Death of a Stranger: A William Monk Novel #13

She's done it again. Interwoven several story lines and even some breathtaking action while contrasting the mores and beliefs of Victorian England. I truely admire her work.

I am an unabashed WIllaim Monk and Hester Fan. Forget Edward and Bella, these two have me riveted. This is my least favorite of all their stories, but its still very good, and should not be skipped

I've long been a fan of Anne Perry and her series. This book was way too slow to keep anyone's interest other than a die-hard fan (that would be a good description of me). Yes it does pick up at the end and reach an exhilarating conclusion -- but waiting for it was painful. Besides being slow beyond duration, the only sympathetic characters with any depth were the ones we know from the series. None of the characters unique to this story were at all likable. Yes, there were sympathetic victims (almost all "women of the street") but their stories and characters were not developed in a way that would catch the reader's imagination or empathy. I'm truly hoping that this book was a hiccup and that the next one in the series will return to the excellence that is typical of Perry.

If you're thinking of listening to this book as your first venture into the William Monk series -- my advice is, don't do it!

This is another great story from Anne Perry. This one has a lot to do with the building of the railway between London and Liverpool. I have read a number of the Monk series but unfortunately out of order so was fascinated about the story of how Hester got the house for her Hospital for poor women. The court room action was a bit different in this story as Monk and Hester had no idea what the barrister was up to during the trial. In past stories he depended on the information provided to him by Hester and Monk. Monk learned more about his past that showed him in a good light so he was relieved. Nice twists and turns in the story keeps on guessing. If you like historical/social issue type novels about London in the 1850s you will enjoy this series.

I like Colacci narrating American voices. I like him narrating Donna Leon's Inspector Brunelli (perhaps because I don't understand Italian and can let the device of an Italian accent fool me -and maybe he does a good Italian accent) -- but I CAN'T BEAR Colacci trying to be Victorian British. Perry's novels need a different narrator to work. They're not in Colacci's range, so with him as voice, they fail almostly completely as a listen for me. I can sneak a few chapters by when I'm half asleep, and so I got through the book - my second Perry with his narration.

It's frustrating -- all those later Hester and Monk novels out now - and I know I'll just be annoyed if I download them!

(If you can take the "Victorian" Colacci, then this would a better than average listen if you enjoy the mystery of Monk's past.)

For those of us who have been following this series from book 1, here is the payoff! We finally get the into the meaty details of Monk's unremembered past. This is one of my favorites of the series. Love Hester and William!