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schlotte's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mamanrees's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars? Maybe 5, but I have to think about it for a bit first. I really enjoyed this second Monk novel. The mystery itself was engaging, and I love how Anne Perry wove social commentary in with the story to impart a really interesting perspective on the time without turning it into a harangue.
inger70's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to this one in 2 parts, since my library loan ended and I had to go back on the waiting list. It was great and it's so fun getting to know these characters from the beginning.
taisie22's review against another edition
4.0
Monk and Evan are assigned to investigate the murder of a young woman found in her bedroom stabbed to death. She is the daughter of a baronet, and they are quickly able to ascertain the murder must have been done by someone in the house. The police chief wants Monk to charge one of the servants, but the evidence is pointing to someone in the family. Monk manages to insert nurse Hester Latterly into the family under the guise of caring for Lady Moidore, mother of the murdered woman.
I enjoyed the first book in this series very much, but this one was a little slow for me. In both books, the solution to the murder comes at the very ending and is surprising, at least for me. But in the first book, Monk is suffering from amnesia and that condition colors the rest of the story and adds to it. Here, Monk still can't remember much of his life before his accident, but nothing much gets added to the rest. Monk and Evan interview people over and over, never learning much to add to their case. Hester who's inserted with the family also talks to family and servants but learns only a little bit more. I like Ms. Perry's writing and the setting, but this book dragged. I'd give it a 3 and 1/2 stars.
I enjoyed the first book in this series very much, but this one was a little slow for me. In both books, the solution to the murder comes at the very ending and is surprising, at least for me. But in the first book, Monk is suffering from amnesia and that condition colors the rest of the story and adds to it. Here, Monk still can't remember much of his life before his accident, but nothing much gets added to the rest. Monk and Evan interview people over and over, never learning much to add to their case. Hester who's inserted with the family also talks to family and servants but learns only a little bit more. I like Ms. Perry's writing and the setting, but this book dragged. I'd give it a 3 and 1/2 stars.
trufyre's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katenetz's review against another edition
3.0
Good plot, interesting characters...but she sure did drag this one out. The reveal wasn't until the second to last page! Argh!
tlsouthard's review against another edition
4.0
There are some problems with pacing in the middle of the book, too much going over the same ground, but I suppose that is exactly what a real investigation is like. We, as readers, are spoiled to a new revelation after each conversation in most mystery novels. Perry does not write like that. The reader empathizes with Monk when he cannot think of anything else to ask or think of anything else to do.
I had a sneaking suspicion about who did it, but couldn't think through to the WHY of it correctly.
I will continue with the series....
I had a sneaking suspicion about who did it, but couldn't think through to the WHY of it correctly.
I will continue with the series....
jlmb's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining mystery but nothing amazing or mind-blowing. I read the first in the series about 10 years ago and recalled liking it so I figured, "what the hell" when I saw this at the library. I think the most minding-blowing thing about Anne Perry is finding out she was one of the real-life teen murderesses from New Zealand. The crime the Kate Winslet movie Heavenly Creatures is about. It certainly adds a twist to any crime novel one reads - knowing the author has murdered someone in real life - not just written about a crime but done it.
As for the story itself, I guessed who-did-it rather quickly. Didn't guess all the ins & outs so that part kept me reading. Perry is more into the atmosphere of the story. She excels at describing Victorian England. I especially enjoyed all the parts about below the stairs/ the servants. Very Downton Abbey. As for the hero himself, it's hard to feel a connection. Perry makes the main character an amnesiac which in turn makes it difficult to care for him when we know so little about him. I get that it is a mystery within a mystery; Monk is attempting to solve the question of who he is while at the same time solving a murder. It's just that a blank protagonist is hard to bond with.
Honestly, the love story bugged me the most. Oh, it's not one yet but it will be. The relationship between Monk and the nurse Hester is classic romantic tension. They hate each other! But they are attracted to each other! But they hate each other! So let's just trade witty barbs for several books before consummating the relationship! - You know, like on tv, - Cheers, Moonlighting, Lost, and a million others. It'd be nice to have a more unique relationship for Monk since his personality is a zero at this point.
I'll keep reading the series for a bit. Perry is good with the structure and pacing of the book. She keeps the tense moments and questions going - very "one more chapter and then I'll turn the light off". I'm not sure how well these stories will stick to my psyche but as a bit of entertaining reading this series is fine.
As for the story itself, I guessed who-did-it rather quickly. Didn't guess all the ins & outs so that part kept me reading. Perry is more into the atmosphere of the story. She excels at describing Victorian England. I especially enjoyed all the parts about below the stairs/ the servants. Very Downton Abbey. As for the hero himself, it's hard to feel a connection. Perry makes the main character an amnesiac which in turn makes it difficult to care for him when we know so little about him. I get that it is a mystery within a mystery; Monk is attempting to solve the question of who he is while at the same time solving a murder. It's just that a blank protagonist is hard to bond with.
Honestly, the love story bugged me the most. Oh, it's not one yet but it will be. The relationship between Monk and the nurse Hester is classic romantic tension. They hate each other! But they are attracted to each other! But they hate each other! So let's just trade witty barbs for several books before consummating the relationship! - You know, like on tv, - Cheers, Moonlighting, Lost, and a million others. It'd be nice to have a more unique relationship for Monk since his personality is a zero at this point.
I'll keep reading the series for a bit. Perry is good with the structure and pacing of the book. She keeps the tense moments and questions going - very "one more chapter and then I'll turn the light off". I'm not sure how well these stories will stick to my psyche but as a bit of entertaining reading this series is fine.
reinamwr's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. I really liked this second book in the William Monk series. The mystery plot surprised me, and the characters are very well-drawn (as is the setting) and sympathetic. I can see myself getting distracted by this series, to the detriment of the rest of my to-read list.