Lots of repetition... Maybe more than usual..sometimes it seems as if each story is setting up for the next one...though well told in the main, sometimes I wish for less of that and more of the story of all the characters involved in This story! For example more about Scuff...he is mostly absent in this book and others...he is a convenient child(my term for children in books, television and film who disappear every time the story focuses on the adults...which is most of the time! The questions I always ask myself ..aloud or silently ...is where did the kids go? Who is watching the baby? Who is with the kids and what are they doing! Etc. Etc. Etc.). Scuff and Worm are convenient...abed, asleep, left to the care of others! Such a device gets old after awhile...their presence only adds depth, perspective, and interest to any story and , in My opinion, should be just as important!Anyhoo, now that Anne Perry has died, I feel more reluctant to criticize any of her work...she has given me so many hours of pleasure reading her many books...I have invested money, time, and dedication sand have always gotten value from the enterprise. I will continue to invest in the reading of any I have missed and continue to recommend her works to all who enjoy well constructed books that are taking place in the 1840's...1850's...1860's through the turn of the last century and forward into WWII and beyond. They Are Worth Reading.