Novelist Anne Perry dies, aged 84

Anne Perry, author of Victorian mysteries, Christmas novellas and, most recently, 1930s espionage thrillers published by Headline, died aged 84 on 10th April 2023.

As a writer, Perry was mainly known for her crime novels featuring Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, and William and Hester Monk. Several of these appeared in the bestseller lists of the New York Times, the Globe and Mail, der Spiegel and Livres Hebdo.

According to her UK publisher, Headline, over 25 million copies of Perry’s books have been sold worldwide. The publisher says “she is noted for her memorable characters and historical accuracy, but most of all for her exploration of social and ethical issues".

Clare Foss was Perry’s Headline editor for the past six years, and it was Jane Morpeth who first acquired her for the Headline list 30 years ago with the first William Monk mystery, The Face of a Stranger. Her primary agent was Meg Davis at Ki Agency in the UK, Donald Maass was her New York agent and Ken Sherman was her Los Angeles agent.

New novels in her latest two series are being published on 13th April 2023: the hardback of The Traitor Among Us is the fifth in her 1930s espionage thriller series featuring MI6 spy Elena Standish, and the paperback of The Fourth Enemy is the sixth Daniel Pitt mystery featuring Thomas Pitt’s barrister son.

Perry’s agents said in a joint statement: “Anne was a loyal and loving friend, and her writing was driven by her fierce commitment to raising awareness around social injustice. Many readers have been moved by her empathy for people backed into impossible situations, or overwhelmed by the difficulties of life. Her characters inspired much love among her fans and comforted many readers who were going through tough times themselves.”

Foss said: “Anne was an absolute force of nature, with a relentless enthusiasm for life, and her books are the legacy of a truly remarkable woman. She will be sorely missed by her devoted fans.”

Perry is survived by her brother Dr Jonathan Hulme and his family. 

The author grew up in New Zealand under the name Juliet Hulme, and as a teenager was convicted with her friend Pauline Parker of the murder of Parker’s mother, in the notorious crime dramatised in the film "Heavenly Creatures". She left New Zealand after her release from prison and later settled in Scotland. She discussed this in a Guardian interview in 2003.