This is the First book in the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. A must have book as are all of Anne Perry's books. I liked everything about the book. Anne Perry is an excellent writer. I have read two of her other series totally. And once you start you have to read them all. So far I have guessed wrong evry time on the one that did it...once I guessed it was a woman but picked the wrong one....Anne Perry keeps you on your toes. I bought the book to help complete the series that I am reading. Some are no longer sold in books stores and they are not all in the library. So you have to hunt them down. And hunt them down you will, the books are that well written that you want to read each and every one of them. Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. Great stories. William Monk. Another series is equal in excellence that keeps you turning those pages. The Reavley Family in the World War I series (5) books. Held me so well that I ended up doing some WWI research myself. The Christmas Series. Again only 5 books but all great. They include some to the people from the other 2 Victorian London, England series. Anne Perry has you going through all you emotions. You get angry, you laugh, your shocked, and you cry. But there is also a warmth there. And a feeling of you must get the next book to continue to see what happens to you people you have come to think of as friends. One main reason I enjoy Anne Perry is her books are clean. There is no vulgar language. No hot sex. I don't like either of these things in a good murder mystery.