Not her best by any means -- but not bad (Rating 4 of 5)
» Michael K. Smith
Several years after being kicked off the Metropolitan Police Force (which was at least partly his own fault), William Monk, erstwhile "private enquiry agent" in 1863 London, is finally back in uniform -- though he's not entirely happy about it. Having gotten involved with crime on the Thames in the last volume, he's now an Inspector in the River Police (and the Met's longtime rivals). After her encounter with the plague at her charity clinic, his wife, Hester, an ex-Crimean nurse, has been ordered to stay at home -- at least temporarily. Not that she can help involving herself in whatever injustices come to her notice, however. Monk has witnessed a young couple topple off Westminster Bridge (accident? suicide? murder?) and his investigation leads him into reopening an earlier case of suicide, which was one of Superintendent Runcorn's cases. (Monk and Runcorn had been friends and close colleagues, then rivals, then enemies, and are now moving slowly back into an uneasy accommodation.) The plot focuses on the urgent need to replace London's totally inadequate sewer system, occasioned both by the Great Stink of 1858 and by the recent series of typhoid and cholera outbreaks. Of course, there's lots of money to be made in such a mammoth (and competitive) public works project, and that can lead to sloppy attention to safety regulations and even murder. All of which is well and good (and the details are pretty interesting), but Perry repeats her old problem of letting the narrative get away from her. The plotline is confusing, salient points are repeated numerous times (just in case the reader wasn't paying attention, I guess), and she has a tendency to make casual reference to earlier events or bits of business that have, apparently, been edited out of the text. On the other hand, she's been bringing in a whole new group of supporting players lately, both among Monk's subordinates in his new job and among his other acquaintances on the river, and on the staff of Hester's clinic. I wish she'd bring back Sgt. Evan, though; he doesn't deserve to be so cavalierly dumped
Keeping the Series Fresh (Rating 4 of 5)
» Dawn Kravagna
Anne Perry keeps her Monk detective series fresh by moving him from private detection to superintendent of the Thames River Police. Her meticulously detailed depictions of the sewers of London, including those making their debased living from the sewage, and of the duties of the river police gives a new perspective on Victorian life that's new and rather creepy.
A short synopsis: Monk is a witness to a couple who fall to their deaths from a bridge into the bitterly cold river while he is on river patrol. One of the victims, Miss Mary Havilland, was investigating the death of her father who was concerned that work on the new sewers by the Argyll company was progressing too rapidly, creating the imminent danger of a cave-in and endangering the large work crew in the tunnels. Her father's death was declared a suicide, but Monk's investigation of Mary's death leads him to believe her father was murdered.
Now that Monk has come to terms with his past, he is a more likeable character, freer to express his feelings for his wife, Hester. The challenges of his new career have also humbled him a bit. I was irritated with Monk and Hester in the earlier novels as they had difficulty controlling their tempers and emotions. They have grown with the series, becoming more mature in their behavior. Runcorn has also matured: You see a new side to him in this novel.
There is a surprise twist near the end, which is a feature of most Ms. Perry's novels. Sometimes, when you read several of an author's novels, you get a feel for who the villain will be or the issue involved. I didn't see this one coming.
Also, one weakness of the earlier novels was the overt preachiness about the Crimean War: which was fine in a book or two, but it got old when you are a frequent reader. We all know that war is hell. She has toned this down quite a bit in the later novels, which has improved the series.
There is no foul language or graphic sex in her novels, which makes these books a safe read for minors--and your grandmother!
Not great if it's your first Anne Perry book (Rating 3 of 5)
» mamakong
Maybe this was not the best book from Anne Perry. It seemed a bit repetitive. Most of the time, I have a hard time putting a book down but with this one, I had to make an effort to keep picking up where I left off to try to finish. I was easily hooked with Carola Dunn, Rhys Bowen and M. C. Beaton
An fine mix of mystery and emotion (Rating 4 of 5)
» J. Carroll
Monk's difficult financial situation, created by Lady Callendra's departure for Vienna and Hester's clinic needing her constant involvement, pushes him to find employment in area of London that is outside his usual purview, The Thames. Taking a case involving stolen cargo puts Monk outside his comfort zone and it shows. He becomes dependent on the help of a young wharf rat to make his way in this new territory and through this connection you see another facet of Monk's awakening humanity revealed. Hester finds herself facing a situation so volatile that all of London is imperiled, and the pain both she and Monk suffer while trying to cope with these entwined dilemmas threatens to overwhelm them and all in their community of friends. Perry does a great job with this one as the emotional strength of the story doesn't overwhelm the mystery; it enhances it, causing the tension to be palpable. This is a fine addition to this long running series and Perry's move to upset the status quo of her amnesiac detective is welcome
Anne Perry's Monk NEVER disappoints (Rating 5 of 5)
» electra wilson
Anne Perry's beautiful prose and her excellent scope of social values in Victorian England is top notch. Her mysteries are of both historical value and pure, unadulterated entertainment. William Monk is often a mystery in himself except what Anne Perry allows us in exquisite probing. Once begun, it's difficult to put down any Monk book. Once you finish, you're looking for the next
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