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mrslyonslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.0
we_are_all_mad_here26's review against another edition
3.0
Rather extreme dislike of William Monk continues and I HAVE GOT TO KNOW whether the author will ever resolve this.
This may have been my least favorite so far in the series. Monk still regularly noticing how beautiful women can't seem to help but notice him, getting distracted completely by said beautiful women, and this time actually resents the people who have paid for him to go off and mingle with beautiful women. People continue to have 'aquiline' noses or noses that are too long, sensitive mouths, etc.
A very charming train of thought by Monk: "He was so much more attracted to women who were fun, uncritical, charming; who knew when to speak, how to flatter and laugh, how to enjoy themselves; who knew how to be vulnerable in the little things it was so easy to supply, and yet not discard the great things, the sacrifices which cost too much, asked of the fabric of his nature and his dreams."
OH IS THAT ALL.
I like the atmosphere of these books, I love Hester and Rathbone, and things generally get pretty page-turning in the last half. Thus on to #8.
This may have been my least favorite so far in the series. Monk still regularly noticing how beautiful women can't seem to help but notice him, getting distracted completely by said beautiful women, and this time actually resents the people who have paid for him to go off and mingle with beautiful women. People continue to have 'aquiline' noses or noses that are too long, sensitive mouths, etc.
A very charming train of thought by Monk: "He was so much more attracted to women who were fun, uncritical, charming; who knew when to speak, how to flatter and laugh, how to enjoy themselves; who knew how to be vulnerable in the little things it was so easy to supply, and yet not discard the great things, the sacrifices which cost too much, asked of the fabric of his nature and his dreams."
OH IS THAT ALL.
I like the atmosphere of these books, I love Hester and Rathbone, and things generally get pretty page-turning in the last half. Thus on to #8.
squishies's review against another edition
3.0
Hester saves the day again! I'm not surprised any more by this stage.
With each instalment of the series, I have become increasingly annoyed with the very slowly developing love triangle. Not because it's slow in developing (that's actually helping me be okay with it), it's more of the whole mindset the guys have towards Hester. Yeah, I get that it's the mindset from back then, but I guess all those regency trashy romances made me think that if the guy really liked her, he'd forget about the societal constraints. Eh.
Monk turned by another pretty face. Sigh. I tsked quite a bit.
With each instalment of the series, I have become increasingly annoyed with the very slowly developing love triangle. Not because it's slow in developing (that's actually helping me be okay with it), it's more of the whole mindset the guys have towards Hester. Yeah, I get that it's the mindset from back then, but I guess all those regency trashy romances made me think that if the guy really liked her, he'd forget about the societal constraints. Eh.
Monk turned by another pretty face. Sigh. I tsked quite a bit.
Spoiler
Also, I'm so surprised the Countess was right in her accusation! I was totally convinced she was just blowing out of her ass.taisie22's review against another edition
5.0
When Sir Oliver Rathbone chooses to defend Countess Zorah Rostova in a slander case, he finds he has picked a difficult cause. Zorah has accused Princess Gisela of murdering her husband, a Prince who gave up his throne for her love. Rathbone hires Monk to discover what he can about the case and Hester becomes involved in nursing a young man whose family is associated with the case.
One of the reasons I enjoy this series so much is the social and historical aspects that Ms. Perry emphasizes. The political situation in Europe at this time is reflected in her story which adds the reader's involvement in the background to the slander/murder part of the story.
Monk didn't accomplish much in this book except on a personal level, and I was glad to see him acknowledge respect and admiration for Hester. The subplot with Hester's nursing patient was also interesting.
Another great book in this series.
One of the reasons I enjoy this series so much is the social and historical aspects that Ms. Perry emphasizes. The political situation in Europe at this time is reflected in her story which adds the reader's involvement in the background to the slander/murder part of the story.
Monk didn't accomplish much in this book except on a personal level, and I was glad to see him acknowledge respect and admiration for Hester. The subplot with Hester's nursing patient was also interesting.
Another great book in this series.
macthekat's review against another edition
3.0
This was by no means the best book in the series it was an extreamly slow burn but the last 100 pages... I could not put it down! Another great mystery and now I want to read the next one. Typical.
sarahshoo's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite in the series. The whole premise was interesting to me. Love the comfort of sitting down with a WM book; I keep coming back to the series.
thedustybookgarden's review against another edition
5.0
Anne Perry will never cease to amaze me.
She is still to this day the only mystery writer who can consistently shock me, awe me, and thrill me, while also wowing me with exquisite prose, depth of character, and slow burn romance. It took me a long time to find a writer of mysteries who I clicked with like this.....but Perry was worth the wait!
I missed Monk so much. It’s been so long since I read a book in this series that I was immediately enraptured by his POV. He didn’t have as much page time in this book as the others, but he was still such a huge part and his character development was quite interesting. It’s like he’s taking a detour to where he needs to go.....one that’s slightly morally gray and, to my delight, incredibly angsty.
Hester and Rathbone were a delight as usual, and I loved all the new characters introduced. I was amazed by the plot - it had me going back and forth the whole time. Like.....who the heck was the killer and why did my strong feelings of who it could be change from minute to minute?! I was in suspense the whole time.
This book had quite a bit of political intrigue to it as well and that was an added bonus for me. Also, I absolutely LOVE the way Perry writes her trial scenes. The wit and revelations have me on my toes every time. I never thought I would love trials so much (they’ve often been boring for me) but Perry’s are intense and suspenseful and really wrap everything up nicely.
Last note- I LOVE that Perry makes you wait until the last 2-3 pages of the book to discover whodunnit. She always brings up some last minute evidence right before the end of the book that makes you question ALL your theories and then BAM! Surprise! It’s really quite something.
She is still to this day the only mystery writer who can consistently shock me, awe me, and thrill me, while also wowing me with exquisite prose, depth of character, and slow burn romance. It took me a long time to find a writer of mysteries who I clicked with like this.....but Perry was worth the wait!
I missed Monk so much. It’s been so long since I read a book in this series that I was immediately enraptured by his POV. He didn’t have as much page time in this book as the others, but he was still such a huge part and his character development was quite interesting. It’s like he’s taking a detour to where he needs to go.....one that’s slightly morally gray and, to my delight, incredibly angsty.
Hester and Rathbone were a delight as usual, and I loved all the new characters introduced. I was amazed by the plot - it had me going back and forth the whole time. Like.....who the heck was the killer and why did my strong feelings of who it could be change from minute to minute?! I was in suspense the whole time.
This book had quite a bit of political intrigue to it as well and that was an added bonus for me. Also, I absolutely LOVE the way Perry writes her trial scenes. The wit and revelations have me on my toes every time. I never thought I would love trials so much (they’ve often been boring for me) but Perry’s are intense and suspenseful and really wrap everything up nicely.
Last note- I LOVE that Perry makes you wait until the last 2-3 pages of the book to discover whodunnit. She always brings up some last minute evidence right before the end of the book that makes you question ALL your theories and then BAM! Surprise! It’s really quite something.
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