Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Fourth Enemy by Anne Perry Series: Daniel Pitt #6
Published by Ballantine on April 11, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Working his way up at London law firm fford Croft and Gibson, Daniel Pitt is named second prosecutor on a fraud case with the potential to make or break his—and the firm's—reputation. The trouble is, Malcolm Vayne, the man on trial, has deep pockets, and even deeper connections. Vayne’s philanthropic efforts paint him a hero in the eyes of the public, but Daniel’s friend Ian, a police officer, has evidence to suggest otherwise. Nervously working alongside the new head of his firm, Daniel is under pressure to prove that Vayne is guilty.
Meanwhile, Daniel’s new bride, forensic scientist Miriam fford Croft, befriends Rose, the wife of Daniel’s colleague Gideon Hunter, and the two become engrossed in the women’s suffrage movement. Miriam finds herself among women who are brave and determined enough to undergo hunger strikes and prison sentences. Vayne’s image is improved by his support of their cause, but Miriam is not deceived.
The trial of Vayne reveals his political ambitions in both England and Europe and heats up further when a crucial witness is found dead. During the medical examination, Miriam discovers evidence that will influence the case against Vayne, but is kidnapped by one of his crazed supporters before she can reveal it. Daniel leaves the trial and, in a desperate midnight drive, attempts to rescue her from a dangerous, sea-swept dungeon, putting their lives—and the case against Vayne—in peril.
Each new entry in the Daniel Pitt series is highly anticipated and The Fourth Enemy was no exception. Spinning off Anne Perry’s fabulous Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series, this literal second generation follow up series is as engaging as the first.
Daniel is settling in well as a lawyer in Marcus fford Croft’s firm and now a newlywed and vibrantly in love with his wife, Miriam. Right now, she’s reveling in having the forensics pathologist career she worked hard for and having Daniel with a little concern that the fifteen year age gap will be a problem. Their wedded bliss is interrupted when Miriam’s father, Marcus retires from the firm and brings on a driven and gifted new young Kings’ Counsel to be the firm’s trial lawyer. In his turn, he immediate signs them up to try the biggest case of the year against wealthy businessman and philanthropist, Malcolm Vayne, for fraud. The stakes are high and the man on trial is well-loved by the masses and deeply feared by those in power that he holds in his grip.
Daniel and the whole team must win because Vayne will be relentless if he’s left free. The Fourth Enemy starts out slow and builds to a fervor. The first half focuses on Daniel and Miriam’s new circumstances as a married couple and also on the drastic changes in the law firm when Marcus retires. The investigation part of the case is minimal because the star witness is who brought the case to them, with proofs of the fraud, but the tricky part is getting the right people to testify and making the jury see through all the convoluted accounting work to the truth.
The last half of the book is when it picks up the pace and the suspenseful tension. I liked getting the brief side scenes with Sir Thomas Pitt between Daniel and Miriam’s alternating narration work. Another solid series installment. Historical Mystery fans who like courtroom action with their murder mysteries should give these a go.
About Anne Perry
Anne Perry (born Juliet Hulme) is a British historical novelist.
Juliet took the name “Anne Perry,” the latter being her stepfather’s surname. Her first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published under this name in 1979. Her works generally fall into one of several categories of genre fiction, including historical murder mysteries and detective fiction. Many of them feature a number of recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt, who appeared in her first novel, and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in her 1990 novel The Face of a Stranger. As of 2003 she had published 47 novels, and several collections of short stories. Her story “Heroes,” which first appeared the 1999 anthology Murder and Obsession, edited by Otto Penzler, won the 2001 Edgar Award for Best Short Story.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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This is an author who I really want to binge and catch up on all her series. I’m up to date on the Christmas stories at least.
Yes, her stuff is so good. I will miss those Christmas stories. 🙁
This author is not for me but I am happy that you enjoyed this one!
Thanks, Carole! Yeah, no worries. 🙂
Perry is an author I’ve wanted to try since seeing your reviews, Sophia. I will get to her eventually. Glad you’re still enjoying her with this spinoff series. 🙂
Glad to tempt you, Rachel! Her way of writing in the historical setting and having good twisy mysteries is fab. 🙂
This is another series/author I need to try. Thanks!
LOL, the never ending wish list pile, Jen!
It’s been a while I haven’t picked up a story with some courtroom drama but it does sound like this one worked out pretty well, especially as you get further and further into the story. Great review, Sophia! 🙂
Oh, I love historical paired with courtroom drama, too. She has another series she does courtroom with, too. Thanks, Lashaan!
I tried this author years and years ago with the original Pitt series and just couldn’t quite get into her books but have been wanting to try them again. I really like the sound of this one and will have to try it.
Did you know the author herself was involved in a real life murder when she was a teenager? I fell down a rabbit hole with that a bit ago!
Glad this spin off of that original series is tempting you, Katherine. Sometimes a writing style or mood just doesn’t work out. Hopefully a 2nd attempt will be more favorable.
Oh yes, I had already been reading her books for years when her true story came to my attention. That was something else, for sure.
I’m guessing you know — but Anne Perry recently passed away (last month, I think). She was a strong presence in the mystery community, and her books were definitely an inspiration to me!
Oh man, Karen, I can’t even imagine how historical mystery writers like yourself feel about her passing. Anne (Books of My Heart host) shared the sad news with me right before I started reading this one so it became a poignant read.
I like the sound of this one, the premise sounds good. Thanks for the great review.
It sure was, Mary! 🙂
Glad this worked out for you!
It was a wonderful finish to her career. 🙂