A Dangerous Mourning: A William Monk Novel #2

This is the first book in the William Monk series to which I have listened and I absolutely loved it. I intend to listen to as many of the series as I can. I enjoy Davina Porter's wonderful reading and accent which are perfect for this engaging Victorian novel. I am already involved with Nurse Latterly, Monk and the dashing lawyer, Oliver Rathbone and can't wait to meet them again.

This drags a bit in the middle, with modern sensibility and vocabulary peeking through in places, but overall I think it a very good listen for fans of period mysteries with "PG" ratings. Perry's endings always seem to compensate for the mean.

As usual, Davina Porter adds value to the listen with her excellent narration.

I like Charlotte and Thomas--but I love William Monk and Hester Laterly books. Well done Anne Perry. I like their banter and reluctant respect.

This is book number 2 in the Monk series. I finished book 1 and could hardly wait to listen to number 2 and now I completed this one, of course, I can hardly wait to download number 3. Anne Perry brings to life the 1850s London. Hester's experience in the Crimean War sent me off to read up on that War. Enjoy the interaction between Hester and Monk and am excited to read the book when they get together. Davina Porter brings the book to life, she is a great narrator.

In this Monk series, she tackles modern day questions and issues in a 1850’s Victorian era. I must admit, the twists this story took surprised me. I really didn’t think she’d allow “it” to happen, but she did! (trying not to give any spoilers!). This book kept me on an emotional roller-coaster. No, I didn’t guess who-dun-it until the last page. And, of course, we have the typical Perry ending.. abrupt! Once the solution is revealed, the story ends.. no nice emotional tidying up.

Ms. Porter is, as usual, phenomenal as the narrator. She lends class and believability to every part she portrays.

I recommend this book highly for anyone enjoying a great mystery in a PG setting!

I probably wouldn't listen to the book again, but not because I didn't enjoy the narrator or the story, but because there are so many more stories out there to read or listen to. I'll never live long enough to hear them all!

This was my second Anne Perry tale and I am completely hooked. I can't wait to read more of her books. Anytime I see Davina Porter as the narrator of a book, I am almost guaranteed to find it a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Really good in so many ways. Well written; language and dialogue ring true; the main characters are very well developed and the myriad of secondary characters far more carefully developed than in many books. Strongly feminist and class-conscious (in fact the only objection I have to it is that the protagonists' views and behavior are a little unrealistically modern on those subjects...but that's fine if you know what to expect). Although the series is named William Monk, the female protagonist, Hester Latterly, does most of the detecting in this book. Davina Porter does a great job narrating.

What I liked best about A Dangerous Mourning was the twist in the story. It stunned and saddened me, but it was an unexpected twist in the story that I was not quite expecting since I do not often come across authors who would employ it. What I least liked about it was probably the number of characters and the names that started with S. I got confused and found it difficult keeping track of who was who for at least half the book.

My favorite character was Monk. I found him and his situation to be quite interesting. I liked his voice and was impressed that he would not compromise his integrity even at the cost of his own livelihood.

I found the echoes of the narrator's words as well as the pauses between sentences that may signal a change in CD's annoying.

I am new to this series and am glad I finally found it. I've read other Anne Perry series and really love historical mysteries like these. The characters are believable, the stories are good. The narrator is really excellent. Look forward to more. Which Audible had the entire series available.