Bluegate Fields

A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel

By: Anne Perry

Narrated by: Davina Porter

When the body of a boy is found in the filthy sewers of Bluegate Fields, Inspector Pitt is called to investigate. The boy was clearly upper class, so what was he doing in one of London's most dangerous slums? The boy's parents refuse to answer police queries. What are these proper, prosperous people hiding? With the help of his wife and helpmate, Charlotte, Inspector Pitt intends to find out.©1985 Anne Perry (P)2006 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Davina Porter, a performer par excellence....She moves the story forward and turns in her usual stellar presentation." (AudioFile)

I love these books!

I simply love reading/listening to Anne Perry's books. She is so descriptive I feel like I'm in Victorian London right along with the characters. I have to go and start the next one now.

Good Plot, Interesting Corollary Issues

This novel was more interesting to me for the side issues that it brought up, than for the main plot itself. The mystery of a young boy's death and sexual abuse is at question, and Inspector Pitt meets resistance on all sides in finding the uncomfortable answers. As the author sometimes does, comments on social issues are made including homosexuality and equality in the justice system. It is an important message to remember today, that everyone deserves an unbiased investigation and a fair trial, whatever their social class, employment, or personal habits. The question of homosexuality was more indelicately treated, and it seemed to me that more often than not "homosexuality" was taken as a synonym for "homosexual abuse of children". I believe this was written in the 1970's, so maybe we should forgive the author this clumsy oversight as an artifact of the times; but it stood out to me as a mischaracterization, and ironic in a book whose secondary message was unbiased treatment and fairness. Overall, the plot was good and a little more who-dunnit than some of her other novels ... the evidence and all the characters and motivations are there from early in the story, and it is only for the reader to unravel them. Often Perry's novels rely on last minute plot twists that would be impossible for the reader to have known or understood, making it impossible to guess the outcome of the mystery before the crucial information comes to light. The narration was, as always, excellent. Davina Porter is a master, and brings a very human touch to all of the characters.

Bluewater Fields

Anne Perry and Davina Porter always deliver a quality work and never disappoint! Another winner.

Thoroughly entertaining

Percy's books include a sound depiction of Victorian life and excellent character development. I tend to find an author I like and read everything he.she has written. Great mystery plots always and when narrated by Davina Porter, I am a very happy listener. Note to listeners: I stumbled on Perry because of the narrator!

The book drags... get on with it

I'm working my way through this series. As always, Davina Porter's narration is a joy to listen to. The book itself seems to drag and to repeat. There seem to be several passages going over basic establishing information throughout the book. It's almost as though the editor and perhaps the author had set the work aside for a while and then returned to it. I guess if I was reading this as a book and did the same it would not be as noticeable. A tighter story would have been more enjoyable and suspenseful. It did help to speed up the narration to 1.3.

Another delicious story and remarkable narration!

These mysteries are addictive and this one did not disappoint. The brilliant narration only added to the story. Step back to the 1880s in all its beauty and ugliness, guided by the endearing characters Anne Perry created in Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, Emily and the intrepid Aunt Vespatia.

Truths

This was a challenging listen due to the storyline and the sad truth this still goes on today. Children are so vulnerable and the author handles with sensitively.

Could not have figured this out until Neil the end but it did end with justice

A little dark, but enjoyable

This was my least favorite of this series so far. There were parts of the story where I felt Perry spent too much time and detail in the telling and then there were other key elements of the story that felt like they were just slipped into the tale.

Unfulfilled Ending

I was disappointed with the ending. There was a lack of connection. It was almost like you had to finish. It was abrupt. I wanted more.

Another Great One!

Perry’s Bluegate Fields depicts the seedy side of London’s late 19th century world with historical accuracy in another compelling story - a must read!!