In this spinoff from Anne Perry's popular 'Detective Thomas Pitt' series, Pitt's son is all grown up and taking center stage in his own novels.
In this second book in the 'Daniel Pitt' series, set in the early 1900s, Thomas's son Daniel - a fledgling attorney at the London law firm of Marcus fford Croft - defends a man accused of embezzling. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
As the story opens, Daniel Pitt is excited to see his sister Jemima, who's come to England from her current home in Washington DC. Jemima, her American husband Patrick Flannery, and their two children have arrived for a visit, and the entire Pitt family has gathered for dinner and conversation. Patrick is happy see his in-laws, but has an additional agenda.
Patrick, who's a policeman in America, pulls Daniel aside and tells him the following story: A British diplomat named Philip Sidney, stationed in Washington DC, assaulted a young woman named Rebecca Thorwood in her bedroom. Sidney then snatched Rebecca's diamond necklace and ran away.
Sidney was spotted by Rebecca's father, who raised the alarm. Unfortunately, justice couldn't prevail because Sidney claimed diplomatic immunity, then fled back to London. Patrick wants Daniel to finagle some way to get Sidney punished.
Jemima aligns with her husband about reviling Sidney, but is concerned that Rebecca might not want the assault made public. People might think Rebecca encouraged Sidney's attentions; made a secret assignation with him; and so on.
In any case, luck (or something else) is on Patrick's side, because Sidney is arrested for embezzling funds from the British Embassy in America. Sidney will now go on trial in England, and events are manipulated so that Daniel will help defend him. The idea is that - during the trial - Daniel will somehow bring up Sidney's assault on Rebecca, and Sidney's reputation will be ruined forever. (This is breathtakingly unethical, of course.)
As things turn out, Daniel takes a liking to Sidney, and starts to doubt the diplomat's guilt of BOTH the assault and the embezzlement. This puts Daniel in a tough position, especially because he fears Patrick may have helped frame Sidney for theft.
The trial begins (justice was much quicker in those days), and while it's proceeding, news arrives that Sidney's colleague in America - who has been mysteriously missing - was found dead. Now it appears Sidney may ALSO be accused of murder.
Needing help to mount a defense, Daniel approaches the forensic pathologist Miriam fford Croft to help investigate. The duo make some very important discoveries, and things take an unexpected turn. To say more would be a spoiler. (For romance lovers, there's a frisson of attraction between Daniel and Miriam, which I expect will play out in future books.)
The ambiance of early 20th century London is well-depicted in the story, as are the social and political mores of the time. Women are viewed as fragile creatures, incapable of dealing with serious issues or doing meaningful work, but there are always one or two ladies that show their mettle in Perry's books. So good on them!
The story is drawn out more than necessary, and feels a bit repetitive - with Daniel constantly cogitating about Jemima's feelings, Sidney's situation, and his own responsibilities. Still, this is a good mystery, appropriate to the time period and setting.
Rating: 3 stars
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