A violent killer has stabbed two women and a man to death. Dr. Miriam Ford Croft, just back from securing her pathologist credentials in Holland has returned to London and is working with Dr. Eve, the well regarded and only female pathologist in England -- till now. Dr. Eve, too, had to go to Holland, the only European country that would accept women into its program. Daniel Pitt, a talented but not yet deeply experienced lawyer is still in love with Miriam, and visits her at work, just as Dr. Eve and Miriam are performing the autopsy on the second victim. Throughout the book, Daniel is handling an assault case for one of his former professors from Cambridge, wooing Miriam in a very understated way and chatting with his friend Inspector Forbisher, who has the "rainy-day slasher" case on his plate. I enjoy the characters in this series and the basic plot was fine. I find that Perry does not as successfully create a sense of this period in London as she does with her other novels, a big disappointment to me. I enjoyed the social, political, cultural and neighborhood material that informed her other two series. It is missing here and it is a true shame.. Also, some of the dialogue was painfully repetitive. Over and over again, the characters rehash the possibilities about what the three victims have in common and the possibilities as to what kind of suspect and motive there might be, but they said the same thing every time. Their thinking never evolved. If these conversations were meant to create red herrings, they did not: I will say that they felt to me like filler. It was distracting, but not enough to say it ruined the book! Perry is an entertaining writer and I would have read this book despite these disappointments and will read all of her books while she is with us to write.

This is the next volume in the Daniel Pitt mystery series, which finds Daniel defending his former history professor in a case of assault. Another writer accused Nicholas Wolford of plagarism and took a swing at him; Wolford retaliated and broke the man's nose and jaw, and now he's afraid both charges will ruin his reputation. In the meantime, Daniel's good friend Miriam fford-Croft has returned from Europe where she studied to be a pathologist and is working with eccentric Dr. Evelyn Hall at the morgue on a particularly grim set of killings: the murderer strikes on rainy days and then disfigures the bodies. One woman, then another, and then a man are all killed, with the same disfigurement, leading them to the obvious conclusion that the same person is responsible. Daniel's old classmate Ian Frobisher, now a police detective, is on the case, but is severely hampered because the man killed was a banker and involved in secret budget negotiations; they are not allowed to question his family or his bank.

Once again Perry weaves an intricate plot in which all aspects of both cases eventually intertwine. We also get to know Ian Frobisher better as well as follow the progression of the relationship between Daniel and Miriam. Sir Thomas and Charlotte Pitt make cameo appearances as Daniel and Ian try to get to the bottom of things.

My only quibble with this is that a crucial piece of evidence linking the killings is only mentioned in the last few chapters of the book, which seems like cheating to me. The clues should be all set out at least in the first half of the book so readers can try to solve the mystery along with the detectives. Waiting to present this clue until just before the climax of the story seems unfair.

With the addition of Inspector Ian Frobisher and the return of Miriam fford Croft, this book was a really enjoyable read. After the last book, I was a bit afraid the series was headed downward (for me anyway). However, with this book, it seems it has once again hit solid footing. I am a huge fan of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series and loved the idea of their lawyer son, Daniel having a series. So far, while I really like Daniel, he is not his father and hasn’t seemed strong enough to have the story rest totally on his shoulders (handsome though they are). Hopefully, Ian Frobisher will become a steady character – and with Miriam as a love interest and helpmate, Daniel will find his own path and soar. I’m really looking forward to it.

Toby Kitteridge, Daniel’s friend and immediate senior at the law offices, is taking a holiday and all of the work is falling to Daniel. So, when Inspector Ian Frobisher, an old friend from Cambridge, shows up at the office, Daniel is more than happy to see him. Ian has come to request Daniel take Cambridge professor Nicholas Wolford on as a client. Wolford is a crotchety, temperamental, ill-tempered, mercurial, brilliant professor of Modern History who is being sued for plagiarism and assault. Once Daniel speaks with the professor, he knows the plagiarism case will be very easy to win, but the assault – well, that might be a bit harder since the professor readily admits that he did hit his accuser breaking his nose, jaw, and several teeth.

Ian Frobisher has a serial killer on his hands – and that killer is growing more and more violent with each attack. The killer only attacks on nights when there is a heavy rainstorm – and he mutilates the body by removing a portion of an index finger. There are already two bodies – two lovely, successful young women who were only trying to get home during a rainstorm. Pressure is mounting and Frobisher and his sergeant, Bremner, cannot find anything that ties the women together. When a third body is added to the count, everyone in the city is very afraid and wonders when/where the next victim will turn up. Then, when high government officials tell Ian he cannot investigate the life of the third victim – well – that certainly puts a spanner in the works!

Miriam fford Croft has finally returned from Holland which was the ONLY place in all of Europe where she could become Dr. Miriam fford Croft and be granted the professional status to practice. Now, she is working with the eccentric Dr. Evelyn Hall as a forensic scientist and is ecstatically happy about that. Her very first case is the victims of the serial killer currently terrorizing London. Can she and Dr. Hall unearth enough clues from the wounds and the bodies to help Inspector Frobisher find the murderer?

While each of them is working on their own cases, they are also very aware of what is going on with each other. So, if one comes across information, or can help, they stand ready to do so. How will they ever discover whether any of the victims are related in some way? Could the victims be totally random?

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and the perpetrator may surprise you. I thoroughly enjoyed the addition of Ian Frobisher to the book and hope we see more of him in future books. Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed was seeing Daniel come to realize that he had feelings for Miriam – and to see the hint that Miriam was becoming aware that she returned those feelings. I don’t really have an issue with the large age difference – she’s 40 and Daniel is 25 – but I’m afraid it may cause them some issues in their relationship as they go on. Not because of their own feelings, but because of the prejudices of others. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how that all plays out.

I hope you will read and enjoy this book as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another in the Daniel Pitt series. Each mystery is a standalone but the relationships between the characters develops so personally I think it's best to read them in order. There's a lot going on in this one--Daniel is handling a legal case solo for a former professor, Miriam has finished her training in Holland and is now working in the coroner's office and Inspector Ian Frobisher, a friend of Daniel's from university, is working the case of a serial killer.

Besides the main plot of the murders, there are a couple of subplots which I found interesting, especially Daniel's court case. I wondered how his hot-headed former professor would do in court--would he be able to control his anger towards the man who threatened his reputation by accusing him of plagiarism? Then there's Miriam who's under stress because of the multiple murders and trying to prove that she deserves to be in the coroner's office.

The main case of the serial killings had Inspector Frobisher and those helping him going over every clue with precision several times trying to find a connection between the three victims. Were the two women and one gentleman connected? If so, how? Everytime the Inspector thought he'd figured it out something would prove him wrong. So many twists and I certainly did not see the end coming.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

Anne Perry does an excellent job of weaving together characters and storylines in this 5th book of the Daniel Pitt series. She writes these historical mysteries in such detail that it really transports the reader into the setting.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Good writing but I don’t think this was for me. Not necessarily my genre of choice.

In the pouring rain a murderer strikes. Everyone is watching where they walk and hurrying to get dry so he goes unobserved. Two women have now been killed and the police have no clues. Dr. Miriam fford Croft has recently returned from Holland where she received certification as a fully trained pathologist, one of the first women in London to hold that position. The only clue that she can offer is the removal of the index finger from each victim. Inspector Ian Frobisher is in charge of the case and is making little headway even with Miriam’s help.

Daniel Pitt attended Cambridge with Frobisher and has maintained a friendship. Now a promising attorney, Frobisher refers one of their former professors to Pitt. Nicholas Wolford was falsely accused of plagiarism and in a confrontation with his accuser he struck and injured him. Wolford is an argumentative client and the case takes up much of Pitt’s time, but with Miriam’s long hours and a murderer on the loose he is concerned for her safety. Then a third victim is discovered. This time it is a man who not only works for a bank, but also for the government. Once again the index finger is missing. To stop the murders Frobisher must find a connection between the victims. The banker was older than the women and one of the women is visiting from France. The only connection is Cambridge, but they attended years apart, It is a complex mystery that has Frobisher, Pitt and Miriam working together to find an answer before the murderer strikes again.

Anne Perry’s Three Debts Paid is an atmospheric mystery. As her characters travel the streets of London you can feel the rain that envelops them. Perry’s earlier series featured Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, Daniel’s parents, and they make several brief appearances in her current novel. It is Daniel who is the focus of her current series. As a young lawyer he is thorough and displays empathy for his clients and those around him. He also has deep feelings or Miriam, but realizes that she is independent and just starting her career. This is the fifth book in the Daniel Pitt series and he continues to thrill Perry’s fans. This is an excellent entry in her historical fiction and I thank NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for providing this book for my review.

Three Debts Paid is the story of barrister Daniel Pitt, who was recommended by Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Frobisher, to take the case of a young Linus Tolliver accusing Wolford of having copied his work then the assault of Tolliver.

Pitts’ friend, Miriam fford Croft, has just returned from studying in Holland and is now working as the second female pathologist in London for Dr. Evelyn Hall . Pitt visits Miriam at work. She and Hall are about to start the autopsy of a murdered young woman, Lena Madden. Strangely this women's death is similar to another six days earlier.

This is the fifth book in the Daniel Pitt series. This can be a stand alone read. I found the conversations that are had to be confusing as they go round and round without ever making progress. They remind me of Sherlock Holmes stories, beloved by many, but not me. They left me with more questions than answers.

The author has a huge following and has written many books with high reviews. Sadly this book was not a favorite for me.

Three Debts Paid by Anne Perry is a Daniel Pitt novel that is one of my favorite characters in all of mystery. Daniel is a barrister and has been for seven years since leaving university. He is maturing nicely and is a better barrister with every case he assumes. He learns quickly. His friend, Miriam fford Croft has recently returned to England after spending a year in Holland, getting the education England would not allow. She was now employed in the coroner's office, working with her friend and mentor, Dr. Evelyn Hall. He was anxious to see her. She was one of the few with whom he could converse confidently, not doubting himself or her. She was working on a murder victim, his friend Ian Frobisher's case when he arrived but was happy to put a stop to her work to join him. Ian had been with him at uni and had opted police work instead of law or finance. This was the second murder by what appeared to be the same person, and it was highly disturbing. He was anxious to discuss his new case, one Ian had brought him. It involved Nicholas Wolford, from whom he had learned history at Cambridge and was highly respectful of. He spent a typically entertaining evening with Miriam and saw her home. She lived with her father, Marcus fford Croft, who owned the law firm at which Daniel was engaged.

One of the many conundrums is that Daniel is 27 and Miriam is 40. In every other way, they are well suited, although romance had never really crossed their minds. It is entertaining to watch the relationship continue to develop. Learning from his mother, Charlotte Pitt, Daniel never underestimates women. This is partly why he and Miriam have such a close friendship. Miriam has had and will continue to have a rough row to hoe, being in an all-make profession. They all know that and it does make for some worry, especially on the part of her father. It is another time and things the modern woman takes for granted don't yet exist. In fact, most of life is very different and so is interesting to read. Where else can one get an early 20th century story, characters fighting the system,
and a good murder? Well worth the read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Three Debts Paid by Random House, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #randomhouse #anneperry #threedebtspaid

Returning to the dark streets and shadowy secrets of Edwardian London, the latest book draws the reader not just into Daniel Pitt’s world, but into the mind and heart of him and the other engaging characters as they solve the crime and bring the cases to court. Each installment of the series is highly anticipated as I’m a long-time fan of the author’s writing, but particularly Daniel Pitt as the main character and the strong, complex cast who are also series regulars.

Three Debts Paid is the fifth book in the series. It could be read out of order because the mystery is standalone, but the author develops the character and the relationships throughout the series so they are definitely best read in order.

Much is happening in Three Debts Paid. Daniel is handling a legal case on his own now. Miriam is back from training in Holland and is now working for the police as only the second woman pathologist and on her first criminal death with the two bodies that have come in. They feel the gentle tug of attraction in spite of her being fifteen years his senior, but are taking it slow as they figure out feelings and what they want to do about it. Miriam’s bodies are part of new main character and Daniel’s good university friend, Inspector Ian Frobisher’s case on the trail of a serial killer.

Daniel’s legal case is interesting so far as it demonstrates his personal growth and his career growth, but the focus of the book was most definitely the series of murders. I loved how Miriam’s forensic and pathology work were a big part and equal to Ian’s investigative work. Daniel was in the know and on the periphery. I was not expecting the shift to now there being three main characters, but I don’t mind. The author has done this in the past with previous series and it adds more facets and depth to the books as far as I’m concerned. I liked Ian right away even when he and his crusty sergeant who is his investigation partner would do some verbal sparring and sniping as they went. I was definitely all for the progress of Daniel and Miriam’s gently paced romance.

The blend of authentic historical backdrop of Edwardian times leading toward the shadows of WWI, women’s progress in careers and votes, and more with the mystery is a huge reason I enjoy this series beyond the characters. The mystery was one I figured out early on, but was glad to go along as they got there with the evidence and investigation.

There were a few engaging scenes with Daniel’s parents and references back to their own mystery solving days and how they fill support roles in this spinoff series.

Wrapping it up, I was well satisfied with being back in the Daniel Pitt world and can’t wait for the next installment. Authentic history fiction and gritty, gripping mystery all in one are definitely recommended to other historical mystery fans.

Book five of the Daniel Pitt series brings three friends together to solve a case of ruthless murders in Three Debts Paid by Anne Perry. The queen of Victorian crime mystery this author has continued the Pitt legacy with son Daniel Pitt. He is a barrister who works with old friend Inspector Ian Frobisher. Also, the new pathologist Miriam fford Croft, is also a dear friend. Perhaps even more. Only a touch of romance in this murder mystery but it is a sweet welcome to see these two together. Of course, Miriam has her hands full not only with her work but also being a woman in a man’s world.

The plot is complex with Daniel’s work providing a subplot. The events, clues, and characters quite intriguing that will keep the interest of any reader. I especially enjoyed seeing this team of characters and their interactions. Now I am hope for more cases to follow that these three characters solve together.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

Not quite the Ripper!

Twitchy, very twitchy! Thrust and counter thrust deaths, with three victims! What do the deaths have in common? Daniel Pitt’s friend Ian Frobisher is investing the “Rainy-day Slasher” murders. (I do like Frobisher) Miriam fford Croft is the pathologist, Daniel is working on a completey different case. One sent to him via Frobisher.
Wheels within wheels. So many question marks, and yet small somethings tinkle, and strike a slight discordant note, in the back of the mind as I read on.
We start to see the events of the story from three sides. The plot lines are mostly seperate and any convergence is doubtful. Daniel, Miriam and Frobisher present aspects of the cases they are working on. Daniel is defending the actions of a Cambridge professor brought to trial over assault, connected to a grievance of plagiarism. Nicholas Wolford is gifted historian and orator whom Daniel admires. Daniel attended Wolford’s classes whilst in Cambridge and his insights and vigorous debate instilled in Daniel a love for history.
Miriam and Frobisher are concerned with the Slasher’s victims, searching for anything that could connect them. The tension builds and the climax is both expected and in retrospect—not!
Miriam and Daniel’s relationship dances between polite, respectful interactions and vague unsaid depths.
To my mind the years between them, Miriam is fifteen years older than Daniel, should not be an impediment, but alas there is so much more involved here. A gripping Edwardian mystery!

A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Anne Perry never fails in delivering an intriguing and thoughtful mystery. I’ve been enjoying the Daniel Pitt series that follows the son of her former lead characters, Charlotte and Thomas Pitt. Daniel is a young lawyer and this story involves a vicious serial killer who is brutally killing what seems like random people on the street. The plot weaves around and keeps the reader guessing.

The only complaint I have is that there are several repetitive conversations as Daniel and his friend Miriam ponder and discuss what they do and why. We get it and don’t need to have the points drummed in over and over.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “Three Debts Paid.” All opinions and comments are my own.

This is a character study, first and foremost. Oh, there is a court case for Daniel Pitt: his friend Inspector Ian Frobisher has sent Professor Nicholas Wolford to him. The “Prof” has been accused of first, plagiarism and then grievous assault on the fellow scholar who accused him of plagiarism. That occupies Daniel’s time throughout “Three Debts Paid,” the fifth in Anne Perry’s series concerning the young London barrister. In addition, we have a killer terrorizing the city, striking down seemingly random citizens in horrific attacks with a knife, and taking off the tip of a finger each time. The solving of that involves Miriam fford Croft, daughter of his now-retired Head of Chambers. She is finally been able to work at her chosen craft as a forensic pathologist. How these two cases come together will demonstrate Ms. Perry’s success as a consummate plotter and writer of mystery novels.

These are always books to make one think, filled with word pictures. They are to be savored, not rushed through. This one is equally thought-provoking. The motivation of what amounts to a serial killer, although he is not called that here, consumes much of everyone’s thoughts, from Inspector Frobisher’s anguish as he sees the solution slipping away from him, and of course Daniel and Miriam. Miriam knows she needs to be perfect, that the little evidence they have must be “seen” correctly to be of use. This is all gone over in minute detail. Some readers may find this a bit over the top, but it is part of the appeal of the books to me.

Little by little, the evidence comes together. There might even be a government connection. The book focuses on Inspector Ian Frobisher as much as anyone else. Author Anne Perry throws out theories for us to ponder. Red herrings? Perhaps.

“Three Debts Paid” is definitely all about the characters in it. Their thoughts, their feelings, especially their worries and fears, are manifest. The crimes, while integral, are almost relegated to the background. We have a few twists along the way, a denouement, the ending that comes and goes quickly, as is the author’s inclination.

But that is not important. Oh, no. As Shakespeare told us, “And when love speaks, the voice of all the gods Make heaven drowsy with the harmony.” Oh, yes, indeed it does. It is her prowess at describing these interesting people, especially Daniel and Miriam, and how they come to grips with what they are facing both personally and professionally, that makes a reader hurry to turn the pages of “Three Debts Paid.”

London, 1912.

Three Debts Paid weaves together the lives of three young professionals: Daniel Pitt, a barrister at the firm of fford Croft and Gibson, Inspector Ian Frobisher, a member of the police, and Miriam fford Croft, one of the first female pathologists in England. Daniel and Ian “had been to the same prep school together and then both gone up to Cambridge, Daniel to study law and Ian to read modern history.” They had not seen much of each other since Cambridge so Daniel is surprised that their former university professor, Nicholas Wolford, asks for him to represent him in a legal matter, on Ian’s recommendation. Impney, the law firm’s chief clerk, says Professor Wolford is in their chambers. Daniel is flooded with memories: “the man was striking in appearance, moody in nature, a fine scholar, and beyond that, a brilliant teacher.” What does he want?

“He has a case that I believe he wishes you to take, sir. A matter arising from an instance of … plagiarism.” He said the word as if it were the name of some obscene minor disease.



“Someone has plagiarized his work?” Daniel was not surprised. Wolford’s style was unique and, in its own way, brilliant.



“No, sir, I believe the matter is somewhat more complicated than that,” Impney answered. “It concerns a new book he has written. Something to do with the French Revolution. He wishes you to represent him. But I believe there is more.”



“Really?” Daniel was startled. “What do you mean by more?”



Impney’s face was impassive.

“More” is the violent assault Wolford administered to the man who accused him of plagiarism. Wolford is a difficult client, arrogant, prone to quick anger, but he’s not, Daniel is certain, a plagiarist. The accuser, Linus Tolliver, was to first to raise his arms in anger, but he missed his target: “Wolford shrugged very slightly. “I hit him harder. I broke his nose.”” Daniel takes the case because of his admiration for a man that he found “more alive than any other teacher.” Wolford understands.

“I’ve sparked your interest, haven’t I?” he said quietly. You’re a good man, Pitt. Using your brain. Up to a challenge.”

Bad luck comes in threes.

While Daniel prepares for Wolford’s trial, London is rocked by first one, then another, and eventually, a third brutal murder. Daniel learns about the crimes when he visits his good friend Miriam fford Croft (the daughter of the head of his law firm) at the morgue where she works. Miriam is finally back from Amsterdam, where she credentialed as a pathologist. She now works at the side of her mentor, Dr. Evelyn “Eve” Hall.

“Well? Evelyn interrupted the silence. “Are you here to see one of us?” Her face wrinkled with unhappiness as she looked down at the naked corpse on the table between them. “Poor little beggar,” she added, almost under her breath.



Daniel did not want to look, and yet he could not help it. Against every instinct, he stared at the white and bloodied body of the woman on the table.

The women send Daniel out to get some dinner. When he returns the body is covered with a white sheet. Eve tells Miriam and Daniel that a few days earlier another young woman’s body showed up at the morgue—also viciously stabbed to death—and mutilated in the same way as today’s victim.

When Daniel seemed confused, she crossed to the table and pulled back a bit of the sheet covering the victim. She pointed to the hand. Daniel leaned closer. Where there had once been an index finger, there was now only a bloody stump.



“Both women are missing part of the index finger,” Eve explained. “And no,” she added quickly, “it is not a coincidence. These fingers were severed at the time of death.”

It shows their trust in Daniel that the women know he won’t reveal this salient detail to the press. Eventually the news does leak out that a man the papers dub the Rainy-day Slasher is on a killing spree. Rainy-day for the women were murdered during miserable downpours. Perfect for a stealth murderer, “when the weather disguised him and everybody was hurrying, head down, collar turned up.” Ian Frobisher is assigned to lead the search for the killer. Ian consults with Miriam, who is working solo after Eve ends up in the hospital, a case of exhaustion. Miriam tells Joe, her essential helper at the morgue, that, “You can order your body to do things for just so long, then it will do what it needs to do.” Ian and Miriam are desperate to find some commonality between the two deaths. Then a banker, Mr. Haviland, is stabbed and mutilated in the same way. The public is frenzied with fear but Petheridge, Ian’s superior officer, warns him off investigating the banker. Ian pushes back: “I can’t solve this if you tie my hands, sir,” but Petheridge doesn’t mince words. The Home Office has told him “to leave Haviland’s reputation alone” and not question his widow.

His jaw tightened. “That was their polite way of saying to leave her out of it, or they’ll demand that I put somebody in your place who can understand orders and damn well obey them.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “And if it comes to it, they’ll put someone in my place as well. Go find your slasher, God help us, but do it some other way.”

The “chain of command” rears its ugly head but undeterred, Ian, Daniel, and Miriam collaborate as they sift through a paucity of clues, They keep coming back to what, if anything, the three murdered people have in common. A slight spoiler: the individual pursuits of Daniel, Ian, and Miriam begin to coalesce. Fortunately, the three of them can count on Daniel’s parents, particularly Sir Thomas Pitt, for sage counsel and under-the-radar advice. Three Debts Paid is a complicated mystery that will surprise and delight fans of Anne Perry’s Daniel Pitt Mystery series.

The Daniel Pitt series is a worthy successor to the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. Daniel is a young, earnest, and accomplished lawyer. His empathy for his clients and the victims of crimes is evident. I’m enjoying seeing how he is taking after both of his parents.

The ending of this story was telegraphed fairly strongly, but it still was satisfying to wrap up both the mystery and the loose ends of Daniel’s personal relationship with Miriam.

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

“Three Debts Paid,” by Anne Perry, Ballantine Books, 304 pages, April 12, 2022.

It is 1912 and Professor Nicholas Wolford goes to see barrister Daniel Pitt who was recommended by Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Frobisher. Frobisher and Pitt were friends at the university.

Linus Tolliver accused Wolford of having copied his work. But the charge Wolford is facing is assault for hitting Tolliver after the accusation. Pitts’ friend, Miriam fford Croft, has just returned from studying in Holland and is now the second female pathologist in London. Dr. Evelyn Hall is the first. The women work together.

Pitt visits Miriam at work. She and Hall have just started the autopsy of a murdered young woman, Lena Madden. A similar body was brought in six days earlier. That victim was Sandrine Bernard. The deceased women don’t seem to have any connection.

Frobisher is leading the search for the killer. He is assisted by Sgt. Billy Bremner. The murders happen on rainy nights, but Frobisher knows the victims must have something in common beyond the weather.

The third murder breaks the pattern because the victim is a man: Roger Haviland, a senior banker. Miriam, Daniel, and Ian find themselves questioning everything. Is the “Rainy-day Slasher,” as the newspapers have dubbed the killer, really just one person? And what do the victims have in common?

Pitt’s father, Sir Thomas Pitt, is head of the Special Branch. His mother, Charlotte, assisted in investigations. When Frobisher’s superiors tell him to stop looking into Haviland’s background, Inspector Pitt says he will look into it.

This is the fifth installment in the Daniel Pitt series. Perry makes the time period come alive. The why behind the murders is even more interesting than the identity of the killer. The characters seem real. Mystery and historical fiction fans will enjoy this.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

It always amazes me how Anne Perry can make different time periods so visually real to the reader. I have been reading her books set in the Victorian age and continued on to World II period. Each series stays true to its time period. You learn about the social environment, political upheaval, employment conditions and the general standard of living.
The Daniel Pitt series is Pre-World War I. Fifth book in the series it can still be read as a stand-a-lone but remember that there is a bit more character development in each book. The reoccurring individuals are growing more mature and gaining more expertise in their chosen field of work. The relationship between Daniel and Miriam is still a bit on shaky ground but starting to feel more solid with a possible future together. Miriam has made the transition from a classroom controlled environment with test during her year in Holland to working with her former mentor on recent murder victims. Insecurity on her abilities is making it hard for her. The mystery of the murders is interesting and you might make a good guess along the way but you will never be a 100 percent sure till near the end. As always with Anne Perry’s book I really enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

This is my second Anne Perry and I'm a huge fan. Three Debts Paid is the 5th in the Daniel Pitt series. My first book was the 2nd in the series. So I was familiar with the main characters. Though a few more are added as others take a back seat.

As with her other two series, these are Victorian England mysteries. This book takes place in 1912. Pitt has had a professor from Cambridge, whom he remembers with much respect, referred to him for help with a plagiarism and assault case. At the same time, a serial killer seems to be roaming the streets of London and killing only on very rainy nights and cutting off part of the victim's index finger. As with the other book I read, Perry writes wonderful dialogue as the main characters try to work out with each other what is happening. They all know each other and support each other on their cases. Miriam, Daniel's scientist friend, has returned to London with a degree in forensics. So she is in the morgue when all the bodies show up.
My one criticism of the book is that the empathy for Miriam and any forensic is stated over and over. Once or twice would have done the trick. But it is a new role for Miriam and she is a more vulnerable person than in the earlier books.

Perry writes complex plots that are not too complicated to keep straight in one's mind. There are always new twists and turns, red herrings, and the books are hard to put down once started. I love series with characters that are easy to like and grow and change with each book. The reader gets more invested in the success of each case.

I can't recommend highly enough these wonderful books of Anne Perry and her latest Daniel Pitt, Three Debts Paid.

No matter what series Anne Perry is writing the reader can always be assured that the story and research will be top notch. Thomas and Charlotte Pitt's son, Daniel is now in his late 20's and it's 1912, the Edwardian Period. Daniel has graduated from Cambridge and is establishing his law practice. By now he has made his mark in the courtroom and, in this entry, his client is one of his former professors at Cambridge. The case centers on plagiarism. Daniel's former classmate, Ian, now a detective with Scotland Yard, was the person who asked him to take the case while he is occupied with a serial killer dubbed the Rainy Day Slasher. As the mystery progresses there seems to be some connection. That connection is discovered by newly certified pathologist Miriam fford Croft. I was so glad to have her back teaming up with Daniel and Ian.
As in all previous mysteries written by Anne Perry the story is full of vivid period details and a well plotted puzzle with enough twists, turns and red herrings to keep a reader up all night saying "just one more chapter". I read this one straight through in one day. For now it's my favorite of the series but I expect that will change when the next Daniel mystery is released.
My thanks to the publisher Ballentine Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.