The Cater Street Hangman is the first Charlotte & Inspector Pitt novel by Anne Perry. I had read some of the Pitt mysteries as a teenager and thought I might start at the beginning of the series and read them through. I remembered being fascinated by them at the time, but memory isn't always reliable. In fact, the story is intriguing, well-written, with an interesting twist at the end and a strong component of social commentary that is as relevent today as to the time period in which the story is set (Victorian England). It just wasn't as great as I remembered, but that is hardly the book's fault. One's taste can easily change in 10 or 12 years.The plot: A murderer is on the loose in the respectable neighborhood surrounding Cater Street. He assaults and mutilates his female victims, then garrotes them with a wire. The killer has shaken this posh, upper-middle class community to it's core. As it becomes more apparent that the murderer is one of their own, rampant fear manifests itself in unspoken suspicions, quiet whisperings, and outright accusations - unfounded and true. Suddenly, as secrets are revealed, nothing is as it seems. The characters: The novel centers around the Ellison family. Mother Caroline & father Edward have three daughters: Sarah (married to Dominic), Charlotte (unmarried and somewhat disinterested in the prospect), and Emily (on the lookout for the most suitable and advantageous match possible). The murder hits close to home when their maid is killed. Enter the impertinent and hard-nosed Inspector Pitt, determined to find the truth and solve the mystery.What I liked most about the book is the protagonist: Charlotte. She's a strong female character: outspoken, clever, compassionate, and a bit defiant. In fact, all the female characters are well drawn. In addition, the author strives to expose the inequalities between what is socially acceptable for men and that which is condemned in women. She explores the effects of men's actions on the women around them. I believe this is a consciously feminist text, which is refreshing in the genre. So many mysteries are about clever male detectives, and while our Inspector Pitt is in fact a man, this is really a novel about women.(As an aside: the author has very sordid past, which really informs the novel and affected my reading experience this time. The story is not for me to tell, but if you're curious, a little internet research into Anne Perry will clue you in to what I'm talking about. Creepy!)
A lengthy set of Victorian mysteries featuring Charlotte, the daughter of a well-to-do family, and Inspector Pitt of the police. The Cater Street Hangman is about a series of murders that take place in Charlotte’s wealthy neighborhood (thus introducing our protagonists to each other). It’s all about exposing the hypocrisies and secrets behind the glittering façades of wealthy families. Callander Square is about a series of killings in an upper-class neighborhood – it’s all about exposing the hypocrisies and secrets behind the glittering façades of wealthy families. Paragon Walk is about a series of murders in an upper-class neighborhood where Charlotte’s sister lives – it’s all about exposing the hypocrisies and secrets behind the glittering facades of wealthy families.Most of my knowledge of the Victorian era is confined to pornography and Jack the Ripper (what? Why are you looking at me like that?) but on the surface these books seem true to the society and speech of the time. And the writing is smooth and, if not always witty, often insightful. Except that in itself is a problem. Because being true to Victorian norms, particularly in times of stress and crisis, involves practically drenching the books in levels of classism and racism I found nearly toxic. Which would have been more endurable, actually, if it weren’t for the handful of exceptions, unfailingly female, who observed the constraints of their lives with frankly unbelievable perspicacity. Because, you know, people easily and automatically perceive the subtle snare of society’s constraints upon them, particularly women who have had little formal education and even littler exposure to any other kind of life. Perry makes many of her men despicable and ridiculous, and many of her women improbably self-aware and enlightened.I have a pet peeve for “feminist” stories which attempt to redress the forcible suppression of women by the elevation of men by forcibly suppressing the men to elevate the women.I did read three of these books. There are like twenty more, but I doubt I’ll continue, despite the generally pleasant writing and interesting turns of phrase. It’s partly due to the complaints above, and partly due to the fact that I figured out who-done-it in every case by the halfway mark or before. What’s the point of a mystery like that?
What do You think about The Cater Street Hangman (1985)?
Never have I read a more compelling detective novel than this one. It has everything from terror, romance, whodunnit crime, and suspense. I can't believe that this book and the series that follows have never crossed my path before. I know I have said that many times a certain book is the ultimate "whodunnit," Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, for example. The Cater Street Hangman is probably the second best whodunnit I have ever read in my entire life, no doubts about it.I have two favourite things about this book: (1) the setting of the book is Victorian London, perhaps one of my all time favourite time periods to read about, both fiction and non-fiction, and (2) the focus of the book is not on Inspector Pitt searching for the Cater Street Hangman, but rather on Charlotte Ellison who has to actually deal with the loss of a family member and a household servant. She also has to deal with the accusations among her family for each other AND the seemingly unwanted affections from and attraction to Inspector Pitt, a policeman of lower status than she. The story from the point of view of a person the victims' were well acquainted with has never been done before, or ever again, from my knowledge, and truly makes this book in particular one of the greatest mysteries of all time.I would highly recommend this book for its original plot, original setting, and the fact that it is a "cozy mystery." Curl up one day on the couch and just read this book, you will not regret it. Another thing I find very different about this book than other mysteries I have read, and I'm sure there are those of you who will agree with me, is that unlike modern mystery novels, the book is not focused on the gore of the crime or some sort of unneeded sex scene between the main character and a background character (or maybe even the killer). This book is all about finding the killer, overcoming strong emotions, and getting through life unscathed, and frankly I am quite relieved to have a break. This is a book you will never forget and (hint hint) look up the background on the author. She is FOR SURE someone you will never forget for the rest of your life.
—Nicole
This is the first of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series of mysteries by Anne Perry.I think there are 27 novels published so far in this series set in the late 1800s of England ... and I've probably read every one. Perry is fantastic. She not only writes a wonderful mystery, she paints compelling pictures of the social classes of the 1800s and creates memorable characters that linger in your heart and mind.The CATER STREET HANGMAN introduces Inspector Thomas Pitt, a working class policeman, and aristocrat socialite Charlotte Ellison. In an intriguing story surrounding the murder of the Hilton's maid ... Perry shows, as Pitt says: "Murder is no respecter of persons or of social distinction." ... and "Nothing strips the soul quite as naked as fear."As Charlotte becomes gradually involved with Thomas through solving the crime at the Hilton's and then directly at the Ellison's home ... a relationship develops - unsuitable for the times when different social classes seldom intermarried. Charlotte is shocked with Inspector Pitt's way of 'opening her eyes to a world she's never looked at. Charlotte and Pitt's relationship initiates the start of a fine, new crime-solving team for the sequel novels to come. This first mystery also introduces many of the fascinating characters the reader will meet again in future novels.You'll be delighted with a super and totally unexpected ending in THE CATER STREET HANGMAN ... and the book is truly what one reviewer calls "a leaves you hanging mystery."Perry is a highly talented woman ... and you should start her series about the Pitts with this great read.
—Lin Stepp
This is one author and book that I've been really excited to read and am thrilled to say that I wasn't disappointed! I really loved the Victorian England era that the story took place in and I thought the overall atmosphere of the book was great. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and look forward to visiting them again in the upcoming books. (yay! a new series to tackle!) I did guess who the murderer was fairly early on, but still continued to question my choice throughout the story and enjoyed seeing how everything played out. I thought the story ended rather abruptly, but I'm not too bothered by it seeing as I can move right on to the next book in the series when I'm ready. Looking forward to it!
—Heather
