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amibunk's review against another edition
3.0
What saved this novel from being too dark and "ewwwww" was the fabulous writing. Not my favorite in the series.
vireogirl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had put this series on pause because the library was missing the previous book. Bummed I missed it, sounds like it had some significant character development.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Medical content, Abandonment, Death of parent, Murder, Death, Grief, Abortion, Miscarriage, and Rape
luv_2read's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
margaretefg's review against another edition
3.0
Although I still can't quite believe that Hester married Monk (and not Rathbone), I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery, which included some (mostly) unexpected twists all the way to the end. Lots of great scenes on Hampstead Heath, too.
okenwillow's review against another edition
5.0
On prend les mêmes et on recommence. Une page s’est donc tournée et les relations du trio en ont été transformées. On remerciera l’auteur d’avoir accéléré les choses entre eux parce que ça commençait à devenir frustrant cette attente. Mais nous y voilà ! Encore une fois nous voilà avec une intrigue…tordue ! Oui, ça devient une habitude, et pourtant, elle continue de créer la surprise, même lorsque l’on a l’illuminuation avant la fin, c’est toujours un régal.
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
Monk and Hester are now married, and beginning to build their life together, each having to make adjustments in preferences and considerations. As expected, there are some tense moments: Monk mustn't try to lay down the law, or force Hester into the role of a subservient wife, if he wants them to be happy, and she must also allow him to retain some pride and decision-making.
There continues to be medical and nursing history. Anaesthetic is now more commonplace, changing surgery for the surgeons as well as the patients. Hester, along with Florence Nightingale, is still trying to improve conditions at the hospitals and to train nurses to a higher standard, to make them skilled professionals rather than untrained, drunken cleaners. Nightingale is regarded, sentimentally, as a lady sweeping genteely through a ward at night, soothing fevered brows - rather as she is now - but is in the process of setting up her own training school (something which actually occurred in 1860, at St. Thomas' Hospital). Unfortunately Hester's hospital is not as forward-thinking.
The social issue Anne Perry focuses upon here is that of veterans: those who fought in earlier wars, and the many who are now old and poor, unable to afford the medicines they need or to go to hospital. Used and discarded, these valiant soldiers who fought at Waterloo and Trafalgar are now the vulnerable in society, and yet hospital administrators and doctors seem to discount them, leaving only a handful of people and some dedicated nurses to try to help them.
The mystery, of course, is murder, with the answer in long-buried history. Monk, Hester and Rathbone require all their skill and co-operation if they are to save their clients - if their clients are as innocent as they believe - and when the answer is finally revealed, it is the unthinkable.
There continues to be medical and nursing history. Anaesthetic is now more commonplace, changing surgery for the surgeons as well as the patients. Hester, along with Florence Nightingale, is still trying to improve conditions at the hospitals and to train nurses to a higher standard, to make them skilled professionals rather than untrained, drunken cleaners. Nightingale is regarded, sentimentally, as a lady sweeping genteely through a ward at night, soothing fevered brows - rather as she is now - but is in the process of setting up her own training school (something which actually occurred in 1860, at St. Thomas' Hospital). Unfortunately Hester's hospital is not as forward-thinking.
The social issue Anne Perry focuses upon here is that of veterans: those who fought in earlier wars, and the many who are now old and poor, unable to afford the medicines they need or to go to hospital. Used and discarded, these valiant soldiers who fought at Waterloo and Trafalgar are now the vulnerable in society, and yet hospital administrators and doctors seem to discount them, leaving only a handful of people and some dedicated nurses to try to help them.
The mystery, of course, is murder, with the answer in long-buried history. Monk, Hester and Rathbone require all their skill and co-operation if they are to save their clients - if their clients are as innocent as they believe - and when the answer is finally revealed, it is the unthinkable.
we_are_all_mad_here26's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pretty good one. At least 3.5 stars for the issues raised, the lack of stupidity in following or not following clues, and the much-needed mellowing of the character of Monk.
demottar's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first ever Anne Perry book, which I read in 8th or 9th grade. At the time, I thought it was magic--I loved the Dickensian side characters, the beautiful and frightening descriptions of Victorian London, and I especially loved the romance between William Monk and Hester Latterly, who are newly married in this novel. I went back to reread her earlier novels in this series and loved them all, most especially A Breach of Promise, because there was finally kissing.
As an adult, I can see that these are not good books. Anne Perry is heavy-handed with her themes, writes her characters with far too many modern sensibilities, and she spends way too much time on her characters' repetitive internal monologues. All that being said, I continue to come back to this series every now and again, and The Twisted Root ranks high compared to some of her earlier novels. The mystery and final reveal do not disappoint, there's some great courtroom action, and there's also Oliver Rathbone, who's a fantastically likable foil to William Monk.
I will probably finish the series (even though there are 24 novels to date), but mostly because it's a commitment I made to myself in 8th grade, and that's not something to be taken lightly.
As an adult, I can see that these are not good books. Anne Perry is heavy-handed with her themes, writes her characters with far too many modern sensibilities, and she spends way too much time on her characters' repetitive internal monologues. All that being said, I continue to come back to this series every now and again, and The Twisted Root ranks high compared to some of her earlier novels. The mystery and final reveal do not disappoint, there's some great courtroom action, and there's also Oliver Rathbone, who's a fantastically likable foil to William Monk.
I will probably finish the series (even though there are 24 novels to date), but mostly because it's a commitment I made to myself in 8th grade, and that's not something to be taken lightly.