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164th out of 1,121 books
—
90 voters
A Sudden, Fearful Death (William Monk #4)
by
Anne Perry
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, meets sudden death by strangulation. Private inquiry agent William Monk is engaged to investigate this horrific crime–which intuition tells him was no random stroke of violence by a madman.
Greatly helped by his unconventional friend...more
Greatly helped by his unconventional friend...more
ebook, 464 pages
Published
September 22nd 2010
by Ballantine Books
(first published January 1st 1993)
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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 some increasi...more
I must also say it's about damn time that we start seeing some increasi...more
I read about half-way through and then skimmed the rest. At the end was a publisher-author interview. The publisher asks, "For you, what are the ingredients of a good mystery?" The author replies, "Tension, conflict, and characters that you care about."
And therein lies the problem. Sure, I'm looking for characters that you care about, but I'm also looking for a good intellectual problem, a bit of adventure, and a splash of humor. But in Anne Perry's books, everything seems to ride on what the ch...more
And therein lies the problem. Sure, I'm looking for characters that you care about, but I'm also looking for a good intellectual problem, a bit of adventure, and a splash of humor. But in Anne Perry's books, everything seems to ride on what the ch...more
Originally published on my blog here in December 1999.
The first of Perry's William Monk detective stories to be published in the U.K., A Sudden Fearful Death does not read like the first of a series. The reader is given the impression that they should already know some of the characters, and be familiar with other events and cases. I do not know if there is a precursor to the novel, but if there is not, it is an interesting way to make the reader feel part of something ongoing.
Unfortunately, A S...more
The first of Perry's William Monk detective stories to be published in the U.K., A Sudden Fearful Death does not read like the first of a series. The reader is given the impression that they should already know some of the characters, and be familiar with other events and cases. I do not know if there is a precursor to the novel, but if there is not, it is an interesting way to make the reader feel part of something ongoing.
Unfortunately, A S...more
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 these books to be better...more
I keep wanting these books to be better...more
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.
This was pretty good! I came to this without reading the previous Monk books, and wasn't lost. I even found the references to his past made me more interested in him. It seemed to pique my interest rather than confuse- the author does it in such a way that those who know about his past can reflect, but those who don't find it intriguing and want to know more.
I also really enjoyed the Victorian nursing theme in this one- especially the cameo by Nightingale herself! The medical stuff was well wr...more
Monk, Hester et Rathbone sont à nouveau sollicités dans une affaire de meurtre impliquant non pas une patiente, (le rédacteur de la 4e n’a manifestement pas lu le livre !) mais une infirmière de l’hôpital. En tant qu’administratrice de cet hôpital, Lady Callandra fait appel à Monk et à ses compétences pour mener l’enquête et embauche Hester pour observer discrètement de l’intérieur et apporter des informations à Monk, désormais détective privé et dans l’incapacité d’en apprendre autant que ses a...more
Mar 24, 2013
Julie Barrett
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mysteries,
finished-2013
UGH - I forced myself to finish this book. I can't read any more of this series - it's soooo formulaic. OK, yes, a lot of mystery series could be accused of following a formula, but this series - wow. I think Anne Perry has a blank template that she just fills in for each book. I am pretty sure each book has had the same number of pages. The structure is the same in all 4 books I have read. Every book ends in a long, drawn-out dull-as-dishwater trial with a "surprise" twist that isn't a surprise...more
Mar 22, 2012
Kristensilvermoore
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mysteries
This fourth installment of the William Monk series was my least favorite so far. I just didn’t find it to be a very compelling read. I knew who did it, with some doubts here and there, from close to the beginning. Also, the pacing just seemed slow. Moreover, Perry’s writing tic of using “pulled a face” constantly was maddening to me. Instead of “pulled a face”, there are many times where she could just leave out such a description, but what about just trying different descriptive words that are...more
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 creating se...more
Perry's skill is in creating se...more
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, and...more
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 of Florence N...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 of Florence N...more
1 like · like · see review
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. While...more
So far, this was not my favorite of the series. It was still good, but it wasn't as compelling as the previous books. Also, I felt a little manipulated on the abortion issue. It seemed to me that the doctor who performed abortions for free was held up as a good person helping desperate women, but the doctor who accepted pay was vilified. Really? That is what's wrong with the issue? This one was a little too message-driven for me, but hopefully these won't turn in to preachy diatribes instead of...more
1 like · like · see review
1.5 - 2 stars
Narrated by Davina Porter
My feelings for the William Monk mysteries have always been lukewarm at best, but this book made me seriously reconsider continuing with the series despite my interest in Monk's history.
The mystery was convoluted, and Monk seemed as inept as usual. There were questions unanswered such as how Callandra recognized Marian, and inconsistencies such as Monk being jubilant about the content of the letters he had received and acting all smug in front of Runcorn bu...more
Narrated by Davina Porter
My feelings for the William Monk mysteries have always been lukewarm at best, but this book made me seriously reconsider continuing with the series despite my interest in Monk's history.
The mystery was convoluted, and Monk seemed as inept as usual. There were questions unanswered such as how Callandra recognized Marian, and inconsistencies such as Monk being jubilant about the content of the letters he had received and acting all smug in front of Runcorn bu...more
1 like · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Apr 29, 2013
Kathy Petersen
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
feb-13-thru-jan14,
read-mysteries
Although I am still pleased with the Monk series, book four would have benefited from a bit of compression. The courtroom scenes seemed repetitious, and I could have appreciated a bit less of the to-ing and fro-ing in Monk's and Hester's investigations. Nor was I entirely satisfied with the ultimate outcome (outcomes, that is). However, I remain a fan and look forward to the rest of the series.
Side note: Perry takes on the issue of abortion, a practice to which I am unalterably opposed. She is n...more
Side note: Perry takes on the issue of abortion, a practice to which I am unalterably opposed. She is n...more
I read many of the Monk books in my pre-foodreads days, and found them to be quite compelling. Whether it was the amnesia Monk had, and his trying to solve a mystery plus solve his own mystery, or Hester's fierce determination to maintain her nursing skills, worth, and strength of character, or some of all of the above, I don't know, but I enjoyed the series. That I fell off later in the game is probably only because my life circumstances made it more complicated to keep up with when new books c...more
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...more
2 likes · like · see review
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 come...more
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...more
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. If not...more
It is very interesting how Perry always manages to involve the Victorian characters in highly-charged modern issues. A Sudden and Fearful Death involves rape and abortion. In Defend and Betray; pedophilia. In The Face of a Stranger; Monk has lost his memory due to a carriage accident and Hester Latterly is fighting against enormous odds ; imposed upon women to "keep their place"..A Dangerous Mourning again tackles the discrimination against women carried to terrible extremes, within households a...more
This year I am determined to start working my way through Mt. TBR, that ever-growing heap of books in my life. (no, an e-reader isn't really helping much...) I kicked off the year with the fourth book in the ongoing William Monk series. Set in a hospital, a nurse is found strangled in a laundry chute, and William Monk and his somewhat adversary Hester Latterly work together to find out why it happened. Along the way, we learn about incest, rape and abortion, as well as the deplorable conditions...more
Finalmente Monk empieza a descubrir que "gusta" de estar en presencia de Hester, además que en el libro 3 él ya se pudo sacar el fantasma del amor que tuvo en el pasado, liberando su corazoncito y sus ojos grises para ver "más allá"...
Bueno que ya en el libro 2 él hizo "escolta" de ella en la mansión de los... se me olvidó, hasta que ella salió "viva" a la lluvia.
La que más me divierte es Callandra, quien lo sabe desde el primer libro, y creo que los junta a propósito, sólo para que ellos se den...more
Bueno que ya en el libro 2 él hizo "escolta" de ella en la mansión de los... se me olvidó, hasta que ella salió "viva" a la lluvia.
La que más me divierte es Callandra, quien lo sabe desde el primer libro, y creo que los junta a propósito, sólo para que ellos se den...more
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 polémico -...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 polémico -...more
Jun 14, 2009
Ami
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-element,
action-adventure
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.
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 mistake which ends wi...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 mistake which ends wi...more
This was not my favorite of the series. The author had a definite political agenda in mind from the start in my opinion. I disliked having her own strong, personal views so clearly in evidence all through this novel. Maybe that is to be expected considering the particular subject matter. I'm still looking forward to the next in the series and hoping we can get back to the business of mystery and suspense! 3 Stars.
I read many of the Monk books in my pre-foodreads days, and found them to be quite compelling. Whether it was the amnesia Monk had, and his trying to solve a mystery plus solve his own mystery, or Hester's fierce determination to maintain her nursing skills, worth, and strength of character, or some of all of the above, I don't know, but I enjoyed the series. That I fell off later in the game is probably only because my life circumstances made it more complicated to keep up with when new books c...more
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Anne Perry (born Juliet Hulme) is a British historical novelist.
Juliet took the name "Anne Perry", the latter being her stepfather's surname. Her first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published under this name in 1979. Her works generally fall into one of several cate...more
More about Anne Perry...
Anne Perry (born Juliet Hulme) is a British historical novelist.
Juliet took the name "Anne Perry", the latter being her stepfather's surname. Her first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published under this name in 1979. Her works generally fall into one of several cate...more
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“It was not something you could call friendship; it was at once less and more. The sharing of such experiences created a bond and set them apart from all others. It was not something that could be told to another person. There were no words with a meaning both could understand which would impart the physical horror or the heights and depths of emotion.”
—
3 people liked it
“Page 134 Florence Nightengale is speaking to William Monk
Of course. If you know the truth, it takes a gentler and perhaps a wiser woman than Purdence Barrymore not to speak it aloud. She did not understand the arts of diplomacy. I fear that perhaps I do not either. The sick cannot wait for flattery and coercion to do their work.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
Of course. If you know the truth, it takes a gentler and perhaps a wiser woman than Purdence Barrymore not to speak it aloud. She did not understand the arts of diplomacy. I fear that perhaps I do not either. The sick cannot wait for flattery and coercion to do their work.”
Sep 17, 2008 12:48pm