I read this book out of sync as I read Anne Perry's last book before her passing which actually is the book after this one in the Daniel Pitt series. I have long loved Anne Perry and have read all her books. I like the Daniel Pitt series with it's look at Charlotte and Thomas Pitt's son as he is trying to make his way forward in the judicial world. The book though, fell a little short for me. It seemed to move forward at a plodding pace, and there was never really any urgency at all as the tale unfolded. It appeared to be two separate stories-one of Daniel and his defence in court of an old teacher from his Cambridge days as he tries to rebut his plagiarism and assault charges, and his friend Sergeant Ian Frobisher as he is stalking a particularly brutal killer, named as the Rainy-Day Slasher. What do the three slasher victims have in common except in the way they were killed, and that each has an amputated forefinger lopped off after death? The book appears to meander aimlessly through the rather boring plagiarism details, with the slasher murders occurring in the background. As this book will probably be the last new Anne Perry book that i'll be able to read, I wanted it to be as good as and as gripping as all her other books. It just didn't get there for me. I have given the book three stars mostly because of sentimental value, but in all honesty I think I should have only given it two. But reading how Daniel finally gets his Miriam at the end of the book, made it worthwhile. I have so loved all of Ms. Perry's series for so long, so just couldn't rate this one lower than three. If you haven't read any of Anne Perry's series, i highly recommend that you consider taking a look at some of her books. We have lost a treasure with the death of this woman. ( )

Exciting and clever courtroom scenes along with methodical investigative procedural passages - this book has it all and never disappoints. The many twists and turns make for a most delicious read.

If you're a fan of author Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Victorian era police investigative tales, then you'll be delighted to know that the torch has been passed to their son, young Daniel Pitt, as he continues his career as a barrister at fford Croft and Gibson. He's quite clever and bright, just as his father is (Sir Thomas Pitt, now head of Special Branch). Daniel's school chum, Inspector Ian Frobisher has referred a highly revered Cambridge professor to Daniel's care to defend the man against plagiarism and battery charges. Meanwhile, Frobisher is dealing with three seemingly serial murders. Can Daniel mitigate the charges leveled against Professor Wolford? Will Frobisher catch the perpetrator before more bodies pile up? Perhaps with the assistance of Daniel and Daniel's dear friend and pathologist, Mirriam fford Croft all will be set aright.

Although this is the fifth installment in the Daniel Pitt mystery series, the book stands well enough on its own. The characters are well developed and the reader quickly gets a strong sense of each character's nature, knowledge and passion. The story is a police procedural and courtroom drama with sweet family relations thrown in for the personal touch. There's definitely a bit of chemistry between Daniel and Miss Miriam fford Croft. Daniel admires her tremendously. But one thing he knows for certain about her, she is confident, capable and exceedingly bright. She's definitely someone he wants in his court and perhaps even more.

If this is your first foray into the Daniel Pitt mystery series, fear not, Ms. Perry's character development and setting of place is so well done that the reader is not asea without having read the prior installments in this series. However, I caution you, once you've read this one, you'll most likely want to go back and read the rest of the series. It is too good to be missed. ( )

Daniel Pitt of the law firm of fford-Croft and Gibson, has been approached to take the case of one of his old teachers from Cambridge, Professor Wolford. Wolford was accused of plagiarism and promptly punched out the accuser earning an assault charge. Daniel feels that he should be able to persuade a jury that it was self-defense since the victim threw the first punch but missed. Wolford is willing to settle by paying some of the medical bills and apologize provided that the victim also apologizes for the accusation.

At the same time Daniel is spending time with Miriam fford-Croft who has returned from Holland with her Doctorate accreditation and is working in the coroner's office. Their current case is the Rainy Day Slasher victims. A school mate of Daniel's, Inspector Ian Frobisher, is in charge but the police cannot seem to discover the connection between the three victims and the third victim, a banker, is for some reason, being protected by Special Branch (kind of like the CIA)

Having these two running stories which somehow have a tie to the past, provide the reader with hidden clues.

I enjoyed the mystery, however, I thought at points it got repetitive and could have used some tighter editing. ( )

https://girllostinabook.com/2022/07/18/review-three-debts-paid-by-anne-perry/ ( )

It is three years since Daniel Pitt has joined the prestigious law firm of fford Croft and Gibson and he is taking on a case of accused plagiarism which led to an assault. The case proves to be interesting but the characters and their manipulation even more so. Throw in a serial murderer and it gets very interesting, very tricky and pay attention to the title.

Many of the characters from the previous Daniel Pitt series are reintroduced and help to move the story forward. Perry never forgets to remind us of the inherent inequalities in the English education system which allowed women to study, but at a distance, while continuing to deprive them of the ability to qualify for professional careers. Ah, the insanity, allow a woman to gain a degree in Holland and then she can practice in England. I really love being reminded of that despite it being a minor point (prickly though it may be). Anyway, it was uplifting to find Miriam fford Croft elevated to a deserving position as Pitt is coming into his own.

There is a good court case, with logic and legal banter. There is a murder mystery with any number of suspects. There are old friends getting together and assisting each other with solving their cases and new relationships are being formed. Anne Perry has mastered the early 1900 English mystery period genre and this book is a welcome addition her newest series.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for a copy. ( )