A simple, uncomplicated case of murder and courtroom drama this is not. But, then it never is with a writer who not only brings the past of, first Victorian, and now Edwardian London to life, but also brings the reader right inside the minds of the characters who people her stories.

For those new to Anne Perry’s books, Triple Jeopardy is the second of the Daniel Pitt stories. The Daniel Pitt stories are a follow up series to the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. Daniel is their son. He is a lawyer unlike his dad who was a police detective and left the London force to rise through the rank in Special Branch to become its head. Because of the close tie of family and an assumed familiarity with all that came before, new readers should start with Thomas and Charlotte’s stories before jumping into Daniel’s. And, because they enter into this story, the novella, A New York Christmas, should be read first so the reader has the earlier part of Jemima and Patrick’s story.

Triple Jeopardy left me in knots so many times. I was so vested in the characters that I felt what they felt and, particularly, feared what they did. By the time I was done with this investigation and courtroom drama, I was still left with a great deal to unpack. The author tells a cunning murder mystery in a well-drawn setting with complex characters and motives, but she’s not afraid to ponder social mores and ideologies, too. Justice vs. Revenge, Truth vs. Expediency, A Woman’s Reputation exposed to puerile gossip vs. allowing an injustice, and the biggie, presumed innocent until proven guilty vs. assumption of guilt because of loyalty and ties to the ones who believe it, are just some of the major elements brought into play.

So, the skinny on Triple Jeopardy is that young, junior lawyer, Daniel Pitt, gets sideswiped when during her first visit home from America, his sister, Jemima and her husband, Patrick, approach him with a nearly impossible request. A dear friend was assaulted in her own home back in DC and the man who did it is now back in London after claiming diplomatic immunity. They want to get him on a different charge because surely a man that would attack a woman has done other crimes and, if possible, get the other brought into it.

Daniel isn’t emotionally involved like his sister and brother in law who he doesn’t want to disappoint, but he is uneasy. They are trusting the word of others and he is trusting their word. The actual facts are few, but hearsay is rife. And, things that stack up against Phillip Sydney very neatly. And, yet, a young woman is not faking the assault which really happened and her father swears he saw the man’s face clearly before he got away.

Daniel wants to help his sister and her husband get justice for their friend, but he believes that there is something else behind it all.

Daniel is up against powerful people and maybe his own family, but it sure was great seeing him work through all that with the help of Kitteridge, his wry senior partner, the colorful and not always lawful Rowan Blackwood, and the redoubtable criminal pathologist Miriam fford Croft.

Though I felt Jemima and Patrick put Daniel on the spot, I did love that I got to follow up with them after all this time. I always wondered how Jemima and her Irish-American copper were faring.

Miriam and Daniel’s interactions are my favorite as there is the low level buzz of attraction with the slight taboo that he is over ten years (maybe even fifteen) her junior.

This was one where I knew exactly who the bad guys were as soon as most of the players were introduced and I even got the general idea of why things were set up the way they were. But, that said, there were a lot of coloring in that I needed to get a better picture so it made more sense for the why behind this villain. In the end, I still had some questions that I didn’t think got fully answered like the German angle and how the villain was connected there. Maybe I missed it and will need to go back and look closely. But, beyond that I wanted to know the ramifications for what came now that the truth was out. It ended abruptly with not much of a denouement.

All in all, it was a gently-paced character driven plot with spikes of intrigue and excitement. It was a nice blend of historical setting and courtroom drama. I can’t wait for more of Daniel and the others solving mysteries and bringing the answers to the courtroom. This is definitely a series for the historical mystery fan.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews on my blog https://www.NerdGirlLovesBooks.wordpr....

This is the second book in this book series and it's just as entertaining as the first book. Daniel is thrilled when his sister Jemima, who lives in America with her husband and two small children, returns to London for a visit. He quickly finds out, however, that Jemima's good friend Rebecca was recently attacked in Washington, D.C. and a cherished family heirloom taken. Rebecca's family has accused a young diplomat, Sidney, of the attack. Sidney looks particularly guilty because he claimed diplomatic immunity and fled the country.

Rebecca's family has also turned up in London and is pressing prosecutors there to charge Sidney with another crime in England so that her accusations can be brought up. Daniel is asked to defend Sidney and help the accusations come to light, but once he begins his investigation, he gets the feeling that he's not being told the whole story. Daniel enlists the people that helped him in his previous case to assist, and is determined to get to the truth.

The story is well-written and fast paced. While I figured out the "truth" before the ending, it took me awhile to get there. My only complaint is that the ending was quite abrupt and there was nothing added after the mystery was solved.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When a favorite author has a long running series and decides to do a spin off or two, too often those new series are not as good as the first one. Such is not the case with Anne Perry and the mysteries that have grown from the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. Their two children are now adults and Daniel has a series of his own. He shines in it. As a barrister he is very new to his profession but it fits him.
It's now 1910 and Daniel is presented with a request from his brother-in-law, newly arrived from America, accompanied by Daniel's older sister, Jemima and their two little girls. A British diplomat, Phillip Sydney, has, it seems, gotten away with a nasty assault on a woman and a theft is involved. As the woman is a friend of his, Jemima's husband wants him to pay for what he did. Before anything can be done, he does a runner via the British embassy and flees to London. As a policeman, his brother-in-law is willing to go to great lengths to see justice done even if double jeopardy is in play. As the mystery unfolds, Daniel suspects that things are not as they seem and soon he is defending Sydney. There are some very powerful people working in the shadows and Daniel, along with a great cast of characters within his legal circle - his partner, Kitteridge, the very talented pathologist, Miriam fford Croft and Rowan Blackwood - are up to the challenge of seeing that justice is done.
If you are a fan of Murdoch you will enjoy the forensics employed by Daniel and Miriam. As always, the descriptions of time and place are vivid and the historical details are very well researched. I have read every book in each series so I have all of the back story to add to my reading pleasure but, if you are new to Daniel's series, have no fear, Triple Jeopardy can stand alone. But be prepared to get your hands on the previous book, Twenty-One Days and settle down to another great mystery.

Anne Perry has two main series--Thomas and Charlotte Pitt in one and Monk and Hester Latterly in the other--that are set in different eras. Personally, I prefer the Monk and Hester stories.

Triple Jeopardy has Daniel Pitt, the son of Thomas and Charlotte, as its protagonist. While the mystery and set-up were intriguing, I was unable to settle in and enjoy the book. If you like the older Pitts, then you're likely to be interested in this novel. On the other hand, if you've never really warmed the them, this may not be your best choice.

Such a fun romp of a mystery. It kept me guessing for ages. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the first book in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

"Triple Jeopardy" is the second Daniel Pitt book by Anne Perry, and it’s a worthy successor to the first.

Daniel’s sister and her husband, visiting from Washington DC relate a horrible story; a British diplomat has committed a sexual assault and robbery on a young girl, even to the point of doing so in her bedroom -- in America. The man has grabbed a necklace, claimed diplomatic immunity, and fled home to England. So far he’s escaped justice. They want Daniel Pitt’s help to do something about this. Daniel commits himself immediately, which he will probably live to regret, no doubt.

Daniel’s sister presents an important point -- that it’s Rebecca Thorwood’s word against the man, Philip Sidney. Will the young woman be willing to go public, to face the possible humiliation, if it should get to that point? And of course, behind it all is the feeling that what everyone will think is that she isn’t an innocent victim – that she let Sidney in, tempted him to attack her – “didn’t say no.” How modern this all sounds!

And it may create an international incident – in that the Americans (Rebecca’s family) believe that the British won’t see justice done, as Sidney is a British citizen.

What must happen, then, is justice obtained obliquely. Luckily, Sidney has been arrested for embezzlement, and the evidence seems overwhelming. Daniel, through his law firm, fford Croft and Gibson, will serve as counsel for the defense. But perhaps, he will not try too hard? Will his moral compass be jeopardized? Readers will see.

At first, Daniel and we readers are outraged. A bounder, Sidney has to be. And embezzling from the embassy, to add to it. And yet... Daniel meets the fellow, who swears he has done neither crime, that he is being framed for something he didn’t do. And slowly, slowly, with the help of Miriam fford Croft, friend and frustrated scientist, Daniel begins to believe his client. “Something bigger here than we have realized and a great deal uglier.” And the truth of this is more than anyone could possibly have imagined, at the beginning. There are answers to be found in the death of family far away – the catalyst for everything. Because of a house.

Anne Perry is a master plotter -- "Triple Jeopardy" is a tour de force in that regard. Perry relates Daniel’s thoughts on all this – there is nothing subtle about it – her skill asserts itself in that his desire to know the truth is something the reader needs to know, too, especially as one delves further and further into the story.

The book finishes up in an exciting fashion, and we are reminded that Daniel is rather a praiseworthy lawyer. For all that is good about this book, however, the ending is too abrupt. Since we have learned so much about these people, their thoughts and opinions and soul searching and recriminations -- and that’s just the good guys -- the ending comes across as melodramatic and unfinished; a minor quibble.

The story line presages things to come, in British history. It’ll be interesting to see how Ms. Perry handles Daniel’s future.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for a copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

Triple Jeopardy by Anne Perry is the second in the new Daniel Pitt series: a second-generation series following the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. For every read there are a few authors/books that are touchstones for the reader, a place to bring us back to our center. Anne Perry is that for me. For all the varied reading I do, an Anne Perry novel is like coming home. There is always a moral challenge, maybe several; there is plenty of familial love and support; and there is an interesting mystery. There is a resolution. The language is a little more formal, yet not out of reach. The story is stressful and compelling and the characters are interesting: especially Daniel and his friend Miriam. I recommend this Triple Jeopardy although I am a huge fan of reading a series in order so start at the beginning.

In this story, Daniel's sister, Jemima and her husband, Patrick, and their two young daughters are on holiday in England (they live in the United States where Patrick is a police officer in Washington DC). Daniel is happy Jemima is home and takes immediately to her older daughter, Cassie. He likes Patrick and can immediately see how much he loves Jemima so all is good. Until Patrick brings him a crime that happened in Washington but the perpetrator used diplomatic immunity to flee to England. Patrick would like to see what could be done to right this wrong. Can Daniel do this without ruining his career?

I received a free ARC of Triple Jeopardy. All opinions herein are my own. #netgalley #triplejeopardy

Stunning revelation!

A slow beginning opening with a Pitt family reunion. Daniel's sister Jemima, her husband Patrick and their two lovely children having come from Washington D.C. to England for a visit. A visit that coincides with the charge of embezzlement for a young English diplomat, Philip Sidney, who had fled Washington claiming diplomatic immunity against a more serious charge, the attack and theft from a young woman Miss Rebecca Thorwood whilst she was sleeping. Rebecca is a friend of Jemima's. Her father is a powerful man and has been a friend to Patrick. Patrick wants to see the opportunistic coward Sidney brought to justice. Coincidentally the Thorwoods have arrived in London to settle an inheritance for Rebecca from her aunt. Rebecca's parents desire for punishment of Sidney seems to override the harm the publicity might do to their shy, retiring daughter. Patrick requests that Daniel take on the case of defending Sidney and in doing so reveal his attack on Rebeccca, "a smaller case to carry a bigger one.”
Disgusted by the cowardly Sidney staining the reputation of the Foreign Office, Daniel intends to help his brother-in-law seek justice for Rebecca. However as he becomes more familiar with the case he realizes that things just don't fit together. He also questions his own actions if he doesn't give his client a determined defense.
The whole setup is puzzling in the extreme. It's only after he approaches his friend and forensic pathologist, Dr. Miriam fforde Croft, for her help that things become even more disjointed. The patterns are just not there. Daniel senses that there is a "dark center of the whole elaborate web of accusations and lies, [an] unseen shape." As Daniel tries to put form and reason to the case's many conundrums, with the guidance of Miriam and other friends, things start slowly to become apparent to Daniel. (Not to me!)
The climax is just that! Surprisingly brief and fittingly concluded. I did not see it coming although with hindsight there were clues along the way.
I must admit from the measured start I wondered where things were going. By the end I was deeply immersed in not only Daniel's stunning court case resolution, but his relationship with his family and various friends. I was charmed by the whisper of his feelings for Miriam, the slight moments of awareness between the two, quickly dispatched. Which is ridiculous as Miriam is much older than Daniel and "she must look at him as if he were a boy". Mmm?!

A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley

There are several things in life that one can count on every year and one of those is reading historical thrillers by the great Anne Perry. There is no way I could contain my excitement for this book or her writing. Triple Jeopardy is no exception. Phenomenally written, vivid scenery and a mystery involving a stolen necklace? Whats not to love?! Well done Anne Perry, I anxiously look forward to the next one.

Anne Perry’s second Daniel Pitt novel is another winner. Perry writes atmospheric historic novels, and this new series, a spin off of her popular Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, is set to continue to delight fans.

Daniel Pitt, a young lawyer, is maneuvered into defending a disgraced member of the British consulate in Washington, D.C., sent home because of alleged misbehavior in the United States. The entire Pitt family, as well as several members of Daniel’s law practice become involved in investigating the complicated affair.

I was surprised by the last minute plot twist that revealed a satisfying solution to the puzzle.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Anne Perry gained a following with quirky historical mysteries in which manly but somewhat slow-witted male protagonists solve crimes through the efforts of their much smarter and more interesting female assistants. The books are slow as the focus is on historical mood and the feelings of the characters rather than advancing the complex plots.

This book has all the defects of the author's style, and none of the virtues. The first annoying thing is although it is only the second book in the series, maybe 15% of the text is taken up repeating events of the first book, the same events over and over. Thomas Pitt, who has starred in 32 books of his own, takes up a lot of attention in this one, but does absolutely nothing relevant to the plot.

The plot makes no sense at all, and is driven by three characters who are supposed to be very close but don't trust each other enough to ask simple questions and instead go through absurd lengths to hide the conflicts. This leaves no time for actually investigating the mystery, or (the nominal duty of the main character) defend the client.

A wife suspects her husband may have concocted evidence in order to bring an attempted rapist shielded by diplomatic immunity to justice. She isn't sure how she would feel about this action if it were true, but simultaneously feels it would be so terrible that even asking her husband if it were true would destroy their trust. So she enlists her brother in an insane scheme that does nothing to address her dilemma--neither the question of justice for the victim nor the behavior of her husband. The brother then elaborates the idiocy because he neither trusts his sister nor is willing to offend her by asking questions. The other characters mostly stand and watch, except when something actually has to be done (the three main characters are too busy emoting).

Nothing really happens for the first 80% of the book, then there is a lightning series of silly events that explains everything, then the characters talk about it for the last 20%. How do you fill a novel with only a few pages of plot? Here's one random example. The wife/sister wants to speak to her brother's partner--although we're not clear about why. She decides to go see him. Then she fears that she will arrive during lunch, and it would be unseemly for a woman to visit lunch places looking for him. Leaving earlier or later, or waiting if he's out, does not occur to her. So she decides to bring a lunch, which doesn't seem to help with her problem. She also decides to lie to her husband about it, for no reason, and of course she has to agonize about that.

She arrives before lunch, so that whole page of internal reasoning is irrelevant. We then get two pages describing the lunch, what the food is, how it is served. The wife and brother's partner tell each other a few things both already know. Nothing changes as a result of this conversation; we get no insight into either character and learn nothing. Repeat this kind of thing 50 or so times, and you've filled up the extra pages better mysteries devote to plot or character development.

I suppose the point of this is historical mood. The sequence does remind us that women of the era were not free to roam around public houses looking for men who were not their relatives, and that food preparation and service was a big part of women's lives at the time. It takes us back to a time when you couldn't text someone for a meeting. If that matters a lot to you, you may enjoy this book.

If you're not an Anne Perry fan already, you won't know any of the characters, and I doubt you'll like this book. Try some of her better stuff first. If you like everything she writes, you'll like this one. It has all of her style, just little of her substance. But in that case you don't need my review.

Triple Jeopardy is the second book in Anne Perry’s Daniel Pitt series, a spin off from her popular Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. Fans of Charlotte and Thomas will be happy to hear that they make several appearances during their son’s investigation, which also involves his sister Jemima and her American husband Patrick, who has persuaded Daniel to take on the case of an English diplomat accused of assaulting an American woman in Washington, DC. I hadn’t read either of these series before, and was able to jump right in with this one (although Daniel’s first case was referenced often enough in this book to seem like a marketing ploy). There’s a lot to like about this series: the Edwardian England setting, the interesting supporting characters (particularly his law colleague Kitteridge) and Pitt family dynamics, and a promising love interest angle with Miriam ford Croft, a pathologist who occasionally helps out with the forensic side of Daniel’s cases. My only quibble is with the slow pacing in the middle of the book, particularly compared with the speed—almost abruptness—of the ending, but this is a minor issue and one that won’t stop me from coming back for more of this enjoyable series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an ARC of this title in return for my honest review.

Daniel Pitt is a fairly new barrister and is somewhat shadowed by his famous father (Sir Thomas Pitt). Daniel wants to do his best and not have to resort to relying on his father. He is making his way at his new firm with the knowledge that he was hired because of his family and not just his own reputation.

This puts Daniel is a place of working very hard to do whatever is put in front of him no matter if it is to his taste or not.

His new brother-in-law arrives from the United States with a tale that puts Daniel on the spot in asking his boss to take on the case that is related to it. He does, but he assigns it to Daniel, who would prefer that anyone else take it on.

Still, he follows the clues, which seem to lead back to his client and yet, Daniel must defend him.

The charges against his client were repeated a bit too often but it did show that guilt or innocence could be decided based on heresy and not on evidence if that heresy is repeated often enough.

I was able to figure out the whodunnit fairly close to the end. I am looking forward to reading more in this series and by this author in the future.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

Triple Jeopardy is the second book in the Daniel Pitt series.

Thomas and Charlotte Pitts children are grown and are out facing their own careers. Daniel Pitt has finished his education and is now a practicing lawyer. His father, Thomas Pitt would rather have seen Daniel follow him as a policeman, but is determined not to interfere with any cases Daniel might have unless Daniel was to ask for his help. Daniel’s sister Jemima has moved to America and has married Patrick Flannery, a Washington D.C. policeman. Jemima and Patrick have returned to England with there two daughters to visit with the family. Patrick presents to Daniel a case he was working on where a friend of theirs was attacked in her home and had a reportedly valuable necklace stolen. The victims’ parents were able to identify the thief, Sidney, as a member of the British Embassy. The embassy claims diplomatic immunity and sends him back to England. Shortly after arriving back home he is charged with embezzling 100 pounds from the embassy. Patrick wants Daniel to defend Sidney on the embezzling charge with the hope of introducing the assault and theft charge from the U.S.

He agrees to represent Sidney, but the more he gets into the case, he not sure where he will find the one piece of information that will support his client. The last thing he wants to do is bring in the head of the Special Branch, his father Sir Thomas Pitt. In the end, Miriam Croft, a doctor, and pathologist comes to the rescue once again.

As always, Anne Perry provides the reader with an exciting, well-plotted story. She also provides the reader with an interesting and believable cast of characters.

Looking forward to reading the next book in this engaging new series.

This is the second book in the Daniel Pitt series and can be read as a stand alone.
In the true Anne Perry's style you get transported in a different time period.
The story happens in the period prior to World War I. You get some insight in the court procedures, political issues and the general sentiment of that period both in England and US. Our young layer gets himself in a bit of a bind and is torn between loyalty to the family and providing justice for his client. The story has an unexpected ending. I did not read the first book in the series but it is already loaded on my kindle to be read soon.

Ok, I'm ready for the next one!

I have several books in the series featuring Daniel Pitt's parents Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, but I've yet to read them. I shall definitely have to amend that! This is the second book in the spin-off series starring their son Daniel, a young lawyer. It totally stood alone, but references to Daniel's previous case make me want to dive into that book, too.

I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Daniel is a smart young man, trying to stand on his own and not in the shadow of his renowned father. I especially liked his interactions with his older sister Jemima, her husband Patrick and their two adorable children. However, it's his relationship with Miriam fford Croft that I found most intriguing. She was a fascinating woman - a doctor and scientist in a time when that wasn't acceptable for women, in the years leading up to World War I.

As to the mystery, I guessed rather early on as to whom the real criminal probably was. However, I hadn't the foggiest idea how Daniel was going to put it all together in the end. I believe Daniel was feeling that way, too! But put it together he did, leading to an exciting conclusion. This author definitely has a new fan in me.

Seriously, when can I expect the next one?

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I'm an avid reader, yet somehow had never read anything by Anne Perry. I'd seen her name, but not sampled. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

I had no foreknowledge of the characters who may be familiar to followers of her oeuvre. Nonetheless, plenty of details helped me grasp their roles and relationships. There's no need to read her series in order. I had less ease keeping myself in the time period, though.

Triple Jeopardy is a tale of internal and external conflicts. The main character, Daniel, a relatively new barrister, struggles with everyone's motives, not just with those directly involved in the defense case he is handling. I was overwhelmed by the convoluted details, but so was Daniel. As things became clearer to him, they became clearer to me. Part of what makes a good detective story is misdirected suspicion. Daniel doubted almost everyone at some point or other, but isn't that necessary to avoid getting trapped in your own assumptions? Like a good scientist, a detective must be a skeptic and view the evidence from many perspectives, all the while not assuming that all the evidence is in. Seems like a good reminder for us all.

Triple Jeopardy is an enjoyable read. I cared about the outcome of the case and the characters' developing relationships.

Triple Jeopardy, the second in the Daniel Pitt series, finds Daniel in a precarious position. His sister Jemima, her husband Patrick, and their daughters are visiting from America, but Patrick is there for more than that. Daniel soon finds himself defending Phillip Sydney, an Englishman accused of embezzlement; however, this case is anything but straightforward. This book is a Victorian mystery at its finest. The plot is fast-paced, and there are puzzles throughout as well as a cast of memorable characters -- especially Daniel and Miriam. I highly recommend it.

Triple Jeopardy is the second installment from the Daniel Pitt series. I liked it and hope to catch up on the series by reading book one, Twenty-One Days. Four stars.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

In this second book of the series, Daniel Pitt is involved in a trial that may bring him into conflict with the American brother-in-law he has just met. The story involves embezzlement, assault and theft, murder, and treason. I particularly enjoyed Daniel's interactions with his family and with Miriam fford Croft, a forensic specialist. Based in London in 1910, the book hints at the upcoming war with Germany.

I look forward to the next book in the series.