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William Monk #21
Corridors of the Night
Anne Perry, that incomparable novelist of life in Victorian England, has once again surpassed herself with this twenty-first installment of her New York Times bestselling William Monk series. In Corridors of the Night, nurse Hester Monk and her husband, William, commander of the Thames River Police, do desperate battle with two obsessed scientists who in the name of healing have turned to homicide.
The monomaniacal Rand brothers—Magnus, a cunning doctor, and Hamilton, a genius chemist—are utterly ruthless in their pursuit of a cure for the fatal “white-blood disease.” In London’s Royal Naval Hospital annex, Hester is tending one of the brothers’ dying patients—wealthy Bryson Radnor—when she stumbles upon three weak, terrified young children, and learns to her horror that they’ve been secretly purchased and imprisoned by the Rands for experimental purposes.
But the Rand brothers are too close to a miracle cure to allow their experiments to be exposed. Before Hester can reveal the truth, she too becomes a prisoner. As Monk and his faithful friends—distinguished lawyer Oliver Rathbone and reformed brothel keeper Squeaky Robinson among them—scour London’s grimy streets and the beautiful English countryside searching for her, Hester’s time, as well as the children’s, is quickly draining away.
Taut with intrigue and laced with white-knuckled terror, Corridors of the Night is Anne Perry at her magnificent, unforgettable best.
The monomaniacal Rand brothers—Magnus, a cunning doctor, and Hamilton, a genius chemist—are utterly ruthless in their pursuit of a cure for the fatal “white-blood disease.” In London’s Royal Naval Hospital annex, Hester is tending one of the brothers’ dying patients—wealthy Bryson Radnor—when she stumbles upon three weak, terrified young children, and learns to her horror that they’ve been secretly purchased and imprisoned by the Rands for experimental purposes.
But the Rand brothers are too close to a miracle cure to allow their experiments to be exposed. Before Hester can reveal the truth, she too becomes a prisoner. As Monk and his faithful friends—distinguished lawyer Oliver Rathbone and reformed brothel keeper Squeaky Robinson among them—scour London’s grimy streets and the beautiful English countryside searching for her, Hester’s time, as well as the children’s, is quickly draining away.
Taut with intrigue and laced with white-knuckled terror, Corridors of the Night is Anne Perry at her magnificent, unforgettable best.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2015
509 people are currently reading
1728 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
362 books3,375 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
October 25, 2021
In this 21st book in the "William Monk" series, set in the mid-1800s, an unscrupulous doctor is using extremely unethical procedures. This leads to a trial that raises interesting issues about medical research. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Hester Monk honed her considerable nursing skills during the bloody Crimean War, where she worked alongside legendary Florence Nightingale. Years later Hester is married to Commander William Monk of the Thames River Police and running a women's clinic/shelter in London.
As the book opens Hester is temporarily substituting for a friend at the London Royal Naval Hospital when she comes across three young siblings (Mike, Charlie, and Maggie - ranging in age from 4 to 7) living in the hospital annex. Charlie is on the brink of death and Heather nurses him back to health. She then promises to check in on the youngsters periodically. Hester doesn't seem to question what the kids are doing there, presumably because nurses at the time garnered little respect; they were supposed to shut their mouths and do their jobs.
The basic plot of the story revolves around two hospital honchos, Magnus Rand - a physician, and his brother Hamilton Rand - a chemist. The Rands, seeking a cure for the deadly "white blood disease" (leukemia), are treating patients with blood transfusions. However, this is the mid-1800s and medical science is unaware of different blood types, etc. Thus, the transfusions are more likely to kill the patients than cure them.
As the story proceeds, middle-aged wealthy arrogant Bryson Radnor, suffering from white blood disease, becomes a patient at the hospital. The Rand brothers ask Hester to nurse Radnor while they administer their blood transfusion treatment - which seems to help him.
It turns out the Rands are using the blood of the annex children which - for reasons the brothers don't understand - can be successfully transfused into anyone. (Note: It would now be known the children are universal donors with type O blood).
When Hester realizes the children are being systematically bled she raises a ruckus. Immediately afterward Heather is abducted and finds herself and the children imprisoned in a remote house where Hamilton Rand, determined to perfect the transfusion procedure, is treating Radnor. Hester, being a dedicated nurse, feels compelled to assist despite the circumstances. Hester knows, however, that Hamilton Rand - who is committing some big crimes - will eventually kill her and the children to avoid exposure.
Meanwhile, Commander Monk (Hester's husband) and his team are desperately trying to find Hester. Along the way they learn that the kids - Mike, Charlie, and Maggie - were sold to the Rands by their destitute parents, who thought they were going to a good home.
Eventually all this leads to a trial where Hamilton Rand is the defendant. Attorney Oliver Rathbone, who once proposed marriage to Hester, helps prosecute. The trial raises some interesting issues, including the need for experimentation to advance medical science. There are plenty of ethical considerations here, including buying children and using human subjects without appropriate disclosure and consent.
The book has an interesting premise but moves too slowly and gets boring in places. On the plus side it has some interesting - though despicable - characters. Hamilton Rand and Bryan Radnor are self-centered, misogynists who treat women (including Hester, whose help they desperately need) as being beneath them and not deserving of respect. This kind of thing is a trademark of Anne Perry's mysteries, where class and socio-economic distinctions are always prominent. I assume this is a realistic depiction of the times but it always irritates me.
All in all, this is a moderately compelling book, with some favorite characters that recur in the series. The story's not too deep or complicated, so it's an easy read.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
November 17, 2015
"The Hippocratic Oath says, 'First, do not harm'! Yet how can you discover new medicine if you make no experiment that might end badly? Who is to take the chances to step forward into the unknown where no one can evaluate the risks?"
Anne Perry's Corridor of the Night tackles this question during a time when medical ethics and experimentation were not as well-defined as they are today. Victorian London is the setting for this, the 21st book in the William Monk series. I enjoyed the atmosphere.
Two storylines are developed in this novel. The first involves William Monk, commander of the Thames River police, and his team as they investigate an arms smuggling operation. This started out with a decent amount of intrigue and plenty of suspenseful action in a confrontation between the good guys and the bad guys complete with boats, guns and surprise attacks. There is a question as to whether the team may have been betrayed during their mission due to a past grievance that Monk is not able to remember due to a loss of memory resulting from an accident several years prior to this event. With this memory loss comes the inability to identify past enemies. I thought this was an interesting story-line; however, I felt that this was interrupted by the main plot of the novel and then was left unfinished with too many questions still remaining. I was a bit disappointed to not have a more clear-cut resolution to this secondary plot.
Having worked in the field of medical research, I found the main plot of the novel quite fascinating. Monk's wife Hester, a devoted nurse with a history of serving in the Crimean War, is confronted with a medical dilemma - one which will put her life at risk. Working a temporary assignment at the Royal Naval Hospital, Hester inadvertently uncovers a secret. Experimental blood transfusions are being performed in order to attempt to eradicate the "white-blood disease". Having seen her share of pain, suffering and death during the war, Hester understands the need for new cures. However, is it ethical to attempt these cures and risk the lives of the innocent? Hamilton Rand, chemist and brother to hospital physician Magnus Rand, believes it is; and he is willing to go to extreme measures to find this cure. He tells Hester "Sometimes the many are saved by the sacrifice of the few. It is not my way, it is nature's." Hester must stand up for her own beliefs and protect those that cannot protect themselves. However, she constantly struggles when her morals are in conflict with the desire to save the life of a dying patient; even if this patient is powerful and intimidating. As Hester butts heads with Hamilton Rand, she will find herself in grave danger. Monk and a cast of interesting cohorts will need to help Hester if she is going to get out of this alive.
The novel presents the reader with some food for thought regarding the ethical dilemmas of medical research, especially during a time when guidelines were not well-established and the need for cures was crucial. It emphasizes the gray area in the field of medical research and brought forth some meaningful questions. There are also a couple of court cases within the novel which were engaging and there is a fun twist at the end. However, I again felt as if something was left out or that certain issues were not quite resolved. In addition, although this book could be read as a stand-alone, I think it would be in the interest of the reader to have some familiarity with the characters by starting at the beginning of the series. I have not read any other books within the series. There was enough background presented to introduce the reader to each character, but my preference would be to follow the character development from the beginning.
3.5 stars. I would like to thank The Random House Publishing Group who provided me with a LibraryThing Early Reviewer copy of this book.
Anne Perry's Corridor of the Night tackles this question during a time when medical ethics and experimentation were not as well-defined as they are today. Victorian London is the setting for this, the 21st book in the William Monk series. I enjoyed the atmosphere.
Two storylines are developed in this novel. The first involves William Monk, commander of the Thames River police, and his team as they investigate an arms smuggling operation. This started out with a decent amount of intrigue and plenty of suspenseful action in a confrontation between the good guys and the bad guys complete with boats, guns and surprise attacks. There is a question as to whether the team may have been betrayed during their mission due to a past grievance that Monk is not able to remember due to a loss of memory resulting from an accident several years prior to this event. With this memory loss comes the inability to identify past enemies. I thought this was an interesting story-line; however, I felt that this was interrupted by the main plot of the novel and then was left unfinished with too many questions still remaining. I was a bit disappointed to not have a more clear-cut resolution to this secondary plot.
Having worked in the field of medical research, I found the main plot of the novel quite fascinating. Monk's wife Hester, a devoted nurse with a history of serving in the Crimean War, is confronted with a medical dilemma - one which will put her life at risk. Working a temporary assignment at the Royal Naval Hospital, Hester inadvertently uncovers a secret. Experimental blood transfusions are being performed in order to attempt to eradicate the "white-blood disease". Having seen her share of pain, suffering and death during the war, Hester understands the need for new cures. However, is it ethical to attempt these cures and risk the lives of the innocent? Hamilton Rand, chemist and brother to hospital physician Magnus Rand, believes it is; and he is willing to go to extreme measures to find this cure. He tells Hester "Sometimes the many are saved by the sacrifice of the few. It is not my way, it is nature's." Hester must stand up for her own beliefs and protect those that cannot protect themselves. However, she constantly struggles when her morals are in conflict with the desire to save the life of a dying patient; even if this patient is powerful and intimidating. As Hester butts heads with Hamilton Rand, she will find herself in grave danger. Monk and a cast of interesting cohorts will need to help Hester if she is going to get out of this alive.
The novel presents the reader with some food for thought regarding the ethical dilemmas of medical research, especially during a time when guidelines were not well-established and the need for cures was crucial. It emphasizes the gray area in the field of medical research and brought forth some meaningful questions. There are also a couple of court cases within the novel which were engaging and there is a fun twist at the end. However, I again felt as if something was left out or that certain issues were not quite resolved. In addition, although this book could be read as a stand-alone, I think it would be in the interest of the reader to have some familiarity with the characters by starting at the beginning of the series. I have not read any other books within the series. There was enough background presented to introduce the reader to each character, but my preference would be to follow the character development from the beginning.
3.5 stars. I would like to thank The Random House Publishing Group who provided me with a LibraryThing Early Reviewer copy of this book.
November 27, 2015
This was good, but not great. I'll probably always be an Anne Perry fan, but I find I'm getting more and more impatient with some of the dramatic techniques the author uses. Perry's always been prone to having her characters carry on long mental conversations with themselves during which they question, speculate, agonize, and envision the motivations, feelings, reactions of other characters...even while they are conversing with the character they're thinking about. And this can go on for a page or more before an actual word of dialogue is spoken! She also has characters carry on entire exchanges with looks, raised eyebrows, slight gestures with each other, which are seemingly understood by each character involved. Maybe I'm dumb, but I sometimes have no idea how the characters intuitively seem to understand what isn't said. This is pretty tedious. Perry's plots are always solid, but the maddening internal conversations really slow down the action for me. Furthermore, her characters seem to always be so angst filled...even when life is good and their loved ones are well. The background of this plot was pretty good and involved the early experiments with blood transfusion--before knowledge of blood types existed. This lead to many deaths, of course, even when the participants were willing. In this story, the donors are certainly not. So the premise is great. Now if Perry could just get the words out of the characters' heads and into quotation marks, I'd be happy and poor Monk, Hester, Charlotte, Thomas, et al would seem a lot less neurotic (and maybe solve the cases a bit quicker.) Just sayin'.
January 27, 2020
Ex Crimean Nurse Hester Monk covers a shift for a friend when she finds a secret hospital ward where scared and very sick children are kept. While Hester tries to keep them alive, she finds out they are part of a cynical medical experiment. The three children and Hester herself soon find themselves in grave danger having been abducted to help with the experiment.
This is installment #21 in The William Monk Series. I enjoy them as stand-alone works and love the universe of characters she creates who show up like old friends. This story contains new male characters with discriminating behavior. By today’s standards Hester has to deal with appalling views on women. Discrimination against women in the work place seems to be an additional theme in the plot, which I find interesting from a historic point of view.
The descriptions annoy me even though I realize the characters have been crafted for this exact purpose. The patient Bryson Radnor, is the main example even though the chemist Hamilton Rand is also quite skilled in patronizing and condescending behavior towards Hester. Radnor has the full range of bad traits being condescending, ungrateful, manipulative and patronizing trying to undermine Hester for not being a man. In his defense I have to say he is sick and angry, not able to deal with receiving nursing help, but the way he makes the most of every moment to bully his own daughter as well as Hester makes me incredibly angry.
In this story Hester is the main character, even if there is a separate story line where Monk and his River Police are trying to keep London safe. They conduct an operation against a cargo ship smuggling weapons, which is not exactly a roaring success. This shorter part of the story seems like addition to the real story, whereas Hester stars in the main part. Monk, however, has to use his detective skills to rescue her towards the end of the plot.
Hester is faced with plenty of dilemmas connected to blood transfusion. I would imagine there were not much in the way of ethical regulations at the time even though blood transfusion had been tried on and off for hundreds of years. I find it interesting reading as we get to follow Hester’s though process when dealing with patients. She focuses mainly on keeping the children alive through this cynical experiment, when she is their only advocate.
The patient Radnor has consented and is paying for experimental treatment as this is his only hope to survive “the white blood disease”, today known as leukemia. Against Hester’s will she helps with the secret experimental treatment. As a nurse of the time she doesn’t seem to have much power or say in what she takes part in. Seems she pretty much does as she’s told even though she is the one with experience with severe blood loss, being an ex WW1 battlefield nurse.
I enjoy the cast of recurring characters, among them is Squeaky Robinson who somewhat lightens up the otherwise dark plot with his volatile temper and failed attempts to cover up his feelings. He has a good heart which he thinks nobody knows about. Having a history as a brothel owner involved in a number of shady and underhanded dealings, he has now somewhat cleaned up his act to only include the occasional forgery. I find it funny that Monk knows Squeaky sometimes colors outside the lines a bit, but closes his eyes as long as it’s nothing major. He works as a semi-reliable accountant for Hester’s health Clinique for prostitutes. In return he gets to live there for free.
The written East London Cockney dialect I sometimes find a bit hard to read, but I enjoy it a lot and feel it adds authenticity to the plot. The way Perry makes sure readers know upper class characters from lower class, I think works quite well in her stories.
Fans of Anne Perry’s numerous works will enjoy Corridors of The Night. It is also recommended for readers of historical fiction.
All opinions in this review are completely my own.
My rating 4 stars / 5
This is installment #21 in The William Monk Series. I enjoy them as stand-alone works and love the universe of characters she creates who show up like old friends. This story contains new male characters with discriminating behavior. By today’s standards Hester has to deal with appalling views on women. Discrimination against women in the work place seems to be an additional theme in the plot, which I find interesting from a historic point of view.
The descriptions annoy me even though I realize the characters have been crafted for this exact purpose. The patient Bryson Radnor, is the main example even though the chemist Hamilton Rand is also quite skilled in patronizing and condescending behavior towards Hester. Radnor has the full range of bad traits being condescending, ungrateful, manipulative and patronizing trying to undermine Hester for not being a man. In his defense I have to say he is sick and angry, not able to deal with receiving nursing help, but the way he makes the most of every moment to bully his own daughter as well as Hester makes me incredibly angry.
In this story Hester is the main character, even if there is a separate story line where Monk and his River Police are trying to keep London safe. They conduct an operation against a cargo ship smuggling weapons, which is not exactly a roaring success. This shorter part of the story seems like addition to the real story, whereas Hester stars in the main part. Monk, however, has to use his detective skills to rescue her towards the end of the plot.
Hester is faced with plenty of dilemmas connected to blood transfusion. I would imagine there were not much in the way of ethical regulations at the time even though blood transfusion had been tried on and off for hundreds of years. I find it interesting reading as we get to follow Hester’s though process when dealing with patients. She focuses mainly on keeping the children alive through this cynical experiment, when she is their only advocate.
The patient Radnor has consented and is paying for experimental treatment as this is his only hope to survive “the white blood disease”, today known as leukemia. Against Hester’s will she helps with the secret experimental treatment. As a nurse of the time she doesn’t seem to have much power or say in what she takes part in. Seems she pretty much does as she’s told even though she is the one with experience with severe blood loss, being an ex WW1 battlefield nurse.
I enjoy the cast of recurring characters, among them is Squeaky Robinson who somewhat lightens up the otherwise dark plot with his volatile temper and failed attempts to cover up his feelings. He has a good heart which he thinks nobody knows about. Having a history as a brothel owner involved in a number of shady and underhanded dealings, he has now somewhat cleaned up his act to only include the occasional forgery. I find it funny that Monk knows Squeaky sometimes colors outside the lines a bit, but closes his eyes as long as it’s nothing major. He works as a semi-reliable accountant for Hester’s health Clinique for prostitutes. In return he gets to live there for free.
The written East London Cockney dialect I sometimes find a bit hard to read, but I enjoy it a lot and feel it adds authenticity to the plot. The way Perry makes sure readers know upper class characters from lower class, I think works quite well in her stories.
Fans of Anne Perry’s numerous works will enjoy Corridors of The Night. It is also recommended for readers of historical fiction.
All opinions in this review are completely my own.
My rating 4 stars / 5
January 14, 2016
While I still enjoyed the story, this one felt like Anne Perry just phoned it in. Two characters that were in earlier books had their names changed (poor continuity), and from the context and description it was clear who they were supposed to be. Also, there is a rather big plot line in the earlier part of the book involving Monk that just gets dropped and never picked up again. I have thoroughly loved this series, but I'm not sure if I will bother with the next one when it comes out in the future.
July 14, 2016
It's been a long, long while since I read an Anne Perry, but I've always liked the William Monk series best. (amnesia! What's not to like?) I was tickled to win Corridors of the Night as a LibraryThing Early Reviewer.
First off, this CD edition (CD's!) has a lovely narrator, David Colacci. He sounded very familiar, but I don't think I've listened to any of his before; for some reason – perhaps his accent? – I developed a desire to hear him read Tolkien. I'll look for him.
As for Anne Perry and her Hester and William Monk… Again, it's been a long time, so while they were familiar along with Oliver Rathbone, there were several new characters, and new developments for the familiar ones, which took a little getting used to. It was doable, though; Perry offered enough recaps of what had gone before that I adapted pretty quickly.
Unfortunately, that recapping was not isolated to what went on in past books. There was a certain amount of what I always refer to (and hate that I have to keep referring to it) as reality-show-recapping, the literary equivalent of the nasty tendency to repeat after a commercial break exactly what occurred before the commercial break.
And then there's the unfortunate fact that the way the story is told – the suspenseful first half, followed by the courtroom drama of the second half – leads to a whole lot of reiteration. The whole thing unfolds, then Oliver's butler tells him about it, then the prosecution lawyer recaps it again, then Oliver tells this Beata person … and then there's the courtroom testimony. Yes, thank you, I KNOW the children are too young to testify. Yes, thanks, I get that blood transfusions were first tried 200 years ago – and I might never forget it, since repetition is a great way to learn things.
One more: Oliver goes to his inamorata Beata's home, and the butler doesn't ask why he has shown up at that hour – well, no, he wouldn't, would he? Then a moment later "The butler did not care why he was here, and he certainly did not need an explanation." Uh, right.
I still like Hester and William Monk. I liked the new additions to their "family", although the adopted urchin is almost a cliché character in Victorian novels. The writing – except for what I've complained about – was professional and well-executed, and my deep frustration with what I complained about alternated with simple enjoyment. Perry's novels have always struck me as a little chilly, a little emotionally distant, and this one is no different.
There will be some spoilers at the end – but first I'll make note of two (other) things I learned from the book. You'll want to stop around here somewhere if you want to go forth unspoiled.
Monk: "Have you ever watched her butter the cut end of a loaf and then slice it afterwards so the butter holds it together and you can do it really thin?" Well, now, that's just a great idea. Never thought of that.
And
"Apples grow near the sea." Really?? Thinking Washington State and here in New England, I suppose they do.
Okay, I'm going spoiler-y.
The book in brief: Hester is helping a friend by taking over her nursing duties in a soldiers' and sailors' hospital (know how I know that? I was told. Many times), discovers three children tucked away in a ward, learns that blood is being taken from them – lots of it – and the blood is being used to try and save people with "white blood disease" (leukemia), loss of blood, etc. In short, as a rich man is undergoing this transfusion treatment, she protests – the children are dying – and next thing she knows she is waking up from a drugged sleep to find herself prisoner in the middle of nowhere. She is given to understand by the chemist in charge of the experimentation, Hamilton Rand, that she is there to help the patient's daughter look after him, to tend to the children, and to be kept from telling anyone. And she realizes that if the patient dies, she probably won't be far behind.
What utterly baffled me was that both the narrator and, shockingly, Hester, kept coming up with excuses for Hamilton Rand's physician brother Magnus. He may not have been directly complicit, but he knew damn well what was going on – and did nothing to stop it – and was only non-complicit out of cowardice, allowing his brother to hide it from him.
And then … and then Hester goes back to work at the same hospital, reporting to Magnus Rand. I understand the reasoning: not only are nurses in short supply and desperately needed, but she needs to go back to prove to herself and whoever else that she can. So, fine. I get it. But then she goes back to work for Hamilton Rand. The one who kidnapped her. The one who would have killed her without, apparently, a second thought.
The one who they strongly suspect is responsible for a bunch of skeletons dug up in an orchard on his land (hence the tidbit about the apples). "Well, all doctors lose patients." YES, BUT THEY DON'T BURY THEM IN THEIR ORCHARD.
"I have no time for emotional games, Mrs. Monk, and I hope we are beyond that now. … This work's important, as I do not need to explain to you. I think you are almost as well aware of it as I am. I know that you disapprove of my use of the blood of children, even though it works. I, in turn, do not bear you any grudge for testifying so powerfully against me in court." Well, that's awfully decent of you, old man. "You acted according to your conscience. It is childish to bear any ill will because of that." "I wish you to assist me in this continued work from time to time as I need you." ARE YOU KIDDING? There are bodies in an orchard; three small children terrorized; a woman strangled in a gutter; you're still having dreams where you smell ether and blood – and you go stand at his desk?! Are you stupid or insane?
*ahem*
To wrap up (and reiterate, in keeping with my complaints about the book), intense frustration mingled with an enjoyment of skillful writing and old familiar characters. I'm not sure why Anne Perry's novels faded from my reading list… But honestly, I don't think I'm in any great hurry to play catch up.
First off, this CD edition (CD's!) has a lovely narrator, David Colacci. He sounded very familiar, but I don't think I've listened to any of his before; for some reason – perhaps his accent? – I developed a desire to hear him read Tolkien. I'll look for him.
As for Anne Perry and her Hester and William Monk… Again, it's been a long time, so while they were familiar along with Oliver Rathbone, there were several new characters, and new developments for the familiar ones, which took a little getting used to. It was doable, though; Perry offered enough recaps of what had gone before that I adapted pretty quickly.
Unfortunately, that recapping was not isolated to what went on in past books. There was a certain amount of what I always refer to (and hate that I have to keep referring to it) as reality-show-recapping, the literary equivalent of the nasty tendency to repeat after a commercial break exactly what occurred before the commercial break.
And then there's the unfortunate fact that the way the story is told – the suspenseful first half, followed by the courtroom drama of the second half – leads to a whole lot of reiteration. The whole thing unfolds, then Oliver's butler tells him about it, then the prosecution lawyer recaps it again, then Oliver tells this Beata person … and then there's the courtroom testimony. Yes, thank you, I KNOW the children are too young to testify. Yes, thanks, I get that blood transfusions were first tried 200 years ago – and I might never forget it, since repetition is a great way to learn things.
One more: Oliver goes to his inamorata Beata's home, and the butler doesn't ask why he has shown up at that hour – well, no, he wouldn't, would he? Then a moment later "The butler did not care why he was here, and he certainly did not need an explanation." Uh, right.
I still like Hester and William Monk. I liked the new additions to their "family", although the adopted urchin is almost a cliché character in Victorian novels. The writing – except for what I've complained about – was professional and well-executed, and my deep frustration with what I complained about alternated with simple enjoyment. Perry's novels have always struck me as a little chilly, a little emotionally distant, and this one is no different.
There will be some spoilers at the end – but first I'll make note of two (other) things I learned from the book. You'll want to stop around here somewhere if you want to go forth unspoiled.
Monk: "Have you ever watched her butter the cut end of a loaf and then slice it afterwards so the butter holds it together and you can do it really thin?" Well, now, that's just a great idea. Never thought of that.
And
"Apples grow near the sea." Really?? Thinking Washington State and here in New England, I suppose they do.
Okay, I'm going spoiler-y.
The book in brief: Hester is helping a friend by taking over her nursing duties in a soldiers' and sailors' hospital (know how I know that? I was told. Many times), discovers three children tucked away in a ward, learns that blood is being taken from them – lots of it – and the blood is being used to try and save people with "white blood disease" (leukemia), loss of blood, etc. In short, as a rich man is undergoing this transfusion treatment, she protests – the children are dying – and next thing she knows she is waking up from a drugged sleep to find herself prisoner in the middle of nowhere. She is given to understand by the chemist in charge of the experimentation, Hamilton Rand, that she is there to help the patient's daughter look after him, to tend to the children, and to be kept from telling anyone. And she realizes that if the patient dies, she probably won't be far behind.
What utterly baffled me was that both the narrator and, shockingly, Hester, kept coming up with excuses for Hamilton Rand's physician brother Magnus. He may not have been directly complicit, but he knew damn well what was going on – and did nothing to stop it – and was only non-complicit out of cowardice, allowing his brother to hide it from him.
And then … and then Hester goes back to work at the same hospital, reporting to Magnus Rand. I understand the reasoning: not only are nurses in short supply and desperately needed, but she needs to go back to prove to herself and whoever else that she can. So, fine. I get it. But then she goes back to work for Hamilton Rand. The one who kidnapped her. The one who would have killed her without, apparently, a second thought.
The one who they strongly suspect is responsible for a bunch of skeletons dug up in an orchard on his land (hence the tidbit about the apples). "Well, all doctors lose patients." YES, BUT THEY DON'T BURY THEM IN THEIR ORCHARD.
"I have no time for emotional games, Mrs. Monk, and I hope we are beyond that now. … This work's important, as I do not need to explain to you. I think you are almost as well aware of it as I am. I know that you disapprove of my use of the blood of children, even though it works. I, in turn, do not bear you any grudge for testifying so powerfully against me in court." Well, that's awfully decent of you, old man. "You acted according to your conscience. It is childish to bear any ill will because of that." "I wish you to assist me in this continued work from time to time as I need you." ARE YOU KIDDING? There are bodies in an orchard; three small children terrorized; a woman strangled in a gutter; you're still having dreams where you smell ether and blood – and you go stand at his desk?! Are you stupid or insane?
*ahem*
To wrap up (and reiterate, in keeping with my complaints about the book), intense frustration mingled with an enjoyment of skillful writing and old familiar characters. I'm not sure why Anne Perry's novels faded from my reading list… But honestly, I don't think I'm in any great hurry to play catch up.
September 30, 2015
First Sentence: The small gas lamps along the walls of the corridor flickered as if there were a draught, but Hester knew, it being well after midnight, that all the doors were closed.
Hester Monk is filling in at London’s Royal Naval Hospital for a nurse who is sick. She discovers three small, horribly dehydrated children and learn they have been purchased from their impoverished parents and are imprisoned as donors for an experiment by the Rand brothers—Magnus, a doctor, and Hamilton, a chemist. Hester is kidnapped and taken by the brothers with the children, a wealthy patient and his daughter; Hester knowing the four of them will die if the experiment fails. Once captured, Hamilton is brought to trial, with Oliver Rathbone in second chair.
Perry start the story by hitting all the right notes; a strong sense of place and time, compelling well-introduced characters, and a sense that something is very wrong.
Perry’s characters are alive, their personalities are real and their speech reflects their status and upbringing. She excels at showing us the unpolished reality of live from the most poor and vulnerable to those with wealth. Monk’s amnesic past is always intriguing in the questions it presents to him without any answers. Hester is her most noble and determined as a former WWI nurse. Rathbone’s frustration as a disgraced judge now reduced to serving as second chair in a trial is palpable. But it’s the supporting characters in their lives that add real spice to the story and make it completely delicious.
What is delightful is the sense of this being a Victorian-era version of “Law and Order,” beginning with the crime and carrying the story on through the trial and all the way to the resolution. However, this is even better than that in that things are not cut-and-dried. There is much more nuance and a strong layer of moral question which elevates this beyond the ordinary. Without making a point of it, the book demonstrates how far criminal justice has come through the advancement of crime-scene investigation and forensics.
The court proceeding are anything but boring, particularly with the inclusion of a wonderfully dramatic moment. Perry so clearly describes that evil does exist in people, and her definition of hell gives us pause.
“Corridors of the Night” demonstrates, once again, that Perry still reigns in creating mysteries that enthrall, educate, and make us think. One reason for reading mysteries is for the comfort of justice being served. Ms. Perry makes us question whether there is such a thing as true justice.
CORRIDORS OF THE NIGHT (Hist Mys-Monk/Hester/Rathbone-England-1800s) – VG+
Perry, Anne – 21st in series
Ballantine Books – Sept 2015
Hester Monk is filling in at London’s Royal Naval Hospital for a nurse who is sick. She discovers three small, horribly dehydrated children and learn they have been purchased from their impoverished parents and are imprisoned as donors for an experiment by the Rand brothers—Magnus, a doctor, and Hamilton, a chemist. Hester is kidnapped and taken by the brothers with the children, a wealthy patient and his daughter; Hester knowing the four of them will die if the experiment fails. Once captured, Hamilton is brought to trial, with Oliver Rathbone in second chair.
Perry start the story by hitting all the right notes; a strong sense of place and time, compelling well-introduced characters, and a sense that something is very wrong.
Perry’s characters are alive, their personalities are real and their speech reflects their status and upbringing. She excels at showing us the unpolished reality of live from the most poor and vulnerable to those with wealth. Monk’s amnesic past is always intriguing in the questions it presents to him without any answers. Hester is her most noble and determined as a former WWI nurse. Rathbone’s frustration as a disgraced judge now reduced to serving as second chair in a trial is palpable. But it’s the supporting characters in their lives that add real spice to the story and make it completely delicious.
What is delightful is the sense of this being a Victorian-era version of “Law and Order,” beginning with the crime and carrying the story on through the trial and all the way to the resolution. However, this is even better than that in that things are not cut-and-dried. There is much more nuance and a strong layer of moral question which elevates this beyond the ordinary. Without making a point of it, the book demonstrates how far criminal justice has come through the advancement of crime-scene investigation and forensics.
The court proceeding are anything but boring, particularly with the inclusion of a wonderfully dramatic moment. Perry so clearly describes that evil does exist in people, and her definition of hell gives us pause.
“Corridors of the Night” demonstrates, once again, that Perry still reigns in creating mysteries that enthrall, educate, and make us think. One reason for reading mysteries is for the comfort of justice being served. Ms. Perry makes us question whether there is such a thing as true justice.
CORRIDORS OF THE NIGHT (Hist Mys-Monk/Hester/Rathbone-England-1800s) – VG+
Perry, Anne – 21st in series
Ballantine Books – Sept 2015
September 29, 2015
I have mixed feelings about this book. Well written and interesting exploration of the beginning of the use of blood transfusions. The presentation of how revolutionary this practice to medicine would was also well presented. However, as a nurse, I felt that Hester's role was not completely honest to nursing or to the character that we have come to know . The use of children as "blood suppliers" against their will would never have been acceptable to any nurse, especially to one as such quality as Hester. Hester's commitment to caring for Bryson Radnor was illustrated clearly but she had other patients, the 3 children, her responsibility to them was as strong and it went further than nursing them after the the blood was taken, her main concern would have been to prevent the harm to them in the first place. " Do no harm" is also a guiding principle for nurses as well as doctors and Hester would not have participated in the practice of taking blood from the children because it was unethical. At the end of the book when Radnor needed blood again and Hester helped with the transfusion WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THE BLOOD CAME FROM and knowing it could have come from children involuntarily, again would have made her in the wrong as much as Hamilton Rand was in the wrong. The ends don't justify the means The actions by Hester in this book were not consistent with the kind of nurse we have come to know her as, a nurse of competence and integrity.
January 7, 2016
Corridors of the Night by Anne Perry- William Monk, 21 is a 2015 publication.
Although the story does make the reader think, will evoke emotions of anger and sadness, if you are looking for a good murder mystery, this one falls a little short of the mark, and the plot is very slow moving. While I enjoyed the book for the most part, I wouldn’t say this is one of Perry’s better novels, and not what I have come to expect from the William Monk series.
Recommended for the long term Anne Perry of William Monk fan.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the review in full, click this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
Although the story does make the reader think, will evoke emotions of anger and sadness, if you are looking for a good murder mystery, this one falls a little short of the mark, and the plot is very slow moving. While I enjoyed the book for the most part, I wouldn’t say this is one of Perry’s better novels, and not what I have come to expect from the William Monk series.
Recommended for the long term Anne Perry of William Monk fan.
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the review in full, click this link: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
September 1, 2015
3.5 stars
Innovation and experimentation are how many scientific breakthroughs are made... but at what price? If you can save hundreds, thousands of lives, is it worth the life of an unwanted child? Can the ends ever justify the means?
One of the strengths of these books is that the characters are not two-dimensional, nor do they only see one side. The benefits are clearly seen, and understood, so it's the the emotional, moral and legal cost that must be weighed and taken into account when setting ethical standards.
Hester is the central figure here, as the nurse reminding the Rands of their obligations while caring for her patients, young and old alike, but her friends all have their part to play. It also seems that there's more of Monk's history to be unraveled, with just a tantalizing glimpse coming through.
Shorter than most of her books, it was still a gripping read, showing the ripple effect of actions and people over time.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Innovation and experimentation are how many scientific breakthroughs are made... but at what price? If you can save hundreds, thousands of lives, is it worth the life of an unwanted child? Can the ends ever justify the means?
One of the strengths of these books is that the characters are not two-dimensional, nor do they only see one side. The benefits are clearly seen, and understood, so it's the the emotional, moral and legal cost that must be weighed and taken into account when setting ethical standards.
Hester is the central figure here, as the nurse reminding the Rands of their obligations while caring for her patients, young and old alike, but her friends all have their part to play. It also seems that there's more of Monk's history to be unraveled, with just a tantalizing glimpse coming through.
Shorter than most of her books, it was still a gripping read, showing the ripple effect of actions and people over time.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2025
I always kind of dread reading this one, as the story line with the kids upsets me. But my husband is a long time blood donator, so I know how life changing blood donations can be. It's fascinating to read something that really brings home how perilous serious illnesses and surgery were before transfusions, and a time when blood types and transfusion shock were not understood.
Meanwhile Oliver Rathbone is dipping his toes back into legal waters and mooning over Beata York, Scuff decides on a profession, and Monk and the River Police have a dangerous encounter that costs them a beloved colleague and may foreshadow further trouble for Monk.
Meanwhile Oliver Rathbone is dipping his toes back into legal waters and mooning over Beata York, Scuff decides on a profession, and Monk and the River Police have a dangerous encounter that costs them a beloved colleague and may foreshadow further trouble for Monk.
December 25, 2020
Un buon giallo, in cui Hester Monk cerca disperatamente di salvare la vita di 3 bambini. Rapita da un chimico folle, suo marito farà di tutto per ritrovarla.
July 21, 2015
3.5 stars
The back-story of the Monk series involves William Monk and the carriage accident ten years previously that left him with no memory of his past and Hester Latterly, who had recently returned from the Crimea where she was a nurse with Florence Nightengale. Although the books can easily be read as stand-alones, they are easier to understand if you begin with the first one The Face of a Stranger. It isn't necessary to have read all of them, but the first one gives some important background information. You can get The William Monk Mysteries: The First Three Novels as an e-book at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Perry's novels are well-researched and well-written, and she evokes Victorian London in social atmosphere and mood. Her characters, including secondary characters, all have depth and personality. The plots usually have complex moral and ethical situations that Perry does not present in terms of black and white; instead, she makes the reader aware of the ambiguity of characters and events and leaves the reader to deal with the ethical questions. Sometimes this can be a bit off-putting.
Corridors of the Night deals with medical experimentation. How does science and medicine advance without experimenting? What is the price of coming up with a new approach that might save, in the long run, millions of lives? What are the moral obligations?
Hamilton Rand is experimenting with blood transfusions and has found that the blood of three siblings, young children, works when the blood of other donors does not. He does not, however, know why the blood of these three children can be successfully transfused, while the blood from other donors causes the patient's death. His goal is worthy. His methods, however, have ethical considerations that do not bother him in the least.
Read in July. Blog review scheduled for Aug. 5.
NetGalley/Random House/Ballantine
Historic Mystery. Sept. 5, 2015. Print version: 288 pages.
The back-story of the Monk series involves William Monk and the carriage accident ten years previously that left him with no memory of his past and Hester Latterly, who had recently returned from the Crimea where she was a nurse with Florence Nightengale. Although the books can easily be read as stand-alones, they are easier to understand if you begin with the first one The Face of a Stranger. It isn't necessary to have read all of them, but the first one gives some important background information. You can get The William Monk Mysteries: The First Three Novels as an e-book at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Perry's novels are well-researched and well-written, and she evokes Victorian London in social atmosphere and mood. Her characters, including secondary characters, all have depth and personality. The plots usually have complex moral and ethical situations that Perry does not present in terms of black and white; instead, she makes the reader aware of the ambiguity of characters and events and leaves the reader to deal with the ethical questions. Sometimes this can be a bit off-putting.
Corridors of the Night deals with medical experimentation. How does science and medicine advance without experimenting? What is the price of coming up with a new approach that might save, in the long run, millions of lives? What are the moral obligations?
Hamilton Rand is experimenting with blood transfusions and has found that the blood of three siblings, young children, works when the blood of other donors does not. He does not, however, know why the blood of these three children can be successfully transfused, while the blood from other donors causes the patient's death. His goal is worthy. His methods, however, have ethical considerations that do not bother him in the least.
Read in July. Blog review scheduled for Aug. 5.
NetGalley/Random House/Ballantine
Historic Mystery. Sept. 5, 2015. Print version: 288 pages.
February 26, 2017
I have read most of the Monk series and they have been good, but this one was just annoying and full of holes. The author played fast and loose with the law and even seemed to forget her own plot . Hester seeming to lean towards the end justifying the means frustrated me. Other annoyances were too many to list.
September 28, 2015
2-1/2 stars. It felt rushed and unfinished.
September 18, 2015
Twenty-one books in and this series of books has yet to fail me. Undoubtedly, this particular installment had about it the air of a transition book setting up the next turn in the story arc even while it delivered on another mystery with political, social, and ethical ramifications that hits very close to home.
Should they be read in order? Short answer, yes! The author has written a series of books that not only offer powerful and intriguing mysteries, but she also introduced three key players: the detective, the lady associate, and the barrister. They are developed over the series and there are various long building series story arcs that move through several books while along the way other strong secondary characters are introduced and stay with the story.
This story opens with Monk pursuing a case of arm's smuggling for his work with the River Police while Hester has taken up a temporary post at the Greenwich Hospital in substitution for her old army nurse friend who is ill. Hester is a great addition to the team of nurses there because most of the patients are injured or ill military and having been a combat nurse in the Crimea, she knows how to treat battle wounds and deal with soldiers and sailors. Scuff has decided that he would like to follow in Hester's footsteps and go into medicine, but as much as he has learned about Monk and Hester's level of society, he fears that a former river rat and orphan might not be good enough.
Shortly after Hester starts her nightshift at the hospital, she is embroiled in a situation that leads to her kidnapping and her real fear that once her usefulness becomes unnecessary that she will be hushed permanently.
Monk is busy with his smuggling case which soon becomes personal to everyone at the precinct when they suffer a loss due to a betrayal. Then he discovers that his wife is missing along with a handful of children and a recent patient with a dire illness. With his wife gone missing, he is prepared to do what it takes to get his beloved wife back. Scuff refuses to be left out along a with a few others who will do anything for Hester.
Oliver returns from a journey to Scotland to find Monk and Hester in the forefront of the news. Oliver is still disbarred, but the prosecuting attorney comes to him to act as his assistant for this huge controversial case that on Hester's testimony. Oliver is reluctant because he can see that this case has the potential for huge loss, but the prosecutor is overly confident and Oliver worries about Hester and Monk being involved so he agrees. He can't help it and is compelled to visit the lady of his secret affections to lay the case out and get her opinion as an excuse to spend time with her. If only she were completely free... But he needs to focus on the case and make sure a wicked man receives his just sentence.
This story had quite a lot going on. In fact, for a while, I wasn't sure what the main mystery would be. This one isn't as action-packed nor as intense in courtroom drama than others in the series. Those elements aren't missing, but they are minimal. Also, the main mystery itself morphs from being an ethical dilemma to a kidnapping to a murder, but the murder wasn't even the tough or most prominent part. The resolution of this mystery is not a crisp triumph of good over evil although justice is served for the most part. The ending is abrupt though very satisfying.
I feel like I should make mention here that there is a provoking plot thread that was begun and left hanging. I've seen the author do this before and have no worries that it will be addressed and even more likely grow into the main plot thread of a near future book in the series. In the meantime, its like a teaser sticking its tongue out at me. Haha!
Hester's thread took a long time to get going while Monk's jumped off to a fast and furious start. I found the complex and conflicting situation that Hester faced intriguing. The author is not afraid to address social, moral, or ethical issues of the day which in this case was the advancement of medical science that will save thousands of lives weighed against the methods used to forward discovery and break-throughs. She has a dilemma before her when it comes to the work of Hamilton Rand. He is doing an important work as he is pioneering the first successful blood transfusions and working to cure white blood disorders through that. Hester as a nurse involved in surgeries and wounds understood the need for what he was doing and applauded his advances, but her moral compass balked at seeing innocent and ignorant children used. Hester also had the challenge of nursing a man that she didn't like and it was her fierce commitment to medicine and healing that kept her at it though she did let off a little spleen now and then.
"There is no indignity in being human," she said, anger at the stupidity of it making her voice sharp. "We are all born naked and screaming. We all function essentially the same way. We all need each other from time to time. Nobody takes your dignity away. Either you keep it, or you give it up yourself by behaving like a fool." She turned to Radnor. "You are no different from any other man. For goodness sake, stop making such a performance out of relieving yourself. Nobody cares!"
Loc 1659 Hester from Corridors of the Night
The renewal of Monk's amnesia playing a role in his life and work was actually welcome. That element of him stepping out on faith blindly forward has been missing in the last several books. Monk was a cold, ambitious, ruthless man before the accident that stole his memories as far as he can tell. He encounters a man who recognizes him, but of course Monk only has a twinge of familiarity. He doesn't know if the man hates him because Monk wronged him or if Monk served justice on him as a police officer. Either way, he can tell that the man plans to take his revenge and Monk can only hope that innocents aren't lost in the crossfire.
As always, the relationship of Monk and Hester that has grown deep over the years and now includes their adopted son is a special part of the story. I love that the author continues to follow this relationship that might have mellowed from its tempestuous beginnings, but is still strong and deep.
Hester was a fighter- one to fight first and think of the cost afterward. Not this time! Not if she wanted to lives as badly as Monk wanted her to. It was terrifying how much of his happiness was tied to her presence, her love, her belief in him. He wondered if he would even have had the will to carry on when he had no memory, no knowledge of who he was, if she had not believed he was worth fighting for. He had become a better man in order to live up to what she saw in him.
Loc 2068 Monk from Corridors of the Night
In summary, I am back on familiar ground feeling sad that another installment is over and trying to wait patiently for the next one. Those who enjoy historical mystery or historical romantic suspense with gritty, intense mysteries set in an authentic Victorian London with a cast of well-drawn characters should take a look at these.
I received this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
Should they be read in order? Short answer, yes! The author has written a series of books that not only offer powerful and intriguing mysteries, but she also introduced three key players: the detective, the lady associate, and the barrister. They are developed over the series and there are various long building series story arcs that move through several books while along the way other strong secondary characters are introduced and stay with the story.
This story opens with Monk pursuing a case of arm's smuggling for his work with the River Police while Hester has taken up a temporary post at the Greenwich Hospital in substitution for her old army nurse friend who is ill. Hester is a great addition to the team of nurses there because most of the patients are injured or ill military and having been a combat nurse in the Crimea, she knows how to treat battle wounds and deal with soldiers and sailors. Scuff has decided that he would like to follow in Hester's footsteps and go into medicine, but as much as he has learned about Monk and Hester's level of society, he fears that a former river rat and orphan might not be good enough.
Shortly after Hester starts her nightshift at the hospital, she is embroiled in a situation that leads to her kidnapping and her real fear that once her usefulness becomes unnecessary that she will be hushed permanently.
Monk is busy with his smuggling case which soon becomes personal to everyone at the precinct when they suffer a loss due to a betrayal. Then he discovers that his wife is missing along with a handful of children and a recent patient with a dire illness. With his wife gone missing, he is prepared to do what it takes to get his beloved wife back. Scuff refuses to be left out along a with a few others who will do anything for Hester.
Oliver returns from a journey to Scotland to find Monk and Hester in the forefront of the news. Oliver is still disbarred, but the prosecuting attorney comes to him to act as his assistant for this huge controversial case that on Hester's testimony. Oliver is reluctant because he can see that this case has the potential for huge loss, but the prosecutor is overly confident and Oliver worries about Hester and Monk being involved so he agrees. He can't help it and is compelled to visit the lady of his secret affections to lay the case out and get her opinion as an excuse to spend time with her. If only she were completely free... But he needs to focus on the case and make sure a wicked man receives his just sentence.
This story had quite a lot going on. In fact, for a while, I wasn't sure what the main mystery would be. This one isn't as action-packed nor as intense in courtroom drama than others in the series. Those elements aren't missing, but they are minimal. Also, the main mystery itself morphs from being an ethical dilemma to a kidnapping to a murder, but the murder wasn't even the tough or most prominent part. The resolution of this mystery is not a crisp triumph of good over evil although justice is served for the most part. The ending is abrupt though very satisfying.
I feel like I should make mention here that there is a provoking plot thread that was begun and left hanging. I've seen the author do this before and have no worries that it will be addressed and even more likely grow into the main plot thread of a near future book in the series. In the meantime, its like a teaser sticking its tongue out at me. Haha!
Hester's thread took a long time to get going while Monk's jumped off to a fast and furious start. I found the complex and conflicting situation that Hester faced intriguing. The author is not afraid to address social, moral, or ethical issues of the day which in this case was the advancement of medical science that will save thousands of lives weighed against the methods used to forward discovery and break-throughs. She has a dilemma before her when it comes to the work of Hamilton Rand. He is doing an important work as he is pioneering the first successful blood transfusions and working to cure white blood disorders through that. Hester as a nurse involved in surgeries and wounds understood the need for what he was doing and applauded his advances, but her moral compass balked at seeing innocent and ignorant children used. Hester also had the challenge of nursing a man that she didn't like and it was her fierce commitment to medicine and healing that kept her at it though she did let off a little spleen now and then.
"There is no indignity in being human," she said, anger at the stupidity of it making her voice sharp. "We are all born naked and screaming. We all function essentially the same way. We all need each other from time to time. Nobody takes your dignity away. Either you keep it, or you give it up yourself by behaving like a fool." She turned to Radnor. "You are no different from any other man. For goodness sake, stop making such a performance out of relieving yourself. Nobody cares!"
Loc 1659 Hester from Corridors of the Night
The renewal of Monk's amnesia playing a role in his life and work was actually welcome. That element of him stepping out on faith blindly forward has been missing in the last several books. Monk was a cold, ambitious, ruthless man before the accident that stole his memories as far as he can tell. He encounters a man who recognizes him, but of course Monk only has a twinge of familiarity. He doesn't know if the man hates him because Monk wronged him or if Monk served justice on him as a police officer. Either way, he can tell that the man plans to take his revenge and Monk can only hope that innocents aren't lost in the crossfire.
As always, the relationship of Monk and Hester that has grown deep over the years and now includes their adopted son is a special part of the story. I love that the author continues to follow this relationship that might have mellowed from its tempestuous beginnings, but is still strong and deep.
Hester was a fighter- one to fight first and think of the cost afterward. Not this time! Not if she wanted to lives as badly as Monk wanted her to. It was terrifying how much of his happiness was tied to her presence, her love, her belief in him. He wondered if he would even have had the will to carry on when he had no memory, no knowledge of who he was, if she had not believed he was worth fighting for. He had become a better man in order to live up to what she saw in him.
Loc 2068 Monk from Corridors of the Night
In summary, I am back on familiar ground feeling sad that another installment is over and trying to wait patiently for the next one. Those who enjoy historical mystery or historical romantic suspense with gritty, intense mysteries set in an authentic Victorian London with a cast of well-drawn characters should take a look at these.
I received this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2017
Für mich war es nicht der erste historische Krimi von Anne Perry und auch Inspector Monk und seine Frau waren mir aus früheren Büchern schon bekannt. Trotzdem viel es mir anfangs schwer, die einzelnen Personen in Bezug zu einander zu setzen und mich wieder daran zu erinnern, wer wer ist. Das kann daran liegen, dass ich nicht alle Krimis dieser Reihe kenne und sie auch nicht unbedingt in der richtigen Reihenfolge gelesen habe. Das hat sich auch bemerkbar gemacht, als auf einige Geschehnisse in der Vergangenheit angespielt wurde, die ich nicht kannte. Hier hielt sich die Autorin dann auch knapp, sodass man sich nicht unbedingt alles erschließen konnte. Schade! Trotzdem kann man das Buch aber auch unabhängig und ohne Vorkenntnisse lesen, wenn man bereit ist, einige Abstriche zu machen.
Gut gefallen hat mir hingegen, wie man einfach in die Atmosphäre Londons zur Zeit Victorias hineingezogen wird. Die Pferdekutschen, die Öllampen, die Themse und die vielen kleinen Details sorgen dafür, dass man sich auf eine richtige Zeitreise begibt. Einfach herrlich!
Die Geschichte an sich fand ich auch sehr gut: Der Grundgedanke war zwar sehr erschreckend, genauso wie die Praktiken, die in dem Buch angewandt wurden. Aber es wurde auch gezeigt, wie damals medizinische Fortschritte gemacht wurden. Ob man dafür über Leichen gehen muss, sei jetzt dahingestellt. Insgesamt war der Aspekt der Forschung sehr interessant und hat mich richtig mitfiebern lassen.
Leider ging es mir aber an der ein oder anderen Stelle zu schnell und zu oberflächlich zu. Hier hat dann auch die Spannung etwas gelitten und die Geschichte wurde nicht wirklich tief. Verstärkt wurde das auch, indem man manche Charaktere nur sehr oberflächlich kennenlernte. Hier habe ich mehr erwartet, vor allem weil ich gerade die Spannung in den Perry-Krimis immer geschätzt habe.
Insgesamt war die Thematik spannend und außergewöhnlich, die Umsetzung konnte mich aber nicht komplett überzeugen. Deswegen gibt es von mir 3 Sterne!
Gut gefallen hat mir hingegen, wie man einfach in die Atmosphäre Londons zur Zeit Victorias hineingezogen wird. Die Pferdekutschen, die Öllampen, die Themse und die vielen kleinen Details sorgen dafür, dass man sich auf eine richtige Zeitreise begibt. Einfach herrlich!
Die Geschichte an sich fand ich auch sehr gut: Der Grundgedanke war zwar sehr erschreckend, genauso wie die Praktiken, die in dem Buch angewandt wurden. Aber es wurde auch gezeigt, wie damals medizinische Fortschritte gemacht wurden. Ob man dafür über Leichen gehen muss, sei jetzt dahingestellt. Insgesamt war der Aspekt der Forschung sehr interessant und hat mich richtig mitfiebern lassen.
Leider ging es mir aber an der ein oder anderen Stelle zu schnell und zu oberflächlich zu. Hier hat dann auch die Spannung etwas gelitten und die Geschichte wurde nicht wirklich tief. Verstärkt wurde das auch, indem man manche Charaktere nur sehr oberflächlich kennenlernte. Hier habe ich mehr erwartet, vor allem weil ich gerade die Spannung in den Perry-Krimis immer geschätzt habe.
Insgesamt war die Thematik spannend und außergewöhnlich, die Umsetzung konnte mich aber nicht komplett überzeugen. Deswegen gibt es von mir 3 Sterne!
March 29, 2018
Me suelen gustar las novelas de Anne Perry, pero últimamente las encuentro un tanto irregulares. La primera parte de la novela es interesante, aunque la subtrama del contrabando de armas queda sin resolver ni aclararse. También es muy interesante la trama principal de los experimentos con las transfusiones de sangre. Sin embargo, la segunda parte de la novela (la judicial) la encuentro bastante absurda.
June 18, 2018
Seguramente estén pensando que me volví loco por empezar a leer una saga en su entrega número 21. Tengo que confesar que éste libro me llegó como una colaboración con Edición Anticipada (Penguin Random House) y si bien no había leído los libros anteriores la sinopsis fue lo suficientemente buena para dejarme intrigado.
Aquí viajamos al Londres de 1800 donde encontramos a Hester Monk trabajando como enfermera en un viejo y gigantesco hospital. Es aquí donde el libro es bueno con los recién llegados ya que nos explica quien es nuestra protagonista y cual es su historia. Hester fue enfermera en el frente de batalla de la Guerra de Crimea. Este conflicto militar generó una cantidad enorme de bajas y fue especialmente crudo para los heridos en combate. En esa época la medicina no había avanzado lo suficiente y las enfermeras del campo de batalla se enfrentaban a las amputaciones todos los días.
Con esta introducción conocemos que Hester es una mujer independiente y valiente. Además, es una enfermera apasionada por su trabajo y se nota el primer acto de rebeldía que tienen en la novela. En el medio de la noche una joven niña se acerca a la enfermera y le pide que vaya a buscar a un doctor. Ella no conoce a la niña ni sabe como llegó hasta su habitación, lo único que sabe es que si la niña le pide ayuda tiene que ser por algo. Hester decide acompañarla y se encuentra con una imagen terrorífica. Frente a ella se encuentran los dos hermanos de la niña en un estado bastante lamentable. La prioridad de nuestra enfermera es salvarles la vida y luego intentar investigar que pasó con los niños.
Tras un tiempo cuidándolos los pequeños se abren con ella y le empiezan a explicar que un doctor les saca sangre y se retira. Estos niños no saben mucho de lo que está pasando y Hester queda rápidamente conmocionada. El estado de los niños demuestra sin lugar a duda que se le sacó sangre a consciencia y con regularidad y que sea quien sea que está detrás de estos procedimientos no se preocupa por la salud de los niños.
Puedes leer el resto de la reseña en éste link: https://diariodefriki.com/2018/06/17/...
Aquí viajamos al Londres de 1800 donde encontramos a Hester Monk trabajando como enfermera en un viejo y gigantesco hospital. Es aquí donde el libro es bueno con los recién llegados ya que nos explica quien es nuestra protagonista y cual es su historia. Hester fue enfermera en el frente de batalla de la Guerra de Crimea. Este conflicto militar generó una cantidad enorme de bajas y fue especialmente crudo para los heridos en combate. En esa época la medicina no había avanzado lo suficiente y las enfermeras del campo de batalla se enfrentaban a las amputaciones todos los días.
Con esta introducción conocemos que Hester es una mujer independiente y valiente. Además, es una enfermera apasionada por su trabajo y se nota el primer acto de rebeldía que tienen en la novela. En el medio de la noche una joven niña se acerca a la enfermera y le pide que vaya a buscar a un doctor. Ella no conoce a la niña ni sabe como llegó hasta su habitación, lo único que sabe es que si la niña le pide ayuda tiene que ser por algo. Hester decide acompañarla y se encuentra con una imagen terrorífica. Frente a ella se encuentran los dos hermanos de la niña en un estado bastante lamentable. La prioridad de nuestra enfermera es salvarles la vida y luego intentar investigar que pasó con los niños.
Tras un tiempo cuidándolos los pequeños se abren con ella y le empiezan a explicar que un doctor les saca sangre y se retira. Estos niños no saben mucho de lo que está pasando y Hester queda rápidamente conmocionada. El estado de los niños demuestra sin lugar a duda que se le sacó sangre a consciencia y con regularidad y que sea quien sea que está detrás de estos procedimientos no se preocupa por la salud de los niños.
Puedes leer el resto de la reseña en éste link: https://diariodefriki.com/2018/06/17/...
September 29, 2015
This book is number 21 in the long-running William Monk series. As anyone who knows me and knows what I read would know, Anne Perry is my favourite author and this series in particular is one that I really enjoy. This book does not disappoint. It's a page turner and Ms Perry keeps the tension tight throughout. Hester has volunteered to cover for a nurse who served with her in the Crimea. Her friend has been taken ill, so Hester has volunteered to cover her shifts at the London Royal Naval Hospital. It is a hospital that mostly cares for badly wounded naval officers, so Hester is very surprised when she happens to run across a small six year old girl wandering the halls in the middle of the night. The little girl is distraught and begs Hester to come help her older brother who is very sick. Hester finds three little children - a girl and two boys and the oldest boy is desperately ill. She cannot conceive why these three children are locked away in a little used room at the hospital, but she cares for the boy until he starts to feel better Hester must understand why these three little children are locked up here and by doing so, she exposes an unimaginable medical experiment. She places herself in grave danger and her husband must try to find her after she has been kidnapped by a mad chemist. The story runs along at breakneck pace, and of course we get not one, but two courtroom battles in which Hester is used as a main witness. It's a "white-knuckle" book for sure and terror runs through its pages. Anne Perry never disappoints.
November 13, 2016
Corridors of the Night by Anne Perry is the 21st book of the William Monk Victorian mystery series set in London. Monk commands the Thames River Police, ably supported by Orme, his experienced and trusted mentor. But Orme is ready for retirement; Monk knows he will soon need to rely upon his younger officers. As the river police plan a mission to stop gunrunners, Monk meets an Excise man who evidently holds a grudge from long ago (memories lost forever to Monk).
Hester resumes nursing at a hospital for wounded military men, to help a friend from her Crimea service. In the middle of the night, she unexpectedly meets a frightened young girl, who begs Hester to save her brother Charlie's life. Hester finds a hidden ward with 3 children, all seriously dehydrated. She rehydrates them gradually, and they are pitifully grateful. She wonders why the children are there....why they have blood drawn repeatedly.
A new patient arrives at the hospital, a wealthy man who is dying of "white blood disease". The doctors running the hospital enlist Hester's help in an experimental procedure (early experiments in blood transfusion). Now Hester knows why the children are hidden.
The gripping story continues with a kidnapping, a search-and-rescue, 2 courtroom trials - yes, Oliver Rathbone makes an appearance - and murders. A moral dilemma - crimes committed in pursuit of experimental medicine, with surprising plot twists all the way to the end.
Hester resumes nursing at a hospital for wounded military men, to help a friend from her Crimea service. In the middle of the night, she unexpectedly meets a frightened young girl, who begs Hester to save her brother Charlie's life. Hester finds a hidden ward with 3 children, all seriously dehydrated. She rehydrates them gradually, and they are pitifully grateful. She wonders why the children are there....why they have blood drawn repeatedly.
A new patient arrives at the hospital, a wealthy man who is dying of "white blood disease". The doctors running the hospital enlist Hester's help in an experimental procedure (early experiments in blood transfusion). Now Hester knows why the children are hidden.
The gripping story continues with a kidnapping, a search-and-rescue, 2 courtroom trials - yes, Oliver Rathbone makes an appearance - and murders. A moral dilemma - crimes committed in pursuit of experimental medicine, with surprising plot twists all the way to the end.
October 4, 2015
As much as I enjoy Monk, Hester, Scruff and Oliver, I am annoyed. This last book (hopefully so far) was so disjointed. Monk's original story about the gunrunners was compelling and tragic, then dropped. Hester's story was compelling and morally intriguing when concerning the Rand brothers, but the story line with Adrienne and Radnor was bizarre and unexplained.
But my biggest complaint was the seeming change of characters names. Monk and Orme speak of Devon's "step down the river, with all that terrible death down the hold and set fire to it, sacrificing himself so they would all be safe." Wasn't that Inspector Durban, not Devon??? A very important character, both in getting Monk to the river police, and then again in the pursuit of Phillips in Execution Dock. Why? The other one was Rufus Brancaster turning into Ardal Juster?? Didn't Brancaster defend Oliver?? Again, why? Sloppy editing or am I wrong?
Seemingly small things but it annoys me when the characters are not honored. I know communication is hard during the Victorian days, but many characters are simply dropped. John Evan, who helped Monk so much after his accident, Callandra, and even Clacton, his first test at the River Police.
I hope Orme is more ceremoniously dealt with in the next book, as well as McNabb's treachery.
But my biggest complaint was the seeming change of characters names. Monk and Orme speak of Devon's "step down the river, with all that terrible death down the hold and set fire to it, sacrificing himself so they would all be safe." Wasn't that Inspector Durban, not Devon??? A very important character, both in getting Monk to the river police, and then again in the pursuit of Phillips in Execution Dock. Why? The other one was Rufus Brancaster turning into Ardal Juster?? Didn't Brancaster defend Oliver?? Again, why? Sloppy editing or am I wrong?
Seemingly small things but it annoys me when the characters are not honored. I know communication is hard during the Victorian days, but many characters are simply dropped. John Evan, who helped Monk so much after his accident, Callandra, and even Clacton, his first test at the River Police.
I hope Orme is more ceremoniously dealt with in the next book, as well as McNabb's treachery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2015
This isn't really a mystery. If anthing it is more a historical crime novel.
I found the story superbly written. I have always enjoyed reading Anne Perry's novels. I also love reading historical novels and in this book, Ms. Perry doesn't gloss over the undesirable and unpleasent fact of living in the late 19th century.
But what I felt was truly admirable was this story really made me think what medical care was like and how far we have come with our health care now. While I realize that health care has really gotten a whole lot better I never thought about what the COST was...
I found this a very well written and thought provoking novel and would heartly recommend it.
I found the story superbly written. I have always enjoyed reading Anne Perry's novels. I also love reading historical novels and in this book, Ms. Perry doesn't gloss over the undesirable and unpleasent fact of living in the late 19th century.
But what I felt was truly admirable was this story really made me think what medical care was like and how far we have come with our health care now. While I realize that health care has really gotten a whole lot better I never thought about what the COST was...
I found this a very well written and thought provoking novel and would heartly recommend it.
December 16, 2017
I usually enjoy the Monk series but this one was confusing because it seems as though the character named Ardal Juster is supposed to be Rufus Brancaster, who defended Rathbone in an earlier book. Added to this is discrepancy is that Ardal's personality and character traits resemble Brancaster very little. Ardal Juster is a character who was a prosecutor in The Whitechapel Conspiracy which is a ok from the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. There is a plot line at the beginning of the book involving Monk that gets dropped. I'm hoping this was a set up for future books. I think the person who edited this book was asleep at the wheel and that is why I rated it at only one star.
December 25, 2019
Hester and Scuff bond in this book and that's really all that matters.
Recommended 15+ for violence, murder, kidnapping, child endangerment, medical experiments, and scary situations.
Recommended 15+ for violence, murder, kidnapping, child endangerment, medical experiments, and scary situations.
May 7, 2022
William Monk
In this story, Hester is working at a hospital to help a sick nurse friend. While working there, Hester discovers that the chemist at the hospital, Hamilton Rand, is using an experimental treatment to cure white blood disease (leukemia). Rand is taking blood from children he has purchased from their parents and giving it to patients to hopefully cure them. When a wealthy man suffering from the disease is brought to the hospital by his daughter, Hester is asked to assist with his care. When Hester questions Rand's actions she and the children are kidnapped and held in a cottage in Kent to make sure that wealthy man, Mr. Radnor, recovers. When Monk and others discover where she is and rescues her and the children, Hamilton Rand and Mr. Radnor's daughter are charged with kidnapping but then the case collapses. When Adrienne Radnor is found strangled in a ditch not far from her home, Hamilton Rand is convicted of killing her and hanged. How the book ends is not surprising. This book had a couple of errors that I found annoying. First, Monk took over from Commander Durban bit the author uses some other name incorrectly. Also, the lawyer, Mr. Jester, was not the one who represented Rathbone during his trial. Rathbone's lawyer was Rufus Brancaster. While I have been reading these books from the beginning and enjoying them, I must say this one was interesting because of the questions it raised about medical research and medical ethics but the errors by the author were distracting and disconcerting.
In this story, Hester is working at a hospital to help a sick nurse friend. While working there, Hester discovers that the chemist at the hospital, Hamilton Rand, is using an experimental treatment to cure white blood disease (leukemia). Rand is taking blood from children he has purchased from their parents and giving it to patients to hopefully cure them. When a wealthy man suffering from the disease is brought to the hospital by his daughter, Hester is asked to assist with his care. When Hester questions Rand's actions she and the children are kidnapped and held in a cottage in Kent to make sure that wealthy man, Mr. Radnor, recovers. When Monk and others discover where she is and rescues her and the children, Hamilton Rand and Mr. Radnor's daughter are charged with kidnapping but then the case collapses. When Adrienne Radnor is found strangled in a ditch not far from her home, Hamilton Rand is convicted of killing her and hanged. How the book ends is not surprising. This book had a couple of errors that I found annoying. First, Monk took over from Commander Durban bit the author uses some other name incorrectly. Also, the lawyer, Mr. Jester, was not the one who represented Rathbone during his trial. Rathbone's lawyer was Rufus Brancaster. While I have been reading these books from the beginning and enjoying them, I must say this one was interesting because of the questions it raised about medical research and medical ethics but the errors by the author were distracting and disconcerting.
February 18, 2018
En un anexo del Hospital de Greenwich, la enfermera Hester Monk está atendiendo al adinerado Bryson Radnor, uno de los pacientes moribundos de los hermanos Rand, cuando topa con tres niños débiles y aterrorizados, y se da cuenta con horror de que los dos científicos los han comprado para realizar experimentos con ellos. Los Rand están a punto de conseguir una cura milagrosa, y no pueden correr el riesgo de que se conozcan sus experimentos...
Antes de que Hester pueda revelar el secreto, ella también cae prisionera. Mientras el comandante Wiliam Monk y sus fieles buscan a Hester en las oscuras calles londinenses y la bella campiña inglesa, el tiempo se agota para la valiente enfermera y los niños a los que intenta proteger.
Antes de que Hester pueda revelar el secreto, ella también cae prisionera. Mientras el comandante Wiliam Monk y sus fieles buscan a Hester en las oscuras calles londinenses y la bella campiña inglesa, el tiempo se agota para la valiente enfermera y los niños a los que intenta proteger.
October 23, 2021
I used to enjoy the Monk books but it’s been a while so I don’t know whether Perry has lost her touch or gotten lazy or whether I just didn’t read them as closely. This was just pretty awful. The plot is an over-stuffed mess with people behaving in all kinds of ridiculous ways. A central plot point centers on three children who have, apparently a universal blood type and while it’s acknowledged that that remains not understood there’s no question of how it was even discovered that the children had whatever this blood type was. And I love Hester and her fortitude and moral compass but my god, she’s almost become insufferable. Anyway, I think I’m done with these. Hard pass.
January 30, 2021
I am starting to think there is a direct correlation between Hester's presence (or absence) in any given book in this series, and the number of stars I feel inclined to give said book.
July 23, 2024
My favorite In the series so far, aside from the first book.
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