Anne Perry was a highly praised British writer known primarily for her crime fiction and thrilling novels.
Perry began her writing career back in the early 1990s, making a name for herself as a master of murder mysteries with millions of readers who adored her work. Her debut novel, “The Cater Street Hangman,” was published in 1979.
After a high-profile trial, she was convicted and sentenced to serve five years in prison. At the tender age of 15, she and her classmate Pauline Parker committed matricide in New Zealand in 1954. In 1994, Perry’s true identity as Juliet Hulme, a convicted killer, was exposed.
After serving her time, she moved back to her native land, the UK, and changed her name, hoping to leave behind her troubled past. And now, exactly what did she do?
Anne Perry, a successful novelist, had been living as Perry for almost thirty-five years, making a name for herself in the literary world. However, when the blockbuster movie Heavenly Creatures, starring Kate Winslet as Perry, was released, it brought attention to the historic case that Perry had long tried to keep hidden and journalists began to track her down and reveal her true identity to the world.
Despite the media firestorm that ensued, her contributions to the genre of mystery fiction were acknowledged with an Agatha Lifetime Achievement Award ten years later. Her name appeared on the same list as Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, among other esteemed authors, in The Times’ compilation of the top 100 “masters of crime” in 1998. As her book sales soared, Perry persisted in her writing endeavors.
Anne Perry, who had sold more than twenty-six million copies of her books worldwide and authored more than 120 novels throughout her career, left behind an incredible legacy. However, she passed away in April 2023.
Perry’s craftsmanship is regarded as some of the most exceptional in the crime puzzle and thriller categories.
If you are searching for a compelling new series or novel that I highly recommend, try giving her books a go. You’ll surely enjoy them this year.
So, if you’re looking to start your reading journey immediately, the author Anne Perry wrote a full list of every book she wrote, including both standalone titles and multiple series, which you can find in this post. It’s not difficult to begin, especially when you know where to start.
| Sr. No. | Title | Publication Date | Print Length | Publisher | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Books of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt.
Anne Perry’s most famous series takes us back to Victorian-era London, where we meet police inspector Thomas Pitt and his wife, Charlotte.
These historical mystery thrillers follow the ups and downs of Thomas’s world criminal investigation, as he attempts to bring justice to the smog-filled streets of London with the assistance of his well-connected wife.
The Christmas Stories
This collection of Christmas novellas, which has been running for a long time, showcases well-known characters from Anne Perry’s most cherished series. It positions them as the main focus of gripping murder mysteries set during the holidays.
The Christmas Tales in the Order of Reading and Publication.
Each Christmas Story novella tells a different tale and features a new set of characters, which can be read in any order you prefer.
1. A Christmas Journey (2003)
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Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould has joined her well-bred high society pals in the Berkshire countryside to enjoy a festive weekend of cheer and revelry.
When a young woman’s spirit is shattered into smithereens, and fine wine is freely flowing and fancy gifts are given, darkness is lurking amidst a backdrop of roaring fires, during Christmas.
The Tathea Books
Instead of reading the usual mystery whodunit classic from Anne Perry, this two-part series tells the captivating story of Tathea, an Empress named who is on an unforgettable journey. It is a departure from Perry’s usual genre and is a captivating science fiction fantasy.
The Tathea Books in Reading and Publishing Sequence.
The publication order listed below allows readers to get the most out of the series by following the evolving story of Tathea. However, both books in the Tathea series can also be read as standalones.
1. Tathea (1999)
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Tathea, the Empress of Sihinabar, has been exiled from her own kingdom. She has no choice but to flee to the wild lands of deserts, where people have turned against her.
As she travels across the kingdom, searching for shelter and safety, she discovers an ancient text that could change her future and history forever, of course.
The Daniel Pitt Books
Thomas Pitt’s son, Detective Thomas, brings us on a journey of crime-solving adventures in the 20th century. This series is a spin-off of the hugely popular historical mystery saga of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, and it promises to be a captivating page-turner.
The Reading and Publication Order of the Daniel Pitt Books.
Provided here is the recommended sequence to maximize your reading experience of the series. As you progress from one book to another, the characters and their lives progress and interconnect, yet each installment in the Daniel Pitt series presents a fresh narrative, allowing them to be enjoyed independently.
1. Twenty-One Days (2017)
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Daniel Pitt, a new barrister, is summoned to the Old Bailey to defend a man who has been accused of murder while he is still in the middle of his first case in the year 1910.
The jury quickly finds him guilty, and Russell Graves stands accused of the brutal killing of his wife. But Daniel knows there’s more to the crime than meets the eye. Now, Daniel must expose the truth and prove that Graves has been framed.
Twenty-one days to rescue an innocent man from being put to death.
Anne Perry’s Independent Novels
The novels penned by Anne Perry, both as standalone popular books and as part of the popular series listed above, were originally published in the order they are presented here.
The Elena Standish Books
In 2019, Anne Perry initiated a fresh historical enigma collection featuring twenty-eight-year-old Elena Standish.
However, amidst the rumblings of a new approach to war, this young budding photographer and her family will endure all conflicts to learn. After enduring the horrors of World War I, Elena has finally found comfort and solace in her camera.
The Elena Standish Books in Reading and Publishing Sequence.
Each book in the Elena Standish series tells a new story, as the lives and characters of the series intertwine and evolve, in order to get the most out of the series, follow the listed publication order below.
1. Death in Focus (2019)
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Elena and her sister have temporarily swapped their usual London surroundings for the glittering Italian coast. She is equally fascinated and captivated by a young man named Ian, who unexpectedly called her back to England when he’s on a long train ride home. She makes the spontaneous and uncharacteristic decision to join him, as she is obsessed with his captivating scenery.
However, the journey of Elena and her companions does not go as planned, as a series of shocking events sends a message that could change the fate of the entire continent to Berlin.
The William Monk Books
This captivating suspenseful series transports us to Victorian England, where we encounter investigator William Monk.
Monk’s crime-fighting career began in the police force where he worked as an ambitious and ruthless inspector for many years. However, at the start of the series, his memories are erased, and he is involved in a coach accident.
In subsequent parts of the series, the Monk becomes a member of the Thames River Police, and it is in this role that he truly fits. However, ultimately, he chooses to pursue a career as an independent detective, resulting in the loss of his position as a police inspector due to the consequences of his amnesia.
The Reading and Publication Order of the William Monk Books.
So, in order to get the most out of the series, the publication order listed below follows. The lives and characters intertwine and evolve from book to book, with each book in the William Monk series telling a new story. These books can also be read as standalones.
1. The Face of a Stranger (1990)
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Everything he has ever learned has disappeared from his memory, and unfamiliar individuals are now his coworkers as he struggles to maintain his position as a detective in the London police force, and his name is William Monk.
The Monk, battered and bruised, has awoken, and all the memories of his entire life have been erased. Now, he must solve the mystery of his own past and assume the role of himself.
Can he convince his colleagues that he is up to the task of uncovering the truth behind the mysterious murder of a veteran from the Crimean War for his first case back on the job?
The World War I Books
The series later becomes a breathtaking journey where fact and fiction intersect, spanning four violent and lengthy years and commencing before the bloodshed of the First World War in the golden summer of 1914. As they endure the hardships of the war, these popular historical mystery novels follow the story of Joseph Reavely and his family.
The Books on World War I in Reading and Publication Order.
The World War I books are interconnected. So, to get the most out of the series, follow the publication order listed below.
1. No Graves As Yet (2003)
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The tragedy didn’t indicate that an accident would happen soon, but the specifics were not provided. Joseph Reavley’s parents had tragically lost their lives in a car accident in late June of 1914.
Father Joseph was on his way to London, wielding a document that had the power to destroy the Western world and Britain, when someone out there stopped him in his tracks.
The Timepiece Books
In 2011, Anne Perry embarked on her first collection of gripping historical fiction stories starring a young woman who finds an antique watch that allows her to travel back in time. The Timepiece books are a captivating series meant only for young adults.
The Timepiece Books in Reading and Publishing Sequence.
The most optimal way to fully enjoy the series is by following the publication order, as suggested. Throughout the books, the characters and their lives progress and intertwine, according to popular belief. However, standalone novels are also available, allowing for a new story to be told in each book of the Timepiece series.
1. Tudor Rose (2011)
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Rosie is deeply dissatisfied with her life when she suddenly finds herself transported to the old and mysterious court of Queen Elizabeth, where she must do everything possible to protect the Spanish Armada as an ancient adventure approaches.
The Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Books in Reading and Publication Order
The following is the order of publication for the listed books, so that readers can get the most out of the series. The lives and characters of the intertwined and evolving books can be read as standalone stories, but to fully experience the series, it is recommended to read them in the order listed below.
1. The Cater Street Hangman (1979)
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The young inspector, Pitt Thomas, was shocked to receive a call from the sisters at the terrible crime scene, where Emily and Charlotte, the maid of Ellison, had been brutally murdered.
Emily and Charlotte are not your typical ladies of high society. They are determined and courageous, willing to assist Pitt in his investigations. As the case unfolds, Thomas Inspector and Charlotte realize that they are more focused on solving the murder than anything else.
Conclusion
Anne Perry is a contentious author whose captivating enigma and tension novels have made a permanent impact on the world of literature.
Are you already a fan of Perry’s books? I would love to hear your recommendations and reviews below in the comment section!