The year is 1902 and London, England, is a hotbed of political activity.  Home to the very rich and the very poor, with little in between, revolution is on the minds of most – as either a fear or a wish.   Charlotte (“Lottie”) Conway is Editor of The Clarion, an anarchist newspaper.  Yuri is a young man who works for and loves her.  In order to prove this love, he is persuaded to blow up Edward VII during his coronation.  He fails in his attempt, and looses his life.  Convinced Yuri did not act alone, the police raid The Clarion offices and arrest everyone bar Lottie, who manages to escape.

Although everyone arrested is innocent, it matters little to either the police or the public.  Emotions run high, and their right to a fair trail looks ready to fly out the window.  Thankfully, Lottie is able to enlist the help of Lord Charles Sheridan, a forward thinking Peer and amateur detective.  With the help of his wife, Kate, he sets out to discover what really happened and ensure the freedom of three men.

DEATH IN HYDE PARK is not your typical mystery in that many pertinent facts are revealed early on in the story.  This does not lessen the tension however.  The build up to the trail and then the event itself replace the “who done it” factor and keep you turning the pages.  The story itself is one I felt to be very realistic, the descriptions of the people and their places in the world, reflect what I know as a history buff, and the language and style used back this up.  There are times when you feel you are reading a period piece, albeit one with modern sensibilities.  Robin Paige is actually a pseudonym for the  husband and wife writing team, Bill & Susan Albert (Susan Wittig Albert).  I will definitely be recommending their books again and going back to read others already released involving the Sheridan’s.