On April 10, the world lost Anne Perry, an award-winning historical mystery writer of over 100 books. She sold 26 million books throughout her writing career. In 2000, Perry won an Edgar Award, generally recognized as the top mystery award, for her short story “Heroes.” She also served as guest of honor at Bouchercon, the international convention of mystery, in 2013 and 2020.
Novels
Perry’s first novel, 1979’s The Cater Street Hangman, set in 1881, introduces detective Thomas Pitt and Charlotte Ellison, who soon becomes Mrs. Pitt. Together the pair works together to solve mysteries in upper class London society.
In 1990, Perry introduced The Face of a Stranger, featuring detective William Monk and set in the 1850s. Monk teams up with Hester Latterly, a nurse from the Crimean War who worked under Florence Nightingale. This series is grittier than the Pitt series, but it displays more depth and wit.
Perry later wrote several other series, including a recent one featuring Daniel Pitt, son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt; one on World War I; the 1930s Elena Standish series; and several books set during Christmas.
Social Commentary
Anne Perry is known for social commentary in her books. She highlights issues from the historical eras of each book while also making them relate to social concerns found today. Her books deal with such issues as domestic abuse, abortion, pornography, and pacifism in the face of evil.
Murder in Real Life
In 1994, Peter Jackson produced the film Heavenly Creatures, about a real-life case of two teenage girls who murdered the mother of one of them. It didn’t take long before journalists tracked down the real identities of the two girls, only to find that the 15-year-old accomplice, then known as Juliet Hulme, had served her five years in prison and then changed her name to Anne Perry. The crime author had committed murder herself.
Hulme had fallen under the toxic influence of her best friend, Pauline Parker. Parker was upset that her own mother didn’t want to allow Parker to move from New Zealand to South Africa with Hulme when Hulme’s parents got a divorce. So Parker created a plan to kill her mother, and Hulme helped her. The pair were swiftly arrested, and Hulme spent five years in prison, where she turned her life around. Perry later said that her time in prison changed her, making her accept her guilt and repent of her crimes. After changing her name, Perry hid her criminal past from the world and focused on her writing.
Goodbye, Anne Perry!
Many, including this writer, will mourn the loss of this literary genius.
Death of a Famous Murderer and Author
Novels
Perry’s first novel, 1979’s The Cater Street Hangman, set in 1881, introduces detective Thomas Pitt and Charlotte Ellison, who soon becomes Mrs. Pitt. Together the pair works together to solve mysteries in upper class London society.
In 1990, Perry introduced The Face of a Stranger, featuring detective William Monk and set in the 1850s. Monk teams up with Hester Latterly, a nurse from the Crimean War who worked under Florence Nightingale. This series is grittier than the Pitt series, but it displays more depth and wit.
Perry later wrote several other series, including a recent one featuring Daniel Pitt, son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt; one on World War I; the 1930s Elena Standish series; and several books set during Christmas.
Social Commentary
Anne Perry is known for social commentary in her books. She highlights issues from the historical eras of each book while also making them relate to social concerns found today. Her books deal with such issues as domestic abuse, abortion, pornography, and pacifism in the face of evil.
Murder in Real Life
In 1994, Peter Jackson produced the film Heavenly Creatures, about a real-life case of two teenage girls who murdered the mother of one of them. It didn’t take long before journalists tracked down the real identities of the two girls, only to find that the 15-year-old accomplice, then known as Juliet Hulme, had served her five years in prison and then changed her name to Anne Perry. The crime author had committed murder herself.
Hulme had fallen under the toxic influence of her best friend, Pauline Parker. Parker was upset that her own mother didn’t want to allow Parker to move from New Zealand to South Africa with Hulme when Hulme’s parents got a divorce. So Parker created a plan to kill her mother, and Hulme helped her. The pair were swiftly arrested, and Hulme spent five years in prison, where she turned her life around. Perry later said that her time in prison changed her, making her accept her guilt and repent of her crimes. After changing her name, Perry hid her criminal past from the world and focused on her writing.
Goodbye, Anne Perry!
Many, including this writer, will mourn the loss of this literary genius.
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