A Disturbing Atmosphere

I am presently reading The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry, mainly because I got it on sale for my Kindle. I can't say I'm loving the book, mainly because of the point of view switches--I like some characters more than others. But I think Perry is doing something very specific with the p.o.v. switches, showing each character realizing she/he has little knowledge of those nearest and dearest.

What I find more interesting is the incredibly oppressive atmosphere. The book has a late nineteenth century setting with middle class English characters who are incredible snobs. The snobbery leads them to live painfully restricted lives. The women, in particular and by far, have such narrow lives with such little expectation it's hard to imagine how they can tolerate it.

That's really the hook for me, waiting to see if someone is going to snap. I almost don't care who the murderer is. Will someone, anyone, break out of this nonlife they're living?