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William Monk #9
A Breach of Promise
In a sensational breach-of-promise suit, two wealthy social climbers are suing on behalf of their beautiful daughter, Zillah. The defendant is Zillah’s alleged fiancé, brilliant young architect Killian Melville, who adamantly declares that he will not, cannot, marry her. Utterly baffled by his client’s refusal, Melville’s counsel, Sir Oliver Rathbone, turns to his old comrades in crime—William Monk and nurse Hester Latterly. But even as they scout London for clues, the case suddenly and tragically ends, in an outcome that no one—except a ruthless murderer—could have foreseen.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 1997
553 people are currently reading
1660 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
353 books3,370 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 399 reviews
July 3, 2024
I love Anne Perry's Victorian England mysteries and although I started with the Charlotte Pitt books, I've quickly discovered that Monk and company are more my style.
This particular installment will remain one of my favorites-- and it offered one of Perry's best plot twists yet. It will be interesting to read the next one, as this book serves as a true turning point for her main characters.
(Reviewed 8/14/09)
This particular installment will remain one of my favorites-- and it offered one of Perry's best plot twists yet. It will be interesting to read the next one, as this book serves as a true turning point for her main characters.
(Reviewed 8/14/09)
November 27, 2012
I try not to read Anne Perry's books back to back because sometimes she gets bogged down in character self-reflection and, in the extreme, self-questioning and self-regret that I feel drags down the story without adding much appeal. If you read a couple in a row, the weight of those personal revelations counterbalances the mysteries and turns what should be a fun and entertaining read into a slog. That's why, even though I own about 25 of her mysteries (Monk, the Pitts, and the WWI series) I often head to the bookstore to get something else rather than diving on ahead through my stash.
A Breach of Promise was an exception, and I'm sorely tempted to pick up the next in the series, just because I have it at hand. It had enough turns and triumphs to offset the slow parts AND FINALLY someone stopped hemming and hawing around about their own personal life and actually took action instead of worrying about whether they should take action. Sweet relief.
A Breach of Promise was an exception, and I'm sorely tempted to pick up the next in the series, just because I have it at hand. It had enough turns and triumphs to offset the slow parts AND FINALLY someone stopped hemming and hawing around about their own personal life and actually took action instead of worrying about whether they should take action. Sweet relief.
February 20, 2019
I love the complexity of these cases. I particularly enjoyed this one. This story highlights several important issues- the fate of disabled children in Victorian Britain, and the growing awareness and ambition of women to be treated fairly and not confined to stereotypes. Yet again I didn’t come close to seeing how this case would be resolved. And of course I loved the development of Monk and Hester’s relationship. Another win, Ms Perry.
January 21, 2012
Four stars, because this is my favorite of the series so far. Perry is still a bit repetitive and heavy-handed with her themes (women are discriminated against and poverty is bad) but I am thoroughly enjoying the characters and the Victorian setting.
A brilliant architect is being sued for breach of promise of marriage, although he insists that he never actually proposed to the girl in question. Rathbone is acting for the defense, but it's a mystery to everyone why the architect won't just marry the girl, who seems perfectly eligible. I felt pretty foolish for not figuring out the reason myself. I'm the perfect reader of mystery novels, since I rarely solve the puzzle before the protagonist.
Meanwhile Hester is employed to nurse a wounded and disfigured soldier with an anxious young wife. As usual, by wild coincidence Hester's story eventually merges with the primary plot. This is a lovely book in the Monk/Hester romantic saga.
The main characters in this book are remarkably tolerant, for Victorians, of homosexuality; one and all expressing the unorthodox opinion that what a man does in his own bedroom is nobody else's business.
A brilliant architect is being sued for breach of promise of marriage, although he insists that he never actually proposed to the girl in question. Rathbone is acting for the defense, but it's a mystery to everyone why the architect won't just marry the girl, who seems perfectly eligible. I felt pretty foolish for not figuring out the reason myself. I'm the perfect reader of mystery novels, since I rarely solve the puzzle before the protagonist.
Meanwhile Hester is employed to nurse a wounded and disfigured soldier with an anxious young wife. As usual, by wild coincidence Hester's story eventually merges with the primary plot. This is a lovely book in the Monk/Hester romantic saga.
The main characters in this book are remarkably tolerant, for Victorians, of homosexuality; one and all expressing the unorthodox opinion that what a man does in his own bedroom is nobody else's business.
September 1, 2025
Excellent entry in this long-running series.
The legal case that opens the book was very interesting. Architect Killian Melville hires Sir Oliver Rathbone to defend him in a 'breach of promise' lawsuit. Young Zillah Lambert's parents brought the suit on her behalf. The engagement announcement has been published, the wedding plans are far advanced. Killian says he never proposed, that Zillah's mama jumped to conclusions regarding his friendship with Zillah. He likes her, but cannot, will not marry her.
Rathbone has hired Monk to investigate both his client and the Lamberts, especially Zillah, in hopes of learning something, anything, that could help his case, but to no avail.The case goes to court, with tragic consequences.
Meanwhile, Hester Latterly has been hired to nurse a young officer who had survived the Cawnpore massacre. He suffered serious, disfiguring, injuries in later fighting and is now home. Gabriel's young wife, Perdita, is being sheltered and is feeling useless. Gabriel's brother, is very much of the 'buck up and forget the past' school of dealing with trauma, while telling Perdita that she is too refined to hear any of the details of what her husband experienced. Hester has her hands full here.
Running through the background of both stories is the constant hum of men's expectations of the proper place of women in life.
While I enjoyed the legal half of the book, I got the most pleasure from watching Zillah and Perdita learning to stand up for themselves in the face of familial opposition. Zillah has to face down her mother and the officious soliciter; Perdita has to learn to aid her husband and override her brother-in-law. Both young women aced their tests.
I also enjoyed watching Monk do some soul-searching regarding his feelings towards Hester. Hmmm, is this semi-romance finally going someplace?
All in all, a great read. Next month my buddy-read partner and I will be reading book 10 The Twisted Root. I'm looking forward to that.
The legal case that opens the book was very interesting. Architect Killian Melville hires Sir Oliver Rathbone to defend him in a 'breach of promise' lawsuit. Young Zillah Lambert's parents brought the suit on her behalf. The engagement announcement has been published, the wedding plans are far advanced. Killian says he never proposed, that Zillah's mama jumped to conclusions regarding his friendship with Zillah. He likes her, but cannot, will not marry her.
Rathbone has hired Monk to investigate both his client and the Lamberts, especially Zillah, in hopes of learning something, anything, that could help his case, but to no avail.The case goes to court, with tragic consequences.
Meanwhile, Hester Latterly has been hired to nurse a young officer who had survived the Cawnpore massacre. He suffered serious, disfiguring, injuries in later fighting and is now home. Gabriel's young wife, Perdita, is being sheltered and is feeling useless. Gabriel's brother, is very much of the 'buck up and forget the past' school of dealing with trauma, while telling Perdita that she is too refined to hear any of the details of what her husband experienced. Hester has her hands full here.
Running through the background of both stories is the constant hum of men's expectations of the proper place of women in life.
While I enjoyed the legal half of the book, I got the most pleasure from watching Zillah and Perdita learning to stand up for themselves in the face of familial opposition. Zillah has to face down her mother and the officious soliciter; Perdita has to learn to aid her husband and override her brother-in-law. Both young women aced their tests.
I also enjoyed watching Monk do some soul-searching regarding his feelings towards Hester. Hmmm, is this semi-romance finally going someplace?
All in all, a great read. Next month my buddy-read partner and I will be reading book 10 The Twisted Root. I'm looking forward to that.
March 12, 2020
Anne Perry is known for her slow burn start mysteries. In A Breach of Promise she takes this to a new level especially for the first six chapters you feel as if you are plodding through London cobblestone by cobblestone without getting anywhere. The only interesting things happening in seven chapters is the introduction of Hester's new patient Lieutenant Gabriel Sheldon and a homosexual relationship charge. Then WHAM BAM BOOM!!! chapter 8 happens and my jaw litterally dropped to my lap. Now under no circumstances go to chapter 8 first (yeah I know how devious your armchair detective curiosity can get) but to get the full impact you must take the slow boat to Chna route for the news in this chapter to really take effect and hit you like a Tsunami and figuratively blow your socks off. Believe me it will be worth it. This chapter does not solve the mystery it just provides the impetus for the direction the mystery now takes. P.S.
November 8, 2018
It's all thanks to Booksale that I found this masterpiece. I've read this when I was in high school and you should take note that I'm a sucker for detectives and mysteries. (It's probably due to the insane amount of Nancy Drew books and Detective Conan episodes I gobble up) I've forgotten most of the plot but I still remember the thrill I felt when I read this book. A Breach of Promise skirts the story of an architect breaking off his engagement to a prominent woman. Well, that was the main event of course until a murder shifts the spotlight. William Monk is a cynical yet endearing character and it was really breathtaking when the answers were all laid out perfectly in the ending.
March 13, 2009
I was actually disappointed in this work. While I love the depiction of Victorian London, this is the second William Monk mystery that i've read that felt curiously rushed at the end - "curious" because so much of the first half of the book felt plodding and slow. Also, while the concept in that drove the first half was fascinating, the resolution felt highly coincidental and imperfectly tied up. I will keep reading Ms. Perry's novels, but I hope that she regains her form - and would dissuade people who were not already fans from starting here.
February 13, 2017
Coincidence plays an even larger role than normal in this book, but you know what, it makes for a good story so screw it, I don't care. Also, I love when Monk goes Victorian Dirty Harry. Also, no spoilers, but the ending is worth an extra star all by itself. I am a sucker for that crap.
September 19, 2022
Audible.com 14 hour 11 min. Narrated by Terrence Hardiman (A)
I've read many of Anne Perry's mysteries but this IMO is by far the best! (And the only one free on Audible.)
I've read many of Anne Perry's mysteries but this IMO is by far the best! (And the only one free on Audible.)
July 27, 2022
My favourite of the William Monk series so far. This one is a gripping read with many twists and turns.
January 9, 2015
One of the best of Anne Perry's William Monk mysteries. With many twists and turns, Perry managed to surprise me, not with the identification of the villain, but with the story line itself. Moreover, I was utterly delighted with the developments in the relationship between Hester and Monk. Monk finally proposes marriage -- at the edge of a 21-year-old grave.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2021
Der Klappentext gibt für gewöhnlich einen Einblick in die Handlung des vorliegenden Buches. Betitelt als "Kriminalroman aus dem viktorianischen England" erweckt "Tödliche Täuschung" doch gewisse Erwartungen.
Nun, der tatsächliche Krimi in der Geschichte ließ ewig auf sich warten. Kaum 250 Seiten später trat dann der Todesfall ein, auf den man schon gewartet hatte. Das heißt aber nicht, dass die Handlung bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt unnötig oder langweilig gewesen ist.
Im Grunde handelt es sich um einen Gerichtsprozess wegen Bruch des Ehegelöbnisses: Familie Lambert gegen Killian Melville. Sir Oliver Rathbone versucht einen unmöglichen Prozess zu gewinnen indem er Killian als Mandanten annimmt..
Neben diesem Handlungsstrang führt uns Privatdetektiv William Monk, der eigentlich Untersuchungen über Killian anstellen soll, in ganz andere Gefilde:
Zu einer seiner engsten Vertrauten, Hester Latterly, die einen Ex-Soldaten pflegt, der im indischen Aufstand schwere Wunden davon trug. Als Freundin steht sie ihm zur Seite und berät ihn, wenn seine Ermittlungen ins Stocken kommen. Er verfolgt auf Hesters Bitte die Spur zweier verschwundener Kinder, die von der Mutter weggegeben worden waren, weil sie sich nicht um ihre Entstellungen und Behinderungen kümmern konnte.
Wie diese beiden Fälle nun zusammengehören kann man auf 447 Seiten entdecken...
Typisch für die damalige Zeit waren natürlich die gefestigten Rollenbilder von Mann und Frau. Auch dieses Thema wird nicht außenvor gelassen und kontrovers, vor Allem zwischen den beiden Anwälten im Gerichtsprozess, diskutiert. Während der Verteidiger Rathbone diese Missstände anprangert stellt sich sein Gegner Sacheverall quer.
Die Vehemenz mit der über dieses Thema immer wieder gestritten wird, ist meiner Meinung nach sehr ausschweifend und intelligent dargestellt:
" 'Warum tun wir das?', fragte sie in vehementem Ton. Sie sah ihn an, als erwarte sie eine Antwort. 'Warum machen wir Regeln die festschreiben, wie ein Mensch sein sollte... ich meine Regeln, die nicht wichtig sind? Warum sollte eine Frau nicht Architekt oder Arzt oder sonst was werden? Wovor haben wir solche Angst?' Sie machte eine ausholende Bewegung. 'Und warum zwingen wir die Männer, so zu tun, als hätten sie keine Angst, als würden sie keine Fehler machen? Natürlich machen auch Männer Fehler. Das wissen wir alle, aber wir decken es zu oder schauen weg. Es ist so viel einfacher zuzugeben, dass man sich geirrt hat, und umzukehren und das Richtige zu tun, als eine Ausflucht nach der anderen zu machen, um etwas zu verbergen. Am Ende kann man doch niemanden täuschen, außer jenen, die getäuscht werden wollen.' [...]
'Sehen sie sich nur Gabriel und Perdita an! Ihm hat man eingebläut, tapfer zu sein, niemals etwas zu erklären, niemals um Hilfe zu bitten. Man hat ihm das Bild eines Helden vermittelt, dem er gerecht werden muss, und er ist krank vor Schuldgefühlen, weil er dazu nicht in der Lage ist. Und ihr hat man beigebracht, hilflos und dumm zu sein, weil es das ist, was die Männer wollen, und das Einzige, was man von ihr verlangt, ist Gehorsam und ein ausgeglichenes Wesen - eine Zierde für das Haus.' Sie verzog das Gesicht"
Man kann nicht anders, als sich mit der Thematik zu beschäftigen. Emotional berührend sind die Tragödien auf jeden Fall.
Meiner Ansicht nach findet dieses Buch immer wieder einen Weg, die aufwühlenden Ereignisse und Auseinandersetzungen zu durchbrechen. Dem zwischenmenschlichen wird genauso Platz gegeben wie dem Kontroversen. Eine gute Mischung, die den Roman so lesenswert macht.
4.3/5 ✨
Nun, der tatsächliche Krimi in der Geschichte ließ ewig auf sich warten. Kaum 250 Seiten später trat dann der Todesfall ein, auf den man schon gewartet hatte. Das heißt aber nicht, dass die Handlung bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt unnötig oder langweilig gewesen ist.
Im Grunde handelt es sich um einen Gerichtsprozess wegen Bruch des Ehegelöbnisses: Familie Lambert gegen Killian Melville. Sir Oliver Rathbone versucht einen unmöglichen Prozess zu gewinnen indem er Killian als Mandanten annimmt..
Neben diesem Handlungsstrang führt uns Privatdetektiv William Monk, der eigentlich Untersuchungen über Killian anstellen soll, in ganz andere Gefilde:
Zu einer seiner engsten Vertrauten, Hester Latterly, die einen Ex-Soldaten pflegt, der im indischen Aufstand schwere Wunden davon trug. Als Freundin steht sie ihm zur Seite und berät ihn, wenn seine Ermittlungen ins Stocken kommen. Er verfolgt auf Hesters Bitte die Spur zweier verschwundener Kinder, die von der Mutter weggegeben worden waren, weil sie sich nicht um ihre Entstellungen und Behinderungen kümmern konnte.
Wie diese beiden Fälle nun zusammengehören kann man auf 447 Seiten entdecken...
Typisch für die damalige Zeit waren natürlich die gefestigten Rollenbilder von Mann und Frau. Auch dieses Thema wird nicht außenvor gelassen und kontrovers, vor Allem zwischen den beiden Anwälten im Gerichtsprozess, diskutiert. Während der Verteidiger Rathbone diese Missstände anprangert stellt sich sein Gegner Sacheverall quer.
Die Vehemenz mit der über dieses Thema immer wieder gestritten wird, ist meiner Meinung nach sehr ausschweifend und intelligent dargestellt:
" 'Warum tun wir das?', fragte sie in vehementem Ton. Sie sah ihn an, als erwarte sie eine Antwort. 'Warum machen wir Regeln die festschreiben, wie ein Mensch sein sollte... ich meine Regeln, die nicht wichtig sind? Warum sollte eine Frau nicht Architekt oder Arzt oder sonst was werden? Wovor haben wir solche Angst?' Sie machte eine ausholende Bewegung. 'Und warum zwingen wir die Männer, so zu tun, als hätten sie keine Angst, als würden sie keine Fehler machen? Natürlich machen auch Männer Fehler. Das wissen wir alle, aber wir decken es zu oder schauen weg. Es ist so viel einfacher zuzugeben, dass man sich geirrt hat, und umzukehren und das Richtige zu tun, als eine Ausflucht nach der anderen zu machen, um etwas zu verbergen. Am Ende kann man doch niemanden täuschen, außer jenen, die getäuscht werden wollen.' [...]
'Sehen sie sich nur Gabriel und Perdita an! Ihm hat man eingebläut, tapfer zu sein, niemals etwas zu erklären, niemals um Hilfe zu bitten. Man hat ihm das Bild eines Helden vermittelt, dem er gerecht werden muss, und er ist krank vor Schuldgefühlen, weil er dazu nicht in der Lage ist. Und ihr hat man beigebracht, hilflos und dumm zu sein, weil es das ist, was die Männer wollen, und das Einzige, was man von ihr verlangt, ist Gehorsam und ein ausgeglichenes Wesen - eine Zierde für das Haus.' Sie verzog das Gesicht"
Man kann nicht anders, als sich mit der Thematik zu beschäftigen. Emotional berührend sind die Tragödien auf jeden Fall.
Meiner Ansicht nach findet dieses Buch immer wieder einen Weg, die aufwühlenden Ereignisse und Auseinandersetzungen zu durchbrechen. Dem zwischenmenschlichen wird genauso Platz gegeben wie dem Kontroversen. Eine gute Mischung, die den Roman so lesenswert macht.
4.3/5 ✨
August 17, 2019
Another solid installment to the William Monk series. Admittedly, I figured out the mysteries before it was meant to be shown to us but boy were there a lot of curve balls thrown. As always, the folks in the gallery, the jury and judge didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed the budding relationship between Monk and Hester. I was also pleasantly surprised to be so invested in the lives of Hester's patient and his wife. I did miss Lady Callandra Daviot in this book. I hope she's involved more in the next book.
The narrator has changed, it's no longer Davina Porter (cry) but I did enjoy this narrator (Terence Hardiman).
The narrator has changed, it's no longer Davina Porter (cry) but I did enjoy this narrator (Terence Hardiman).
December 14, 2024
I really liked this. Patience is rewarded. But while listening I realized that I had jumped in a series well underway! 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
June 4, 2020
Enjoyed the story and the characters but I find that Perry doesn't trust the reader to understand the characters' motives and feelings. She tends to go on and on too much. I also don't require so much explaining of moral lessons. They are all there in the story.
March 19, 2015
At first, this seems like a strangely trivial case for a mystery series. A young man called Melville approaches Rathbone, asking for his help defending a breach of promise suit. Rathbone somewhat reluctantly agrees, but knows he can't possibly win - Melville won't give him any reason, and everything points to an understanding and a plan of marriage!
At the same time, however, Rathbone and Monk are individually coming to recognize the intangible benefits, as well as the costs, of marriage: in fact, Monk is contemplating it quite seriously.
Full of the little details that make Anne Perry's books so wonderful, including the Queen's fashion sense, as well as the vivid descriptions of life in India, architecture, and life plans. Each book tends to have at least one social theme, highlighting aspects of the time. Here we learn about the Indian mutiny and massacre at Cawnpore with such terrible consequences, affecting so many noncombatants; the innate sexism of the time, and even society's instance on beauty and horror of deformity. Each can be tragic, in a very different way, and each constricts people info conformation as best they can. I could write an entire essay on the social commentary, but I really mustn't...
Women are treated as hothouse flowers, determined to be fragile but beautiful, purely ornamentative and not to be troubled with nastiness but always protected so that the home may be a sanctuary. That sounds pleasant in theory, but in practice it - as Perry notes - leaves men who are troubled unable to share with their wives, creating isolation, unhappiness and greater stress.
Hester doesn't want this, nor will she stand for it in others. The question is: Will Monk or Rathbone accept it in her? Do they value Hester for who she is, not what they expect? And which will realize it first?
At the same time, however, Rathbone and Monk are individually coming to recognize the intangible benefits, as well as the costs, of marriage: in fact, Monk is contemplating it quite seriously.
Full of the little details that make Anne Perry's books so wonderful, including the Queen's fashion sense, as well as the vivid descriptions of life in India, architecture, and life plans. Each book tends to have at least one social theme, highlighting aspects of the time. Here we learn about the Indian mutiny and massacre at Cawnpore with such terrible consequences, affecting so many noncombatants; the innate sexism of the time, and even society's instance on beauty and horror of deformity. Each can be tragic, in a very different way, and each constricts people info conformation as best they can. I could write an entire essay on the social commentary, but I really mustn't...
Women are treated as hothouse flowers, determined to be fragile but beautiful, purely ornamentative and not to be troubled with nastiness but always protected so that the home may be a sanctuary. That sounds pleasant in theory, but in practice it - as Perry notes - leaves men who are troubled unable to share with their wives, creating isolation, unhappiness and greater stress.
Hester doesn't want this, nor will she stand for it in others. The question is: Will Monk or Rathbone accept it in her? Do they value Hester for who she is, not what they expect? And which will realize it first?
May 20, 2016
Anne Perry is one of my favorite authors, but I particularly enjoyed this one. I usually skip to the end of the book, and find out which direction the book is going, but even with doing that, there were surprises for me. Plus who doesn't enjoy a good love story. This is the book where Monk asks Hester to marry him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2017
I've been reading this series out of order, (I have 1, 8,9,10, and 18) but this is the best one so far. It talks about women's rights in a way that's not preachy or annoying. Hester and Monk finally get together. *high-pitched squealing*
January 16, 2019
This was the book I was waiting for in the Hester/Monk relationship. It was not what I expected but a nice mystery although for once I figured out what was going on. Some unrealistic coincidences but I like these novels as much for the feel of Victorian times as anything so was satisfied.
October 19, 2020
I am very happy to report that, were I somehow transported back in time to Victorian England, I would likely be a real superstar of a detective. In this case I actually did not have everything figured out ahead of time. But only because the hapless/genius Monk (and Rathbone too) did not ask the right questions of the right people.
It still would seem the author feels like she may not have convinced us to hate Monk yet, or at least not to hate him enough. Here is an example of one of the things he says to Hester for which I am not sure how she restrained herself from stabbing him:
"It has become a habit with you to tell people what to do for their welfare. It is extremely unattractive. You remind me of one of the more miserable types of governess. Nobody likes to be ordered around, even if the person doing it is correct."
All the same I think this was my favorite in the series so far. I may never be able to explain why I like it so much.
It still would seem the author feels like she may not have convinced us to hate Monk yet, or at least not to hate him enough. Here is an example of one of the things he says to Hester for which I am not sure how she restrained herself from stabbing him:
"It has become a habit with you to tell people what to do for their welfare. It is extremely unattractive. You remind me of one of the more miserable types of governess. Nobody likes to be ordered around, even if the person doing it is correct."
All the same I think this was my favorite in the series so far. I may never be able to explain why I like it so much.
November 16, 2021
Che spreco! Un tema così attuale (ma già all'onore delle cronache nel XIX secolo) come la transizione sessuale, qui solo a scopo professionale, viene svolto molto più sbrigativamente di quanto vorrei.
Il romanzo si segnala anche, per noi aficionados, per essere quello in cui - era anche ora, non se ne poteva più di manfrine ti odio-ti disprezzo-ti lancio un'occhiata glaciale-ti rispondo male-etc. - in cui, nelle ultime righe, Monk cuordileone trova finalmente le palle per chiedere a Esther di sposarlo.
Il romanzo si segnala anche, per noi aficionados, per essere quello in cui - era anche ora, non se ne poteva più di manfrine ti odio-ti disprezzo-ti lancio un'occhiata glaciale-ti rispondo male-etc. - in cui, nelle ultime righe, Monk cuordileone trova finalmente le palle per chiedere a Esther di sposarlo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2025
This volume of the Monk series is probably a little better than a 3 star read, but not enough to give it a fourth star. The story develops at a very slow pace, mainly due to character dialogue that adds little, if anything, of value. It ended suddenly and surprisingly, with a conclusion to the mystery so contrived that it was laughable, not satisfying. If you're a fan of the series, borrow this one from a library; else you will most likely wish you could get your money back if you purchase it.
April 20, 2022
A superb Anne Perry book in the enthralling William Monk and Hester Latterly series. Anne Perry is unsurpassed in the Victorian historical mystery genre. Her carefully constructed plots with characters that are both engaging and complex, have a way of inserting the reader into the Victorian times with their social struggles and mores in the midst of daily life.
October 9, 2021
Pour ma part, un des meilleurs de la série! Suspense garanti jusqu’au bout.
October 14, 2021
It had so many twists and turns and then a lovely ending ‘
November 6, 2022
Audio-borrowed from Hoopla
Narrator: Terrance Hardiman
Another good story with Monk and Hester.
Narrator: Terrance Hardiman
Another good story with Monk and Hester.
September 6, 2023
Another very good mystery from Anne Perry! The only disappointment was the ending. Which was more abrupt than i was anticipating but still over all a good one!
September 2, 2020
god, no one does it like anne perry. she is a genius and her stories are subtle and brilliant and her CHARACTERS!!!!! hester and monk <3 <3 <3 my heart explodes because of them, i’m so excited for the next book h e l p
September 7, 2015
Do not read any further in this review if you are reading the series in chronological order and you haven't finished this particular book.
This one started out quite slowly and I certainly didn't expect it to rate 5 stars. The continual talk about architecture was a snooze fest, especially since Ms. Perry kept repeating the same two or three descriptive phrases over and over. And the idea she tosses out that just because someone is brilliant creatively then they can't be a bad person is ludicrous. Once the trial starts, however, and Monk gets involved, the pace of the story picks up. The shocking revelation during the trial was exactly that. Shocking. I certainly never suspected the truth about Melville's identity. Well done, Ms. Perry.
On the personal side, Monk's passionate defense of Hester to Perdita and his proclamation of his feelings brought tears to my eyes. Finally! Thank heavens, he didn't retract simply because of embarrassment as he was tempted.
About the case of Melville's poisoning. As soon as Monk talked to the courthouse guard, I knew how Keelin had been killed and by whom. Right away he should have thought to ask Hester how the poison might be administered without eating or drinking. She certainly has the proper knowledge. Later on, he is actually the one who figured it out.
Did not see the ending coming. I expected Monk to express his love for Hester, not to propose. YES! Of course, leave it to Monk to propose in a graveyard. I can't wait to read of the new depths to their relationship and their feelings for each other.
In my excitement over the engagement, I forgot to add the list of interesting names and there were plenty in this book! Zillah. Perdita. Phemie. Athol (sounds like a gasoline). Wystan. Keelin (which is actually quite pretty, but I do like Irish names).
This one started out quite slowly and I certainly didn't expect it to rate 5 stars. The continual talk about architecture was a snooze fest, especially since Ms. Perry kept repeating the same two or three descriptive phrases over and over. And the idea she tosses out that just because someone is brilliant creatively then they can't be a bad person is ludicrous. Once the trial starts, however, and Monk gets involved, the pace of the story picks up. The shocking revelation during the trial was exactly that. Shocking. I certainly never suspected the truth about Melville's identity. Well done, Ms. Perry.
On the personal side, Monk's passionate defense of Hester to Perdita and his proclamation of his feelings brought tears to my eyes. Finally! Thank heavens, he didn't retract simply because of embarrassment as he was tempted.
About the case of Melville's poisoning. As soon as Monk talked to the courthouse guard, I knew how Keelin had been killed and by whom. Right away he should have thought to ask Hester how the poison might be administered without eating or drinking. She certainly has the proper knowledge. Later on, he is actually the one who figured it out.
Did not see the ending coming. I expected Monk to express his love for Hester, not to propose. YES! Of course, leave it to Monk to propose in a graveyard. I can't wait to read of the new depths to their relationship and their feelings for each other.
In my excitement over the engagement, I forgot to add the list of interesting names and there were plenty in this book! Zillah. Perdita. Phemie. Athol (sounds like a gasoline). Wystan. Keelin (which is actually quite pretty, but I do like Irish names).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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