were not competent at holding opinions how they dared, or even could, come up with an opinion. Since they were not competent enough to do so…
It took a while to figure out the identity of the culprit but I never would have guessed at such a second-hand distance! I just love Perry's C&T Pitt series, she has such an excellent eye for the time period. And makes me so grateful to be living in today's world!
The Cover
The cover is certainly symbolic with its top hat on its side, the ends of a white silk scarf spilling from it topped with a primrose on a railing at Westminster Bridge. The title itself is a clue.