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thenovelbook's review against another edition
4.0
Engrossing read because of the character development and the author's real skill at painting word pictures. The mystery itself became too convoluted by the end. There was no need for quite so many unrelated family secrets. However, the courtroom scenes are, as usual in this series, extremely interesting reading. But Monk the private detective, and Hester, the war nurse now on trial for her life, became even more of an enjoyable team by the end. The tension between them is acute, but I hope in the next books they drop some of the quarreling. Looking forward to the next.
castiel67's review against another edition
2.0
complete crap. When you can figure out what the case will bem, how it will unfold, the persons involved BEFORE it actually transpires? This series is so predictable now. The thought that Perry managed to publish something around 18-20 books in it, is baffling.
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
This is my favorite book in the Monk series so far!
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
From the no good deed goes unpunished file, a woman agrees to accompany a woman in rather delicate health on a train trip to London. During the trip the woman unexpectedly dies and it is discovered that she was poisoned. Her companion is charged with murder. Bring on the investigator William Monk to discover what has really happened.
karynhansen's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
okenwillow's review
5.0
Petit marathon tranquille en compagnie de William Monk et ses acolytes. Comme on ne change pas une équipe qui gagne, je poursuis donc ma plongée en apnée dans l’Angleterre victorienne de Florence Nightingale. Dans ce volume le lecteur est transporté à Édimbourg (joie bonheur et volupté !), où Hester Latterly est accusée de vol et d’empoisonnement sur la personne d’une vieille dame dont elle avait la charge. Monk et Rathbone se mettent en quatre pour l’innocenter et démasquer le coupable. Comme d’habitude, plusieurs pistes s’offrent à nous et aux protagonistes. La famille de la défunte, nombreuse est encore une fois une vraie galerie de portraits tous plus vrais que nature. La psychologie des uns et des autres est passée au peigne fin et les motivations de chacun disséquées par Monk. Les relations toujours ambigües de Monk et Hester prennent un nouveau tournant, et cette dernière révèle un pan de sa personnalité qui ne manque pas d’interpeller Monk. Si l’innocence et la libération d’Hester ne fait aucun doute, le cours des événements est loin d’être aussi évident, si l’on soupçonne tout le monde et n’importe qui, il reste toujours le mobile réel, la motivation profonde du coupable et la façon de procéder à découvrir. Un cheminement toujours complexe et subtil, avec des personnages de plus en plus attachants et fascinants. Je termine le volume 6, La marque de Caïn.
15alex15's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
Hester's supposedly simple job, to accompany an older lady from Edinburgh to London and administer medicine when required, turns into a nightmare. Monk and Rathbone have to work together and give their all to save her, and Hester can no longer deny there's a tendril of hope for more, even if Monk may regard her as a friend.
As expected, Perry brings her settings into vivid focus: the physical and emotional hardships of the Crimea and Newgate, and the sights and sounds of both England and Scotland. (I was somewhat bemused to realize again that parts of Edinburgh really haven't changed that much.) In addition, for the first time the case and legal strategy is centered around a sympathetic and well-liked figure - at least as far as the readers are concerned - which makes the differing public opinion more alarming than otherwise.
As expected, Perry brings her settings into vivid focus: the physical and emotional hardships of the Crimea and Newgate, and the sights and sounds of both England and Scotland. (I was somewhat bemused to realize again that parts of Edinburgh really haven't changed that much.) In addition, for the first time the case and legal strategy is centered around a sympathetic and well-liked figure - at least as far as the readers are concerned - which makes the differing public opinion more alarming than otherwise.