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William Monk #13
Death of a Stranger
Few authors have written more mesmerizingly about Victorian London than Anne Perry. Readers enter her world with exquisite anticipation, and experience a rich variety of characters and aristocrats living in luxury, flower sellers on street corners, ladies of the evening seeking customers on gaslit streets, gentlemen in hansom cabs en route to erotic diversions unknown in their Mayfair mansions. Now Perry gives her myriad fans the book they’ve been waiting for—the novel in which William Monk breaks through the wall of amnesia and discovers at last who he once was.
DEATH OF A STRANGER
For the prostitutes of Leather Lane, nurse Hester Monk’s clinic is a lifeline, providing medicine, food, and a modicum of peace—especially welcome since lately their ailments have escalated from bruises and fevers to broken bones and knife wounds. At the moment, however, the mysterious death of railway magnate Nolan Baltimore in a sleazy neighborhood brothel overshadows all else. Whether he fell or was pushed, the shocking question in everyone’s mind What was such a pillar of respectability doing in a seedy place of sin?
Meanwhile, brilliant private investigator William Monk acquires a new client, a mysterious beauty who asks him to ascertain beyond a shadow of a doubt whether or not her fiancé, an executive in Nolan Baltimore’s thriving railway firm, has become enmeshed in fraudulent practices that could ruin him.
As Hester ventures into violent streets to learn who is responsible for the brutal abuse of her patients, Monk embarks upon a journey into the English countryside, where the last rails are being laid for a new line. But the sight of tracks stretching into the distance revives memories once stripped from his consciousness by amnesia—as a past almost impossible to bear returns, eerily paralleling a fresh tragedy that has already begun its inexorable unfolding.
From the Hardcover edition.
DEATH OF A STRANGER
For the prostitutes of Leather Lane, nurse Hester Monk’s clinic is a lifeline, providing medicine, food, and a modicum of peace—especially welcome since lately their ailments have escalated from bruises and fevers to broken bones and knife wounds. At the moment, however, the mysterious death of railway magnate Nolan Baltimore in a sleazy neighborhood brothel overshadows all else. Whether he fell or was pushed, the shocking question in everyone’s mind What was such a pillar of respectability doing in a seedy place of sin?
Meanwhile, brilliant private investigator William Monk acquires a new client, a mysterious beauty who asks him to ascertain beyond a shadow of a doubt whether or not her fiancé, an executive in Nolan Baltimore’s thriving railway firm, has become enmeshed in fraudulent practices that could ruin him.
As Hester ventures into violent streets to learn who is responsible for the brutal abuse of her patients, Monk embarks upon a journey into the English countryside, where the last rails are being laid for a new line. But the sight of tracks stretching into the distance revives memories once stripped from his consciousness by amnesia—as a past almost impossible to bear returns, eerily paralleling a fresh tragedy that has already begun its inexorable unfolding.
From the Hardcover edition.
334 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
227 people are currently reading
1280 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
354 books3,361 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
November 15, 2018
The scenes with Hester at the clinic caught my attention, the middle flagged a bit (maybe because I haven't read the series and was less invested in Monk's memories), and the last third was good-- things were really tied up nicely. Some of the people or things at fault were obvious to me before the book characters figured them out, but I didn't mind that. I enjoyed Hester's cunning and how she solved her problem, and I liked the big courtroom scenes at the end. I would read more of this series.
August 1, 2010
It's hard to say too much about this book with giving everything away, but the book jacket blurb does say that Monk learns much about his forgotten history in this story. And that knowledge is twined with the puzzle in this case.
I thought that the parts of the story set in the prostitution district was not as well done as the part regarding the railroad.
Added 08/01/10:
After reading the next book in the series I realize that this book and the prior one really form the basis of a turning point in the series leading Monk and Hester into different directions with their individual work. And that's interesting from the view point of learning about continuing characters. However, I realize that the one thing I miss in Perry's mysteries is some sort of transition chapters at the end of one book and the beginning of another to really focus on Monk and Hester.
Monk does learn some significant things about his past...things which must have resulted in his talking things out with Hester about his past life, and we don't see any of that. I realize Perry is writing mysteries not women's fiction, but having invested so much in these characters, I feel somewhat cheated in not knowing what is going on "behind the scenes."
I thought that the parts of the story set in the prostitution district was not as well done as the part regarding the railroad.
Added 08/01/10:
After reading the next book in the series I realize that this book and the prior one really form the basis of a turning point in the series leading Monk and Hester into different directions with their individual work. And that's interesting from the view point of learning about continuing characters. However, I realize that the one thing I miss in Perry's mysteries is some sort of transition chapters at the end of one book and the beginning of another to really focus on Monk and Hester.
Monk does learn some significant things about his past...things which must have resulted in his talking things out with Hester about his past life, and we don't see any of that. I realize Perry is writing mysteries not women's fiction, but having invested so much in these characters, I feel somewhat cheated in not knowing what is going on "behind the scenes."
December 16, 2017
A good Victorian period novel. William Monk is still pursuing his work as a private investigator. Hester has set up as a nurse to street workers in the Coldbath area. Williams past haunts him and then takes on firm reality when Mr Baltimore is murdered. Lots of intrigue and an illegitimate daughter all make an appearance before the story reaches the inevitable climax in a court drama led by Sir Oliver Rathbone.
This story seemed to flow much better than some of the previous stories. I still find William Monk a frustrating character as he charges about without making a lot of progress before others solve the case. A good read nevertheless.
This story seemed to flow much better than some of the previous stories. I still find William Monk a frustrating character as he charges about without making a lot of progress before others solve the case. A good read nevertheless.
March 15, 2009
I find Anne Perry as a person entirely intriguing. She has led an incomparably unique life. I guess I read her books on occasion to feel like I’m reading more about her. It has to be truly rare that someone with her life experience rises from the ashes so to speak and becomes a successful and celebrated author.
In all honesty, I have a difficult time following her prose. It may also be because I’m sleep deprived, but I had to read a few sections twice. It reminds me of skipping stones along a still lake. Sometimes Miss Perry’s in such a hurry to get it all out at once that she skips every other sentence in an effort to get more across quickly. I actually do follow the implications and actual story most of the time when she does this; it just makes me nervous that I’ve missed something. I also have to re-read the accented and shortened speech of the London street walkers, but by the end of the novel I’ve usually gotten pretty good at this.
Woven is the word I would use to describe the plot. Anne Perry is a master weaver. I didn’t think she’d be able to make all the conflicts in this novel connect, but she ended up tying a knot right in the middle of them all. It was incredibly and cleverly done. For all the difficulty of reading, I can never complain about the excitement and surprise at the story itself. Besides, it’s entirely possible that reading this style comes easier through practice.
I think the element I like the most in this novel is our conviction of the good character of our hero and heroine. Even when in doubt, deep down we know they could never truly be guilty of evil. The entire idea of an earlier time when character was important, virtue was guarded, and evil was avoided is a pleasant thought that made me want to read more.
In all honesty, I have a difficult time following her prose. It may also be because I’m sleep deprived, but I had to read a few sections twice. It reminds me of skipping stones along a still lake. Sometimes Miss Perry’s in such a hurry to get it all out at once that she skips every other sentence in an effort to get more across quickly. I actually do follow the implications and actual story most of the time when she does this; it just makes me nervous that I’ve missed something. I also have to re-read the accented and shortened speech of the London street walkers, but by the end of the novel I’ve usually gotten pretty good at this.
Woven is the word I would use to describe the plot. Anne Perry is a master weaver. I didn’t think she’d be able to make all the conflicts in this novel connect, but she ended up tying a knot right in the middle of them all. It was incredibly and cleverly done. For all the difficulty of reading, I can never complain about the excitement and surprise at the story itself. Besides, it’s entirely possible that reading this style comes easier through practice.
I think the element I like the most in this novel is our conviction of the good character of our hero and heroine. Even when in doubt, deep down we know they could never truly be guilty of evil. The entire idea of an earlier time when character was important, virtue was guarded, and evil was avoided is a pleasant thought that made me want to read more.
January 20, 2010
It had been too long since I last read one of Anne Perry's William Monk novels set in Victorian England. Once I started reading, I couldn't believe I had let so long lapse before picking up another book in this series.
As the story begins, Monk's wife, Hester, is busily taking care of injured and ill prostitutes at her refuge in Coldbath. Hester asks little of the prostitutes, no more than a name to call them. During the evening, though, events take a puzzling turn as several well-spoken, educated prostitutes come to Hester for help. Later, Hester learns these prostitutes had been respectable once but circumstances caused them to turn to a greedy usurer to borrow money. When the women become unable to pay back the money, they are led by the usurer into prostitution and serve men who like to demean and belittle educated women or who like well-spoken women. Hester knows at once she must find the usurer and put a stop to the horrible situation in Coldbath.
When a wealthy railroad magnate is found murdered in the Coldbath area, blame immediately focuses on the prostitutes and pimps. As police patrol the area, business declines in the area--with the result that even more prostitutes end up injured. Hester decides she must take action in this too and find out who murdered the railway magnate.
Meanwhile, William Monk has an intriguing new case of his own. Katrina Harcus, a girl soon to be engaged to a rising young man in the railway industry, suspects there may be fraud at the railway. Even worse, the fraud may not only involve money but could result in a crash. Among the documents Katrina hands William is a note signed in his own hand with his own name, dated before the accident that cost him his memory. William begins searching for land fraud involving Baltimore & Sons, the railway line, as well as a horrific railway crash that happened shortly after Monk's mentor, Arroll Dundas, was wrongly jailed for fraud. As Monk delves into the past, he questions his loyalty to Dundas and what type of person he was before the accident. It begins to look like Hester's problem with the usurer and the murder in Coldbath Square may also tie into Monk's case. Amid jarring memories, Monk must make sense of the pieces of the past before another railway crash occurs or an innocent person is hanged.
This book transported me back into Victorian England. Perry does a wonderful job of conveying the sites and sounds of the era. If I could have given this book 4.5 stars I would have. It's a great read.
As the story begins, Monk's wife, Hester, is busily taking care of injured and ill prostitutes at her refuge in Coldbath. Hester asks little of the prostitutes, no more than a name to call them. During the evening, though, events take a puzzling turn as several well-spoken, educated prostitutes come to Hester for help. Later, Hester learns these prostitutes had been respectable once but circumstances caused them to turn to a greedy usurer to borrow money. When the women become unable to pay back the money, they are led by the usurer into prostitution and serve men who like to demean and belittle educated women or who like well-spoken women. Hester knows at once she must find the usurer and put a stop to the horrible situation in Coldbath.
When a wealthy railroad magnate is found murdered in the Coldbath area, blame immediately focuses on the prostitutes and pimps. As police patrol the area, business declines in the area--with the result that even more prostitutes end up injured. Hester decides she must take action in this too and find out who murdered the railway magnate.
Meanwhile, William Monk has an intriguing new case of his own. Katrina Harcus, a girl soon to be engaged to a rising young man in the railway industry, suspects there may be fraud at the railway. Even worse, the fraud may not only involve money but could result in a crash. Among the documents Katrina hands William is a note signed in his own hand with his own name, dated before the accident that cost him his memory. William begins searching for land fraud involving Baltimore & Sons, the railway line, as well as a horrific railway crash that happened shortly after Monk's mentor, Arroll Dundas, was wrongly jailed for fraud. As Monk delves into the past, he questions his loyalty to Dundas and what type of person he was before the accident. It begins to look like Hester's problem with the usurer and the murder in Coldbath Square may also tie into Monk's case. Amid jarring memories, Monk must make sense of the pieces of the past before another railway crash occurs or an innocent person is hanged.
This book transported me back into Victorian England. Perry does a wonderful job of conveying the sites and sounds of the era. If I could have given this book 4.5 stars I would have. It's a great read.
March 13, 2013
I do not like starting series in the middle, but this was the only Anne Perry book currently at the library and my dad recommended the book. While William Monk is a nice character, it was his wife, Hester, who kept me listening. She was not the weak, let-me-ask-my-detective-husband-what-I-should-do type. She was strong willed and independent while being a great wife.
November 6, 2016
This one's ending redeemed the dragging plot through the middle of the book. If it hadn't been for Hester's part of the storyline all of Monk's internal angst and repetitive musings for the majority of the book would have been even more tedious. It was entertaining however to see Rathbone back, and to see him taking up a very different role early on in the story that he seemed to really enjoy. Overall, my least favourite book in the Monk series so far.
November 26, 2020
This one had more pluses and minuses than usual, and that is saying something.
On the plus side, I loved Hester's story and loved the characters around her. I loved that we finally get a big piece of Monk's history. And I loved the not-so-standard courtroom scene/train chase ending.
Did not love Monk's endless quest to beat the wrong clues to death, nor did I love his endless self-absorbed soul-searching. We can only hope that finally having some answers will shut him up.
On the plus side, I loved Hester's story and loved the characters around her. I loved that we finally get a big piece of Monk's history. And I loved the not-so-standard courtroom scene/train chase ending.
Did not love Monk's endless quest to beat the wrong clues to death, nor did I love his endless self-absorbed soul-searching. We can only hope that finally having some answers will shut him up.
April 5, 2010
Anne Perry’s William Monk series has been and is for me the most intriguing of AP’s works. The reason for that is due to the fact that right from the start, William Monk is a most interesting character. Monk is the victim of a carriage accident which robbed him of his memory. During the course of the succeeding novels he slowly gains an ever increasing understanding of the man he once was but not the facts about why and how he became who he is. This novel finally provides some answers as to why Monk has some very dark and disturbing flashes of memory.
Monk’s current profession as a private investigator brings him in contact with an attractive young woman who hires Monk to look into the financial dealings of her fiancee after she over hears him discussing some dubious practices with his business partner. Meanwhile, Monk’s plucky wife Hester has undertaken the running of a free clinic to treat “ladies of the evening” for injuries and illnesses they suffer in their profession at no charge to them. This “clinic” is located in what amounts to a “red light” district in London. A wealthy railroad magnate turns up dead in one of the houses of prostitution which launches a very intense investigation by police into the circumstances surrounding the death of this gentleman of high society.
Before all is said and done, the murder of the railroad magnate and the investigation by Monk of the fiancee will become intertwined. This story gets somewhat complex which I suspect is why I enjoyed it so much. I also relished finding out why Monk had so much trepidation about the man he once was. In the end both you as the reader and Monk come to understand that he is a better man than he suspected he was and is every bit the equal partner of his morally upstanding wife, Hester.
One of my favorite parts of this story involves Hester. Her clinic being where it is, inevitably brings her in contact with some rather shady characters. She has a greedy landlord that she would like to be rid of. Circumstances in the story, so cleverly woven by AP eventually avail Hester of the means by which she can rid herself of her unpleasant landlord and at the same time help her clientele by ridding them of a very unscrupulous business operation in their area. Hester with the aid of two of her friends comes up with a clever scheme that results in a happy resolution for both Hester and her clients. I would venture to say that “Death of a Stranger” is one of the best reads in this series.
Monk’s current profession as a private investigator brings him in contact with an attractive young woman who hires Monk to look into the financial dealings of her fiancee after she over hears him discussing some dubious practices with his business partner. Meanwhile, Monk’s plucky wife Hester has undertaken the running of a free clinic to treat “ladies of the evening” for injuries and illnesses they suffer in their profession at no charge to them. This “clinic” is located in what amounts to a “red light” district in London. A wealthy railroad magnate turns up dead in one of the houses of prostitution which launches a very intense investigation by police into the circumstances surrounding the death of this gentleman of high society.
Before all is said and done, the murder of the railroad magnate and the investigation by Monk of the fiancee will become intertwined. This story gets somewhat complex which I suspect is why I enjoyed it so much. I also relished finding out why Monk had so much trepidation about the man he once was. In the end both you as the reader and Monk come to understand that he is a better man than he suspected he was and is every bit the equal partner of his morally upstanding wife, Hester.
One of my favorite parts of this story involves Hester. Her clinic being where it is, inevitably brings her in contact with some rather shady characters. She has a greedy landlord that she would like to be rid of. Circumstances in the story, so cleverly woven by AP eventually avail Hester of the means by which she can rid herself of her unpleasant landlord and at the same time help her clientele by ridding them of a very unscrupulous business operation in their area. Hester with the aid of two of her friends comes up with a clever scheme that results in a happy resolution for both Hester and her clients. I would venture to say that “Death of a Stranger” is one of the best reads in this series.
April 11, 2018
If you've not read the series, William Monk is a private detective in Victorian England with a fascinating past. He lost his memory in a horse-and-carriage crash, back when he was a detective on the police force, and ever since then Monk has been trying to ferret out his past. This book might not be the best place to start the series, in that it fills in wide swathes of his background, but it is still a standalone novel. If you start here you'll also miss the long romantic arc of his relationship with Hester, a nurse who served in the Crimean War and does not take crap from anyone. Each of the books in the William Monk series is one of his detective cases, and Hester always has an issue going on as well. Usually the case and the issue overlap, sometimes dramatically.
The detective case that Monk handles in Death of a Stranger is to probe the background of a young man for his fiance. Is he involved in shady dealings? She must know, and pays Monk to find out. The case triggers profound but shadowy memories for Monk, because it has to do with the business of railroads, and he was involved in that before his memory loss, even before his work with the police. The unfolding memories, more than the case, drive him.
Meanwhile Hester runs a medical clinic for abused women in the seedy part of town that is right in the middle of the action when a wealthy man is found messily dead in a brothel that some of her patients have worked at. Street walker's work has dwindled to nothing since the "toff" died in the area and police are absolutely everywhere, inhibiting trade. Women come into her clinic beaten and bruised, some stabbed and with life-threatening internal injuries. She discovers that they are being beaten much worse than usual for not bringing in enough money to satisfy a usurer, a predatory lender.
The detective case and Hester's mystery intersect in quite unexpected ways, including a court case about a murder, and the story has one of the most dramatic endings in the entire series.
Heartily recommended.
The detective case that Monk handles in Death of a Stranger is to probe the background of a young man for his fiance. Is he involved in shady dealings? She must know, and pays Monk to find out. The case triggers profound but shadowy memories for Monk, because it has to do with the business of railroads, and he was involved in that before his memory loss, even before his work with the police. The unfolding memories, more than the case, drive him.
Meanwhile Hester runs a medical clinic for abused women in the seedy part of town that is right in the middle of the action when a wealthy man is found messily dead in a brothel that some of her patients have worked at. Street walker's work has dwindled to nothing since the "toff" died in the area and police are absolutely everywhere, inhibiting trade. Women come into her clinic beaten and bruised, some stabbed and with life-threatening internal injuries. She discovers that they are being beaten much worse than usual for not bringing in enough money to satisfy a usurer, a predatory lender.
The detective case and Hester's mystery intersect in quite unexpected ways, including a court case about a murder, and the story has one of the most dramatic endings in the entire series.
Heartily recommended.
May 7, 2017
This book is supposedly a Victorian mystery. The husband wife duo solves cases and finds out that their cases intertwine, and they help each other. A rich man gets stabbed in a prostitute district and trade stops while the police is on a manhunt. At the same time, someone is beating up the women because they are unable to pay off their debts by selling off their bodies. This is one aspect of the story. The other aspect is a railroad fraud intrigue, which was completely incomprehensible.
Hester, the wife, works with prostitutes and heals them from injuries they contract during the course of their work. Her character is well-drawn, interesting and consistent. She has some brilliant scenes. Her husband, William Monk, on the other hand, is introduced in a stupid way. He has a history and he keeps reminiscing about his past in flashes, which are all supremely uninteresting. The fact that we do not know how Monk lost his memory makes the book very boring. We also have no idea why his loss of memory is important at all. It all gets cleared up at the end, but just a couple of chapters making some sense is simply not enough.
William goes on for pages and pages remembering flashes and crashes and Arrol Dundas (Who is he and seriously, who cares?) and railway fraud, consistently repetitive, page after page after page. The problem is that we never have anything concrete to hold on to while he goes off on his musings. Why do we care about his past at all? I don’t. Hester’s story was very linear and more interesting as we actually got to see her moving about and doing things, feeling emotions and arriving at conclusions, unlike her husband, who for most of the book is grappling with his extremely uninteresting memories. But since they have been given equal time, this book completely loses the plot.
A total miss. Not recommended. At all.
Hester, the wife, works with prostitutes and heals them from injuries they contract during the course of their work. Her character is well-drawn, interesting and consistent. She has some brilliant scenes. Her husband, William Monk, on the other hand, is introduced in a stupid way. He has a history and he keeps reminiscing about his past in flashes, which are all supremely uninteresting. The fact that we do not know how Monk lost his memory makes the book very boring. We also have no idea why his loss of memory is important at all. It all gets cleared up at the end, but just a couple of chapters making some sense is simply not enough.
William goes on for pages and pages remembering flashes and crashes and Arrol Dundas (Who is he and seriously, who cares?) and railway fraud, consistently repetitive, page after page after page. The problem is that we never have anything concrete to hold on to while he goes off on his musings. Why do we care about his past at all? I don’t. Hester’s story was very linear and more interesting as we actually got to see her moving about and doing things, feeling emotions and arriving at conclusions, unlike her husband, who for most of the book is grappling with his extremely uninteresting memories. But since they have been given equal time, this book completely loses the plot.
A total miss. Not recommended. At all.
August 15, 2024
Not certain when I first read this, but I didn’t remember any of the story. I love it because we finally learn about Monk’s past, and the way Squeaky Robinson comes into Hester’s story. Perry is an excellent writer and story teller.
August 18, 2017
I liked it. It gave you more of the background of Monk before he lost his memory.
April 1, 2018
Leí “Los crímenes de Cater Street” y me gustó mucho. Por eso decidí leer alguna novela más de Anne Perry. Escogí “Muerte de un extraño” al azar.
No puedo decir que no me haya gustado pero, sin duda, la anterior me gustó mucho más.
En esta ocasión la autora narra dos historias que se van encontrando pero, aunque la de la protagonista es interesante desde el principio, la de él es más farragosa y no logra enganchar al mismo tiempo por lo que el ritmo no se mantiene. Hacia el final remonta con los capítulos del juicio que me han parecido excelentes. Sigo destacando la descripción del Londres victoriano y la atmósfera que recrea Perry con maestría, sin embargo, me quedo con la primera novela.
No puedo decir que no me haya gustado pero, sin duda, la anterior me gustó mucho más.
En esta ocasión la autora narra dos historias que se van encontrando pero, aunque la de la protagonista es interesante desde el principio, la de él es más farragosa y no logra enganchar al mismo tiempo por lo que el ritmo no se mantiene. Hacia el final remonta con los capítulos del juicio que me han parecido excelentes. Sigo destacando la descripción del Londres victoriano y la atmósfera que recrea Perry con maestría, sin embargo, me quedo con la primera novela.
March 8, 2022
Chouette tome, lequel nous dévoile un pan du passé de Monk
January 23, 2024
Fantastic as always. Love this author!
March 10, 2024
Will Monk's past come back to haunt him? Read this book and find out.
June 18, 2025
Another well-done Audible version of a good book. It kept the reader guessing until close to the end.
I had guessed at least part of the solution to the mystery before it was revealed.
I had guessed at least part of the solution to the mystery before it was revealed.
August 23, 2019
Was not in love with this one.
April 25, 2023
Ladies and gentlemen before retiring to my chambers I would like to comment on this book for users. I do not think I can stand up to "Bullet Train" by Kotaro Isaka https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5..., but it has been a novel that can aspire to the title of surprise of the year, or revelation of the year, sleeper title call it users as they wish. This the second book that I read to Anne Perry the first was the wonderful "The White Chapel Conspiracy" https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... book that entertained me enormously without stopping to deal with interesting topics the rebellion of the mestizos of Canada, the damages that can do the revolutionary excesses of the nineteenth century in this revolutions of nationalist character (1830, 1848, 1870), and above all dealt with the situation of Catholics (and the discrimination they suffered), and although the subject of Queen Victoria's son is an invention of the author a method to prevent a Catholic boy from coming to the throne https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... .
It seemed very difficult to overcome this premise, but this novel has not been left behind. In this case the detective is not Thomas Pitt (nor his charming wife Charlotte) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..., but William Monk who at first although it seems that he has everything (as shown by that brilliant start of the novel at the beginning. We are faced with a man who has the world at his feet, and fortune smiles on him) as professional success in a new profession as a detective, and a marriage with a very good woman, who is a nurse, and helps the prostitutes of London is seen that Monk has something that corrodes him having lost his memory, and not having been able to save his master, or protector Arrol Dundas. I've always had a great fascination with amnesiac characters (whether it's Christopher Nolan's memento https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., or the Latro from Gene Wolfe's trilogy of the same name https://www.goodreads.com/series/4945... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... May he rest in peace. There was a game of a console, which only those of my generation know Flas Back, which was one of the best, and was of a character who lost his memory), or who have lost his memory. This novel has that appeal.
This novel is divided into two arcs. One starring Monk's wife. Hester Monk, who with her friend Margaret Ballingford in a place rented by a very greedy landlord attends free of charge to prostitutes. She is a pupil of Florence Nightingale, and has been in the Crimean War at the Battle of Balaclava, which you will surely remember from the verses of Alfred Tennyson's light brigade charge https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1.... The peace that Hester Monk breathes will be altered when a millionaire named Nolan Baltimore is found murdered in a brothel which will make the pimps before the police presence see that their girls lose money, and pay their frustrations with prostitutes. Hester is not in favor of prostitution, but she knows human nature, and she knows it's not going away. Whoever is in favor of abolishing it I recommend a very good book by one of my favorite writers entitled "A slavery of our time" by Maxence van der Meersch https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... Writer who unfortunately is totally unknown in the United States, since he has not been translated. That topic was discussed in The Catholic Book Club's discussion of the book "The Screwtapes Letters" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group....
This occurs on the same day that Hester attends to three prostitutes Nell, and a girl named Kitty. There will also be a time when he meets millionaire daughter Livia Baltimore, who will ask Hester for help clearing her father's name. While Monk will commission a woman named Katrina Harkuss to try to prove that her fiancé Michael Dalgarno who works for Nolan's company to investigate that he is not involved in anything illegal, and Monk will relive much of his past, he will return as a ghost to haunt him. It is interesting to compare Monk with the hero of the French resistance in the novel "The Seventh Veil" by my beloved Juan Manuel de Prada https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... (by the way this is my favorite novel by this author) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... . I am referring to Jules Thillon, who is going to follow a trajectory opposite to that of Monk. One seems to have an immaculate reputation, and is a war hero. The other believes that he was a shady character, who participated in some shenanigans in the past. There's the trauma of a train accident that cost the lives of a bunch of schoolchildren prowling through the pages of the novel. This novel was written by Anne Perry (who has experienced in her own flesh the power of evil) to show us the miseries of Victorian England that was at its peak, but at the cost of many people living in precarious conditions, and in which there were many dirty laundry such as speculation, and the purchase of land for the roads. These railway corruption schemes are not only typical of England promoted by the utilitarianism of Bentham https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., Stuart Mill https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., Herbert Spencer https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., and the Manchester School of David Ricardo https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., and Richard Cobden https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... that they had as an adversary well-meaning writers like Charles Dickens (although I did not like the novel the prologue of the beginning of "Hard Times" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... where Dickens mocks Grandgrind is an attack on Bentham's utilitarianism) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , which sought through its novels to make people aware of the situation of the most needy by avoiding the destructive revolutions of Luddism, and the Trade Unions of Robert Owen https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... among others. Many were made of gold. In Spain he enriched himself through real estate speculation for example the Marquis of Salamanca one of the protégés of the spanish Queen Elizabeth II.
Here it is shown how many people, and part of the English lower clergy lost their property and parishes, and were not compensated. There is a very strong social criticism in this novel, which is far from being an accommodating novel. The plots of Monk, and his wife are coming together as the Baltimore family for whom both Arrol Dundas and Monk worked in the past seem involved in the plot. Dalgarno is the partner of Nolan's son Baltimore (Jarvis), and plays two sides with Katrina, and Livia Baltimore. There are also frictions in the marriage since Hester wants Monk to investigate the brothel, but Monk does not do it hiding behind the fact that although unethical it is not illegal. Hester has discovered that there is something worse than prostitution. In fact, Hester will be more successful than her husband, but for me the real hero of the novel is Sir Oliver Rathbone, a former suitor of Hester, and who will end up falling in love with Hester's friend (Margaret). Sir Oliver Rathbone's role is impeccable. On the subject of the sordid network of extortion of women (it reminded me of the case of Alcasser, or murder in 8 mm the film by Nicolas Cage, and Joaquin Phoenix use blackmail to strip people of their dignity, and practice the most repulsive things with victims of blackmail, and disproportionate usury), and as if instead of opting for revenge something that the woke would have done (which they would have given in the noble parts to Squaeky). They solve the plot, and I like what they do with Squeaky Robinson a very shady character, but if not redeeming him at least is put to good use. She doesn't fall into the typical two-dimensional, Manichean woke heroine who blames men for everything bad.
Low blows are avoided, and the plot is resolved in a civilized way, and without violence. One of the flaws of this novel is that perhaps Hester's plot is more interesting than William Monk's. Although he tries to redeem his teacher Arrol Dundas, and prevent the same thing from happening to Dalgarno. The novel may perhaps especially at the beginning exasperate us because of its slow pace. However, I believe that Monk's ineffectiveness is due to the fact that on paper there is nothing illegal, and that he fears being the main suspect in the case (he is an implicated party). Nor will it help him to reconnect with an old rival with whom he reconciled. The novel exudes a sincere religiosity and the encounter with the Colman priests, and Pride are very emotional. At the end there is a trial where it is shown that the real hero is (for me) Sir. Oliver Rathbone (who is also decisive in the plot of Hester Monk, although the brain is Hester Monk). The novel takes a plot twist that will displace most (it happened to me). No more can happen in that trial. There is a moment when the gallows passes from one to another. This trial reminded me of the "Crime of Rouletabaille" by Gaston Leroux https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... published in the Spanish Editorial @DEpoca it seems that at first Sir Oliver Rathbone is gaining time, but then you realize what not. I do not understand how Sir Oliver Rathbone is able to find out what William Monk has not achieved throughout the novel. It is certainly a prodigy, and a wonder, because I did not expect that resolution of the case. I'm not going to tell you how it ends, but I'm going to give you two hints of clue. One is a conversation from a movie It is a wonderful life https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... between George Bailey and his angel Clarence in Pottersville, and then the second track is a beautiful novel, perhaps the novel that has been published by the publisher @palabraes that I liked the most I mean the "Christian Samurai" by Ayako Miura https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2.... Although the price may not be as high as the one Nobuo Nagano pays. This novel also has something of Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound with Gregory Peck, and Ingrid Bergman in the roles. It also has something of Tadeusz Dolega-Mostowicz's "Healer" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... @sekotia. He is a person who faces an ordeal, and comes out much better than when he started (so the reader leaves with a very good taste in his mouth. Although I wouldn't have minded the bad ending either. In the end the damnatio memoriae falls on who deserves it). At least find out the truth about himself. It's a great novel, and moving, extraordinary, even though it's a slow novel, and you don't understand how Sir Oliver Rathbone was able to solve the case. He attributed this to Monk being too involved in the case. My grade is (5/5).
It seemed very difficult to overcome this premise, but this novel has not been left behind. In this case the detective is not Thomas Pitt (nor his charming wife Charlotte) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..., but William Monk who at first although it seems that he has everything (as shown by that brilliant start of the novel at the beginning. We are faced with a man who has the world at his feet, and fortune smiles on him) as professional success in a new profession as a detective, and a marriage with a very good woman, who is a nurse, and helps the prostitutes of London is seen that Monk has something that corrodes him having lost his memory, and not having been able to save his master, or protector Arrol Dundas. I've always had a great fascination with amnesiac characters (whether it's Christopher Nolan's memento https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., or the Latro from Gene Wolfe's trilogy of the same name https://www.goodreads.com/series/4945... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... May he rest in peace. There was a game of a console, which only those of my generation know Flas Back, which was one of the best, and was of a character who lost his memory), or who have lost his memory. This novel has that appeal.
This novel is divided into two arcs. One starring Monk's wife. Hester Monk, who with her friend Margaret Ballingford in a place rented by a very greedy landlord attends free of charge to prostitutes. She is a pupil of Florence Nightingale, and has been in the Crimean War at the Battle of Balaclava, which you will surely remember from the verses of Alfred Tennyson's light brigade charge https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1.... The peace that Hester Monk breathes will be altered when a millionaire named Nolan Baltimore is found murdered in a brothel which will make the pimps before the police presence see that their girls lose money, and pay their frustrations with prostitutes. Hester is not in favor of prostitution, but she knows human nature, and she knows it's not going away. Whoever is in favor of abolishing it I recommend a very good book by one of my favorite writers entitled "A slavery of our time" by Maxence van der Meersch https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... Writer who unfortunately is totally unknown in the United States, since he has not been translated. That topic was discussed in The Catholic Book Club's discussion of the book "The Screwtapes Letters" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group....
This occurs on the same day that Hester attends to three prostitutes Nell, and a girl named Kitty. There will also be a time when he meets millionaire daughter Livia Baltimore, who will ask Hester for help clearing her father's name. While Monk will commission a woman named Katrina Harkuss to try to prove that her fiancé Michael Dalgarno who works for Nolan's company to investigate that he is not involved in anything illegal, and Monk will relive much of his past, he will return as a ghost to haunt him. It is interesting to compare Monk with the hero of the French resistance in the novel "The Seventh Veil" by my beloved Juan Manuel de Prada https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... (by the way this is my favorite novel by this author) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... . I am referring to Jules Thillon, who is going to follow a trajectory opposite to that of Monk. One seems to have an immaculate reputation, and is a war hero. The other believes that he was a shady character, who participated in some shenanigans in the past. There's the trauma of a train accident that cost the lives of a bunch of schoolchildren prowling through the pages of the novel. This novel was written by Anne Perry (who has experienced in her own flesh the power of evil) to show us the miseries of Victorian England that was at its peak, but at the cost of many people living in precarious conditions, and in which there were many dirty laundry such as speculation, and the purchase of land for the roads. These railway corruption schemes are not only typical of England promoted by the utilitarianism of Bentham https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., Stuart Mill https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., Herbert Spencer https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., and the Manchester School of David Ricardo https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., and Richard Cobden https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... that they had as an adversary well-meaning writers like Charles Dickens (although I did not like the novel the prologue of the beginning of "Hard Times" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... where Dickens mocks Grandgrind is an attack on Bentham's utilitarianism) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , which sought through its novels to make people aware of the situation of the most needy by avoiding the destructive revolutions of Luddism, and the Trade Unions of Robert Owen https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... among others. Many were made of gold. In Spain he enriched himself through real estate speculation for example the Marquis of Salamanca one of the protégés of the spanish Queen Elizabeth II.
Here it is shown how many people, and part of the English lower clergy lost their property and parishes, and were not compensated. There is a very strong social criticism in this novel, which is far from being an accommodating novel. The plots of Monk, and his wife are coming together as the Baltimore family for whom both Arrol Dundas and Monk worked in the past seem involved in the plot. Dalgarno is the partner of Nolan's son Baltimore (Jarvis), and plays two sides with Katrina, and Livia Baltimore. There are also frictions in the marriage since Hester wants Monk to investigate the brothel, but Monk does not do it hiding behind the fact that although unethical it is not illegal. Hester has discovered that there is something worse than prostitution. In fact, Hester will be more successful than her husband, but for me the real hero of the novel is Sir Oliver Rathbone, a former suitor of Hester, and who will end up falling in love with Hester's friend (Margaret). Sir Oliver Rathbone's role is impeccable. On the subject of the sordid network of extortion of women (it reminded me of the case of Alcasser, or murder in 8 mm the film by Nicolas Cage, and Joaquin Phoenix use blackmail to strip people of their dignity, and practice the most repulsive things with victims of blackmail, and disproportionate usury), and as if instead of opting for revenge something that the woke would have done (which they would have given in the noble parts to Squaeky). They solve the plot, and I like what they do with Squeaky Robinson a very shady character, but if not redeeming him at least is put to good use. She doesn't fall into the typical two-dimensional, Manichean woke heroine who blames men for everything bad.
Low blows are avoided, and the plot is resolved in a civilized way, and without violence. One of the flaws of this novel is that perhaps Hester's plot is more interesting than William Monk's. Although he tries to redeem his teacher Arrol Dundas, and prevent the same thing from happening to Dalgarno. The novel may perhaps especially at the beginning exasperate us because of its slow pace. However, I believe that Monk's ineffectiveness is due to the fact that on paper there is nothing illegal, and that he fears being the main suspect in the case (he is an implicated party). Nor will it help him to reconnect with an old rival with whom he reconciled. The novel exudes a sincere religiosity and the encounter with the Colman priests, and Pride are very emotional. At the end there is a trial where it is shown that the real hero is (for me) Sir. Oliver Rathbone (who is also decisive in the plot of Hester Monk, although the brain is Hester Monk). The novel takes a plot twist that will displace most (it happened to me). No more can happen in that trial. There is a moment when the gallows passes from one to another. This trial reminded me of the "Crime of Rouletabaille" by Gaston Leroux https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... published in the Spanish Editorial @DEpoca it seems that at first Sir Oliver Rathbone is gaining time, but then you realize what not. I do not understand how Sir Oliver Rathbone is able to find out what William Monk has not achieved throughout the novel. It is certainly a prodigy, and a wonder, because I did not expect that resolution of the case. I'm not going to tell you how it ends, but I'm going to give you two hints of clue. One is a conversation from a movie It is a wonderful life https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... between George Bailey and his angel Clarence in Pottersville, and then the second track is a beautiful novel, perhaps the novel that has been published by the publisher @palabraes that I liked the most I mean the "Christian Samurai" by Ayako Miura https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2.... Although the price may not be as high as the one Nobuo Nagano pays. This novel also has something of Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound with Gregory Peck, and Ingrid Bergman in the roles. It also has something of Tadeusz Dolega-Mostowicz's "Healer" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... @sekotia. He is a person who faces an ordeal, and comes out much better than when he started (so the reader leaves with a very good taste in his mouth. Although I wouldn't have minded the bad ending either. In the end the damnatio memoriae falls on who deserves it). At least find out the truth about himself. It's a great novel, and moving, extraordinary, even though it's a slow novel, and you don't understand how Sir Oliver Rathbone was able to solve the case. He attributed this to Monk being too involved in the case. My grade is (5/5).
September 15, 2015
Perry is repetitive to the point of boredom in this book. For me, personally, the railroad business is boring, so the book grew tedious. Others may feel differently. I certainly realize I'm not going to like every topic Perry chooses to write about, although it did tie up some loose ends to Monk's past. Hester's part of the story is much more interesting, although after she visited Squeaky I knew the usurer's identity immediately. Why does the truth always take so long to dawn on her and Monk?
Speaking of Monk. He is often blind to the obvious truth. How could he fail to miss the signs of a trap being set by Miss Harcus? And, at times, he has little faith in Hester's love for him. He always struggles with sharing the secrets of his past, as if she's so shallow the revelation will change her love for him.
I was happy to see a reappearance by Margaret Ballinger. I really enjoyed the scene in "Breach of Promise" where she and Rathbone shared a dance and even hoped a pairing might be in the offing. Until this book, I was certain of disappointment. Hester's jealousy in regards to the pairing was a little amusing. I love her, but it certainly makes her character a little flawed and, therefore, more realistic.
The newspaper account of the train crash makes it glaringly obvious that Perry is an author not a journalist.
Absolutely loved the scene where Hester, Rathbone and Margaret trick Squeaky. I can't wait to see how their partnership turns out in future books. I almost increased my rating by a star on the strength of this scene alone, but the absurd ending changed my mind. I did like how action packed the final scene was with Monk trying to stop Baltimore and the train. Why must so many of Perry's books drag on and on, only to have a mere two or three action packed and riveting chapters at the very end?
Speaking of Monk. He is often blind to the obvious truth. How could he fail to miss the signs of a trap being set by Miss Harcus? And, at times, he has little faith in Hester's love for him. He always struggles with sharing the secrets of his past, as if she's so shallow the revelation will change her love for him.
I was happy to see a reappearance by Margaret Ballinger. I really enjoyed the scene in "Breach of Promise" where she and Rathbone shared a dance and even hoped a pairing might be in the offing. Until this book, I was certain of disappointment. Hester's jealousy in regards to the pairing was a little amusing. I love her, but it certainly makes her character a little flawed and, therefore, more realistic.
The newspaper account of the train crash makes it glaringly obvious that Perry is an author not a journalist.
Absolutely loved the scene where Hester, Rathbone and Margaret trick Squeaky. I can't wait to see how their partnership turns out in future books. I almost increased my rating by a star on the strength of this scene alone, but the absurd ending changed my mind. I did like how action packed the final scene was with Monk trying to stop Baltimore and the train. Why must so many of Perry's books drag on and on, only to have a mere two or three action packed and riveting chapters at the very end?
May 13, 2015
Hester's landlord is most unhappy about her clinic, squeezing her for more money and making life generally awkward, while she tries to educate the rare helpers in the realities of life: it's shocking to realize that a 12-14 hour day of "honest" work would pay less than 2 shillings, scarcely enough to get by.
Meanwhile, Monk is engaged on a different matter: investigating a future husband's business interests. As he digs into the railroad industry he discovers ties to his own past, encountering more flashes of memory, and as old secrets rise to the surface, intertwining past and present, he begins to fear the man he used to be. Fearful actions may jeopardize everything he holds dear - what is it that he can't remember? A horrifying possibility is emerging, and it's one he can't bear to consider, but he must face it or face an even greater tragedy.
Anne Perry makes plain the pride of workmanship and skill of the navvies who construct railroads and viaducts across the world, and this contrasts strangely with the ongoing hypocrisy of society, which condemns the women forced into prostitution while ignoring the men who both enable and take advantage of it. As contemporary, social issues go, one is sadly now historic while the other continues, but the issues of prostitution and industry conflicts both remain.
Meanwhile, Monk is engaged on a different matter: investigating a future husband's business interests. As he digs into the railroad industry he discovers ties to his own past, encountering more flashes of memory, and as old secrets rise to the surface, intertwining past and present, he begins to fear the man he used to be. Fearful actions may jeopardize everything he holds dear - what is it that he can't remember? A horrifying possibility is emerging, and it's one he can't bear to consider, but he must face it or face an even greater tragedy.
Anne Perry makes plain the pride of workmanship and skill of the navvies who construct railroads and viaducts across the world, and this contrasts strangely with the ongoing hypocrisy of society, which condemns the women forced into prostitution while ignoring the men who both enable and take advantage of it. As contemporary, social issues go, one is sadly now historic while the other continues, but the issues of prostitution and industry conflicts both remain.
September 20, 2020
I do enjoy these mysteries. Like meeting up with an old friend. Never thought I would read this many in the series. Always struck by the lack of choices & control women had in their lives. This book took on the many ways women were pushed into prostitution. God bless RBG!
May 18, 2021
This is a book for those who not only want a who dun it mystery but who are also interested in the mystery that a person is to themselves. William Monk struggles not only to answer the questions posed by his client but also the questions of his past. Anne Perry is a master at combining the two quests into one amazing story. I read this book when it was first published and again just recently and am amazed at how relevant the story is again today.
February 27, 2009
Inspector Monk grapples with half-remembered events of his past as he investigates a railway-building fraud on behalf of a young woman client who fears for her fiance’s involvement. Meanwhile, Monk’s wife,nurse Hester, treats a number of prostitutes whose beatings might be linked to the murder of a prominent financier who is connected to the railroad.
Too turgid and romantic in tone to be convincingly Victorian. Intense focus on and viewpoint of character miss the 19th century tone of omniscience; fairly well-written but some markedly awkward transitions;
ideas of social reform fit Victorian era but also sounds like shop-worn liberalism of 21st century with some condescension toward the poor. Too
slow-paced without enough other interest to keep me going; was unable to finish.
Too turgid and romantic in tone to be convincingly Victorian. Intense focus on and viewpoint of character miss the 19th century tone of omniscience; fairly well-written but some markedly awkward transitions;
ideas of social reform fit Victorian era but also sounds like shop-worn liberalism of 21st century with some condescension toward the poor. Too
slow-paced without enough other interest to keep me going; was unable to finish.
July 19, 2018
In this, the thirteenth book of the series, Monk is hired by a young woman to investigate a new railroad for fraud. It takes him back to the mysteries of his past life. Meanwhile, Hester is working in a refuge for injured and sick prostitutes who are being badly beaten. A prosperous railroad owner is found dead, and Hester tries to find out who murdered him.
Much of Monk's past is finally revealed finally. Oliver, Runcorn, and other of the recurring characters in the series show up which is always fun. Monk and Hester seem somewhat separated after the closeness in the recent books, but hopefully, they'll be able to confide in each other better going forward.
This series is always an enjoyable read.
Much of Monk's past is finally revealed finally. Oliver, Runcorn, and other of the recurring characters in the series show up which is always fun. Monk and Hester seem somewhat separated after the closeness in the recent books, but hopefully, they'll be able to confide in each other better going forward.
This series is always an enjoyable read.
August 11, 2016
relying on other reviews for plot synopsis.
library mp3. Usually a 2 means I didn't finish, in this case I really wanted to click off, but I had invested too much time. Perry has so many books, I figured I had to see what she was about. But still a 2.
Ok, lots of detail on London and British society in 1860's, with a good distaste for class oppression. But so slow. I thought it might be the first in a series on Monk (Face of a Stranger) because of the amnesia device, but actually the 13th. Too much internal narrative of thoughts. Time of day also sketchy.
I won't likely read another Perry.
library mp3. Usually a 2 means I didn't finish, in this case I really wanted to click off, but I had invested too much time. Perry has so many books, I figured I had to see what she was about. But still a 2.
Ok, lots of detail on London and British society in 1860's, with a good distaste for class oppression. But so slow. I thought it might be the first in a series on Monk (Face of a Stranger) because of the amnesia device, but actually the 13th. Too much internal narrative of thoughts. Time of day also sketchy.
I won't likely read another Perry.
January 31, 2018
Just when I was ready to quit the William Monk series, I truly enjoyed this book. My only complaint is the same one I've had for each book in this series as well as those in the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series - the "villain" is revealed and three paragraphs later the book ends. Evidently it's one of the author's "trademarks", but it would be nice to have at least a little "wrap up" at the end. Also, I have one complaint for the publisher (of the hardcover edition) - PLEASE don't use those "uneven pages". They not only make the book look old and shabby, but they make it very difficult to flip through the book to get to a particular page.
April 17, 2025
2025: I've neglected to say that a situation relating to the clinic is at the center of this story, is really relevant in this decade (!), and makes this book some of the most compelling writing Perry ever did.
Original Review:
This is the beginning of a new story arc as Hester opens a clinic for prostitutes, and we meet two characters who will be significant to future plots: Margaret Ballinger (who actually appeared briefly in a previous book but becomes a regular part of the cast now) and brothel keeper Squeaky Robinson. And while he is not a sympathetic character here, give Squeaky a chance-- there's more to him than meets the eye.
Original Review:
This is the beginning of a new story arc as Hester opens a clinic for prostitutes, and we meet two characters who will be significant to future plots: Margaret Ballinger (who actually appeared briefly in a previous book but becomes a regular part of the cast now) and brothel keeper Squeaky Robinson. And while he is not a sympathetic character here, give Squeaky a chance-- there's more to him than meets the eye.
July 14, 2018
I liked this one well enough, but it felt formulaic (hello, #13 in the series!). It had twists and turns, and the character development was surprisingly good considering I've only read the first in the series before this one. Perry didn't depend on character development over the course of the entire series, which was commendable. It didn't have the richness, or soul that I seek in books- the type of thing where I stay up late in the night to finish, or I can't do anything else until I finish, but it was entertaining.
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