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Anne Perry continues even at this late date to mystify for all the right reasons. Not content to rest on the laurels of her two historical mystery series --- one featuring William Monk, the other concerning Charlotte and Thomas Pitt --- she introduced a third that has become known as the World War I novels. ANGELS IN THE GLOOM, the third of this fine series after NO GRAVES AS YET and SHOULDER THE SKY, continues the saga of the Reavley family, or specifically the Reavley siblings ---Joseph, Matthew, Judith and Hannah --- all of whom are involved in primary or secondary roles in the British military effort during the early days of World War I.
While these tales are primarily mysteries, Perry delves into war and romance as well. Indeed, Perry's powers of description are fully revealed in ANGELS IN THE GLOOM, as her descriptions of war on land and sea are so realistic and riveting that they almost overshadow the plotlines they support. The primary mystery in this series continues to revolve around a powerful, shadowy figure known as The Peacemaker, who is determined that the hostilities will end quickly, even if it means the ultimate subjugation of Great Britain to Germany. His machinations have already caused the death of the Reavleys' parents, giving them dual reasons --- revenge and patriotism --- for bringing his actions to an end.
In the meantime Joseph, on leave to home after sustaining grievous wounds on the front lines while pursuing his duties as a chaplain, finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery when Theo Blaine is found brutally murdered in his own backyard. Blaine had been instrumental in the creation and development of a new, top-secret weapon that is certain to turn the tide of the war in Britain's favor, and his death prior to the completion of the project is potentially a lethal blow not only to the weapon but also to the war effort. There is no lack of suspects for the murder --- everyone from a clandestine German spy to Blaine's own wife is under suspicion --- and Joseph soon finds that his role of priestly confessor makes him privy to a number of village secrets that he would rather not know. Joseph is also torn as to whether his duty lies in ministering to the needs of the village citizens reeling from their personal wartime losses, or whether he should resume his post on the front.
Meanwhile, Matthew pursues his own espionage, working uneasily with an attractive double agent to whom he is feeling an unwelcome but undeniable attraction, even as he knows that her ties to the enemy doom any involvement he might otherwise entertain. Hannah, Matthew and Joseph's sister, maintains a somewhat passive role, caring for Joseph as he recovers from his wounds while at the same time tending the home fires as her husband Archie is involved in Britain's naval effort.
If anyone in the family receives short shrift in ANGELS IN THE GLOOM, it is Judith, still performing the dangerous but important work of driving an ambulance in the thick of combat on the European front. Rather, the focus is on David, who finds that the fate of a family friend depends entirely on him, and Matthew, who in the heat of battle discovers at long last the identity of The Peacemaker and has the opportunity to avenge the wrong and heartbreak done to his family.
The World War I series is arguably Perry's most ambitious work, painted upon a broad canvas that encompasses wartime England, the European front, and the war-ravaged Atlantic where England's maritime supremacy is challenged and rises to meet its penultimate test. While The Peacemaker plot, which has been the thread connecting the first three novels of this series, is ultimately resolved in ANGELS IN THE GLOOM, Perry could certainly take the series in a number of other directions. If her fans have any say in the matter, her World War I series undoubtedly will live on.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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