A Sunless Sea: William Monk, Book 18

I love the Monk books.

Yes. This plot was interesting with many twists and turns.

Not a whole lot. Not my favorite performer.

I did not have an extreme reaction to this book, unless you count surprise as an extreme reaction.

Anne Perry is one of my favorite writers. She is a master at twisting and turning a plot, and this book was no exception. I never saw the ending of this book coming.

I was really absorbed by this entry in the William Monk series. Fascinating information about the use of opium in England during the 1860's underpins the story. Perry's research, as always, is spot-on.

This book prominently features Monk's and Hester's friend Rathbone, which turns it into largely a courtroom drama, but Monk and Hester and even Monk's old boss Runcorn make pivotal appearances throughout. We are able to pick up the events following the outcome of the last book (Acceptable Loss) and see how Rathbone is faring.

I wanted to say that I have become accustomed to Ralph Lister's narration now after two books (following many with David Colacci), and I think he is doing an excellent job.

I have read or listened to most of the books in this series, and would recommend that a newcomer to Monk's story read at least the book previous to this one before reading this entry. Monk has a fascinating backstory, and I recommend them all. The gritty world of mid-Victorian England is portrayed amazingly well and the characters are true to life.

Sure. Anne Perry is great as a book but gripping as an audiobook

Not sure. Too many `moments`

I am amazed at his wide range or English accents and male/female characterizations but sometimes way too dramatic, hard to catch some inflections and he talks like he has too much saliva in his mouth. In person I would expect to be sprayed by his speech!

No - but I did experience frustration at the court room scene taking SO LONG. I get it that Anne Perry is trying to stretch out tension but maybe her editor should have chopped off a few pages....boring!! And just frustration for no good reason.

Anne Perry is good - love her social commentary. But dump Margaret as a character - she sounds weird choosing her pedophile dad over her husband. The reader starts to wonder about what is up with her. While in that day and age sheltered women were like her - as part of the Monk series women like that need to be deleted. Not interesting and takes away from Oliver`s taste in people.

This was one of Anne Perry's best; a well-crafted story, with references back to other characters and times, but only just enough for the story at hand. The narrator was excellent; the way he changed characters was good, but the inflections of his voice for the story kept it alive. I am only sorry that I have finished the book!

Monk, Hester and all others have contributions to this story, Everyone is warmer and softer, a lot of reference to past stories. Moved slowly, good book but not as good as other Monk books.

The narrator is excellent, the plot is a lot of fun. I wish there were more of Hester and Scuff and less court arguing, but that's just me.

Some of the earlier Monk books have more about Monk, Hester, and Scuff working on different parts of the mystery. This time it was mostly Monk, which is fine, but a bit one-sided.

Everything.

I never completed listening to this book as I became like a crazed woman every time Anne Perry's characters continually ruminated and questioned everything at every turn in this book. I had forgotten how she can drag out every scene with the same repetitive nonsense which fills up the pages (or hours) but does nothing to enhance the story. It is too bad as she IS able to take you to another time with an interesting storyline but then ruins it by having her characters think incessantly in questions. "I wonder this, I don't know that, I think this and Could it be, Would it be, Should I go or stay or.....JUST GIVE UP! That was the question I finally answered by downloading a different book.

Absolutely!

Nothing.

It couldn't have been better.

None.

I love this whole series and have listened to every one of the books. Love the story, love the narration.

I've listened to many of Anne Perry's books and have liked the ones from this series - until this one. The plot is rehashed with every conversation and every character over and over and over again. It was like she was padding the story to make it longer or something. I couldn't finish it. There was basically no character development and even though the crime to be solved was an interesting one and had potential, it wasn't developed well.

This latest William Monk book is really about Oliver Rathbone with input from Monk and Hester. It is very good however. The character of Rathbone has really grown and developed becoming more interesting with each book. Please read the previous books in the series to get the full impact of these developments and to truly appreciate everyone in the book. All in all a great series of books. I look forward to the next one.