Bibliography: Perry, Anne. (2008). Buckingham Palace Gardens. New York: Random House. ISBN: 9780345469311
Plot Summary: When the body of a brutally murdered prostitute is found in a linen closet at Buckingham Palace, Thomas Pitt from Special Branch is called to investigate. When he arrives, he finds that the Prince of Wales is entertaining four enterprising gentlemen and their wives who are interested in building a railroad across the whole of Africa. One of the gentleman had arranged for prostitutes to attend a party with the Prince and other gentlemen. After ruling out the servants, and assuming the Prince is innocent, Pitt is at a loss and calls on their maid, Gracie Phipps to assist in the investigation. She is hired on as help on the Palace staff, and in between the dusting and the laundry and serving at table tries to help uncover the murderer.
Critical Analysis: Anne Perry rarely falters, both her Thomas and Charlotte Pitt and William Monk series are always solid, but this entry is even better than most. Not because of the mystery, as I figured out fairly early on who had done it, although I realized later I was only partially right. No, this is a great look at the inner workings of the palace from different social class vantage points: young servant Gracie Phipps, investigator Thomas Pitt, the Princess of Wales and the gentried guests of the Prince. The murder is the focus, but the story becomes about differences between classes, and relationships between men and women.
Gracie Phipps can read, and get’s off on the wrong foot with another young maid, Ava, and is punished for it, showing that some people are always happy to put someone else lower then they are. Ava is involved with a footman whom she sees as rescuing her and taking her away from service but whom in reality is probably just using her. The butler and the housekeeper have an uneasy relationship of their own, unrequited love perhaps? Then there is Pitt, neither servant who can ordered around (although one of the gentleman tries) nor of the same rank as the gentlemen. It is assumed the wives are oblivious to events, but even the deaf Princess of Wales has acute observations to make about happenings t the palace. Of the four gentlemen, one is a bully, one an alocoholic, one a cad and one is stuck in a loveless marriage. The wives are no better, one afraid of her husband, one afraid for her husband, one despising her husband for making her feel trapped.
Charlotte’s absence is felt, but Perry manages to bring in several other regulars, including Narraway, Pitt’s superior at Special Branch, Charlotte’s Aunt Vespasia, always willing to talk about others in the upperclass, and of course, Gracie, although after her adventures here, one is left wondering if she will truly be happy to settle down and marry Sergeant Tellman. This entry in the series, number 25, would actually make a good starting place for some, as the limited setting a scope mean that you don’t have to have read and have the background of previous entries to understand and enjoy what happens here. This would also be a great mystery for older teens, for while the murder is brutal, it is takes place off stage and Gracie’s involvement in the investigation adds a decidedly younger feel to the book as a whole.
Review Excerpt:
“In a mystery novel, or any novel, with such a setting, it would have been easy for the author to trip over titles and protocol, but Perry has done her homework and does not stumble.”–Booklist
“The detecting and diplomatic skills of Thomas Pitt, now assigned to the Special Branch, are tested as never before in bestseller Perry’s solid 25th novel to feature the Victorian sleuth.”–Publisher’s Weekly
