Judging by the vast list of titles on the flyleaf of Buckingham Palace Gardens, I’m a little late discovering the wonderful stories that Anne Perry creates and sets in 1920s London. I’d chatted with a friend about Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobb series (Love it!) and she turned me on to reading Anne Perry’s detective series with the returning characters of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt. Although, I really didn’t see them as movers and shakers in this story. The murder investigation, and its perception by different people involved with it, left little time to get to know Mr. and Mrs. Pitt. I guess I’ll have to go back to the first novel and start at the beginning if I want their background. In BPG Ms. Perry writes easily about a heinous crime that is far more complex that a simple case of murder. I do like those stories that are layered and by the end you realize that what appeared to be the essence of the plot wasn’t more than a jumping off point, although the Gardens implied in the title never is a factor in the mystery–a better title? Something Nasty in the Queen’s Bedroom, but that might have been a spoiler.
If you’re looking for a good summer read that will travel well to the beach or coffee shop–this one is a good choice.
