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felinity's review against another edition
4.0
Anne Perry never disappoints. Multi-thread plots, intriguing characters, and all well-seated in a solid historical setting, complete with very interesting trivial details that bring the whole thing to life. Discovering more about the characters is almost more important than the mystery plot, and it shows: characterisation is strong, and both Monk and Hester's strengths and weaknesses are explored.
we_are_all_mad_here26's review against another edition
4.0
The trend that I've noticed with books in this series - somewhat less than exciting first half, much, much better past that point - does not hold true for this one. It was more consistent by a lot, and I did not get bored even once. So now I might be dedicated to reading all 20-however-many.
That being said I solved this mystery way sooner than old Monk did, or a part of it anyway, which is weird as Monk is forever being described (mostly by himself, in his own head) as a brilliant detective.
I also cannot seem to get past the ever-weirder physical descriptions of characters. Like:
"He had never known exactly what to make of Evan. He looked so mild and inoffensive with his long nose and hazel eyes, but seemed always to be on the brink of amusement..."
I'm sorry, he looked inoffensive because of the color of his eyes and his long nose??
Or - "Sir Herbert’s eyes narrowed and he concentrated intensely, weighing the face he saw with its broad forehead, curious very dark eyes for a man otherwise fair, long sensitive nose and beautiful mouth."
What is a long sensitive nose?
Finally, I cannot help but question moments like this:
"A mixture of emotions filled his face— discomfort, defensiveness, irritation, and tenderness."
I just truly do not believe a person can detect all these alleged emotions in one fleeting moment.
But, whatever, 4 stars because I enjoyed it all the same.
That being said I solved this mystery way sooner than old Monk did, or a part of it anyway, which is weird as Monk is forever being described (mostly by himself, in his own head) as a brilliant detective.
I also cannot seem to get past the ever-weirder physical descriptions of characters. Like:
"He had never known exactly what to make of Evan. He looked so mild and inoffensive with his long nose and hazel eyes, but seemed always to be on the brink of amusement..."
I'm sorry, he looked inoffensive because of the color of his eyes and his long nose??
Or - "Sir Herbert’s eyes narrowed and he concentrated intensely, weighing the face he saw with its broad forehead, curious very dark eyes for a man otherwise fair, long sensitive nose and beautiful mouth."
What is a long sensitive nose?
Finally, I cannot help but question moments like this:
"A mixture of emotions filled his face— discomfort, defensiveness, irritation, and tenderness."
I just truly do not believe a person can detect all these alleged emotions in one fleeting moment.
But, whatever, 4 stars because I enjoyed it all the same.
squishies's review against another edition
2.0
This instalment wasn't as interesting as the other books, then again, I don't think Perry could top the last one in terms of suspense and intensity!
Pace felt absolutely glacial.
Pace felt absolutely glacial.
shoelessmama's review against another edition
4.0
While the mystery wasn't especially strong and Perry takes her sweet time getting there, as is often the case, I still really enjoyed this novel. My favorite of Perry's books are the ones where she takes a social problem and lets us look at it through the lens of history. This was probably longer than it needed to be but I liked the conversations/crux of the story and I also enjoy the recurring characters in this series.
schlotte's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
taisie22's review
4.0
When Crimean nurse Prudence Barrymore is murdered and her body stuffed down a laundry chute, it is up to private investigator William Monk to discover who killed her. He has the aid of Hester Latterly who knew nurse Barrymore slightly and is now nursing in the same hospital.
I was happy there was a lot more of Monk in this book. The last two books had more to do with Hester and Oliver Rathbone, the solicitor who is usually involved in the crimes detailed this series. There are some good twists and turns in this story though it seemed to take a while to reach the conclusion with some side alleys that didn't seem to have much to do with the actual crime. I also didn't learn much new about Monk's memory lapse (from the first book) which is what makes up so much of his character. But it was a good read despite a few plot holes; there were women doctors in America in the 1850s so I'm not sure why there was so much disbelief in England that a woman could go to medical school. Innovations in sterile environments in medical facilities were discussed by people such as Joseph Lister and Florence Nightingale though perhaps still ridiculed at the time of this book. Ms. Perry writes well with a lot of good detail about Victorian settings, and all-in-all, this was a fine effort.
I was happy there was a lot more of Monk in this book. The last two books had more to do with Hester and Oliver Rathbone, the solicitor who is usually involved in the crimes detailed this series. There are some good twists and turns in this story though it seemed to take a while to reach the conclusion with some side alleys that didn't seem to have much to do with the actual crime. I also didn't learn much new about Monk's memory lapse (from the first book) which is what makes up so much of his character. But it was a good read despite a few plot holes; there were women doctors in America in the 1850s so I'm not sure why there was so much disbelief in England that a woman could go to medical school. Innovations in sterile environments in medical facilities were discussed by people such as Joseph Lister and Florence Nightingale though perhaps still ridiculed at the time of this book. Ms. Perry writes well with a lot of good detail about Victorian settings, and all-in-all, this was a fine effort.
luffy79's review against another edition
4.0
I conclude my reading of this book with sadness, because I will be forgetting it slowly, but surely as death. The number of books that I've read quickened this process. This reflects in my reviews too, hence their quality.
To resume, this is a book about the death of Prudence Barrymore, a nurse who was dedicated to her cause. She is murdered brutally, and her senior doctor finds himself in the docks.
Justice prevails, but perhaps not as you foresaw it. I enjoy the forceful description of the environs of Victorian London. I really enjoyed the characters in the book. Two knights, not one, shine through and allow for fulfilment.
The story ends on a sudden, dry note. I was hovering between 4 and 5 stars. I won't be changing the current score I've given this book, because I won't be rereading it. There are so many other, similar, books that demand for my time. Similar, but familiar. Make of what you want about that.
To resume, this is a book about the death of Prudence Barrymore, a nurse who was dedicated to her cause. She is murdered brutally, and her senior doctor finds himself in the docks.
Justice prevails, but perhaps not as you foresaw it. I enjoy the forceful description of the environs of Victorian London. I really enjoyed the characters in the book. Two knights, not one, shine through and allow for fulfilment.
The story ends on a sudden, dry note. I was hovering between 4 and 5 stars. I won't be changing the current score I've given this book, because I won't be rereading it. There are so many other, similar, books that demand for my time. Similar, but familiar. Make of what you want about that.
jacklozada's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. The story was sad and dark. Monk made an appearance but was not the main character in this book, which is disappointing.
jlmb's review
1.0
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. The characters have the same interactions. Enough with Monk & Hester arguing over nothing. There is zero sexual tension between them, though Perry obviously wants there to be. The investigators follow the same boring interview prompts with about a billion minor characters that add nothing to the story. The whole thing is just....so boring. I couldn't care less what happens to any of these characters. This is time out of my life I will never get back. Maybe Anne Perry should read some Elizabeth George if she wants to learn how to create in-depth characters that the reader cares for. Or some Patricia Cornwall for some frightening killers. Or even Lee Child(who is also very formulaic) for some insight into how to pace a novel so it's a page-turner instead of a sleeping pill. Good grief.
catherine_t's review
3.0
Lady Callandra Daviot hires William Monk to look into the murder of Prudence Barrymore, a nurse at the Royal Free Hospital where Lady Callandra is on the Board of Governors. A woman who nursed alongside Florence Nightingale in the Crimea, Prudence was by all accounts dedicated to her profession, possibly the best, if most outspoken, nurse in the hospital. Could her outspokenness have been the cause of the murder? Monk, along with Hester Latterly, another former Crimea nurse, digs deep into the matter.
I enjoyed meeting once again with Monk and Hester, and Oliver Rathbone, who also makes an appearance in the book. However, I seemed to be well aware of what a vital clue meant, when all of the characters involved were clearly on the wrong track, and I'm afraid that may have tarnished my enjoyment of the mystery itself.
I enjoyed meeting once again with Monk and Hester, and Oliver Rathbone, who also makes an appearance in the book. However, I seemed to be well aware of what a vital clue meant, when all of the characters involved were clearly on the wrong track, and I'm afraid that may have tarnished my enjoyment of the mystery itself.