Perry has added a new protaganost to her canon. It is Daniel Pitt, son of William and Charlotte. Daniel is a new lawyer with a couple of fascinating cases. even though he has little major trial experience. One is a murder case with a very unpleasant client and a race against time to solve it or have people close to Daniel suffer serious consequences. The book has all the page turning suspense of Perry's usual mysteries with the treat of having the Pitts senior appearing to give added spice. Another advantage here is that it takes place a generation after the previous Pitt mysteries and so offers more scientific procedures available to solve crimes. There is a female medical and chemistry expert and a few other appealing characters that will, hopefully, be involved in future novels. Daniel is a sharp-witted lawyer and investigator. He also has a devotion to justice that sometimes makes him question his regard for the law. Another winner by Anne Perry. .

5 stars

Daniel Pitt a recently graduated barrister is assigned the case of Russell Graves. Graves is a noted biographer who is accused of murdering his wife. The problem is that he is due to hang for the murder in twenty-one days. From the outset, the case looks hopeless.

Daniel, however, is made of the same grit and determination as his father, Thomas Pitt. Thomas, as we avid readers know, is the head of the London Police Special Branch.

Russell Graves is both intolerant and arrogant. He claims not to have committed the murder. He is reluctant to give Daniel any solid clues as to who else might have done the murder. Graves is evasive and acts as though he does not trust Daniel because of who his father is – Thomas Pitt. He claims to know about a case that Thomas covered up. He cites the person’s name.

Graves has also written a biography of people Daniel knew and loved, as well as his father. It is not flattering and contains some information that could damage national security. Daniel must also find a way to keep the book from being published.

Daniel goes to his father and asks about the case. He learns a great deal about his father during that conversation. He learns about the burdens his father carries.

Daniel receives a writ to exhume Mrs. Ebony Graves, Russell Graves’ wife. He seeks the assistance of a lady pathologist named Miriam Fford Croft. Armed with the order of exhumation, Daniel and Miriam set off for the cemetery.

Together, Miriam and Daniel make an explosive discovery when examining the body. They go back to the home where Graves’ daughter Sarah is and question her. She leads them to another location where they have a discussion with the occupants of the house.

This book is a great addition to the Pitt saga. The introduction to Daniel was both exciting and refreshing. He is a likeable character and imbued with empathy. He is decisive and takes action where needed. He will be a very good barrister. The novel is very well written and plotted, as are all of Anne Perry’s books. I truly enjoyed it, and I like the addition of the lady pathologist, Miriam. I hope to see her in further additions to this series of novels. I highly recommend this book to all Anne Perry fans, as well as those who enjoy a superior historical mystery.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random Publishing House Group – Ballantine for forwarding to me a copy of this great addition to the series for me to read and enjoy.

With Twenty-One Days Anne Perry starts a new series that is an offshoot of her Thomas Pitt series. This new effort focuses on Thomas’s son Daniel, a newly minted lawyer practicing in a well known London firm. The plot is up to Perry’s best, filled with twists and turns and surprises for the reader. Nothing is exactly as it seems. While the plot twists are satisfying, the characters are less so. Daniel is young and inexperienced yet is presented as wiser and cannier than is believable. It’s the plot that earned this novel a fourth star. To be successful in her new series, Perry will have to develop Daniel more slowly and with much more veracity.