In a London hospital, Prudence Barrymore, a talented nurse who had once been one of Florence Nightingale’s angels of mercy in the Crimean War...
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Dec 22, 2008
Angela
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This is #4 in the inaccurately named William Monk series--it's really way more the William Monk, Hester Latterly, and Oliver Rathbone series, I find. This time around we got another hefty chunk of Monk, Hester, and Rathbone walking around talking to people to try to solve the mystery du jour--which while a bit less action-y than I prefer, it still is working for me since Perry does put together a nicely complex kind of story.
I must also say it's about damn time that we start seeing s More...
I must also say it's about damn time that we start seeing s More...
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Jul 31, 2011
Leilani
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When you explain over and over and over again that a character is "brilliant" it's probably a good idea to allow him to be so. I'm finding that Monk isn't a brilliant detective - he just gets lucky. In the last two books the main clues have come from Hester Latterly. Oliver Rathbone also plays a huge role in these books, so this really should be the Monk-Hester-Rathbone series. Monk has largely been absent in the last two and what the hell is up with that?
I keep wanting More...
I keep wanting More...
Sep 14, 2008
Lisa
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I have enjoyed these mystery novels by Anne Perry as fillers in between my book club books. This was my favorite of the series so far. I enjoy the details of England's Victorian era and Perry's commentary on social issues of the time. This book has one of the recurring characters on trial for a crime she didn't commit, and explores the issues of class, gender discrimination, and ethics as well as family honor and dysfunction.
Sep 30, 2011
I have enjoyed Anne Perry's recent books, so I wanted to try one of her earlier ones. She has developed a large following for her Victorian series starring William Monk, an introspective private investigator and former policeman.This book unfolds very slowly. (Not a problem with her later novels.) Even so, Perry has a wonderful ear, especially for British dialects. Monk investigates the murder of a respected nurse in the hospital where the staff is under suspicion.
Perry's skill is in More...
Perry's skill is in More...
Jan 15, 2011
Debbie
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I had stopped reading this series and I have no idea why I stopped. This is set in Victorian England, and presents a society enmeshed in rules and regulations for each level of society. Medicine and surgery are in the early stages of development, and nurses do not have a professional entity. The story shows the helplessness of women in that age. A male member of the two different families rapes two young women and nothing is done. The main story centers on the murder of an outstanding nurse
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Dec 28, 2011
Jamie
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If I ever had any doubts that women in Victorian England were marginalized, or that an unmarried gentlewoman's reputation was a precious commodity that could be unfairly destroyed, those doubts are now firmly set aside. The author can certainly beat you over the head with these and similar points.
However, I remain interested in these characters, entertained by the historical setting, and the mysteries themselves aren't half bad. This one concerns the murder of a Crimean nurse - one o More...
However, I remain interested in these characters, entertained by the historical setting, and the mysteries themselves aren't half bad. This one concerns the murder of a Crimean nurse - one o More...
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Dec 01, 2010
AnnaMay
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Once again, Perry delves into difficult issues that I wouldn't dream of reading in a modern-day setting for a mystery book. She skillfully portrays all in the Victorian setting and not only makes this for an enjoyable read, but somehow manages to get me to face the difficult issues without my realizing it. As I was summing up the book in a conversation with my husband, it sounded to my ears like a trashy novel with all sorts of storyline twists. Perry pulls it all off with dignity, though. W
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Jun 04, 2010
Lynne-marie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 24, 2010
Liz
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I still like the characters in this book but the plots keep getting darker and nastier. And either Perry is getting more predictable or I've read too many of her books. I figured out what was going on and got really annoyed with how stupid Monk and Hester were being before they finally figure it out too. The book could have been cut in half and would have been a lot better. It's like Perry felt that she couldn't stop at 200+ pages for some reason so she kept beating around the bush for another 2
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Feb 14, 2010
Sandra
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This was a bit slower after Defend and Betray, but I found it engrossing nonetheless. Although some might find the beginning to be inconsequential once 50-60 pages in, despite a tenuous connection later in the novel, I felt it to be a powerful display of the troubles and choices (or lack thereof) facing women in Victorian times... moral of the story: don't dismiss it out of hand. I have to admit I did not see the identity of the culprit coming. Finally, I love how vividly Prudence Barrymore co
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Aug 14, 2011
Although it was an interesting plot, it was rather slow going for me - I think this is why I usually shy away from historical cozy mysteries - I guess don't have the patience to get through the period's protocol and procedures. I did like the character of Monk quite a bit but would have liked to know more about what happened with his relationship with Hermione - much was eluded to but not said. Despite all these criticisms, I would try another Monk book, especially if I thought it was a little m
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Aug 06, 2011
Monk does, once again, appear prominantly in his own series. I still fing his character a little flat though there are bits of memories coming back to him. But I do not yet feel any depth or kinship with him. Hester is also featured prominantly, but in a somewhat softer, less antagonistic role. I continue to read this series in hopes of falling in love with it, and that's just not happening as yet. Perry's writing is fine, and she provides a good background full of timely society tidbits.
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Nov 08, 2009
Jose
rated it: 
Mais uma vez Anne Perry não desilude. Pelo contrário, manipula o leitor fazendo acreditar e desacreditar nas personagens suspeitas que passam de bons a vilões deixando-nos baralhados.
Mais uma vez a equipa de Monk e Hester, assim como outras personagens que vimos a conhecer dos livros anteriores, fazem com que este quarto romance policial da série Monk nos deixe com vontade de continuar a ler mais.
Neste livro, para além da fiel descrição da época vitoriana em Inglaterra, temos um tema More...
Mais uma vez a equipa de Monk e Hester, assim como outras personagens que vimos a conhecer dos livros anteriores, fazem com que este quarto romance policial da série Monk nos deixe com vontade de continuar a ler mais.
Neste livro, para além da fiel descrição da época vitoriana em Inglaterra, temos um tema More...
Jun 14, 2009
Ami
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A BRILLIANT book looking into the dark side of Victorian England. Each book in the William Monk series deals with a different social issue: gambling, health care, prostitution, abortion, child labor, high society marriages, etc. From an historical perspective this novel is first rate. It is full of darkness and squalor but the writing is well done, the characters are fresh and interesting, and the twist in the plot is exciting.
Mar 25, 2011
Anne Hawn
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In this fourth of the William Monk series we find Prudence Barrymore, a nurse with Florence Nightengale in the Crimea, murdered in a local hospital. Nurses of that era had reputations little better than prostitutes, but Prudence was skilled enough to work with the city's best surgeon. How did she end up dead then?
William Monk, a private detective, has taken the case and Hester Latterly has agreed to go to work at the hospital and work under cover. This turns out to be a big mistak More...
William Monk, a private detective, has taken the case and Hester Latterly has agreed to go to work at the hospital and work under cover. This turns out to be a big mistak More...
Oct 16, 2009
Winifred
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I enjoyed this historical murder story, the first I've read in this series.
It seems to be very well researched and gives an insight into Victorian life and medicine. Not a good time to be ill, well there never is a good one.
She writes good descriptions of the characters and I liked the way they interact, good contrasts and quite realistic.
Look forward to reading more in this series.
It seems to be very well researched and gives an insight into Victorian life and medicine. Not a good time to be ill, well there never is a good one.
She writes good descriptions of the characters and I liked the way they interact, good contrasts and quite realistic.
Look forward to reading more in this series.
Jul 01, 2008
Erin
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Anne Perry takes the reader inside the Victorian hospital - a scary place - to solve the mysterious death of an outstanding nurse. The victim had returned from nursing in the Crimean War, where she was known to Hester. Prudence Barrymore was not well-liked at the hospital, but everyone agreed that she was a talented nurse.
Hester hires on at the hospital to observe suspects from the inside. She is horrified by this institution that hasn't been enlightened by the reforms of Florence Ni More...
Hester hires on at the hospital to observe suspects from the inside. She is horrified by this institution that hasn't been enlightened by the reforms of Florence Ni More...
Apr 03, 2011
Karin
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Excellent writer in general. I truly appreciate her ability to present the middle of the nineteenth century. This story, however, really dragged through the middle part of the book. The reader was able to anticipate the outcome (though not all the details) quite early on, which took away from the leisurely perusal of the story. I just kept wanting them to get on with it.
May 24, 2010
Cheryl
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In a tale fraught with moral implications, William Monk investigates the death of a nurse in a hospital. Plot twists abound as the investigation proceeds. In addition to being a first rate mystery, the book sheds light on the nursing profession in Victorian England as well as the status of women - both wealthy and poor.
Feb 22, 2008
Rebecca
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So far, Im finding it not quite as fun as her other books but A) Im not as much of a fan of the "Monk" series (I like the Pitt's better. Yes , thats their last name)because he's always having flashbacks from before he lost him memory and then you have to listen to him and Hester arguing all the time, blah blah..that I get sick of AND- B)This one is a little harder to follow BUT
I still do like it. She is a wonderful writer, I've read every one of her books and this is the only o More...
I still do like it. She is a wonderful writer, I've read every one of her books and this is the only o More...
Jul 30, 2011
Jo
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28th February 2010
An interesting story with a lot of historical content which was very informtive. It had a very good plot. My only critisism would be that there was an awful lot of padding and it was a very long read when I feel that it may have been just as interesting if it had been a little shorter.
An interesting story with a lot of historical content which was very informtive. It had a very good plot. My only critisism would be that there was an awful lot of padding and it was a very long read when I feel that it may have been just as interesting if it had been a little shorter.
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Jun 15, 2009
Nicole
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Anne Perry is an excellent writer and I wish that I had her depth of understanding about people and their motives. She conveys it clearly with writing, but the subject matter with this book was a little too intense and a great deal more liberal than I expected, but it still kept me in suspense.
Mar 08, 2011
Daniel
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 20, 2009
Martha
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First book I read by this author. I'm looking for more. The characters are well established. You waiver back and forth on who may be guilty - the twists and turns keep you guessing. Excellent detail for a period piece. I was able to visualize the scenarios easily.
May 14, 2009
Felicity
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I read this years ago, but I remember it as being a well-plotted mystery and an incisive look under Victorian mores. I also think it made me fall in love with Hester Latterly, the bright, abrasive nurse that works with Anne Perry's detective Monk.
Feb 01, 2012
Mandy
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This one was darker and more controversial than the previous Monk stories, but very good. In true Perry style, it ended abruptly, but her books pick up where the last left off, so I didn't mind. There's a dim glimmer of romance ( ok, more like mutual respect) starting to bud between Monk and Hester, but it is very gradual.
Dec 01, 2011
Scott
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This book is not part of the Monk series as promoted it is Hester Latterly series. That in itself didn't make this book miss its mark it is dragged out beyond a length where my interest was kept.
The basis of evidence against the Stanhope character would never be enough to bring the case to trial. How one jumps from letters of a scorned woman who threatens blackmail being without a doubt evidence for police to arrest to me seems farfetched. There is no direct physical evidence to direc More...
The basis of evidence against the Stanhope character would never be enough to bring the case to trial. How one jumps from letters of a scorned woman who threatens blackmail being without a doubt evidence for police to arrest to me seems farfetched. There is no direct physical evidence to direc More...
Aug 04, 2009
Byrdhouse1
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Loved it. Another great Perry mystery. I especially enjoyed the detailed look into early hospitals. It is facinating to see how far we have come.
Jun 08, 2010
Cindy
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This was great!!! Monk interviewed Florence Nightengale! Loat's of old Nursing history which was just up my alley. Great read!
May 21, 2011
Anne Hawn
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Prudence Barrymore was a talented nurse who nursed in the Crimean War and was brutally murdered. She was talented and even desired to be a doctor. When William Monk gets the case, Hester Latterly goes undercover into the hospital to see if she can find out who really killed Prudence.
This book is engaging as far as the mystery goes, but it is even more fascinating as it describes the restrictions on women in the Victorian era and the unfairness of the law. The old cast of character More...
This book is engaging as far as the mystery goes, but it is even more fascinating as it describes the restrictions on women in the Victorian era and the unfairness of the law. The old cast of character More...
