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William Monk #6
Cain His Brother
In his family life, Angus Stonefield had been gentle and loving; in business, a man of probity; and in his relationship with his twin brother, Caleb, a virtual saint. Now Angus is missing, and it appears more than possible that Caleb--a creature long since abandoned to depravity--has murdered him. Hired to find the missing man, William Monk puts himself into his shoes, searching for clues to Angus's fate and his vicious brother's whereabouts. Slowly, Monk inches toward the truth--and also, unwittingly, toward the destruction of his good name and livelihood. . . .
326 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
472 people are currently reading
1407 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
364 books3,384 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 313 reviews
November 22, 2018
William Monk was perfectly horrible to Hester. She really didn’t deserve it. I really enjoyed this story, although not so much the ending. Monk is very lucky that Hester is loyal to him, that’s all I’m saying..
June 10, 2009
I am a big Anne Perry fan, especially of her World War I series, and have liked her Monk mysteries very much. But this one just didn't have the "grab" I've come to expect in her works. Monk was like a cardboard stereotype grousing through the novel licking his ego and being unconscionably cruel to Hester, even to the point of calling her names. He seems oblivious to the goodness of her service; the hint that this may be an underlying rebellion against something awakened in him by their kiss in an earlier novel just doesn't justify his borishness. Were this my first Monk reading, I'd be so put off by him that I'd probably not bother with subsequent novels.
The subplot--an attempt to ruin Monk's reputation--was a good foil to his egocentric pride. Unfortunately, it was solved too readily by the every caring Hester. Presumably, the person making the threat will fade into memory and Monk will never know that Hester avoided the tragedy.
The plot itself has tension and introduces some well-drawn characters, especially from the slimy sections of London. Perry's strength is in descriptions, and she gives her readers a good, shuttering feel of the filth, darkness, disease and danger that haunts the poor trapped in their area.
The plot undwinds in court, of course. Unfortunately, Perry had to find a deus ex machina way to undo a previous situation that would have made the final outcome impossible.
For all of its flaws, the book has gripping movement and the outcome is bizzare, if not totally satisfactory. It is a difficult book to put down, and I do recommend it with reservations.
The subplot--an attempt to ruin Monk's reputation--was a good foil to his egocentric pride. Unfortunately, it was solved too readily by the every caring Hester. Presumably, the person making the threat will fade into memory and Monk will never know that Hester avoided the tragedy.
The plot itself has tension and introduces some well-drawn characters, especially from the slimy sections of London. Perry's strength is in descriptions, and she gives her readers a good, shuttering feel of the filth, darkness, disease and danger that haunts the poor trapped in their area.
The plot undwinds in court, of course. Unfortunately, Perry had to find a deus ex machina way to undo a previous situation that would have made the final outcome impossible.
For all of its flaws, the book has gripping movement and the outcome is bizzare, if not totally satisfactory. It is a difficult book to put down, and I do recommend it with reservations.
January 17, 2021
4.5
1859. Private investigator William Monk takes on a case to track down a missing husband, whom the wife believes to have been murdered by his evil brother.
I have read the first six books in this series and have enjoyed every one. Eighteen to go, I believe.
Anne Perry is a wonderfully natural writer that's easy to appreciate. There’s no striving for effect, and nothing feels forced. She sets the scene beautifully and atmospherically (here, the dark and seedy maritime Limehouse area of London); and in each novel she creates a finely drawn set of characters - often involving a clash between the classes. As for plotting? Regardless of intricacies, it’s all seamlessly pieced together. So skilled and confident is Anne Perry in her construction that she doesn’t resort to that oh so easy method of transition so many crime writers avail themselves of – the short chapter. So much can happen in one of Perry’s chapters, yet they flow smoothly and logically without feeling cluttered.
What I also admire is the fact that Anne Perry doesn’t nail her research all over the proceedings with a sledgehammer. If she gives you some historic detail, it’s because it’s pertinent to the plot, character, or atmosphere. It’s not there to show off her knowledge, or for retrospective analyses to have us oohing and aahing with shock and horror. When this silliness happens in so many modern novels set in the past, it often has the opposite to the intended effect for me – firstly it throws me completely out of the story, and secondly, the writer’s clunky attempts to shock our delicate modern sensitivities usually result in a blob of literary unsubtlety which only succeeds in raising a titter of mild amusement, followed by a sarcastic ‘positively shocking,’ uttered in my best Sean Connery impression.
My only minutest of criticisms with ‘Cain My Brother’ would come from the fact that I felt the end was a little too drawn out. Oh, and I also guessed a twist quite early on! But then I can’t help being a genius detective!
I usually read one of these a year. If I continue at that rate I’ll be 75 when I finish! Not a thought I particularly like. Better up the rate to two a year...
1859. Private investigator William Monk takes on a case to track down a missing husband, whom the wife believes to have been murdered by his evil brother.
I have read the first six books in this series and have enjoyed every one. Eighteen to go, I believe.
Anne Perry is a wonderfully natural writer that's easy to appreciate. There’s no striving for effect, and nothing feels forced. She sets the scene beautifully and atmospherically (here, the dark and seedy maritime Limehouse area of London); and in each novel she creates a finely drawn set of characters - often involving a clash between the classes. As for plotting? Regardless of intricacies, it’s all seamlessly pieced together. So skilled and confident is Anne Perry in her construction that she doesn’t resort to that oh so easy method of transition so many crime writers avail themselves of – the short chapter. So much can happen in one of Perry’s chapters, yet they flow smoothly and logically without feeling cluttered.
What I also admire is the fact that Anne Perry doesn’t nail her research all over the proceedings with a sledgehammer. If she gives you some historic detail, it’s because it’s pertinent to the plot, character, or atmosphere. It’s not there to show off her knowledge, or for retrospective analyses to have us oohing and aahing with shock and horror. When this silliness happens in so many modern novels set in the past, it often has the opposite to the intended effect for me – firstly it throws me completely out of the story, and secondly, the writer’s clunky attempts to shock our delicate modern sensitivities usually result in a blob of literary unsubtlety which only succeeds in raising a titter of mild amusement, followed by a sarcastic ‘positively shocking,’ uttered in my best Sean Connery impression.
My only minutest of criticisms with ‘Cain My Brother’ would come from the fact that I felt the end was a little too drawn out. Oh, and I also guessed a twist quite early on! But then I can’t help being a genius detective!
I usually read one of these a year. If I continue at that rate I’ll be 75 when I finish! Not a thought I particularly like. Better up the rate to two a year...
July 6, 2021
2.5 stars
What Perry continually gets right is her atmosphere — while reading the William Monk stories, I am completely immersed in Victorian London. She paints such a complete picture of the setting, in any part of London, there's never a lost sense of place.
However, the conundrum of reading these stories is baffling. I both hate Monk and find the stories predictable and sometimes convoluted — both being the case here with Cain His Brother — yet conversely I am compelled to continue with this series. I don't even pretend to understand it.
Monk is approached by Genevieve Stonefield to help trace, what she believes to be, the final days of her husband, Angus. She believes Caleb, twin brother to Angus, is responsible. Meanwhile, Hester Latterly is dealing with an outbreak of typhoid in Limehouse alongside Enid Ravensbrook, who happens to be married to Milo Ravensbrook, the man who raised Angus Stonefield from the time of his father's death when he was five. In addition to that, Monk strikes up a friendship of sorts with a woman named Drusilla Wyndham.
The problem was, despite all those pages in between the first and the last, I had already guess 95% of the thing. Monk was surprisingly more involved with the actual casework and detective work than is typically shown — though some of it takes place off the page, which is tiresome. Regardless, the filler, including the new acquaintance Monk makes, felt very pedestrian. The writing was stifled a bit by more telling than showing, especially when it comes to Monk's ruminations.
And yet, here I go, adding the next one to the list. Something in these keeps me coming back for more. And I hope, once Monk more readily accepts Hester's assistance and he converses more easily with her, that it will open up the series a little wider.
What Perry continually gets right is her atmosphere — while reading the William Monk stories, I am completely immersed in Victorian London. She paints such a complete picture of the setting, in any part of London, there's never a lost sense of place.
However, the conundrum of reading these stories is baffling. I both hate Monk and find the stories predictable and sometimes convoluted — both being the case here with Cain His Brother — yet conversely I am compelled to continue with this series. I don't even pretend to understand it.
Monk is approached by Genevieve Stonefield to help trace, what she believes to be, the final days of her husband, Angus. She believes Caleb, twin brother to Angus, is responsible. Meanwhile, Hester Latterly is dealing with an outbreak of typhoid in Limehouse alongside Enid Ravensbrook, who happens to be married to Milo Ravensbrook, the man who raised Angus Stonefield from the time of his father's death when he was five. In addition to that, Monk strikes up a friendship of sorts with a woman named Drusilla Wyndham.
The problem was, despite all those pages in between the first and the last, I had already guess 95% of the thing. Monk was surprisingly more involved with the actual casework and detective work than is typically shown — though some of it takes place off the page, which is tiresome. Regardless, the filler, including the new acquaintance Monk makes, felt very pedestrian. The writing was stifled a bit by more telling than showing, especially when it comes to Monk's ruminations.
And yet, here I go, adding the next one to the list. Something in these keeps me coming back for more. And I hope, once Monk more readily accepts Hester's assistance and he converses more easily with her, that it will open up the series a little wider.
March 19, 2015
Anne Perry's books tend to be multi-faceted. On one side is the main plot, the mystery, while on another is a look at a certain aspect of life at the time, another shows the lot of women, another contains introspection on the part of the main characters and still another reveals the depth of the supporting cast.
Here, the main plot is a devoted and kind husband who never returned from meeting his brother. His wife fears he is dead, and worse - that she'll never be able to prove it, and, being a woman, has no control or legal claim over any of her husband's property or money. She engages Monk to ascertain what has happened to Angus.
At the same time, typhoid has broken out in Limestone, one of the poverty-striken areas of London; naturally Hester is amongst the few from the higher classes who reach out to do what they can. As she explains the true nature of poverty, the reader also joins Enid's startling realization of what this level of poverty really means: "The same [pan] for scrubbing the floor, for bathing the baby, for waste at night, and for cooking in." It's no wonder typhoid spreads, especially in these days before clean water was readily available and before sewer pipes were installed.
Hester and Monk are, by now, both acutely aware of each other's fault. You might say overly aware, because they certainly seem to be trying to convince themselves of something, though his steadfast loyalty and Hester's quick thinking keep bringing them together to shore up the other. And then there is Drusilla...
Here, the main plot is a devoted and kind husband who never returned from meeting his brother. His wife fears he is dead, and worse - that she'll never be able to prove it, and, being a woman, has no control or legal claim over any of her husband's property or money. She engages Monk to ascertain what has happened to Angus.
At the same time, typhoid has broken out in Limestone, one of the poverty-striken areas of London; naturally Hester is amongst the few from the higher classes who reach out to do what they can. As she explains the true nature of poverty, the reader also joins Enid's startling realization of what this level of poverty really means: "The same [pan] for scrubbing the floor, for bathing the baby, for waste at night, and for cooking in." It's no wonder typhoid spreads, especially in these days before clean water was readily available and before sewer pipes were installed.
Hester and Monk are, by now, both acutely aware of each other's fault. You might say overly aware, because they certainly seem to be trying to convince themselves of something, though his steadfast loyalty and Hester's quick thinking keep bringing them together to shore up the other. And then there is Drusilla...
October 28, 2023
As far as Anne Perry's depiction of mid 19th century Victorian England goes she is truly a top tier writer. Her descriptions of the poor neighborhoods is so well written that you can almost smell those overflowing middens. The one aspect of the book that I found quite annoying was Monk acting like a complete asshat to Hester. I mean calling her stupid, a moron and an idiot was a disturbing scene and completely out of line for a gentleman to call a lady. Monk suffers major brain farts when he choses ladies he fancies. He totally deserved the scare Drusilla Wyndham gave him which would have cost him his livelihood if not for Hester's intervention. I know the series revolves around Monk's character, but I always feel Hester would do a lot better with Oliver Rathbone. She even gets along so well with Oliver's father Henry who is an endearing side character in the series. In this book Monk was quite unlikeable.
December 6, 2014
I've been re-reading Anne Perry's excellent historical mystery series driven by protagonist William Monk. I'm past this particular book in the series, so please note that these comments apply to the series as a whole.
Because Perry started this series decades ago, I've hesitated to post reviews. I'm in the middle of the release of THE BROTHERS' KEEPERS (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...), so reading a very talented author whose genre is slightly different from my own (I write contemporary international suspense) is a great way to keep my head in the game without interfering with Book 3 in my Parched series, which I'm writing.
But I had to post this review.
Perry's work is just masterful. Her characterizations are consistent. To sound like a total writer geek, her character arcs are perfect, which makes each character ring true from novel to novel. Her settings throughout Victorian England are spot on with what I know of the period and place. Each story (so far) is original, with none of the repetition that sometimes seeps in to a series when the writer is running out of ideas. (And thankfully, she doesn't obsess with dress fabric like some writers of historical genres. I'm interested, but not to the point of the information being repetitive book after book after book . . .)
If you like historical mystery and suspense, particularly with strong female characters, I don't think you could find a better fireside read than this Anne Perry series. There's a richness to the writing, and work as a whole, that I don't encounter often.
I highly recommend the William Monk series.
Because Perry started this series decades ago, I've hesitated to post reviews. I'm in the middle of the release of THE BROTHERS' KEEPERS (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...), so reading a very talented author whose genre is slightly different from my own (I write contemporary international suspense) is a great way to keep my head in the game without interfering with Book 3 in my Parched series, which I'm writing.
But I had to post this review.
Perry's work is just masterful. Her characterizations are consistent. To sound like a total writer geek, her character arcs are perfect, which makes each character ring true from novel to novel. Her settings throughout Victorian England are spot on with what I know of the period and place. Each story (so far) is original, with none of the repetition that sometimes seeps in to a series when the writer is running out of ideas. (And thankfully, she doesn't obsess with dress fabric like some writers of historical genres. I'm interested, but not to the point of the information being repetitive book after book after book . . .)
If you like historical mystery and suspense, particularly with strong female characters, I don't think you could find a better fireside read than this Anne Perry series. There's a richness to the writing, and work as a whole, that I don't encounter often.
I highly recommend the William Monk series.
December 20, 2016
brilliant, as always! this was the first one where i actually guessed close to the truth, but there was no way to prove it, so i moved on to other theories. i usually don't guess (i HATE guessing) but this time it didn't ruin it for me. ALL HAIL QUEEN PERRY.
December 19, 2012
Another superb William Monk/Hester Latterly mystery. Anne Perry has quickly become one of my favorite mystery writers ever.
Now, for a little constructive criticism...
Now, for a little constructive criticism...
May 17, 2016
Monk is still trying to remember his past while pursuing a life as an enquiry agent. He is asked by Genevive Stonefield to find her husband who has left his business to see his brother in the Limehouse area of London. Hester Latterly is working there at a temporary hospital for a Typhoid outbreak, with Callandra and Lady Enid Ravenscroft. This all links the disappearance and the various actors in the scenario. A sub -plot, where Monk is accused of an assault is left rather hanging in the ether and somewhat out of context with the remainder of the story. An enjoyable read but again overlong.
March 20, 2025
How good is Anne Perry?
I'd already read this book several times before. As the plot progressed, I recognized many of the twists and turns to come. I basically remembered the ending .And yet I was totally engrossed and enjoyed every minute of it.
My one complaint about this book is the subplot involving Monk. It's really unnecessary and no more than a page filler. But that is balanced by the main plot, including the horrifying details of a typhoid fever outbreak in a London just before the government was forced to finally create a water system. Solid research and solid writing.
I'd already read this book several times before. As the plot progressed, I recognized many of the twists and turns to come. I basically remembered the ending .And yet I was totally engrossed and enjoyed every minute of it.
My one complaint about this book is the subplot involving Monk. It's really unnecessary and no more than a page filler. But that is balanced by the main plot, including the horrifying details of a typhoid fever outbreak in a London just before the government was forced to finally create a water system. Solid research and solid writing.
May 10, 2020
Sesto romanzo della serie di William Monk.
Li sto leggendo in sequenza per meglio cogliere le evoluzioni nelle storie dei protagonisti e, sino ad ora, li ho sempre trovati piacevoli ed appassionanti.
Anne Perry è brava a farci immergere nell’Inghilterra vittoriana, con i poveri disperati che popolano i sobborghi di Londra ed i nobili che godono di smodati privilegi.
Nel romanzo c’è anche di mezzo un’epidemia di febbre tifoidea che imperversa nel quartiere di Limehouse, una zona povera e malfamata di Londra e la Perry ne denuncia il degrado e la mancanza di infrastrutture igieniche che contribuiscono, se non ne sono addirittura la causa, al propagarsi dell’epidemia.
Chi avrebbe mai detto che avrei letto questo libro mentre era in corso, nel mondo reale, una pandemia!
Stavolta sono riuscito ad immaginare la soluzione del mistero, anche se la lettura è stata comunque avvincente sino alla fine.
Una serie da continuare a leggere.
Li sto leggendo in sequenza per meglio cogliere le evoluzioni nelle storie dei protagonisti e, sino ad ora, li ho sempre trovati piacevoli ed appassionanti.
Anne Perry è brava a farci immergere nell’Inghilterra vittoriana, con i poveri disperati che popolano i sobborghi di Londra ed i nobili che godono di smodati privilegi.
Nel romanzo c’è anche di mezzo un’epidemia di febbre tifoidea che imperversa nel quartiere di Limehouse, una zona povera e malfamata di Londra e la Perry ne denuncia il degrado e la mancanza di infrastrutture igieniche che contribuiscono, se non ne sono addirittura la causa, al propagarsi dell’epidemia.
Chi avrebbe mai detto che avrei letto questo libro mentre era in corso, nel mondo reale, una pandemia!
Stavolta sono riuscito ad immaginare la soluzione del mistero, anche se la lettura è stata comunque avvincente sino alla fine.
Una serie da continuare a leggere.
December 24, 2017
I enjoy Anne Perry's writing; great atmosphere, well-paced, always interesting, clean but lovely with the romantic tension between Monk and Hester; the story is written, not told, meaning the reader can read the action and see it rather than having it explained - it is good writing.
Monk is hired to find a missing husband, it is suspected that the missing man was killed by his violent twin brother. Hester is working with typhoid victims in Limehouse. Monk is not having much success and gets sidetracked with a beautiful woman with nefarious intentions. Hester is so clever. She rescues him from that mess, and she also prolongs legal proceedings long enough for Monk to come back with the solution to the mystery. Lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mystery.
Monk is hired to find a missing husband, it is suspected that the missing man was killed by his violent twin brother. Hester is working with typhoid victims in Limehouse. Monk is not having much success and gets sidetracked with a beautiful woman with nefarious intentions. Hester is so clever. She rescues him from that mess, and she also prolongs legal proceedings long enough for Monk to come back with the solution to the mystery. Lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mystery.
April 24, 2021
Twisted tale of love and hate
Two stories converge in this book. One involves Monks forgotten past and the other is the search of a missing man believed to have been murdered by his brother. Typical of an Anne Perry story, there are many layers to this tale. In addition to solving a crime, their is a definitive evolution within the characters and their relationships to one another. Weaknesses are just as apparent as strengths. This is one of the aspects that make Perry's books such interesting reads.
Two stories converge in this book. One involves Monks forgotten past and the other is the search of a missing man believed to have been murdered by his brother. Typical of an Anne Perry story, there are many layers to this tale. In addition to solving a crime, their is a definitive evolution within the characters and their relationships to one another. Weaknesses are just as apparent as strengths. This is one of the aspects that make Perry's books such interesting reads.
January 23, 2021
This is one of the deepest Anne Perry historical mysteries, with twists, sub-plots and suspense, it's also a psychological thriller and true to its early Victorian time.
Set in London, it ranges from the depravity of the slums to polite society houses while typhoid is raging, it offers a clear picture of the poverty and filth of the area while giving a true picture of real like in the times.
It's also a consuming mystery, with terrible twists and surprises.
Set in London, it ranges from the depravity of the slums to polite society houses while typhoid is raging, it offers a clear picture of the poverty and filth of the area while giving a true picture of real like in the times.
It's also a consuming mystery, with terrible twists and surprises.
November 25, 2017
Overall I think one of my favourites in the series so far.
October 17, 2022
Genevieve Stonefield comes to Monk to ask for him to search for her missing husband Angus. She fears that he went to visit his twin brother Caleb and that harm came to him. Monk agrees to search. He learns that Angus was the “good son” who had a respectable job and family while Caleb was the “bad son” who lives in the ghetto eating and sleeping when and where he can. Several witnesses can acknowledge seeing one of the brothers on the day in question but he’s hard pressed to find anyone who saw them together in order to piece together a timeline. For a while, he has help from Drusilla Wyndham until she turns on him claiming assault. Monk has no memory of her and wonders if he somehow wronged her in his life before the accident. Can he piece these puzzles together?
Another good installment. It's been over two years since I read the previous one so where there were references to something, I couldn't remember the situation but it didn't detract from this. Of course as soon as I saw this would have Rathbone in the court room, I knew it would build to the ending. Build it does. Wow.
Another good installment. It's been over two years since I read the previous one so where there were references to something, I couldn't remember the situation but it didn't detract from this. Of course as soon as I saw this would have Rathbone in the court room, I knew it would build to the ending. Build it does. Wow.
May 10, 2025
3.5 stars.
Had I written this review immediately after I finished the book I would have rounded that rating up to 4 stars. The second half of the book is very exciting and I raced through it. The ending is all rather dramatic, with the final scene being very poignant.
However, mulling over the book with buddy-read partner Rosario highlighted the book's shortcoming: the pacing is lopsided, with the first half dragging as Monk seemed to be going in circles in his investigation; part of the background for the resolution seemed implausible; and the motivation for the final murder was murky, to say the least. Also, Monk's continued antipathy towards Hester is getting tiresome to this reader.
On the plus side, the author was very good in creating two female characters who were realistic, and sympathetic. There was also another step forward for Monk in his efforts to regain his memory. The London atmosphere was excellent, especially the depiction of the typhoid outbreak.
I first read this when it came out, way back in 1995. This was my first re-read in 30 years. I honestly remembered none of the details and very little of the plot after all that time. I'm glad I had the chance to read it again.
Had I written this review immediately after I finished the book I would have rounded that rating up to 4 stars. The second half of the book is very exciting and I raced through it. The ending is all rather dramatic, with the final scene being very poignant.
However, mulling over the book with buddy-read partner Rosario highlighted the book's shortcoming: the pacing is lopsided, with the first half dragging as Monk seemed to be going in circles in his investigation; part of the background for the resolution seemed implausible; and the motivation for the final murder was murky, to say the least. Also, Monk's continued antipathy towards Hester is getting tiresome to this reader.
On the plus side, the author was very good in creating two female characters who were realistic, and sympathetic. There was also another step forward for Monk in his efforts to regain his memory. The London atmosphere was excellent, especially the depiction of the typhoid outbreak.
I first read this when it came out, way back in 1995. This was my first re-read in 30 years. I honestly remembered none of the details and very little of the plot after all that time. I'm glad I had the chance to read it again.
August 11, 2022
Wow.
This was the first of the William Monk series that I haven't been able to listen to. (For some odd reason, there are audio versions of the first 5, then only one is recorded until #12. I think the rest of them have audio versions after that, but a different narrator.) :( I had really enjoyed the narrator, and these books always made me want to just slow down and listen while doing puzzles or something. I found it a little harder getting into this book since I was reading it rather than listening. (Again, odd, I love reading...)
It wasn't until about 1/2 way through that I finally got totally caught up in the story. I hadn't liked the introduction of Drusilla, but I loved the way it was resolved. I had my suspicions about the ending of the book, but there was one thing that made me doubt myself. It was explained right at the end. The last 30 pages or so were especially fascinating.
Fun read.
This was the first of the William Monk series that I haven't been able to listen to. (For some odd reason, there are audio versions of the first 5, then only one is recorded until #12. I think the rest of them have audio versions after that, but a different narrator.) :( I had really enjoyed the narrator, and these books always made me want to just slow down and listen while doing puzzles or something. I found it a little harder getting into this book since I was reading it rather than listening. (Again, odd, I love reading...)
It wasn't until about 1/2 way through that I finally got totally caught up in the story. I hadn't liked the introduction of Drusilla, but I loved the way it was resolved. I had my suspicions about the ending of the book, but there was one thing that made me doubt myself. It was explained right at the end. The last 30 pages or so were especially fascinating.
Fun read.
July 13, 2020
This has to be one of the craziest mysteries I have ever read! Trying to figure it out was equally challenging & frustrating in a good way! I absolutely love this series, because of the multiple story lines then seamlessly weave together in onto one exciting thriller!
September 17, 2021
Si ce n'est que le livre gagnerait à être raccourci de quelques pages, j'ai beaucoup aimé celui-ci. Je ne donne pas 5 étoiles à cause de certaines invraissemblances et de la longueur du récit.
December 25, 2022
Good addition to series.
February 21, 2025
this one was just as good as the others but I figured out the twist immediately and then was just waiting to see if I was correct the whole time
June 5, 2024
Loved it! Even though I guessed the outcome early on, it was still an interesting, highly enjoyable tale.
December 16, 2024
This was a great story. I truly enjoyed it. However, I figured out the ending before it was revealed. I rarely am able to do that, so I am quite proud of myself!
December 16, 2022
I wasn't going to read this book because I hadn't enjoyed the others all that much, but I was willing to give her another try since she finally got off the incest trope in the last book. I think having been a mystery lover all my life and having read numerous books by better authors and watched numerous TV shows and movies, there aren't alot of surprises left for me. My first thought was she was going to steal from The Man with the Twisted Lip, but then it became clear she was going for The Two Faces of Eve instead. Either way it was the usual exhaustive and exhausting search for clues, which isn't very engaging and does nothing to move the story forward. Other reviewers have said how much they've learned about Victorian England from her in-depth descriptions of the awful slum conditions and the precarious existence of the poor, so if this series has taught people something they didn't know about history, that's wonderful. Unfortunately I've read that in many other books before and so I skim over the gross details since I'm still waiting for some detail of interest to emerge. Her characters are even more like cardboard cutouts in this book than the previous ones with all her females either saints or whores, her male aristocrat the usual emotionless bastard, and Monk almost despicable especially in his treatment of Hester. I don't understand the point of their endless bickering like two hateful brats, but then I've never been one to think that arguing is a turn on so if that's what she's going for, it's lost on me.
I think that writing a story knowing it's all part of a long series and having to continue the backstory while still presenting a murder mystery must be very difficult and it really shows here. Monk's amnesia was intriguing at the start, but knowing it has to be dragged out over 20-plus books dilutes it to the point that it's jarring when it comes up like it did here with the chick that he may or may not have wronged in his past. I felt it was presented in a rather clunky manner as though she realized, "Oh yeah, I should stick something about the amnesia in here" and so it got thrown in as a distraction. It undercut the supposed brilliance of her detective who was immediately taken in by this woman essentially because she was pretty and giggly without arousing any suspicions in this most suspicious man that a woman of her class would happily accompany him to the slums to investigate a murder. He was more suspicious about Genevieve sensibly making plans to keep her husband's business going to stay out of the poorhouse! I wondered again while reading this if Perry even has an editor. I'm glad some people enjoy this series, but I don't like reading books that annoy me so I'll be moving on.
I think that writing a story knowing it's all part of a long series and having to continue the backstory while still presenting a murder mystery must be very difficult and it really shows here. Monk's amnesia was intriguing at the start, but knowing it has to be dragged out over 20-plus books dilutes it to the point that it's jarring when it comes up like it did here with the chick that he may or may not have wronged in his past. I felt it was presented in a rather clunky manner as though she realized, "Oh yeah, I should stick something about the amnesia in here" and so it got thrown in as a distraction. It undercut the supposed brilliance of her detective who was immediately taken in by this woman essentially because she was pretty and giggly without arousing any suspicions in this most suspicious man that a woman of her class would happily accompany him to the slums to investigate a murder. He was more suspicious about Genevieve sensibly making plans to keep her husband's business going to stay out of the poorhouse! I wondered again while reading this if Perry even has an editor. I'm glad some people enjoy this series, but I don't like reading books that annoy me so I'll be moving on.
March 17, 2020
Twins in mysteries have become cliche, along with the various possibilities of one twin impersonating another, whether that twin is a victim or a criminal. Still, even given that and a few more possibilities that I considered, I did not expect this resolution to the story.
I enjoyed reading more of these characters - Monk, Hester, Rathbone. Some of the plot felt a little long, but it kept me interested.
I know some readers might get frustrated with that society's views on women, but to me, it's more like we know a secret that society didn't: women can be highly intelligent contributors. And they manage to contribute despite the society around them. Books like that don't bother me because, in part, it was the historical era, and in part, because the women do well, even despite the social handicap. It's like watching someone win a race after having to start a pace or two behind everyone else. It only goes to show their racing excellence in that the worse start did not really stop them.
One reviewer didn't like the false allegation in this book, thinking that it cast doubt on all the real allegations out there. Statistically speaking, the allegations are not likely to be false and should be treated seriously. Still, false allegations have existed in reality, which is why each case has to be considered in light of evidence. People are not just guilty or innocent because we want them to be. While I would hope that any daughters of mine would be listened to in reporting such harassment, I would also hope that any one accusing them of anything would not be entertained without evidence.
I have reservations about the author herself, Anne Perry, who actually did commit murder as a young teen. I hate for her to capitalize on the experience in her books, but sometimes her themes are more of mercy, pity, reconciliation, etc. Usually, I limit my reading of her books to just library books, where there is less royalties, because less copies have been bought. Or, I limit it to second-hand shops.
I enjoyed reading more of these characters - Monk, Hester, Rathbone. Some of the plot felt a little long, but it kept me interested.
I know some readers might get frustrated with that society's views on women, but to me, it's more like we know a secret that society didn't: women can be highly intelligent contributors. And they manage to contribute despite the society around them. Books like that don't bother me because, in part, it was the historical era, and in part, because the women do well, even despite the social handicap. It's like watching someone win a race after having to start a pace or two behind everyone else. It only goes to show their racing excellence in that the worse start did not really stop them.
One reviewer didn't like the false allegation in this book, thinking that it cast doubt on all the real allegations out there. Statistically speaking, the allegations are not likely to be false and should be treated seriously. Still, false allegations have existed in reality, which is why each case has to be considered in light of evidence. People are not just guilty or innocent because we want them to be. While I would hope that any daughters of mine would be listened to in reporting such harassment, I would also hope that any one accusing them of anything would not be entertained without evidence.
I have reservations about the author herself, Anne Perry, who actually did commit murder as a young teen. I hate for her to capitalize on the experience in her books, but sometimes her themes are more of mercy, pity, reconciliation, etc. Usually, I limit my reading of her books to just library books, where there is less royalties, because less copies have been bought. Or, I limit it to second-hand shops.
June 25, 2012
So far... I wished William was more "connected" to Hester, however, if he don't want to do it, "life" is in charge to connect them!
I wonder who is the crazy lady who is endangering Monk... I hope we will know by the end of the book, and perhaps, it is related with Angus somehow.
(...)
Wow! I started to think that maybe, they were changing places, however the real plot, or the reason for his behavior, was shocking. Poor fellow!
Anyway, I just loved the intrusion of Drusilla! No, I didn't liked her, but I was happy to see Hester's reaction and William's glad face when realizing she was jealous!
And now, go pick up book 6!
Monk's thinking: "How had he treated Hester, who had stood with him against such terrors in the past, and who had been unquestioningly brave and loyal in the teeth of failure and opposition?
He had been there, unfailingly, when she was in danger. He had never for an instant doubted her honor or her innocence. He had worked night and day to save her. He had not even had to think about it: it was the only possible course he could follow. No other had entered his thoughts.
But how had he behaved towards her as a woman?
If he were honest, he had been consistently abrasive and critical, even offensive. He had done it intentionally, wanting to hurt her, because in some indefinable way—what? Why did she make him so uncomfortable? Because there was some elemental truth in her he did not want to know, some emotion within himself she touched and he could not afford to feel. She was demanding, uncomfortable, critical. She demanded of him what he was not prepared to give—change, uncertainty, pain. She had the difficulties of a man without the virtues, the ease that went with them. She required friendship."
I wonder who is the crazy lady who is endangering Monk... I hope we will know by the end of the book, and perhaps, it is related with Angus somehow.
(...)
Wow! I started to think that maybe, they were changing places, however the real plot, or the reason for his behavior, was shocking. Poor fellow!
Anyway, I just loved the intrusion of Drusilla! No, I didn't liked her, but I was happy to see Hester's reaction and William's glad face when realizing she was jealous!
And now, go pick up book 6!
Monk's thinking: "How had he treated Hester, who had stood with him against such terrors in the past, and who had been unquestioningly brave and loyal in the teeth of failure and opposition?
He had been there, unfailingly, when she was in danger. He had never for an instant doubted her honor or her innocence. He had worked night and day to save her. He had not even had to think about it: it was the only possible course he could follow. No other had entered his thoughts.
But how had he behaved towards her as a woman?
If he were honest, he had been consistently abrasive and critical, even offensive. He had done it intentionally, wanting to hurt her, because in some indefinable way—what? Why did she make him so uncomfortable? Because there was some elemental truth in her he did not want to know, some emotion within himself she touched and he could not afford to feel. She was demanding, uncomfortable, critical. She demanded of him what he was not prepared to give—change, uncertainty, pain. She had the difficulties of a man without the virtues, the ease that went with them. She required friendship."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2012
Another strangely compelling read in this historical mystery series. This one is about Monk's search for a missing businessman, who was last seen en route to visit his brother in the East End slums of Victorian London. Coincidentally, Hester is hard at work in the same area, nursing Typhoid victims.
In addition to the usual harangues about the marginalization of women and the poor reputation of nurses, the book lectures on the unsanitary living conditions of the poor and highlights the knife edge on which most people live: only a few paydays away from homelessness and hunger.
The instant that Monk's client explained that the missing man had an evil twin brother, I knew how the mystery would turn out. But the author strung it out skillfully to the very end, with enough red herrings to make me briefly doubt the rather obvious conclusion.
In addition to the usual harangues about the marginalization of women and the poor reputation of nurses, the book lectures on the unsanitary living conditions of the poor and highlights the knife edge on which most people live: only a few paydays away from homelessness and hunger.
The instant that Monk's client explained that the missing man had an evil twin brother, I knew how the mystery would turn out. But the author strung it out skillfully to the very end, with enough red herrings to make me briefly doubt the rather obvious conclusion.
June 25, 2015
Anne Perry is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The Monk series is the only series I read/listen to out of order, so I sort of know what will happen to some of the characters. I did finally read the 1st one, so at least know some of the backstory. Her evocation of Victorian England is so wonderful and her characters so real! Watching Monk and Hester spar, when I already know their future is fun, though annoying on some level. The side story in this book is the typhus epidemic, and knowing that in a future book London finally begins to deal with the problem is interesting. The mystery in this book has the most shocking ending of any of the books so far. I did not see it coming!! You can almost smell the smells and feel the mist. She truly is an amazing writer.
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