felinity's review
5.0
Every time I pick up an Anne Perry book I'm blown away by how real the characters and setting feel to me. I love her use of language, and her portrayals of varied characters, and the use of the relatively-unfamiliar-in-fiction Crimean war puts a different twist on the era while educating the reader in the battle tactics and medical skills available (and small snippets of information, such as nurses typically being male). Her female characters act within the expected societal strictures but are not stereotypes at either extreme.
I've read this series out of order, getting some of the later books well before this one, but was delighted to discover that the first book wasn't weaker and the plot just as intriguing. The central device itself, Monk's loss of memory, was exceptionally well-handled; he has to be a detective for his own life while trying to solve other cases, otherwise his skill must have been overrated. As he discovers more about himself, keeping some aspects and choosing to discard or alter others, he finds pitfalls in the form of previous associations, and above all must not let on how little he really knows.
I've read this series out of order, getting some of the later books well before this one, but was delighted to discover that the first book wasn't weaker and the plot just as intriguing. The central device itself, Monk's loss of memory, was exceptionally well-handled; he has to be a detective for his own life while trying to solve other cases, otherwise his skill must have been overrated. As he discovers more about himself, keeping some aspects and choosing to discard or alter others, he finds pitfalls in the form of previous associations, and above all must not let on how little he really knows.
we_are_all_mad_here26's review
3.0
I always want to love Victorian mysteries, and could have loved this one a good deal better had it not been for the too-frequent amnesia interruptions, during which Monk wonders such things as:
"He felt pleasure in the room immediately, and wondered where in his merciless self-improvement he had learned such taste."
"What did he normally do with his own time? Had he friends outside duty, some pursuit or pastime he enjoyed? There had to be more than this single-minded, ambitious man he had found so far."
"Was he a brazen social climber? The thought was repugnant..."
I still enjoyed it, certainly enough to continue the series - lots of period detail and vivid characterizations, for a not-so-long book. Still, I'd be okay with it if Monk hits his head again and suddenly remembers everything.
I still enjoyed it, certainly enough to continue the series - lots of period detail and vivid characterizations, for a not-so-long book. Still, I'd be okay with it if Monk hits his head again and suddenly remembers everything.
thenovelbook's review
3.0
I went hot and cold on this one. It was just beginning to pall when a new character was introduced, a spinster woman just back from nursing in the Crimean war. I liked her fairly well. The main character, Mr. William Monk, seemed a bit dull to me, but he was just recovering his memory after an accident and so I suppose his hesitations and vagueness were realistic, even if they got old after a while. The writing was pretty good, although there were still times when I thought the author was getting a bit too psychoanalytical to be the inward voice of a Victorian gentleman.
cj_mo_2222's review
5.0
This book is the first in Anne Perry's William Monk series set in Victorian London. Police Detective Monk had an accident that has resulted in amnesia. He is assigned to a murder investigation but doesn't remember how he used to do his job or anything about his past. He keeps this a secret because he doesn't know who his true friends are or who he can trust. He uses his instincts and whatever information comes back to him to investigate the case. He learns more about himself, too, and doesn't like everything he discovers.
I love this book and since reading it have gone on to read most of the other books in the series.
I love this book and since reading it have gone on to read most of the other books in the series.
hudsone45's review
4.0
The premise was intriguing. I would have liked to have heard from Evan how he knew?
karynhansen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
maggymags's review
4.0
This book has been sitting on my shelf for a while and because of who Anne Perry used to be, I had put off reading it. Once I overcame my prejudice (not completely to be honest) about the author, this series is set to become a firm favourite. I really liked Monk. An easy fast paced read with likeable characters. The next book in the series is ready and waiting.
squishies's review
3.0
I guess this book is what you call a "slow burn". While I appreciated the descriptions of the environment, the characters, and Monk's angsty monologues, I just wanted the story to get on with it.
I really enjoyed reading Hester's scenes - I hope she'd feature more in other books, somehow.
I really enjoyed reading Hester's scenes - I hope she'd feature more in other books, somehow.
Spoiler
I'm horrible with working out things in mysteries, so I was pleased that I picked the fact that Monk had killed Grey... and then whoa! Twist! No, he didn't! Ah well, still horrible with mysteries then.kdferrin's review
4.0
I enjoyed this whole series. Lots of descriptions of the Victorian era, fun mysteries and a little romance thrown into the arc across the whole series.