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Daniel Pitt #1
Twenty-One Days
In this first book in a new series, Thomas Pitt's son Daniel races to save his client from execution, setting him against London's Special Police Branch.
It's 1910, and Daniel Pitt is a reluctant lawyer who would prefer to follow in the footsteps of his detective father. When the biographer Russell Graves, who Daniel is helping defend, is sentenced to execution for the murder of his wife, Daniel's Pitt-family investigative instincts kick in, and he sets out to find the real killer. With only twenty-one days before Graves is to be executed, Daniel learns that Graves is writing a biography of Victor Narraway, the former head of Special Branch and a close friend of the Pitts. And the stories don't shed a positive light. Is it possible someone is framing Graves to keep him from writing the biography--maybe even someone Daniel knows in Special Branch?
The only answer, it seems, lies in the dead woman's corpse. And so, with the help of some eccentric new acquaintances who don't mind bending the rules, Daniel delves into an underground world of dead bodies and double lives, unearthing scores of lies and conspiracies. As he struggles to balance his duty to the law with his duty to his family, the equal forces of justice and loyalty pull this lawyer-turned-detective in more directions than he imagined possible. And amidst it all, his client's twenty-one days are ticking away.
It's 1910, and Daniel Pitt is a reluctant lawyer who would prefer to follow in the footsteps of his detective father. When the biographer Russell Graves, who Daniel is helping defend, is sentenced to execution for the murder of his wife, Daniel's Pitt-family investigative instincts kick in, and he sets out to find the real killer. With only twenty-one days before Graves is to be executed, Daniel learns that Graves is writing a biography of Victor Narraway, the former head of Special Branch and a close friend of the Pitts. And the stories don't shed a positive light. Is it possible someone is framing Graves to keep him from writing the biography--maybe even someone Daniel knows in Special Branch?
The only answer, it seems, lies in the dead woman's corpse. And so, with the help of some eccentric new acquaintances who don't mind bending the rules, Daniel delves into an underground world of dead bodies and double lives, unearthing scores of lies and conspiracies. As he struggles to balance his duty to the law with his duty to his family, the equal forces of justice and loyalty pull this lawyer-turned-detective in more directions than he imagined possible. And amidst it all, his client's twenty-one days are ticking away.
303 pages, Hardcover
First published September 26, 2017
About the author
Anne Perry
341 books3,276 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 756 reviews
May 25, 2019
Anne Perry introduces us to a brand-new series featuring the Pitts' son, Daniel, who is at the beginning of his career as a lawyer and gets involved in a complicated case that may blacken his father's name. I have read only one or two books in the Pitt series, and became an avid supporter of the other one, with the Monks, and as I followed Book 1 with Daniel Pitt, it reminded me very much of William & Hester's complicated cases with regard to the atmosphere and the way the story develops. And there is a young female, very much independent, who I am sure with solve many intriguing mysteries with Daniel. It was a good read that kept me guessing and interested although the mystery was a partialy predictable for me, at least well into the half of the book.
May 26, 2018
Over the years I have enjoyed several of the Charlotte & Thomas Pitt books by Anne Perry. The author has now started a new series, featuring Charlotte & Thomas' son, Daniel Pitt. Daniel has just finished his education to be an attorney and he's glad his father is proud of him. One of his first cases involves assisting a senior attorney with a murder case. Russell Graves is accused of murdering his wife. Graves is to be executed in 21 days for the killing. Daniel has to pull out all the stops and use the investigation techniques he picked up from his father to try and find the real killer before time is up. Can he discover the truth before Graves is executed?
I enjoyed this book. At times things moved a little too slowly, but once action kicked in again it saved the plot from becoming boring. Daniel is a bit naive, but I imagine his character will develop nicely as the series moves along. I like the fact that she is aging her characters and starting Daniel out in a series of his own. Gives the books a dose of realism.
The ending had some sweet surprises that I did not expect. I like Daniel as a main character. He's just coming into his own and using the skills his parents taught him as well as his education. He is a bit too naive at times though. I'm sure he will mature as more books are written in this new series. I did find some places where the plot got a bit confusing because it referred back to events in Charlotte & Thomas Pitt novels that I haven't read. But it wasn't important enough facts to lessen my enjoyment of the story.
Can't wait for the next book in this series! I loved the first few Charlotte & Thomas books when I was a teenager. Reading this book makes me want to go back and re-read them and enjoy the books that I missed in the series over the years.
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Random House/Ballentine via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
I enjoyed this book. At times things moved a little too slowly, but once action kicked in again it saved the plot from becoming boring. Daniel is a bit naive, but I imagine his character will develop nicely as the series moves along. I like the fact that she is aging her characters and starting Daniel out in a series of his own. Gives the books a dose of realism.
The ending had some sweet surprises that I did not expect. I like Daniel as a main character. He's just coming into his own and using the skills his parents taught him as well as his education. He is a bit too naive at times though. I'm sure he will mature as more books are written in this new series. I did find some places where the plot got a bit confusing because it referred back to events in Charlotte & Thomas Pitt novels that I haven't read. But it wasn't important enough facts to lessen my enjoyment of the story.
Can't wait for the next book in this series! I loved the first few Charlotte & Thomas books when I was a teenager. Reading this book makes me want to go back and re-read them and enjoy the books that I missed in the series over the years.
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Random House/Ballentine via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
April 17, 2018
4 here is a new series stars
Up until this book, I had not read an Anne Perry book. I am happy to say that I will be changing that in the near future. I found the book set in 1910 Victorian England to be a wonderfully paced novel that had just the amount of intrigue that held one's interest.
Daniel Pitt is a new untried lawyer. He is thrown, because of circumstances, into a murder trial of a man who is accused of murdering his wife and then horribly disfiguring her by burning her face. Russell Graves, the accused, is an arrogant belligerent man but Daniel feels, even though Graves is pretty awful that he is not a murderer. So Daniel, with the help of others tracks down the story and the man who is Graves is exposed as a biographer who intends to harm others through his scurrilous writing and unfortunately, one of his targets is Daniel's beloved father. Aided in his investigation is a wonderful group of people that I am sure we will see in the future novels in this series.
Daniel puts the pieces together and finds that in possibly clearing Graves, he will indite others who have been ever so harmed by Graves. Twenty-one days all the time he has to find Graves innocent but twenty-one days is also the time it will take to turn Daniel's world upside down.
Thank you to Anne Perry, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of this new series novel.
Up until this book, I had not read an Anne Perry book. I am happy to say that I will be changing that in the near future. I found the book set in 1910 Victorian England to be a wonderfully paced novel that had just the amount of intrigue that held one's interest.
Daniel Pitt is a new untried lawyer. He is thrown, because of circumstances, into a murder trial of a man who is accused of murdering his wife and then horribly disfiguring her by burning her face. Russell Graves, the accused, is an arrogant belligerent man but Daniel feels, even though Graves is pretty awful that he is not a murderer. So Daniel, with the help of others tracks down the story and the man who is Graves is exposed as a biographer who intends to harm others through his scurrilous writing and unfortunately, one of his targets is Daniel's beloved father. Aided in his investigation is a wonderful group of people that I am sure we will see in the future novels in this series.
Daniel puts the pieces together and finds that in possibly clearing Graves, he will indite others who have been ever so harmed by Graves. Twenty-one days all the time he has to find Graves innocent but twenty-one days is also the time it will take to turn Daniel's world upside down.
Thank you to Anne Perry, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of this new series novel.
May 21, 2018
I have read over 50+ books of Anne Perry from the early Pitt when his son was just a baby to his reading Wind in the Willows 20 years before Kenneth Grahame wrote it.
This is lot like her other series The Monk books with Rathbone the lawyer which set earlier in 1850s.
Here we have switched centuries to 1910 only four years from WWI & this the next generation of Pitts Daniel who has not followed in his father's footsteps but gone to the dark side of law a barrister often hated by the police.
Thomas is now Sir Thomas Pitt Head of Special Branch which for Daniel a conflict of interest.
Perry is one of few authors of Crime that has moved her stories forward & aged the Dective too unlike Poirot who never change or Miss Marpel.. ITV in the 1990s tried to make TV series of these books but only did one & it was washout I don't remember it much but do know it stunk & the actor was ghastly as Pitt. Shame as if done well they have huge amount of books
This first in series of books about Daniel .Russell Graves is on trial for bashing his wife's head in & burning her face he is horrible cold unlike man even by Kitteridge his defence & Daniel is his junior in the case .A case that goes to a guilty plea thus the title.
But for Daniel it unlucky it is not end but the beginning of his troubles , because Graves is not guilty he's been framed so Daniel trays found out who & Victor Narraway Thomas Pitt's former friend is in the frame & worse still so may be his Dad.!.
I don't care what Anne Perry says that this new series it's not because if don't know who Narraway is or secret societies from earlier Pitt books you be completely lost
& Perry will keep you in the dark till last few pages.
I remember one where the murder did not appear title three pages of end of the book & had not been in it title then .So expect the unexpected
This is lot like her other series The Monk books with Rathbone the lawyer which set earlier in 1850s.
Here we have switched centuries to 1910 only four years from WWI & this the next generation of Pitts Daniel who has not followed in his father's footsteps but gone to the dark side of law a barrister often hated by the police.
Thomas is now Sir Thomas Pitt Head of Special Branch which for Daniel a conflict of interest.
Perry is one of few authors of Crime that has moved her stories forward & aged the Dective too unlike Poirot who never change or Miss Marpel.. ITV in the 1990s tried to make TV series of these books but only did one & it was washout I don't remember it much but do know it stunk & the actor was ghastly as Pitt. Shame as if done well they have huge amount of books
This first in series of books about Daniel .Russell Graves is on trial for bashing his wife's head in & burning her face he is horrible cold unlike man even by Kitteridge his defence & Daniel is his junior in the case .A case that goes to a guilty plea thus the title.
But for Daniel it unlucky it is not end but the beginning of his troubles , because Graves is not guilty he's been framed so Daniel trays found out who & Victor Narraway Thomas Pitt's former friend is in the frame & worse still so may be his Dad.!.
I don't care what Anne Perry says that this new series it's not because if don't know who Narraway is or secret societies from earlier Pitt books you be completely lost
& Perry will keep you in the dark till last few pages.
I remember one where the murder did not appear title three pages of end of the book & had not been in it title then .So expect the unexpected
February 2, 2018
When an author writes a multiple-book series featuring a character, or in the case of Perry's original Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, a couple, the decision must be made whether to keep the protagonist(s) in a time bubble or to allow them to age. Perry began her Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Victorian mystery series years ago with THE CATER STREET HANGMAN, first published in 1979, and in that one upper-class Charlotte meets Thomas Pitt, a lowly policeman. While they solve this first mystery, they fall in love and will later marry.
Over the years the Pitts have partnered in solving many crimes--at least 32 of them because that's the number of books in the series--and in raising their children. This all started in Victorian times and now Perry begins a new series set in the Edwardian era, 1910 for this first book, featuring their son Daniel, all grown up and a junior barrister at the law firm of Fford Croft and Gibson. As the book begins, Daniel is on his own for the first time as defense in the trial of Roman Blackwell, former policeman who had worked with Daniel's father before Thomas became head of Special Branch. Blackwell, now a private detective with his own moral code, is still a friend, so Daniel feels a special pressure to save Blackwell.
Well, this particular trial is not the real plot of the book, although it is quite interesting and takes up the first two chapters. However, it's just setting us up to see where Daniel is at this point in his career and to give him a personal relationship with Blackwell and Blackwell's mother, who are somewhat important to the rest of the story and probably will feature in the books to follow.
The main plot revolves around Daniel's next case. He is assigned to assist senior barrister Kitteridge in the defense of famous author/biographer Russell Graves, who is accused of the brutal murder of his wife. The trial does not go well for them and Graves is convicted and sentenced to be hanged in 21 days, hence the title of this book. Now Daniel has only that amount of time to find the real killer and save Graves from his fate. To do this he will be enlisting the help of investigator Blackwell and Blackwell's mother, who knows the in's and out's of London society, and also the assistance of a very interesting character, Miriam Fford Croft, daughter of Daniel's employer, the owner of the law firm where Daniel is a junior barrister.
Miriam is perhaps the most intriguing person in this book, as a 40+-year-old single woman who is educated and knowledgeable about both medicine and chemistry. Limited by the times she is living in, Miriam had passed all her examinations but was not awarded her degrees and is not recognized by her male peers. But she makes a perfect sidekick for Daniel in helping him solve this crime. Her observations lead to some crucial insights into what's going on.
This book has the best of two worlds for me in mysteries: (1) There are compelling courtroom scenes, which I have always enjoyed, and (2) there is the usual methodical investigative procedure, with the search for physical clues and the interviewing of key suspects and witnesses. Lots of twists and turns here and a few red herrings. A very attentive reader can probably figure out the murderer before the Big Reveal, but this is still a compelling read and a good beginning to the Daniel Pitt series.
I'll be looking forward to watching Daniel mature and even grow older, as his parent did before him. BTW, not to worry, fans of Charlotte and Thomas. They have cameos in this book. They aren't totally out of the picture but they have passed the crime-solving torch over to their son.
Over the years the Pitts have partnered in solving many crimes--at least 32 of them because that's the number of books in the series--and in raising their children. This all started in Victorian times and now Perry begins a new series set in the Edwardian era, 1910 for this first book, featuring their son Daniel, all grown up and a junior barrister at the law firm of Fford Croft and Gibson. As the book begins, Daniel is on his own for the first time as defense in the trial of Roman Blackwell, former policeman who had worked with Daniel's father before Thomas became head of Special Branch. Blackwell, now a private detective with his own moral code, is still a friend, so Daniel feels a special pressure to save Blackwell.
Well, this particular trial is not the real plot of the book, although it is quite interesting and takes up the first two chapters. However, it's just setting us up to see where Daniel is at this point in his career and to give him a personal relationship with Blackwell and Blackwell's mother, who are somewhat important to the rest of the story and probably will feature in the books to follow.
The main plot revolves around Daniel's next case. He is assigned to assist senior barrister Kitteridge in the defense of famous author/biographer Russell Graves, who is accused of the brutal murder of his wife. The trial does not go well for them and Graves is convicted and sentenced to be hanged in 21 days, hence the title of this book. Now Daniel has only that amount of time to find the real killer and save Graves from his fate. To do this he will be enlisting the help of investigator Blackwell and Blackwell's mother, who knows the in's and out's of London society, and also the assistance of a very interesting character, Miriam Fford Croft, daughter of Daniel's employer, the owner of the law firm where Daniel is a junior barrister.
Miriam is perhaps the most intriguing person in this book, as a 40+-year-old single woman who is educated and knowledgeable about both medicine and chemistry. Limited by the times she is living in, Miriam had passed all her examinations but was not awarded her degrees and is not recognized by her male peers. But she makes a perfect sidekick for Daniel in helping him solve this crime. Her observations lead to some crucial insights into what's going on.
This book has the best of two worlds for me in mysteries: (1) There are compelling courtroom scenes, which I have always enjoyed, and (2) there is the usual methodical investigative procedure, with the search for physical clues and the interviewing of key suspects and witnesses. Lots of twists and turns here and a few red herrings. A very attentive reader can probably figure out the murderer before the Big Reveal, but this is still a compelling read and a good beginning to the Daniel Pitt series.
I'll be looking forward to watching Daniel mature and even grow older, as his parent did before him. BTW, not to worry, fans of Charlotte and Thomas. They have cameos in this book. They aren't totally out of the picture but they have passed the crime-solving torch over to their son.
April 19, 2018
The first Daniel Pitt novel is a spin-off of Anne Perry's long-running mystery series set in Victorian England, featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt.
Their son Daniel is now a lawyer working for the small law firm of fford Croft and Gibson and he is fresh off a big win when he is unexpectedly called in to assist the esteemed lawyer Kitteridge in a murder trial after unforeseen circumstances have created a vacancy. When this trial is lost and their client sentenced to be hanged, they have twenty-one days in which to find some new piece of evidence or legal grounds for appeal to stay the execution. Daniel takes over the investigative role while the more experienced Kitteridge looks into the legal aspects.
In the early 1900s, forensics is very much a fledgling science and it's interesting to see how this plays a role in trying to solve the case. There are plenty of satisfying twists and turns to this mystery and some remarkable characters, but one of the biggest draws is the historical setting which gives the reader a glimpse into English society in the early 1900s. A good start to what will most likely be a popular new series for Ms Perry to pursue.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an arc of this new Victorian mystery.
Their son Daniel is now a lawyer working for the small law firm of fford Croft and Gibson and he is fresh off a big win when he is unexpectedly called in to assist the esteemed lawyer Kitteridge in a murder trial after unforeseen circumstances have created a vacancy. When this trial is lost and their client sentenced to be hanged, they have twenty-one days in which to find some new piece of evidence or legal grounds for appeal to stay the execution. Daniel takes over the investigative role while the more experienced Kitteridge looks into the legal aspects.
In the early 1900s, forensics is very much a fledgling science and it's interesting to see how this plays a role in trying to solve the case. There are plenty of satisfying twists and turns to this mystery and some remarkable characters, but one of the biggest draws is the historical setting which gives the reader a glimpse into English society in the early 1900s. A good start to what will most likely be a popular new series for Ms Perry to pursue.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an arc of this new Victorian mystery.
May 2, 2020
Didn't enjoy the book in the beginning but thoroughly enjoyed it by the end.
April 1, 2018
They say, if we listen close enough, the dead will talk to us, they will tell the story of their death and it will be the truth and nothing but the truth. Daniel Pitt, a young attorney with a losing murder defense case dumped in his lap will have only TWENTY-ONE DAYS to save the life of his client, a man, while unlikable may very well be innocent, as he claims.
Russell Graves will die if Daniel cannot prove he did not murder his wife and the clock is ticking.
The year is 1910, long before modern day forensics could have made his job easier. The deceased was brutally murdered, her face and torso burned beyond recognition. But something wasn’t quite right about the remains of the fashionable socialite and Daniel will use all the help he can get from friends and family alike to either prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that his client is a murderer or discover a most bizarre twist in the case that will shock the world.
TWENTY-ONE DAYS by Anne Perry takes us back in time and details what detective work was like pre-modern forensics. An intriguing case, a mesmerizing mystery and a murder that may or may not be as it seems. Add one fresh, young attorney who won’t give up and you have a wonderful read that will test even the best amateur sleuth’s abilities! From the unpleasant defendant to the rookie attorney to the myriad of unlikely twists, this is one read whose British flare is magnetic! Expect the unexpected as the wheels of justice grind out one man’s fate before time runs out and rules will be bent to their breaking point. A mystery lover’s dream, filled with tension, unanswered questions and the dogged determination of one Daniel Pitt.
I received an ARC edition from Ballantine Books.
Series: Daniel Pitt - Book 1
Publisher: Ballantine Books (April 10, 2018)
ISBN-10: 0399179887
ISBN-13: 978-0399179884
Genre: Historical Suspense
Hardcover: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Russell Graves will die if Daniel cannot prove he did not murder his wife and the clock is ticking.
The year is 1910, long before modern day forensics could have made his job easier. The deceased was brutally murdered, her face and torso burned beyond recognition. But something wasn’t quite right about the remains of the fashionable socialite and Daniel will use all the help he can get from friends and family alike to either prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that his client is a murderer or discover a most bizarre twist in the case that will shock the world.
TWENTY-ONE DAYS by Anne Perry takes us back in time and details what detective work was like pre-modern forensics. An intriguing case, a mesmerizing mystery and a murder that may or may not be as it seems. Add one fresh, young attorney who won’t give up and you have a wonderful read that will test even the best amateur sleuth’s abilities! From the unpleasant defendant to the rookie attorney to the myriad of unlikely twists, this is one read whose British flare is magnetic! Expect the unexpected as the wheels of justice grind out one man’s fate before time runs out and rules will be bent to their breaking point. A mystery lover’s dream, filled with tension, unanswered questions and the dogged determination of one Daniel Pitt.
I received an ARC edition from Ballantine Books.
Series: Daniel Pitt - Book 1
Publisher: Ballantine Books (April 10, 2018)
ISBN-10: 0399179887
ISBN-13: 978-0399179884
Genre: Historical Suspense
Hardcover: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com
April 3, 2018
I have been reading Anne Perry's two main series for more years than I can remember. I particularly like the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt one and this new one is about their son, Daniel, now a lawyer. I remember Daniel growing up so there is something particularly satisfying about that. You don't need to have read the other series to enjoy this quite likable new series.
Daniel successfully gets his first client acquitted from murder and then is thrown into a case that can seemingly not be won. The despicable client is accused of murdering and then disfiguring her beyond recognition. The evidence points that way but Daniel has an uneasy feeling. Yet he dislikes his client so much that he's not sure he wants to get him off.
He turns to a young woman for help. She has trained to be a doctor and forensic expert but can't get the titles because she's a female. There is the introduction of fingerprinting and x-rays, both new sciences. It's just wonderful to see how things we take for granted were first introduced and explained.
I really am looking forward to the next one. I think it's a good expansion and way for her to grow all the beloved characters. I think it was a job well done. Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Daniel successfully gets his first client acquitted from murder and then is thrown into a case that can seemingly not be won. The despicable client is accused of murdering and then disfiguring her beyond recognition. The evidence points that way but Daniel has an uneasy feeling. Yet he dislikes his client so much that he's not sure he wants to get him off.
He turns to a young woman for help. She has trained to be a doctor and forensic expert but can't get the titles because she's a female. There is the introduction of fingerprinting and x-rays, both new sciences. It's just wonderful to see how things we take for granted were first introduced and explained.
I really am looking forward to the next one. I think it's a good expansion and way for her to grow all the beloved characters. I think it was a job well done. Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
April 11, 2018
The Pitt Dynasty continues!
A brave new beginning for Daniel and Charlotte's son Daniel! Now a junior barrister he greets his situation with a devoted fervency and honor.
After defending a family friend, Roman Blackwell, he is called by his Head of Chamber, Marcus fford Croft, to assist Toby Kitteridge with the defence of one Russell Graves. He is accused of the heinous murder of his wife.
Graves, a biographer, presents facts in such a way that truth appears to be lost. It just so happens that at the moment he is working on the biography of Daniel's uncle, Victor Narraway, his father's predecessor as Head of Special Branch.
Daniel is confronted with defending a person whose writings could damage the reputations of those he loves and could bring down the nation. He has to face the very real challenge of doing what is right and just, over against his personal considerations.
Daniel and Kitteridge race against time to have Graves' case negated. Ably assisted by fford Croft's daughter Miriam. A brilliant doctor and chemist. Therein hides another story! I do hope we see more of Miriam. Of course there's a brilliant twist at the end!
The development of Kitteridge's and Daniel's relationship is also well with watching.
A fantastic new series that builds on its loved fore runners!
A NetGalley ARC
A brave new beginning for Daniel and Charlotte's son Daniel! Now a junior barrister he greets his situation with a devoted fervency and honor.
After defending a family friend, Roman Blackwell, he is called by his Head of Chamber, Marcus fford Croft, to assist Toby Kitteridge with the defence of one Russell Graves. He is accused of the heinous murder of his wife.
Graves, a biographer, presents facts in such a way that truth appears to be lost. It just so happens that at the moment he is working on the biography of Daniel's uncle, Victor Narraway, his father's predecessor as Head of Special Branch.
Daniel is confronted with defending a person whose writings could damage the reputations of those he loves and could bring down the nation. He has to face the very real challenge of doing what is right and just, over against his personal considerations.
Daniel and Kitteridge race against time to have Graves' case negated. Ably assisted by fford Croft's daughter Miriam. A brilliant doctor and chemist. Therein hides another story! I do hope we see more of Miriam. Of course there's a brilliant twist at the end!
The development of Kitteridge's and Daniel's relationship is also well with watching.
A fantastic new series that builds on its loved fore runners!
A NetGalley ARC
August 2, 2018
Series: Daniel Pitt #1
Publication Date: 4/10/18
I can hardly begin to tell you how excited I am about this new series – and I almost missed it! It takes place in a later time period than I normally read, so I almost passed it by. However, it is by an author whose writing I enjoy and it featured the son, Daniel, of the lead characters, Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, in another series that I really enjoy – so I decided to give it a try. The writing is great, the plot is excellent and I came to really like and appreciate the characters. I couldn’t tell for sure which characters would be recurring in the series, nor could I decide if I thought there would be a romance between Daniel and Miriam – since she is almost his mother’s age. It will be a delight to find out what is going to happen next!
Daniel Pitt, twenty-five years of age, is a newly minted lawyer with a degree from Cambridge. 1910 is an exciting time in which to live. Women are beginning to be more and more insistent about their rights and the field of forensic science is in its infancy. They are able to identify an individual by their fingerprints, bullets can be matched, they can tell human blood from animal and x-rays have been invented. Daniel grew up learning about honesty, honor, and integrity from both his father and his mother. His father, Thomas Pitt started out as a Bow Street Runner and moved on to the newly formed police force and he is now knighted and is the head of the Special Branch. I have read and loved the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series and can highly recommend it as a series.
Daniel has just wrapped up a really tricky murder case when he’s ordered to another courtroom to assist another lawyer, Kitteridge, in yet another murder trial. This one isn’t going well and neither lawyer really believes that the defendant is innocent. They think that, in a stretch, he could be, but they aren’t convinced of it. Besides, the defendant is a total jerk and nobody, including the lawyers, likes him. When he is convicted and sentenced to hang, they aren’t surprised. They have twenty-one days to find a reason to appeal the verdict and keep him from being hanged.
As Daniel investigates and makes more and more discoveries, he becomes convinced that Graves is really innocent. However, he has no idea how to prove it. He believes that his only option is to find out who the real murderer is and his investigation leads to some real soul searching on Daniel’s part. The client is a writer and he is writing an expose that could ruin his father. It isn’t true, but can Daniel prove that?
It was a really great read and there wasn’t a dull moment in it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
Publication Date: 4/10/18
I can hardly begin to tell you how excited I am about this new series – and I almost missed it! It takes place in a later time period than I normally read, so I almost passed it by. However, it is by an author whose writing I enjoy and it featured the son, Daniel, of the lead characters, Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, in another series that I really enjoy – so I decided to give it a try. The writing is great, the plot is excellent and I came to really like and appreciate the characters. I couldn’t tell for sure which characters would be recurring in the series, nor could I decide if I thought there would be a romance between Daniel and Miriam – since she is almost his mother’s age. It will be a delight to find out what is going to happen next!
Daniel Pitt, twenty-five years of age, is a newly minted lawyer with a degree from Cambridge. 1910 is an exciting time in which to live. Women are beginning to be more and more insistent about their rights and the field of forensic science is in its infancy. They are able to identify an individual by their fingerprints, bullets can be matched, they can tell human blood from animal and x-rays have been invented. Daniel grew up learning about honesty, honor, and integrity from both his father and his mother. His father, Thomas Pitt started out as a Bow Street Runner and moved on to the newly formed police force and he is now knighted and is the head of the Special Branch. I have read and loved the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series and can highly recommend it as a series.
Daniel has just wrapped up a really tricky murder case when he’s ordered to another courtroom to assist another lawyer, Kitteridge, in yet another murder trial. This one isn’t going well and neither lawyer really believes that the defendant is innocent. They think that, in a stretch, he could be, but they aren’t convinced of it. Besides, the defendant is a total jerk and nobody, including the lawyers, likes him. When he is convicted and sentenced to hang, they aren’t surprised. They have twenty-one days to find a reason to appeal the verdict and keep him from being hanged.
As Daniel investigates and makes more and more discoveries, he becomes convinced that Graves is really innocent. However, he has no idea how to prove it. He believes that his only option is to find out who the real murderer is and his investigation leads to some real soul searching on Daniel’s part. The client is a writer and he is writing an expose that could ruin his father. It isn’t true, but can Daniel prove that?
It was a really great read and there wasn’t a dull moment in it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
November 27, 2018
I haven’t read anything by this author before and really enjoyed the characters and the mystery. Will definitely read more by Anne Perry.
March 13, 2022
Nell'ultimo romanzo della serie precedente, Thomas Pitt diventava Sir per meriti e servizi resi alla Corona. Qui invece troviamo Daniel Pitt, il figlio di Thomas, diventato avvocato ed inizia, più che una nuova serie, un nuovo capitolo del mondo di Pitt, in una nuova epoca, una quindicina d'anni dopo i precedenti avvenimenti. All'inizio è straniante ritrovarci con nuovi personaggi, nuove situazioni, nuovi casi. Ma ben presto il giallo si infittisce e con la consueta abilità Anne Perry riesce a intrecciare queste nuove situazioni con eventi del passato, eventi ben noti al lettore, e a farci ritrovare tutta l'intensità delle storie precedenti.
Anne Perry è ormai una maestra nel caratterizzare i personaggi e dar loro profondità e intensità. La storia è tutta da leggere e da scoprire. Chi ha amato Thomas, Charlotte, Lady Vespasia, si affezionerà anche a Daniel, Miriam e Roman, sempre con un pizzico di nostalgia per chi non c'è più, come se fossero vecchi amici che ci hanno lasciato.
La serie promette bene. Sicuramente andrò avanti a leggerla.
Anne Perry è ormai una maestra nel caratterizzare i personaggi e dar loro profondità e intensità. La storia è tutta da leggere e da scoprire. Chi ha amato Thomas, Charlotte, Lady Vespasia, si affezionerà anche a Daniel, Miriam e Roman, sempre con un pizzico di nostalgia per chi non c'è più, come se fossero vecchi amici che ci hanno lasciato.
La serie promette bene. Sicuramente andrò avanti a leggerla.
July 5, 2023
Twenty-one Days is the first book in the Daniel Pitt series. I found myself drawn in from the start. Young barrister, Daniel Pitt, was very likable and it was impressive how driven he was.
But then I found myself going from being fascinated by the case (and especially by a lady pathologist named Miriam fford Croft, who was of course not allowed to have her college degree recognized, or to be called a doctor) to feeling like a large portion of the center part of the book was dragging on and on. The end of the book picked up the pace, however.
I struggled a bit with all of the exclamation points, too, so bottom line was I liked Twenty-one Days ... but I didn't love it.
But then I found myself going from being fascinated by the case (and especially by a lady pathologist named Miriam fford Croft, who was of course not allowed to have her college degree recognized, or to be called a doctor) to feeling like a large portion of the center part of the book was dragging on and on. The end of the book picked up the pace, however.
I struggled a bit with all of the exclamation points, too, so bottom line was I liked Twenty-one Days ... but I didn't love it.
April 7, 2018
First Sentence: They were alone in the small room where the accused was allowed to take visits with his lawyer.
Junior barrister Daniel Pitt has just won his first case defending Roman Blackwell, a private inquiry agent. Now, he has been called to the Old Bailey to assist his fellow attorney, Toby Kitteridge, on a case. With the trial lost, biographer Russell Graves has been found guilty of murdering his wife and is due to be hanged in 21 days. Daniel, along with fellow barrister Kitteridge, has been instructed to have Graves’ sentence overturned. While Kitteridge searches the law for a loophole, Daniel is determined to find the real killer.
Beginning in a prison interview room certainly sets the tone of what is to follow and creates an initial gravitas, especially when a trial is going badly. In this instance, it also gives us some concern about the effectiveness of our protagonist as an attorney—“Daniel frankly found the law far more tedious than he had expected to.”
With the start of a new series comes the creation of characters we hope will continue on. Blackwell and his mother are true examples of friendship and understanding the importance of paying ones moral debts. Daniel’s landlady, Mrs. Portescale, is delightful. Kitteridge is an excellent foil to Daniel—“Kitteridge loved it; he loved the idea that the law was an elegant but imperfect servant of justice.” Perry also establishes good conflict, both with the opposing counsel and later with his fellow barrister, Kitteridge—“Do you care about anything? Don’t you care about the law?” Introduced later in the story is Miriam, who is analytical, observant, has studied medicine and chemistry and has passed her exams but is not recognized with a degree. Such is the discrimination of the time. It will be interesting to see which, if any, of these characters continue as the series carries forward.
On the chance that this book may be someone’s first entry into reading Perry, she does an excellent job of introducing all the members of the Pitt family. For those well acquainted with the Pitt series, this book is a very good segue between the series of Thomas and Charlotte to Daniel. There is, however, one large detail which is unexplained and would have been helpful to the series readers. Still, it is interesting how the recounting of Daniel’s family leads to his awareness of the importance of connections—“My dear, a secret exposed is a secret you can no longer use. It is an opportunity wasted, is it not?”
The analysis of the crime scene is well done and prompts Daniel to ask the questions some readers may have had. The scene of Daniel having dinner in the servants’ quarters is particularly wonderful as it shows the dynamics of the staff and their relationship. It also provides an opportunity to describe a meal which is relatively simple but enviable. Mr. Falthorne, butler to the Graveses, is delightful and provides an interesting revelation. There is nothing like hitting that “Aha!” moment when a significant link is made. However, it is also an opportunity for Perry to present Daniel with a serious moral dilemma.
Perry doesn’t take the easy way out. She challenges both her readers and her characters. This is, in part, what makes her such an effective author. Although set in the early 1900’s her observations are timely--“Most people, women included, judge according to their own experience. We think what we need to think in order to hold on to our own worldview and validate what we must believe. It is a matter of survival, although it may seem merely to be prejudice to someone else. It takes a lot of courage to turn your world upside down and start again.” She states truths; those things we intrinsically know but seldom say.
“Twenty-One Days” is a very good start to this new series. The plot has twists, turns, and surprising revelations. The element of time running out is well used, and the final courtroom scene very effective. Perry never disappoints.
TWENTY-ONE DAYS: A Daniel Pitt Novel (Hist Mys-Daniel Pitt-London-1910) – VG+
Perry, Anne – 1st book in series
Ballentine Books – April 2018
Junior barrister Daniel Pitt has just won his first case defending Roman Blackwell, a private inquiry agent. Now, he has been called to the Old Bailey to assist his fellow attorney, Toby Kitteridge, on a case. With the trial lost, biographer Russell Graves has been found guilty of murdering his wife and is due to be hanged in 21 days. Daniel, along with fellow barrister Kitteridge, has been instructed to have Graves’ sentence overturned. While Kitteridge searches the law for a loophole, Daniel is determined to find the real killer.
Beginning in a prison interview room certainly sets the tone of what is to follow and creates an initial gravitas, especially when a trial is going badly. In this instance, it also gives us some concern about the effectiveness of our protagonist as an attorney—“Daniel frankly found the law far more tedious than he had expected to.”
With the start of a new series comes the creation of characters we hope will continue on. Blackwell and his mother are true examples of friendship and understanding the importance of paying ones moral debts. Daniel’s landlady, Mrs. Portescale, is delightful. Kitteridge is an excellent foil to Daniel—“Kitteridge loved it; he loved the idea that the law was an elegant but imperfect servant of justice.” Perry also establishes good conflict, both with the opposing counsel and later with his fellow barrister, Kitteridge—“Do you care about anything? Don’t you care about the law?” Introduced later in the story is Miriam, who is analytical, observant, has studied medicine and chemistry and has passed her exams but is not recognized with a degree. Such is the discrimination of the time. It will be interesting to see which, if any, of these characters continue as the series carries forward.
On the chance that this book may be someone’s first entry into reading Perry, she does an excellent job of introducing all the members of the Pitt family. For those well acquainted with the Pitt series, this book is a very good segue between the series of Thomas and Charlotte to Daniel. There is, however, one large detail which is unexplained and would have been helpful to the series readers. Still, it is interesting how the recounting of Daniel’s family leads to his awareness of the importance of connections—“My dear, a secret exposed is a secret you can no longer use. It is an opportunity wasted, is it not?”
The analysis of the crime scene is well done and prompts Daniel to ask the questions some readers may have had. The scene of Daniel having dinner in the servants’ quarters is particularly wonderful as it shows the dynamics of the staff and their relationship. It also provides an opportunity to describe a meal which is relatively simple but enviable. Mr. Falthorne, butler to the Graveses, is delightful and provides an interesting revelation. There is nothing like hitting that “Aha!” moment when a significant link is made. However, it is also an opportunity for Perry to present Daniel with a serious moral dilemma.
Perry doesn’t take the easy way out. She challenges both her readers and her characters. This is, in part, what makes her such an effective author. Although set in the early 1900’s her observations are timely--“Most people, women included, judge according to their own experience. We think what we need to think in order to hold on to our own worldview and validate what we must believe. It is a matter of survival, although it may seem merely to be prejudice to someone else. It takes a lot of courage to turn your world upside down and start again.” She states truths; those things we intrinsically know but seldom say.
“Twenty-One Days” is a very good start to this new series. The plot has twists, turns, and surprising revelations. The element of time running out is well used, and the final courtroom scene very effective. Perry never disappoints.
TWENTY-ONE DAYS: A Daniel Pitt Novel (Hist Mys-Daniel Pitt-London-1910) – VG+
Perry, Anne – 1st book in series
Ballentine Books – April 2018
March 30, 2021
When Perry's Cater Street Hangman came out in 1979 I fell in love with Charlotte and Pitt and the historical setting, and they became an auto-buy for me until the series started getting into the occult and orgies, and I sadly stopped reading them. Then came The Face of a Stranger with Monk and his friends and I loved them, too. Now we have a new series, with the lawyer son of Charlotte and Pitt, and I was reluctant to read it in case I was disappointed. But when it showed up on the library shelves I knew I had to give it a try, and I'm glad that I did. It's a good, solid story. It isn't wonderful, though, like the two I've mentioned were. Why not?
For one thing, Daniel Pitt is a young man who isn't sure he's in the right job. Apparently his father wanted him to pursue the law, but now he's not sure he likes it. The MCs in the earlier series were all very confident of who were they were and what they wanted. Even though Charlotte knew society wouldn't allow her to be who she wanted to be she always had a strong sense of self. Daniel doesn't and I think that makes him less compelling as the lead in the book.
Also, the earlier books were multi-layered. One of the things I loved about Cater Street was that you got Charlotte's feelings and social circle, insight into her family, the murders, and Pitt's social and professional struggles. Face of a Stranger was also a complex story, as Monk was trying to solve a murder while struggling to hide his amnesia. This book is a straightforward mystery, with a race against the clock to save a convicted man who may not be guilty. Sure there are some great twists and turns, but it doesn't have the complex layers of the earlier books.
In those earlier books the MCs take situations in their own hands and act, sometimes causing more problems, but they are doing things themselves. Daniel depends a lot on others to find out information for him, and sometimes we're not even let in on what they find, like who the publisher was. I think not showing those details weakened the story for me, as Daniel doesn't feel as interesting or as active as his predecessors. Monk and Pitt would have insisted on being in the confrontations with the publisher and we'd have gotten a great, emotional scene with lies, blustering, threats and fear, etc. And Charlotte would have shown up somehow. lol Here Daniel just lets himself be told about it after the fact and we don't get any details at all.
In fact none of these characters came alive for me in the way I hoped they would. I've often thought about Charlotte and Pitt over the years and "wondered what happened to them". And my daughter, a nurse, and I have talked about Hester and her life and choices - these people feel so real you never forget them. In this book nobody comes alive on the page, which is sad.
It is a good, well-written mystery, and even though I kept saying , there was at least one twist I didn't see coming. And though Daniel didn't pursue every lead, it still worked for me overall. The pacing is especially good and the story never dragged. But it's not as good as I'd hoped it will be. I'll probably read the next one when it comes out, as Daniel has great potential. But in the meantime I'm going back to Cater Street and revisiting those books, as well as the Monk series. This story reminded me of just how good they are. If you've not read them, I recommend you do that first and save this book for when you've run out of the others.
For one thing, Daniel Pitt is a young man who isn't sure he's in the right job. Apparently his father wanted him to pursue the law, but now he's not sure he likes it. The MCs in the earlier series were all very confident of who were they were and what they wanted. Even though Charlotte knew society wouldn't allow her to be who she wanted to be she always had a strong sense of self. Daniel doesn't and I think that makes him less compelling as the lead in the book.
Also, the earlier books were multi-layered. One of the things I loved about Cater Street was that you got Charlotte's feelings and social circle, insight into her family, the murders, and Pitt's social and professional struggles. Face of a Stranger was also a complex story, as Monk was trying to solve a murder while struggling to hide his amnesia. This book is a straightforward mystery, with a race against the clock to save a convicted man who may not be guilty. Sure there are some great twists and turns, but it doesn't have the complex layers of the earlier books.
In those earlier books the MCs take situations in their own hands and act, sometimes causing more problems, but they are doing things themselves. Daniel depends a lot on others to find out information for him, and sometimes we're not even let in on what they find, like who the publisher was. I think not showing those details weakened the story for me, as Daniel doesn't feel as interesting or as active as his predecessors. Monk and Pitt would have insisted on being in the confrontations with the publisher and we'd have gotten a great, emotional scene with lies, blustering, threats and fear, etc. And Charlotte would have shown up somehow. lol Here Daniel just lets himself be told about it after the fact and we don't get any details at all.
In fact none of these characters came alive for me in the way I hoped they would. I've often thought about Charlotte and Pitt over the years and "wondered what happened to them". And my daughter, a nurse, and I have talked about Hester and her life and choices - these people feel so real you never forget them. In this book nobody comes alive on the page, which is sad.
It is a good, well-written mystery, and even though I kept saying , there was at least one twist I didn't see coming. And though Daniel didn't pursue every lead, it still worked for me overall. The pacing is especially good and the story never dragged. But it's not as good as I'd hoped it will be. I'll probably read the next one when it comes out, as Daniel has great potential. But in the meantime I'm going back to Cater Street and revisiting those books, as well as the Monk series. This story reminded me of just how good they are. If you've not read them, I recommend you do that first and save this book for when you've run out of the others.
April 12, 2018
I absolutely loved this race-against-the-clock story for several reasons. First, Perry draws Edwardian-era London with the same finesse she loans to her Victorian mysteries. The research (Especially in budding forensics ) is exceptional. I also really loved Daniel. I have to tell you that a much as I love Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, it is about time for someone else to take the stage and Daniel is the perfect hero. A junior barrister assigned to his first case, he has the same curious nature as his father (late of the Police and now a knighted member of the Special Branch in more foreign investigations) and the refined energy of his mother and yet is someone completely his own. He’s idealistic and passionate and I really fell hard for him. He is a very worthy successor. Having just dazzled in the courtcase of (the very likeable to the point that he sticks around) Roman Blackwell, Daniel is sent to the Old Bailey to assist Toby Kitteridge, a lawyer a decade senior in a hanging case. Russell Graves is sentenced to death for the murder and subsequent disfigurement of his wife and Marcus fford Croft (of Daniel’s firm) beseeches Daniel and Kitteridge to win an appeal. They have the traditional three Sundays--- 21 days—to prove a man confoundedly unlikeable (seriously, this guy is the worst) innocent. Just because a man is a brute, doesn’t make him guilty. Things get a little more dastardly when Daniel discovers that Graves is a notorious biography writer, renowned for taking heroic stories down a notch. The fiend seems to have some rather incriminating evidence that could destroy Daniel’s father’s reputation.
I just absolutely fell into this story and gobbled it up. I LOVED that it balanced a clever and airtight mystery ( I had NO idea of the twist at the end) with a very (smart) 21 chapters of intense quicksand and, of course, a rousing Old Bailey courtcase.
Daniel seems more to want to be a detective like his father than a lawyer and this book proves that he is well equipped in both and I am SO stoked for this new series. Also, there is a perfectly AWESOME and intellectual woman named Miraim who, though unmarried and well in her 30s, is just a cracker jack scientist and helps Daniel break open the truly pivotal moment in the case. This was my favourite Anne Perry in years!
March 19, 2020
I was so excited for a new Anne Perry historical mystery series! I was even more excited that it was about Daniel Pitt, son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, and the time frame was fast forwarded to the early 20th century. Think: Downton Abbey meets the type of mysteries I've loved to read for years. I wasn't disappointed in the characters. We also get to revisit Thomas and Charlotte, and enjoy mention of Narraway and Vespasia. HOWEVER, I was much disappointed in the quality of the edit for plot and accuracy of appropriateness for the timeframe. I realized at some point that there was a huge error in the plotting. At around 40% Daniel and his superior discuss the implications of the case and it's clear that Kittelson understands. Then at 60% the same revelation happens again, written differently. Clearly there was a change made and not cleaned up, and neither the author or editors caught it. Pretty sloppy, given that I'm sure there is a team of editors working on these books. Also, as another reviewer commented, it didn't seem that the legal team was appropriate given the location and time period (no solicitors mentioned). Please, give these stories the attention that they deserve! I'm grateful I was able to borrow this from my library and that I didni't pay $15 for it. That said, looking forward to the next one....
April 19, 2018
Twenty-one days.
“Dialogue.”
Contemplation
“Dialogue.”
Internalization
“Dialogue.”
Childhood reflection
Twenty days.
“Dialogue.”
Contemplation
“Dialogue.”
Internalization
“Dialogue.”
Childhood reflection
Nineteen days.
“Dialogue.”
Contemplation
“Dialogue.”
Internalization
“Dialogue.”
Childhood reflection
Eighteen days........
It’s easier to describe Twenty-One Days as what it’s not rather than what it is.
It’s not a thriller.
It’s mystery, but it’s not complex.
It’s not a romance.
It’s not a whodunnit, namely because there aren’t characters to contest between.
It’s not bad, but it’s also not great either.
It’s not a page-turner.
It’s not a race-the-clock story (a full twenty-one days makes it more “race the calendar”).
It’s also not on my list of favorites.
Received an ARC.
“Dialogue.”
Contemplation
“Dialogue.”
Internalization
“Dialogue.”
Childhood reflection
Twenty days.
“Dialogue.”
Contemplation
“Dialogue.”
Internalization
“Dialogue.”
Childhood reflection
Nineteen days.
“Dialogue.”
Contemplation
“Dialogue.”
Internalization
“Dialogue.”
Childhood reflection
Eighteen days........
It’s easier to describe Twenty-One Days as what it’s not rather than what it is.
It’s not a thriller.
It’s mystery, but it’s not complex.
It’s not a romance.
It’s not a whodunnit, namely because there aren’t characters to contest between.
It’s not bad, but it’s also not great either.
It’s not a page-turner.
It’s not a race-the-clock story (a full twenty-one days makes it more “race the calendar”).
It’s also not on my list of favorites.
Received an ARC.
March 28, 2020
3.5/5 in fact - a good plot, although I discovered part of it at the very beginning of the story - nevertheless I wanted to pursue the story because i was convinced the plot was more than what i thought -
i did not realize that anne perry had decided to create a new series, with the Pitts' son being the main character - a very likeable person, still very young at discovering the mean streaks of humankind - there is the same pattern in the daniel pitt stories as in his parents stories or in the hester and monk stories = solving problems with the help of quite a likeable motley crue -
i did not realize that anne perry had decided to create a new series, with the Pitts' son being the main character - a very likeable person, still very young at discovering the mean streaks of humankind - there is the same pattern in the daniel pitt stories as in his parents stories or in the hester and monk stories = solving problems with the help of quite a likeable motley crue -
January 10, 2019
Have read most of Perry's books over the years. This is the launch of a new member of the family, the son of Thomas Pitt at the beginning of his career in law. Daniel starts out strong on his first two cases, seems settled well in his housing and first job and promises the appeal of a new and more modern world. Women still do not have the vote, but things are changing.
Writing courtroom drama has always been a part of this author's ouvre, and this book brings new life to some old friends.
Writing courtroom drama has always been a part of this author's ouvre, and this book brings new life to some old friends.
April 10, 2021
This is my first Anne Perry book. It is the start of a new series about the son from her long running Charlotte and Thomas Pitt books. I found the start of the book to be a bit confusing as many references are made to the earlier characters. The story really picks up and I found the new characters to be interesting and a few twists and turns in the plot that tie up at the end. Enjoyable book that I plan to read more from the author.
April 13, 2018
I love that the author is tackling the next generation with this first book in the Daniel Pitt series. I adored the long running series set in the late Victorian era about Daniel's parents. This one is during the Edwardian Era and begins perhaps a decade after the last released Thomas and Charlotte Pitt book.
Daniel is fresh out of university with a law degree and his father helps get him in with a prestigious London law firm. Now he must prove himself to his new employer and to his father with his first courtroom case- a big one, since his client is in the dock for murder. No sooner than he finishes this trial than he is put on an even bigger one.
I loved getting to know this adult Daniel who has the best of both his parents in him and lots of promise. He's vulnerable and also confident, but he has definitely been tossed into the deep end with these cases. I enjoyed getting to know the situation and the surrounding cast of characters.
The author uses her gift for historical setting, social issues of the day and a profound gift for writing complex characters to tell a steadily paced, twisting mystery. Daniel uncovers the clues that will either hang his detestable client or free him, but things get complicated fast leading close to home. The case brings out domestic abuse, the plight of people with disabilities, the issues of responsible writing when it comes to tell-alls, illegitimacy, women's equality, and so much more. The author teases out these social issues as part of the plot without getting pedantic.
As usual, the mystery is not as easy as it looks from the beginning and the moral dilemma that comes with it is just as challenging for Daniel. I started to get an inkling when the clues popped up, but that just made things more knotty instead of easier. I enjoyed how the mystery tied this first of Daniel's cases back to the earlier series so his parents make an appearance, but also established itself in its own right.
I hope the new cast of characters will end up being regulars because I loved the Blackwoods with their shades of gray quirkiness, Daniel's kind landlady, Miriam the female forensics scientist who is the daughter of Daniel's boss.
So yes, this first in the new spin-off series was great. Love this peek at the Edwardian Era, a new main character, and a great twisting mystery plot. While I think a reader could get by starting with this book, it does have strong ties to the earlier Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series- and they are fabulous so why miss them. Definitely a recommend for historical mystery lovers.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Daniel is fresh out of university with a law degree and his father helps get him in with a prestigious London law firm. Now he must prove himself to his new employer and to his father with his first courtroom case- a big one, since his client is in the dock for murder. No sooner than he finishes this trial than he is put on an even bigger one.
I loved getting to know this adult Daniel who has the best of both his parents in him and lots of promise. He's vulnerable and also confident, but he has definitely been tossed into the deep end with these cases. I enjoyed getting to know the situation and the surrounding cast of characters.
The author uses her gift for historical setting, social issues of the day and a profound gift for writing complex characters to tell a steadily paced, twisting mystery. Daniel uncovers the clues that will either hang his detestable client or free him, but things get complicated fast leading close to home. The case brings out domestic abuse, the plight of people with disabilities, the issues of responsible writing when it comes to tell-alls, illegitimacy, women's equality, and so much more. The author teases out these social issues as part of the plot without getting pedantic.
As usual, the mystery is not as easy as it looks from the beginning and the moral dilemma that comes with it is just as challenging for Daniel. I started to get an inkling when the clues popped up, but that just made things more knotty instead of easier. I enjoyed how the mystery tied this first of Daniel's cases back to the earlier series so his parents make an appearance, but also established itself in its own right.
I hope the new cast of characters will end up being regulars because I loved the Blackwoods with their shades of gray quirkiness, Daniel's kind landlady, Miriam the female forensics scientist who is the daughter of Daniel's boss.
So yes, this first in the new spin-off series was great. Love this peek at the Edwardian Era, a new main character, and a great twisting mystery plot. While I think a reader could get by starting with this book, it does have strong ties to the earlier Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series- and they are fabulous so why miss them. Definitely a recommend for historical mystery lovers.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2018
This mystery novel begins a new spin-off from a series Anne Perry has been writing for decades. Daniel Pitt is the son of an investigative husband-and-wife team that featured in the Thomas Pitt series. As this book opens, he is in his mid-twenties and just beginning a legal career. He's in the midst of one case in which the defendant seems headed for a guilty verdict, but Daniel gets him off thanks to some nimble deduction regarding fingerprints.
He is rushed to assist another lawyer on a case in which the head of his firm takes a special interest: a man on trial for the murder of his wife. When a guilty verdict is returned, the legal duo has 21 days to find cause for appeal, before the sentence of execution gets carried out.
This novel has well paced twists and turns and kept me quite interested. I have been a little annoyed by what I see as flaws in Anne Perry's writing in the past, but those tendencies are restrained in this book. Her characters tend to do so much introspection at every moment, and lace their dialogue with so much philosophizing and generalizing that the pace can get a bit sluggish. But in "Twenty-One Days," things kept moving pretty quickly to a satisfying conclusion.
The characters, some of which are likely being set up to become regulars in future installments, are likable and don't have unnecessary angst or manufactured conflict. Daniel Pitt's partnership with Kitteridge, a senior lawyer, has a few moments of tension between the older and younger man, but they manage to communicate fairly well, and overall it bodes well for a good partnership.
I will really look forward to the next book.
I was able to read this early thanks to NetGalley.
He is rushed to assist another lawyer on a case in which the head of his firm takes a special interest: a man on trial for the murder of his wife. When a guilty verdict is returned, the legal duo has 21 days to find cause for appeal, before the sentence of execution gets carried out.
This novel has well paced twists and turns and kept me quite interested. I have been a little annoyed by what I see as flaws in Anne Perry's writing in the past, but those tendencies are restrained in this book. Her characters tend to do so much introspection at every moment, and lace their dialogue with so much philosophizing and generalizing that the pace can get a bit sluggish. But in "Twenty-One Days," things kept moving pretty quickly to a satisfying conclusion.
The characters, some of which are likely being set up to become regulars in future installments, are likable and don't have unnecessary angst or manufactured conflict. Daniel Pitt's partnership with Kitteridge, a senior lawyer, has a few moments of tension between the older and younger man, but they manage to communicate fairly well, and overall it bodes well for a good partnership.
I will really look forward to the next book.
I was able to read this early thanks to NetGalley.
April 23, 2018
Nice start to new series, featuring the son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, main characters in the author's long-running Victorian mystery series. We jump forward 10 years from the action in Murder on the Serpentine to about 1910 or so; Daniel is now 25, a junior barrister conducting his first serious case and feeling woefully inadequate.
The trial that opens the book serves to introduce us to Daniel and several other characters who will probably be featured players in the series. The action then shifts to the main drama. Russell Graves, noted biographer and thoroughly unpleasant person, is on trial for murdering his wife. The defense case, argued by Daniel and his senior colleague Kitteridge, fails; Graves is convicted and sentenced to death. They now have 21 days to find enough evidence to get the verdict overturned.
Marcus fford Croft (head of the law firm) assigns Kitteridge to find any possible legal loophole and sets Daniel off to investigate the Graves family, including the late Ebony Graves and Russell Graves himself.
Now the pace really picks up--lots of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next. Perry has fun working new technology (X-rays! Fingerprints!) into the cases. She also touches on 'playing to the jury', a valuable skill for any barrister. The book that Graves is currently writing becomes a key plot point, providing people who might have a motive to kill Mrs. Graves. All a bit far-fetched, but it must be checked out. This leads Daniel to several rather tense conversations with his father, Sir Thomas, head of Special Branch.
Experienced mystery readers will, no doubt, leap to the correct conclusion when they read the description of Mrs. Graves' body. That doesn't diminish the enjoyment of watching Daniel and friends work their way towards the mystery's solution. Perry plays fair; all the clues are there.
The action concludes with two tense courtroom scenes which tie up all the plot threads in a very satisfactory way. The final scene gives the reader a chance to catch their breath, relax and smile over a job well done.
I am definitely looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with young Daniel Pitt.
The trial that opens the book serves to introduce us to Daniel and several other characters who will probably be featured players in the series. The action then shifts to the main drama. Russell Graves, noted biographer and thoroughly unpleasant person, is on trial for murdering his wife. The defense case, argued by Daniel and his senior colleague Kitteridge, fails; Graves is convicted and sentenced to death. They now have 21 days to find enough evidence to get the verdict overturned.
Marcus fford Croft (head of the law firm) assigns Kitteridge to find any possible legal loophole and sets Daniel off to investigate the Graves family, including the late Ebony Graves and Russell Graves himself.
Now the pace really picks up--lots of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next. Perry has fun working new technology (X-rays! Fingerprints!) into the cases. She also touches on 'playing to the jury', a valuable skill for any barrister. The book that Graves is currently writing becomes a key plot point, providing people who might have a motive to kill Mrs. Graves. All a bit far-fetched, but it must be checked out. This leads Daniel to several rather tense conversations with his father, Sir Thomas, head of Special Branch.
Experienced mystery readers will, no doubt, leap to the correct conclusion when they read the description of Mrs. Graves' body. That doesn't diminish the enjoyment of watching Daniel and friends work their way towards the mystery's solution. Perry plays fair; all the clues are there.
The action concludes with two tense courtroom scenes which tie up all the plot threads in a very satisfactory way. The final scene gives the reader a chance to catch their breath, relax and smile over a job well done.
I am definitely looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with young Daniel Pitt.
May 28, 2018
4.5 stars - I was so excited to see Perry starting a new series with Daniel Pitt as her hero, and thrilled when my best friend sent me a copy of this book autographed by Perry herself!
I was a rabid Perry fan back in the day, devouring every book in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt and William Monk series for years; I stopped reading both when I got caught up in other historical mystery series. This new series makes me want to go back and read the Thomas Pitt books I missed, but you can dive in with Daniel and not miss a beat, even if you’re not familiar with the previous Pitt series (Charlotte and Thomas Pitt are his parents).
As this book opens, Daniel, an inexperienced young barrister, is in court trying to get Roman Blackwell off of a murder charge. The story opens and closes in court; it starts slowly, but once it got going, I was hooked! Daniel is next asked to assist his law firm’s best litigator in a case of a husband accused of murdering his wife - he expects to be no more than an errand boy, but when the man is convicted, it’s a race against the clock to find another suspect before their client hangs.
As is usual for Anne Perry, we are treated to a satisfying, knotty puzzle full of twists, turns and moral dilemmas galore, wonderful characters, dramatic dialogue and courtroom drama. I can’t wait to see where Daniel takes us next time!
I was a rabid Perry fan back in the day, devouring every book in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt and William Monk series for years; I stopped reading both when I got caught up in other historical mystery series. This new series makes me want to go back and read the Thomas Pitt books I missed, but you can dive in with Daniel and not miss a beat, even if you’re not familiar with the previous Pitt series (Charlotte and Thomas Pitt are his parents).
As this book opens, Daniel, an inexperienced young barrister, is in court trying to get Roman Blackwell off of a murder charge. The story opens and closes in court; it starts slowly, but once it got going, I was hooked! Daniel is next asked to assist his law firm’s best litigator in a case of a husband accused of murdering his wife - he expects to be no more than an errand boy, but when the man is convicted, it’s a race against the clock to find another suspect before their client hangs.
As is usual for Anne Perry, we are treated to a satisfying, knotty puzzle full of twists, turns and moral dilemmas galore, wonderful characters, dramatic dialogue and courtroom drama. I can’t wait to see where Daniel takes us next time!
Want to read
October 28, 2017Hello there Daniel Pitt:)
March 22, 2023
So, I had to go back and start the series from the beginning 🤭. Here we follow our young lawyer Daniel Pitt, who is defending a man who was accused of shooting another man. While he is defending him, he gets called for another case that also consists of defending a man who is accused of killing his wife and burning her. Now, if you enjoy a good historical mystery/lawyer M.C/courtroom murder mystery, I highly recommend picking this up, because although Daniel is younger than his colleagues and because of that is constantly doubted, he never comes across as a snob, or a Mr. Know it all. He respects everyone around of him, and his conscience takes over him, and he will do everything in his power to prove the innocence of his clients. Also, the whole background story of him and his friends, who he seems to turn to when the case gets tough is so fun to read about. Now onto book #3 🤭
June 25, 2018
Exciting and clever courtroom scenes along with methodical investigative procedural passages - this book has it all and never disappoints. The many twists and turns make for a most delicious read.
If you're a fan of author Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Victorian era police investigative tales, then you'll be delighted to know that the torch has been passed to their son, young Daniel Pitt, as he begins his career as a barrister. Oh, he's as green as they come but clever and bright, just as his father is. Unlike his father, who is charged with finding a crime's perpetrator, Daniel must defend his client, as best able, regardless of whether his reprehensible client is guilty or not. The value system ingrained into Daniel's being by his parents is truly put to the test and leaves him with a moral dilemma. But defend, he must and cleverly so he does.
If you are new to Ms. Perry's writing, fear not, her character development and setting of place is very well done and you need not know the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series in order to enjoy this first in series Daniel Pitt novel. However, I caution you, once you've read this one, you'll most likely want to go back and read the other series. It too is wonderful.
If you're a fan of author Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Victorian era police investigative tales, then you'll be delighted to know that the torch has been passed to their son, young Daniel Pitt, as he begins his career as a barrister. Oh, he's as green as they come but clever and bright, just as his father is. Unlike his father, who is charged with finding a crime's perpetrator, Daniel must defend his client, as best able, regardless of whether his reprehensible client is guilty or not. The value system ingrained into Daniel's being by his parents is truly put to the test and leaves him with a moral dilemma. But defend, he must and cleverly so he does.
If you are new to Ms. Perry's writing, fear not, her character development and setting of place is very well done and you need not know the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series in order to enjoy this first in series Daniel Pitt novel. However, I caution you, once you've read this one, you'll most likely want to go back and read the other series. It too is wonderful.
August 25, 2018
Investigative crime procedure and intriguing courtroom drama lead the reader into the world of Daniel Pitt who is a new lawyer in a respected law firm and the son of Thomas Pitt, the Head of Special Branch and who is Anne Perry's lead character in a previous series of books. Twenty-One Days is a stand-a-lone book from her previous Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books, but makes a generational change in characters with this being the first of the Daniel Pitt series. Perry's hero in this new series begins as a naive, young, sensitive, inexperienced but intelligent lawyer who wins his first case in court and then finds himself drawn into a higher court case due to the absence of a more experienced lawyer who incurred an injury. This case is lost, the convicted is to be hanged in 21 days and the search begins for Daniel Pitt, assisted by others, to find evidence to make an appeal that may free the prisoner from his fate. Anne Perry's characters are well depicted and the reader learns to respect some, sympathize with some and intensely dislike some. There are twists and turns in the revelation of new evidence, although the disfigurement of a murdered woman in the story was pretty obviously committed to disguise a true identity. There is at times some tedious investigation by Daniel Pitt and the reader just wants him to get on with it! The story could have been a bit shorter, but the court scene at the end is interesting and demonstrates the psychology in dealing with the accused as well as the jury. The themes of domestic abuse, the dependency and denigration of women, class differences, corruption, and loyalty and love toward parents, friends, and country are all present in this new series, whose characters will return in future books.
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