Believe it or not, this was my first book by Anne Perry. I know, where have I been? Of course I had heard of her, but I never got the chance to read her until now. Finally.

This book is somewhat of a legal procedure book with some courtroom drama scenes. It's not the pages and pages of courtroom procedure and legalese though. I'm going to call it "light" legal drama because the main characters are lawyers and defendants. The action mostly takes place, however, behind the scenes while the main character is doing due diligence trying to get his client declared innocent of a murder charge.

I liked the main character, Daniel Pitts, a lot. He's young, smart and interested in right and wrong. Along the way, Daniel discovers that someone very close to him could be responsible for his recent client's wife's death whom he is representing. A case he must quickly (21 days) solve in order to help his client stay away from the hanging rope.

The plot twists used to figure out this very strange murder scene are cray, cray. The story was told in such a way that I didn't even question the fire. One that turns out to be a huge missing link in the story of the murder.

I loved this book and I hope to get to read more of Anne Perry in the future.

Thanks to Random House Ballantine and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

4 here is a new series stars

Up until this book, I had not read an Anne Perry book. I am happy to say that I will be changing that in the near future. I found the book set in 1910 Victorian England to be a wonderfully paced novel that had just the amount of intrigue that held one's interest.

Daniel Pitt is a new untried lawyer. He is thrown, because of circumstances, into a murder trial of a man who is accused of murdering his wife and then horribly disfiguring her by burning her face. Russell Graves, the accused, is an arrogant belligerent man but Daniel feel even though Graves is pretty awful that he is not a murderer. So Daniel, with the help of others tracks down the story and the man who is Graves is exposed as a biographer who intends to harm others through his scurrilous writing and unfortunately, one of his targets is Daniel's beloved father. Aided in his investigation is a wonderful group of people that I am sure we will see in the future novels in this series.

Daniel puts the pieces together and finds that in possibly clearing Graves, he will indite others who have been ever so harmed by Graves. Twenty-one days all the time he has to find Graves innocent but twenty-one days is also the time it will take to turn Daniel's world upside down.

Thanks you to Anne Perry, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of this new series novel.

The start of a great new series by the masterful Anne Perry. This book follows Daniel Pitt - the son of detective Thomas Pitt - as he tries to help find the person responsible for killing the wife of his client who has been sentenced to death for her murder.

I love that the author is tackling the next generation with this first book in the Daniel Pitt series. I adored the long running series set in the late Victorian era about Daniel’s parents. This one is during the Edwardian Era and begins perhaps a decade after the last released Thomas and Charlotte Pitt book.

Daniel is fresh out of university with a law degree and his father helps get him in with a prestigious London law firm. Now he must prove himself to his new employer and to his father with his first courtroom case- a big one, since his client is in the dock for murder. No sooner than he finishes this trial than he is put on an even bigger one.

I loved getting to know this adult Daniel who has the best of both his parents in him and lots of promise. He’s vulnerable and also confident, but he has definitely been tossed into the deep end with these cases. I enjoyed getting to know the situation and the surrounding cast of characters.

The author uses her gift for historical setting, social issues of the day and a profound gift for writing complex characters to tell a steadily paced, twisting mystery. Daniel uncovers the clues that will either hang his detestable client or free him, but things get complicated fast leading close to home. The case brings out domestic abuse, the plight of people with disabilities, the issues of responsible writing when it comes to tell-alls, illegitimacy, women’s equality, and so much more. The author teases out these social issues as part of the plot without getting pedantic.

As usual, the mystery is not as easy as it looks from the beginning and the moral dilemma that comes with it is just as challenging for Daniel. The title refers to the fact that he has twenty-one days from the time his client is charged with murder and the hanging date. I started to get an inkling when the clues popped up, but that just made things more knotty instead of easier. I enjoyed how the mystery tied this first of Daniel’s cases back to the earlier series so his parents make an appearance, but also established itself in its own right.

I hope the new cast of characters will end up being regulars because I loved the Blackwoods with their shades of gray quirkiness, Daniel’s kind landlady, Miriam the female forensics scientist who is the daughter of Daniel’s boss.

So yes, this first in the new spin-off series was great. Love this peek at the Edwardian Era, a new main character, and a great twisting mystery plot. While I think a reader could get by starting with this book, it does have strong ties to the earlier Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series- and they are fabulous so why miss them. Definitely a recommend for historical mystery lovers.

Twenty-One Days by Anne Perry, Random House Publishing House, Pub date 04/10/18
4 Stars
Book One in the Daniel Pitt Series.
Easy paced mystery set in London 1910. Daniel is a young barrister wanting to make a good first impression.
After his first case ends with a successful verdict for his client. Daniel is told he will assist in a murder case. Robert Graves is on trail for the murder of his wife, Ebony. Graves is found guilty and Daniel Pitt has 21 days to appeal or find just cause to change the verdict and prevent the hanging of his client.

This is an excellent start to a book series. Plot has many twist, turns and unexpected surprises to keep the reader interested. The element of time, 21 days creates excitement.

I'm looking forward to reading more in the series. Thank you, Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What does one do when much of what you believe about someone very close to you may be false? That’s only one of the dilemmas facing Daniel Pitt, the young lawyer in “Twenty-One Days,” the first of a new mystery series from Anne Perry. Readers will soon find that young Mr. Pitt is the son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, the main characters of the long-running series Ms. Perry began in 1979. Here the son is the protagonist, who is thrust from the get-go into the middle of defending a client for murder -- one who looks positively guilty. With a bit of fast and fortuitous thinking by our diligent Mr. Pitt, that case is quickly resolved. However, he has no time to rest on his laurels; another murder case looms, and it is this one that rapidly begins to cause the young man more trouble than he is (almost) prepared to handle, as the circumstances soon come uncomfortably close to home.

Besides the family connections, Mr. Pitt is lucky in that he has the help of several friends and acquaintances that assist him in figuring out the mystery on top of mystery that takes place within this book. With their help, the plot twists and turns are unraveled and the story is carried forward. Indeed, this cast of secondary characters come alive under the author’s deft hand. I hope to see many of these interesting people in future books.

Finally, with dogged persistence, coupled with his determination to see that the law is well served despite his personal feelings about many of the circumstances, Mr. Pitt <i>fils</i> carries the day. He proves he is a very good lawyer – and his parents should be proud.

Ms. Perry’s familiarity with her chosen time frame and settings are as usual spot-on. Within this time frame things are changing -- there are automobiles in the London streets; fingerprints and x-rays make an appearance; and the causes that women will soon take up in droves are mentioned. What hasn’t changed is the author’s ability to ensure that readers understand why her characters make the choices they do, and those same readers will know that these fictional people conduct themselves and respond to situations posed in the book in a credible fashion. That is the essence of good writing, and as Ms. Perry conducts herself admirably.

I read several books by Anne Perry many years ago, and it was nice to revisit historical England and the Thomas Pitt family. This book is the first in a new series for Anne Perry, however, it's not completely new characters since it follows Thomas Pitt's son, Daniel, who is now a lawyer. My one complaint with this book was about Daniel. He was so naive and innocent that I found him a little annoying. With that said though, I would like to continue with the second book to see if he develops a little more.

The Pitt Dynasty continues!
A brave new beginning for Daniel and Charlotte's son Daniel! Now a junior barrister he greets his situation with a devoted fervency and honor. After defending a family friend, Roman Blackwell, he is called by his Head of Chamber, Marcus fford Croft, to assist Toby Kitteridge with the defence of one Russell Graves. He is accused of the heinous murder of his wife.
Graves, a biographer, presents facts in such a way that truth appears to be lost. It just so happens that at the moment he is working on the biography of Daniel's uncle, Victor Narraway, his father's predecessor as Head of Special Branch. Daniel is confronted with defending a person whose writings could damage the reputations of those he loves and could bring down the nation. He has to face the very real challenge of doing what is right and just, over against his personal considerations.
Daniel and Kitteridge race against time to have Graves' case negated. Ably assisted by fford Croft's daughter Miriam. A brilliant doctor and chemist. Therein hides another story! I do hope we see more of Miriam.
Of course there's a brilliant twist at the end!
The development of Kitteridge's and Daniel's relationship is also well with watching.
A fantastic new series that builds on its loved fore runners!

A NetGalley ARC

As a new, young barrister in 1910 England, Daniel Pitt is up to fight a tough case and he only has 21 days. Such a great new series from Perry!

I am fairly new to the mysteries by Anne Perry. This is only the second book I have read in the Pitt series (though the first was really a one-off Christmas book.) I’m intrigued and well-pleased with Ms. Perry’s writing style. She has intellectual characters who use their wits and knowledge to solve the whodunnit.

In this book, Daniel Pitt (the son of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt), is a grown man working as a new lawyer in a prestigious firm. Daniel is called on to assist one of the bright stars of the firm in defending a man against the charge of murdering his own wife.


When the man is found guilty, the clock starts ticking on the twenty-one days allowed for appeal before the man is hung for his crimes. Because of his father’s well-known investigative background, Daniel is sent out to look try to solve the crime and find the real killer, even if it is their own client.

For me, the book was compelling and kept me working hard to figure it out alongside Daniel. While I will go back, over time, to read the older mysteries by this author, I’m pleased to have a new series to start with and read along as new books are published.

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

Anne Perry is my go-to-author for historical suspense/mystery books. Part of that is she writes series with the wonderful characters, the Pitts. However, with Twenty-One Days, it is a new main character, Daniel Pitt. He is following in his parents’ footsteps as a crime solver along with being a junior barrister at the law firm.

Daniel is wonderful in this role and I dare say with surpass his parents’ popularity. I know I certainly did like this guy. Helping to defend a murder suspect who is scheduled for execution in twenty-one days brings out Daniel’s detective skills. The clock is ticking.

The story is told as if it is an introduction to a new series. The set-up leads me to believe that some of these supporting characters may make an appearance again in the future, which is fine by me. Twenty-One Days is a well-thought out story with a delightful hero. I am sure this is going to be a crowd pleaser.

Twenty-five-year-old Daniel Pitt is a junior barrister in London and eager to prove himself. When his client, arrogant biographer Russell Graves, is found guilty of murdering his wife, Daniel is dispatched to find the real killer before Graves faces the hangman’s noose—in only twenty-one days. Could Mrs. Graves’s violent death have anything to do with her husband’s profession? Daniel is caught between duty to the law and a fierce desire to protect his family when he discovers that someone in power may be framing the biographer to keep damaging secrets from coming to light.
I have long been a fan of Anne Perry’s Pitt stories but I wasn’t sure that I was ready to accept the fact that Daniel was grown and ready to start investigating on his own. But I will say, it works. The story was not all that different that the format of the Pitt stories even though Daniel comes at things from a barrister point of view. She follows the same concept of uncovering clues that lead to another. Introduction of new techniques that we so often take for granted such as fingerprinting and x-ray were interesting additions.
The new characters that were introduced in this book were interesting and I can only assume that there will be more books in the series and some of those characters will continue to appear and become new friends. The occasional appearance some old favorites were welcome also in the book. However, I had trouble wrapping my mind around the thought that Narroway and Lady Vespasia were now deceased even though I know that inevitably does happen. I do look forward to reading more in the series as I very much did like the person Daniel has become.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. My comments are honest and my own.

Excellent! Well-written historical novel that takes places in the early 1900's ... It takes place when forensic science was just beginning to be accpeted in court and women were starting to fight for their right of equality. The story catpured my interest from the beginning. I look forward to the next in the series!

Thank you #NetGalley and #randomhouseballantine #ballantine books for the advanced eARC. This is my honest review.

Anne Perry is introducing a new series based on the son of Thomas Pitt, Daniel Pitt, who is a new barrister in London. He finds himself called in to be second chair on a case involving an arrogant biographer, Rusell Graves, who is accused of murdering his wife and burning her remains leaving her body virtually unrecognizable.
Daniel and the legal team are unable to persuade a jury that Graves temperament and relationship with his wife would never have resulted in the atrocious murder, so Graves is sentenced to death in twenty-one days. Daniel’s investigations into an alternate murder start in ernest at this point. During his digging, Daniel is introduced with the law firm’s senior partner’s daughter, Miriam, who was trained as a doctor but who cannot practice due to her gender. Miriam’s character provides insight into the issues women faced at the time in the turn of the century London. She also introduces Daniel to new techniques in autopsy including the use of x-rays.
A very interesting exploration of society in the 1910s of London and the motivations of the characters that Anne Perry draws up in such detail. I have struggled in the past with Anne Perry’s characters constant introspection but in this book she limits these periods to where they are useful in driving the plot forward.
A good introduction of a new series. The story was well thought out with a couple twists to keep the reader from anticipating the ending. Enjoyed meeting new characters and hope that this series continues so can see Daniel and Miriam development more.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book and decided to read it because it was a first in a series. What I didn't realize it is the son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt that is a previous series that is on my TBR list. Good news is this book didn't really ruin the older series even though those characters were in this book off and on. I have a love of Victorian books with crime and/or intrigue and I was not disappointed. I believe this will be a great new series, but now I have to hurry and read Thomas and Charlotte's books.

Daniel Pitt Solves a Curious Murder

Daniel Pitt, son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, two of my favorite characters, is on his own in this novel, the first in a new series. Daniel is a young lawyer practicing in an old established firm. At his father’s request he’s representing, Roman Blackwell, an old friend from Pitt’s time on the police force. Things look bleak until Daniel comes up with a novel idea using the new science of fingerprint analysis.

Daniel is next thrown into the middle of a case already in progress. Russel Graves, a biographer, is accused of murdering his wife and burning her body. The evidence is all against him. It seems almost impossible to get him off. Indeed, the jury finds him guilty. That’s not the end. Daniel’s senior partner owes a debt honor to Graves. He assigns a lead attorney to research the law for an appeal and Daniel to look for clues to who committed the crime.

In his search for answers, Daniel discovers that Graves’ new book is a scurrilous portrayal of the Special Branch where Thomas Pitt is now the head. Daniel is caught in a dilemma. He wants to service the law, but he also wants to protect his family.

This is a good start for the new series. Daniel is a likable character. He’s young and torn in his loyalties, but he’s very sharp and dogged in pursuit of the truth. Graves is suitably nasty making it easy to believe he killed his wife.

As usual, Anne Perry’s portray of the Victorian era is superb. You feel as if you’re inhabiting a different time period. I recommend this new book, particularly if you loved the series with Thomas and Charlotte.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Thanks Netgalley and Librarything for a copy to read and review.


Lovely cover and first in a series.... loved it. Daniel Pitt takes after his father in this debut series. As a lawyer things are not always black and white, this case seems to have shades of grey as Daniel moves forward to prove the person is innocent after a guilty verdict. He has 21 days to prove this father did not kill the mother of his children. With the help of his dad and a few friends Daniel sets out on his 21 day epic journey to disprove the guilty verdict. Five stars of entertainment!

First Sentence: They were alone in the small room where the accused was allowed to take visits with his lawyer.

Junior barrister Daniel Pitt has just won his first case defending Roman Blackwell, a private inquiry agent. Now, he has been called to the Old Bailey to assist his fellow attorney, Toby Kitteridge, on a case. With the trial lost, biographer Russell Graves has been found guilty of murdering his wife and is due to be hanged in 21 days. Daniel, along with fellow barrister Kitteridge, has been instructed to have Graves’ sentence overturned. While Kitteridge searches the law for a loophole, Daniel is determined to find the real killer.

Beginning in a prison interview room certainly sets the tone of what is to follow and creates an initial gravitas, especially when a trial is going badly. In this instance, it also gives us some concern about the effectiveness of our protagonist as an attorney—“Daniel frankly found the law far more tedious than he had expected to.”

With the start of a new series comes the creation of characters we hope will continue on. Blackwell and his mother are true examples of friendship and understanding the importance of paying ones moral debts. Daniel’s landlady, Mrs. Portescale, is delightful. Kitteridge is an excellent foil to Daniel—“Kitteridge loved it; he loved the idea that the law was an elegant but imperfect servant of justice.” Perry also establishes good conflict, both with the opposing counsel and later with his fellow barrister, Kitteridge—“Do you care about anything? Don’t you care about the law?” Introduced later in the story is Miriam, who is analytical, observant, has studied medicine and chemistry and has passed her exams but is not recognized with a degree. Such is the discrimination of the time. It will be interesting to see which, if any, of these characters continue as the series carries forward.

On the chance that this book may be someone’s first entry into reading Perry, she does an excellent job of introducing all the members of the Pitt family. For those well acquainted with the Pitt series, this book is a very good segue between the series of Thomas and Charlotte to Daniel. There is, however, one large detail which is unexplained and would have been helpful to the series readers. Still, it is interesting how the recounting of Daniel’s family leads to his awareness of the importance of connections—“My dear, a secret exposed is a secret you can no longer use. It is an opportunity wasted, is it not?”

The analysis of the crime scene is well done and prompts Daniel to ask the questions some readers may have had. The scene of Daniel having dinner in the servants’ quarters is particularly wonderful as it shows the dynamics of the staff and their relationship. It also provides an opportunity to describe a meal which is relatively simple but enviable. Mr. Falthorne, butler to the Graveses, is delightful and provides an interesting revelation. There is nothing like hitting that “Aha!” moment when a significant link is made. However, it is also an opportunity for Perry to present Daniel with a serious moral dilemma.

Perry doesn’t take the easy way out. She challenges both her readers and her characters. This is, in part, what makes her such an effective author. Although set in the early 1900’s her observations are timely--“Most people, women included, judge according to their own experience. We think what we need to think in order to hold on to our own worldview and validate what we must believe. It is a matter of survival, although it may seem merely to be prejudice to someone else. It takes a lot of courage to turn your world upside down and start again.” She states truths; those things we intrinsically know but seldom say.

“Twenty-One Days” is a very good start to this new series. The plot has twists, turns, and surprising revelations. The element of time running out is well used, and the final courtroom scene very effective. Perry never disappoints.

TWENTY-ONE DAYS: A Daniel Pitt Novel (Hist Mys-Daniel Pitt-London-1910) – VG+
Perry, Anne – 1st book in series
Ballentine Books – April 2018

I can hardly begin to tell you how excited I am about this new series – and I almost missed it! It takes place in a later time period than I normally read, so I almost passed it by. However, it is by an author whose writing I enjoy and it featured the son, Daniel, of the lead characters, Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, in another series that I really enjoy – so I decided to give it a try. The writing is great, the plot is excellent and I came to really like and appreciate the characters. I couldn’t tell for sure which characters would be recurring in the series, nor could I decide if I thought there would be a romance between Daniel and Miriam – since she is almost his mother’s age. It will be a delight to find out what is going to happen next!

Daniel Pitt, twenty-five years of age, is a newly minted lawyer with a degree from Cambridge. 1910 is an exciting time in which to live. Women are beginning to be more and more insistent about their rights and the field of forensic science is in its infancy. They are able to identify an individual by their fingerprints, bullets can be matched, they can tell human blood from animal and x-rays have been invented. Daniel grew up learning about honesty, honor, and integrity from both his father and his mother. His father, Thomas Pitt started out as a Bow Street Runner and moved on to the newly formed police force and he is now knighted and is the head of the Special Branch. I have read and loved the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series and can highly recommend it as a series.

Daniel has just wrapped up a really tricky murder case when he’s ordered to another courtroom to assist another lawyer, Kitteridge, in yet another murder trial. This one isn’t going well and neither lawyer really believes that the defendant is innocent. They think that, in a stretch, he could be, but they aren’t convinced of it. Besides, the defendant is a total jerk and nobody, including the lawyers, likes him. When he is convicted and sentenced to hang, they aren’t surprised. They have twenty-one days to find a reason to appeal the verdict and keep him from being hanged.

As Daniel investigates and makes more and more discoveries, he becomes convinced that Graves is really innocent. However, he has no idea how to prove it. He believes that his only option is to find out who the real murderer is and his investigation leads to some real soul searching on Daniel’s part. The client is a writer and he is writing an expose that could ruin his father. It isn’t true, but can Daniel prove that?

It was a really great read and there wasn’t a dull moment in it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”