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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.
squishies's review against another edition
3.0
Seriously, the first thought I had when Hester was arrested was: "How will Monk solve the case now?!" ... Because it's become apparent that she's technically the one who's been solving his cases.
The story takes a couple of unsuspecting turns, but as like the previous books - it is a bit of a slow burn.
Though I guess that's how attitudes were back in those days? Sigh.
The story takes a couple of unsuspecting turns, but as like the previous books - it is a bit of a slow burn.
Spoiler
ALSO! What's up with the kiss? Probably nothing, that's what.... because Hester isn't his idea of a "proper" woman to be involved with (which shits me). Though if anything, what shits me more is how both Monk and Rathbone like Hester but both think she's unsuitable as a partner - kind of feels like two dogs growling over a bone. It's a definitely a love triangle now, but it's not as obnoxious as their insistence that Hester is just SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO unsuitable, so there's that. >_>Though I guess that's how attitudes were back in those days? Sigh.
shoelessmama's review against another edition
4.0
A favorite of the series so far. 3/4 of it have the reader on edge for one reason and then it shifts to being on edge for another... which was a nice change. Often with Perry I'm getting annoyed at the 3/4 mark by repetitive questioning and that problem was done away with here.
katmarhan's review against another edition
3.0
Another good book by Anne Perry featuring William Monk, although Hester Latterly is center-stage through a large portion of the story. I enjoyed the mystery and usually can work out at least some of the puzzles. However, I do find the portions of the narrative when Monk, Hester, and Oliver Rathbone muse about their feelings for each other to be clunky and repetitive. It seems there should be a better way to weave those thoughts and feelings into the flow of the story.
taisie22's review against another edition
5.0
Hester Latterly is hired to care for an elderly woman making a trip from Edinburgh to London. When she dies on the train, Hester is charged with murder as she was the person who administered a lethal dose of medicine. It's up to Monk to travel to Edinburgh and discover who the real murderer is.
I've been a little disappointed with the last two books in the series (although I enjoyed them) because Monk didn't seem to be central. Here, once again, Monk is at the center of the book, as arrogant and acerbic as ever. He regains a little more of his memory, but the murder mystery is the central plot and it was satisfyingly mystifying.
I enjoyed the setting of Edinburgh, being very familiar with the city. Ms. Perry captures the flavor of the old town and new town very well. I sympathized with Oliver Rathbone's inability and frustration at not being able to defend Hester; Scotland has different rules than English law. I also liked the subtle changes in the relationship between Hester and Monk.
Another enjoyable read in this series.
I've been a little disappointed with the last two books in the series (although I enjoyed them) because Monk didn't seem to be central. Here, once again, Monk is at the center of the book, as arrogant and acerbic as ever. He regains a little more of his memory, but the murder mystery is the central plot and it was satisfyingly mystifying.
I enjoyed the setting of Edinburgh, being very familiar with the city. Ms. Perry captures the flavor of the old town and new town very well. I sympathized with Oliver Rathbone's inability and frustration at not being able to defend Hester; Scotland has different rules than English law. I also liked the subtle changes in the relationship between Hester and Monk.
Another enjoyable read in this series.
meli65's review against another edition
5.0
This was the best yet. The ending made me gasp out loud! So good.
Also, am hoping for my children's sake that these words will not ring so true in future years, but to read this in the depths of 2017 is also quite something:
"'And words,' he went on, his face burning with the fierceness of his emotion. 'Words are our means of communication, that which raises man above the beasts. We can think, we have concepts, we can write and pass our beliefs from one land to another, one generation to the next. Pollute our relationships with flattery and manipulation, our language with lies, propaganda, self-serving use of images, the prostitution of words and meaning, and we can no longer reach each other. We become isolated. Nothing is real. We drown in a morass of the sham, the expedient. Deceit, corruption and betrayal . . . they are the sins of the wolf.' He stopped abruptly, staring at her as if he had only just that moment really seen her.
'The wolf?' she urged. 'What do you mean? What wolf?
'The lowest circle of hell,' he answered slowly, rolling the words as though one by one. 'The last pit of all. Dante. The three great circles of hell. The leopard, the lion and the wolf.'"
(Italics are mine)
Also, am hoping for my children's sake that these words will not ring so true in future years, but to read this in the depths of 2017 is also quite something:
"'And words,' he went on, his face burning with the fierceness of his emotion. 'Words are our means of communication, that which raises man above the beasts. We can think, we have concepts, we can write and pass our beliefs from one land to another, one generation to the next. Pollute our relationships with flattery and manipulation, our language with lies, propaganda, self-serving use of images, the prostitution of words and meaning, and we can no longer reach each other. We become isolated. Nothing is real. We drown in a morass of the sham, the expedient. Deceit, corruption and betrayal . . . they are the sins of the wolf.' He stopped abruptly, staring at her as if he had only just that moment really seen her.
'The wolf?' she urged. 'What do you mean? What wolf?
'The lowest circle of hell,' he answered slowly, rolling the words as though one by one. 'The last pit of all. Dante. The three great circles of hell. The leopard, the lion and the wolf.'"
(Italics are mine)
macthekat's review against another edition
4.0
Another un-put-downable Monk novel. Once again Perry keeps you on the edge of your seat to see the conclusion of the plot. And I just ordered the next four books.