Good Reads / Community Library Notes
Dorchester Terrace
Anne Perry
Review by Priscilla Comen

Dorchester Terrace, by Anne Perry, is a mystery set in the upper class of London society at the end of the 19th century.  Author Perry shows us the gowns, the carriages, the manners of the times and we are there. An old woman, Serafina, who was active in the Hungarian revolution, dies and Thomas Pitt, the new head of special Branch, and his assistant Stoker, rush to her bedside to see if she died a natural death. Vespasia had been Serafina’s acquaintance during the revolution and visited her during her later years. She alerts Pitt to her suspicions of Serafina’s fears of her possible murder.
            A minor dignitary comes from Austria to visit the British Queen and strange inquiries have been made about the train schedule, and the cross tracks. Pitt would prefer to be cautious rather than allow a catastrophe to occur on British ground. He confides in Evan Blantyre whose wife Charlotte is friends with Blantyre’s wife, Adriane.  Adriane was born in Croatia. Charlotte is aware of her husband’s feelings for Adriane and tries to ease his stress. He is a lowly policeman and may be in above his head, but he is determined to make his mark on this case.
            Germany is on the rise and a world-wide battle is hinted at. Secrets fly back and forth between Vespasia and the former head of Special Branch. Tension builds as grand dinner parties carry on, and secret love affairs are revealed and re-visited.
            What does this have to do with the visit of an Austrian Duke, Alois Habsburg, soon to arrive in London? Time is of the essence as Pitt seeks the the truth. Secrets lead to assassinations, love affairs, and treason. Author Perry shows us gala parties with women in fashionable long gowns and men watching one another. Find this fascinating novel in the mystery room with Perry’s other fine books at your Mendocino Community Library.