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Weighed In The Balance (1997)

Weighed in the Balance (1997)

Book Info

Author
Series
Rating
3.87 of 5 Votes: 5
Your rating
ISBN
0804115621 (ISBN13: 9780804115629)
Language
English
Publisher
ivy books

About book Weighed In The Balance (1997)

It's been some years since I read Anne Perry and I'm looking forward to be lifted into Victorian England again. EARLY COMMENTSThe interactions between William Monk and Oliver Rathbone and Hester Latterly reflect Anne Perry's superb ability to communicate the way people can feel about each other and yet leave so much unsaid. Perry leaves the reader (this reader anyway) thinking that perhaps this is the nature of all human interaction, even between people who care very much for each other. The scenes between the young boy and girl, both physically damaged, are unbelievably touching. Update FEB 18, 2014 ...Anne Perry is a very patient author. For chapter after chapter her characters seek an answer to the underlying mystery, with no success. She describes the search so well that I am not frustrated with the delay. Now we have moved to the trial, where the truth must become known, but still it hasn't.update FEB 20, 2014A superb conclusion. The answers were withheld until the very end, with the characters learning what happened only a few pages before the reader. Some big surprises and some quite compassionate scenes. The way Perry set the murder mystery against the very interesting and probably not well known background of Germany before the consolidation added to the read.My only problem with this book was in the beginning, when Perry introduced all of the characters at the crucial party in a single overwhelming sequence that was impossible (for me) to absorb. I think she could have skipped this, since all the characters were re-introduced later, in a far more effective and reader-friendly way.

Anne Perry is one of my favourite mystery authors and every book of hers captivates me. The element of mystery is neither too obvious nor too difficult to deduce. Reanalysing the facts again and again leads to further investigation in her stories and keeps me hooked till the end. Moreover the manner she adapts to portray the Victorian era and many social evils through her works is marvellous. ‘Weighed In The Balance’ is a William Monk novel. (However I prefer Thomas Pitt, the other detective conjured by Perry) The novel is about unravelling the murder mystery of a German prince who was believed to have succumbed to injuries at a horse ride. It seems impossible that the prince was poisoned and the courtroom drama that follows only brings in surprises and shocking revelations. Sir Oliver Rathbone, an attorney, calls upon Monk to aid him discover if the German prince was truly murdered. Hester Latterly, Monk’s love interest (another mystery) plays a pivotal role in gathering the bits and pieces of information. En route to uncover the murderer many appalling truths are revealed and the emotions towards ones country and countrymen play a prominent role.

Do You like book Weighed In The Balance (1997)?

I didn't like this as the rest in this series. It dragged quite a bit and nothing much happened in the mystery until the last chapters.The plot revolves about a case which Oliver Rathbone takes involving slander. A Countess has said that the wife of the exiled heir to the throne of a small Germanic principality has killed him. He have up his throne for his wife and lived in exile in Vienna. Their story was a romance for the ages and no one can believe that his wife would kill him.What I did find interesting was the information about the number of small kingdoms which were caught up in the unification of Germany. I never thought about what it would mean for these kingdoms which had their own identity and history. I have even gone to Bavaria, seen Neuschwanstein, and read the history of King Ludwig II and never thought what happened when Germany unified. Some of the smaller kingdoms fought the Prussian army and others, realizing the futility of resisting, allowed themselves to become part of Germany.
—Anne Hawn Smith

This was one of the best William Monk books I have read. I loved the Royalty - Politico aspects contained within. There were also, once again, many very strong characters who I could relate to/like/dislike.I absolutely love how Perry interweaves characters from within the earlier books into her most recent ones. I really enjoyed the Robert Oliver/Victoria Stanhope story. It was such a lovely resolution to tragic circumstances.There are always twist and turns in Perry's books and this one did not disappoint!
—Olivia

3.5 starsRathbone has taken a case which - in hindsight - may not have been the best decision. "Hopeless" might be a better description, as his client has been charged with slander, and yet refuses to offer any proof while maintaining its truth. In desperation, Monk travels across Britain and over to Europe in search for understanding or evidence anything to keep Rathbone from ignominious and very public failure. After all, the Lord Chancellor and at least one Queen have a very keen interest in seeing it resolved quickly and without undue mess, but it soon becomes about far more than just slander.It was a little slower to start than most, mainly because the political issue at the beginning was a little heavier than usual (at least you'll know to expect it), but the intrigue, the romance of Venice, the power play of principalities and the impact of unification versus independence soon make up for it. Meanwhile Monk and Rathbone seem to be unconsciously competing for Hester. There's nothing said, no untoward comments or gestures, but each is overly aware of the other and the other's interactions with Hester. There might even be a little jealousy. Hester stays rightfully focused on the priority of the case and her current patient, an unfortunate young man facing permanent paraplegia, but providing insight and medical suggestions when needed.The conclusion is outstanding, and Perry catches the volatile mood of the public so well. Not my favorite of the series, but certainly worth a read.
—Hilary

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