http://yearningtoread.blogspot.com/The case is dangerous: the murder of a young woman of society, stabbed to death in her own room and a few trinkets stolen. Inspector William Monk takes on the case, still lacking 95% of his memory but determined to keep this loss a secret and prove himself worthy. It seems a simple endeavor, but the case becomes more and more complicated with time. Monk is able to prove that the murderer attacked from within the house, a feat that could only be accomplished by someone living in the house. It being practically a crime itself to accuse a member of high society of being a criminal, Monk's reputation is on the line. Was the murderer a servant, like society says it should be? Or was he a family member, harboring a dark secret? And Monk has his own problems to attend to, more personal and deeper than anything he's ever experienced - or so they tell him. Who is he? Why does he have the reputation he has? Who will he become without his memory? With these questions never ceasing, and the murder case honing in on him, Monk must face problems and consequences he never foresaw.___________________________________My thoughts -I normally don't read mysteries. They intrigue me, but I'm not motivated to read them like I am a good fantasy/dystopian book. That is, I'm not motivated to read mysteries other than the William Monk mysteries, which are some of the greatest books around. I could rave for hours about the genius of these books. They provide incredible, life-like characters, situations that are out of the ordinary but not hard to believe, insight into the Victorian era in England like only a Victorian novelist could give, and phenomenal mysteries that have you guessing until the very end. Literally, the last few pages.Have I caught your attention yet?If I haven't, keep reading and I hope by the time you finish reading this review you'll have made up your mind to start reading this incredible series.Character notes -The characters in Anne Perry's novels seem, to me, as real as any one I can see or hear or interact with. They are full to the brim with wonderful liveliness and incredible depth, human desires, strengths, and weaknesses. This is hard to come by these days in a near perfect way - but Anne Perry has nailed it and I can't tell you how much it inspires me.Monk is one of those "tragically wonderful" characters who I love and adore. I can't get enough of him. Whatever he does is interesting, whether its solving a crime or discovering things about his past. I admire him and love his journey as he discovers how proud he was in the past and is humbled. He and Hester are the perfect duo for these books...how I love their arguments!Runcorn and Evan are great characters as well. The Lord Basil and his wife Beatrice, their son and daughters, their brothers and sisters, their servants - all of them had me captivated. There is a sense of human desperation in these stories that is very real and easy to relate to. Everyone, tried and exhausted and frustrated, trying to make sense of it all, no one trusting, everyone confused - it is stunning to read and makes for an intensity that builds and builds and builds and finally bursts. Wonderfully done, Perry!Hester has a greater part in this story than the last (actually, half of the book is from her perspective). I feel like I should say this in case anyone is expecting just Monk's perspective and is possibly frustrated (as I was at first). But Hester is a fun character and brings a lot to the story, so if you go into it expecting that, you'll love it from the first!Story notes -While character development and interaction is a major focus (and one of the main ways the author uses to solve the mystery), Anne Perry uses incredible details and events to set up the story, create a conflict, and solve the crime. A few scenes had me cringing (or freaking out, haha!) because it was so intense and I had no idea what was going to happen and I didn't want one thing to happen... Or I was just plain stumped.This book, just like its predecessor, was not a "fast" read for me. For me, it was intense, yes, and very interesting and satisfying and incredible, but it's one of those books I feel like I have to read slower to get all the details... The details are meant to be soaked in. Let's say you ate a really sweet strawberry really fast and didn't let the taste linger on your tongue...how sad! You wouldn't get the full potential of that wonderfully tasting strawberry! It's the same with these books. If you don't savor them, you might miss out on some incredible details that make the story all the more fantasic. That is what I love about these books. They make me slow down and focus on the little things; they make me forget about the next book I have to read and just enjoy; they make me appreciate slow-building intensity.One word to sum it up (final thoughts) -Stunning. This is some of the best prose out there, a lovely combination of mystery and historical fiction, of detail and story and character. And it's all tied up perfectly at the end, leaving you surprised at the turn the story took in just the last ten pages, and totally in love with good literature, Victorian England, and William Monk. Is there anything not to love? Need I say more?For the parents: These are not children's books; whether or not they are young adult books is everyone's personal opinion. There is nothing sexual, and there is little bad language. However, the subject matter and the violence and possible psychotic killer can be very intense for certain readers. One character is stabbed mercilessly and left for dead (details not shown, but the inferred could be enough to make a more sensitive reader uncomfortable to the point of dislike); there are a few references to rape and how to rape a Lord's daughter is a crime, but to rape the same Lord's servant is pardonable. Over all a profound book and recommended to every adult, and most older teens out there!
There is something to be said about a character that starts a story not remembering who he is and without and family and close friends to help him. That is exactly what Anne Perry did in the first book of this series and that is what really attracted my attention to the books. In this second book the Inspector Monk is still unable to remember his past but has he moves through London he finds glimpses of familiar things and an image of him that seems very different from who he is now. (Would a kind soul me know if he ever remember and in which book?)In this story Monk is called to investigate the murder of a young lady, Octavia Haslett, the daughter of Sir Basil Moidore has been stabbed to death in her own bedroom during the night. From the beginning, it is clear that Sir Basil and most of his family is mostly concerned with hushing the scandal and finding a guilty party as soon as possible. Even after it seems it is one of them who must have done it, the family still believing it must be one of the servants.When Monk finds himself unable to find evidence pointing to someone he asks for the help of Hester Latterly, one of Miss Nightingale's nurses who was also a character in the previous book. I really like Heather! She is dedicated to her job, honest and has a hard time controlling her temper when she perceives an injustice. Despite her efforts while nursing Lady Beatrice, Octavia's mother, Heather is unable to find the culprit and when a bloody knife is found in one of the footmen's room the case seems closed to all but Monk and Heather. Refusing to arrest the footman leads to Monk being fired from the police force but Heather doesn't give up and manages to interest Oliver Rathbone, a lawyer and a very interesting character that I hope to see in future books, in the case.I just love Perry's view of the Victorian world and there was lots of information about it in the book. In this particular story, I very much enjoyed her portrayal of the higher and lower classes. The differences in behaviours, beliefs and social status. Much of the book is set in the Moidores house and the atmosphere is oppressing, intriguing and full of suspense. I couldn't wait to get to the end of the story and find out who had done it and I must say that the final twist surprised me. I loved how they followed all the clues to reach the right conclusion about what really had happened and who was responsible. And now I can’t wait for the next book.Grade: 5/5
Do You like book A Dangerous Mourning (1992)?
This is the second book of the William Monk stories. Set in Victorian England, this police drama features a man who lost his memory and apparently has undergone a change in personality. Distinct from the other Anne Perry (Pitt) books because it lacked the extended segments of someone other than the main character doing investigating and generally socializing in the culture of the time in the first book, this one includes the same pattern.Further, I'm sensing a pattern in Anne Perry's books: she hates rich people. A lot. They're always the bad guy, they're always corrupt, sick, cruel, heartless, messed up. Never once is a case about anyone who did anything bad except the upper class wealthy.And with the addition of the Hester character (naturally she's a bold atypical liberated girl in oppressive times) I'm just not enjoying the series as much has the first book which focused much more on the case and the investigation. Given that it took 3/4 of the book to take the most obvious course of investigation in this case, its only Anne Perry's talent as a writer and incredible grasp of the setting that keeps my attention in her books.
—Christopher Taylor
Audio book. I don't know if the audio book is faulty or there was a faulty download on my iPad, but there seems to be some kind of illogical repetition or backtracking that has gone on. I will be listening to one setting, think it is concluded, then--poof--we're listening to something that occurred chronologically before that setting. I have also noticed that there are three "chapter 1's" and multiples of other chapters on the chapter list. However, there were not THAT many repetitions--I wasn't listening to chapter 1 three times, for example. Anyway, I am mystified and it has an impact on how I like or dislike this story. One thing I did like about the audio was the accent of the narrator.The story was fine--3 stars--but because I am law trained, it bothers me that they seem to use inadmissable evidence and inaccurate procedures and premises. However, what I do like and what keeps me reading is the poetic quality to some of the author's writing.
—Patricia
I think I've read more recent books in the William Monk series, but I'm going through from the beginning, and this is #2. This is before the romance develops between William and Hester, but you see it coming. That part is fun! I rather like Victorian novels with their restrained behaviors.This advice might be going a bit too far: "Really, Miss Latterly. I don't know how to express myself without seeming critical, or to offer advice where it may not be desired. But if you wish to obtain a husband, and surely all natural women must, then you will have to learn to master the intellectual and argumentative sides of your nature. Men do not find it the least attractive in a woman. It makes them uncomfortable. It is not restful and does not make a man feel at his ease or as if you give proper deference to his judgment. One does not wish to appear opinionated! That would be quite dreadful. I can remember my mama advising me when I was a girl -- it is most unbecoming in a woman to be agitated about anything. Almost all men dislike agitation and anything that detracts from a womans image as serene, dependable, innocent of all vulgarity or meanness, never critical of anything except slovenliness or unchastity, and above all never contradictory towards a man, even if you think him mistaken. Learn how to run your household, how to eat elegantly, how to dress well and deport yourself with dignity and charm, the correct form of address for everyone in society, and a little painting or drawing, as much music as you can master, especially singing if you have any gift at all, some neddlework, an elegant hand with a pen, and a pleasing turn of phrase for a letter -- and above all how to be obedient and control your temper no matter how you may be provoked."
—Joy
