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There’s nothing elementary about Bedford Square. Even Superintendent Thomas Pitt, the detective in charge of the case, is baffled. Why would a man who looked like a common thief be found in the middle of the night, murdered and lying on a well-known general’s doorstep?
As Pitt begins to investigate the case, he’s given another one to solve -- the assistant commissioner has received a blackmail letter. It wrongfully accuses him of dishonorable action -- which, if made public, could ruin his reputation -- but asks for nothing. It’s just a threat and nothing more, but the commissioner is devastated.
Pitt soon discovers that the two cases are closely connected -- Assistant Commissioner Cornwallis and General Balantyne were both victims of the same blackmailer. And as he gets deeper into the case, Pitt discovers that they’re not the only two. The blackmailer has been sending mysterious letters to several prominent men in London. But why? He hasn’t asked for money. He hasn’t made any demands. But all of the men are mortified by the thought of what will happen if these false charges are brought against them.
Bedford Square is a laid-back mystery. It’s not quick-page-turning, sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting story, but it’s fascinating enough to keep you coming back for more. And Pitt is a real character. He’s not an all-knowing calm-and-collected crime-solving genius. Instead, he often goes down the same dead-ends that the reader does -- and he even recruits the help of his strong-minded wife, Charlotte, and their maid, Gracie, to sort through ideas.
The only thing that’s especially fast-paced about the story is its conclusion. Everything comes to a totally unexpected conclusion within the last ten pages or so -- and suddenly it’s over. I still can’t decide if that’s a good thing of if I would have preferred a little more warning -- and a little more summary. But, even without the extra summary pages, Bedford Square is well worth the read -- and it may just compel you to pick up more of Perry’s numerous Thomas and Charlotte Pitt mysteries.
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