When Anne Perry wrote TWENTY-ONE DAYS, featuring Daniel Pitt as the lead character, I thought it was just going to be a stand-alone. I’m glad I was wrong. It was brilliant to use the son of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, the stars of one of Perry’s most popular series, as the protagonist in his own story. Now, with the release of THE FOURTH ENEMY, we get to enjoy the sixth installment in a series that has become as indispensable as her others.

"What makes the book so good is that Perry is still able to blend in her own formula of justice and morality, set over a century ago, and unleash it upon us during a time when such controversies seem to occur on a daily basis."

Daniel and his London law firm, fford Croft and Gibson, are undergoing some significant changes. Daniel’s mate, Toby Kitteridge, is now leading the chambers, and their new boss is a like-minded gentleman named Gideon Hunter. They will require all of their mental acuity and legal expertise to bring Malcolm Vayne to justice. Vayne already has made quite a name for himself as a wealthy businessman. He is known in legal circles for having deep pockets and equally deep connections to keep all the skeletons in his closet as he aims not only to get wealthier but to seek public office.

When he is accused of various misdeeds that would sully his reputation and end any political run, Vayne strikes back in an unforeseen way. He suddenly becomes a big proponent of the women’s suffrage movement that is sweeping through England --- a subject that Daniel’s new bride, forensic scientist Miriam fford Croft, is very aware of.

Going after someone who is involved in such an altruistic albeit controversial subject is sketchy at best, and it becomes rather trying for Daniel and his firm. Still, they proceed with charges against Vayne. As the case heats up, the impact of Vayne’s connections and wealth becomes a huge roadblock for the prosecution. A key witness, the supposed victim of a kidnapping, suddenly disappears. This follows an incident in which another witness turns up dead.

How do you defeat someone who appears to be so untouchable? Daniel must ask himself if justice in this case is worth his risking his own career and the safety of his family. Readers will not be surprised to come across an antagonist whose political and public personas mix in such a way that everything he does becomes talked about. What makes the book so good is that Perry is still able to blend in her own formula of justice and morality, set over a century ago, and unleash it upon us during a time when such controversies seem to occur on a daily basis.

Following my writing of this review, I learned of Anne Perry’s passing. This is devastating news as I have been reviewing her work for the better part of two decades. Right now, I cannot imagine my Christmas season without her annual holiday releases. I hope that her fans are consoled by the great body of work that she has left us. Newcomers should waste no time digging into her massive backlist and reading some of the finest historical mystery novels ever written.