-
The Face of a Stranger
- A William Monk Novel #1
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Series: William Monk, Book 1
- Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Premium Plus
$14.95 a month
Buy for $31.49
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
A Dangerous Mourning
- A William Monk Novel #2
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 14 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the beautiful daughter of Sir Basil Moidore is stabbed to death in her bed, Inspector Monk and Nurse Latterly uncover a tale of shame and scandal that threatens to destroy a powerful London dynasty.
-
-
A Dangerous Mourning
- By gwennieg on 10-08-09
By: Anne Perry
-
Defend and Betray
- A William Monk Novel #3
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ten people gather together for an elegant London dinner party. By the end of the party, only nine are alive. Sometime after dinner, General Thaddeus Carlyon is brutally murdered in the hallway. Who had the strength - and motive - to murder the distinguished military hero? Nurse Latterly and Inspector Monk find the answers in a nightmarish legacy of evil.
-
-
Anachronistic, repetitious, annoying.
- By Michele on 01-15-14
By: Anne Perry
-
A Sudden, Fearful Death
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Anne Perry's Victorian murder mysteries have enthralled millions with their evocative atmosphere and finely-crafted suspense. Now, in this mesmerizing best seller, the star of these mysteries, Inspector William Monk, returns to solve the most heartbreaking case of his career.
-
-
Oh, yummy, yummy -- another great Anne Perry
- By Nina on 05-07-05
By: Anne Perry
-
The Sins of the Wolf
- A William Monk Novel #5
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When her wealthy Scottish employer dies of an overdose of heart medication, Nurse Latterly is charged with murder and locked up in Newgate Prison. To save his friend from the gallows, Inspector Monk works feverishly to identify a cold-blooded killer in the victim's greatly admired - and coolly silent - family.
-
-
A great addition to the Monk canon
- By Victoria J. Mejia-Gewe on 05-02-13
By: Anne Perry
-
Funeral in Blue
- A William Monk Novel #12
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The headlines were gruesome: two beautiful women found strangled in the studio of a well-known London artist. To investigator William Monk and his wife Hester, the murders are a nightmare. One of the victims is an obscure artist's model. The other is the wife of Hester's cherished colleague, distinguished surgeon Dr. Kristian Beck, a Viennese emigre who swiftly becomes the principal suspect.
-
-
Good story, terrible narrator
- By KT on 10-30-16
By: Anne Perry
-
Death of a Stranger
- A William Monk Novel #13
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For the prostitutes of Leather Lane, nurse Hester Monk's clinic is a lifeline, providing medicine, food, and a modicum of peace - especially since lately their ailments have escalated from bruises and fevers to broken bones and knife wounds. At the moment, however, the mysterious death of railway magnate Nolan Baltimore in a sleazy neighborhood brothel overshadows all else.
-
-
Perry is without par
- By Nina on 12-01-08
By: Anne Perry
-
A Dangerous Mourning
- A William Monk Novel #2
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 14 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the beautiful daughter of Sir Basil Moidore is stabbed to death in her bed, Inspector Monk and Nurse Latterly uncover a tale of shame and scandal that threatens to destroy a powerful London dynasty.
-
-
A Dangerous Mourning
- By gwennieg on 10-08-09
By: Anne Perry
-
Defend and Betray
- A William Monk Novel #3
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ten people gather together for an elegant London dinner party. By the end of the party, only nine are alive. Sometime after dinner, General Thaddeus Carlyon is brutally murdered in the hallway. Who had the strength - and motive - to murder the distinguished military hero? Nurse Latterly and Inspector Monk find the answers in a nightmarish legacy of evil.
-
-
Anachronistic, repetitious, annoying.
- By Michele on 01-15-14
By: Anne Perry
-
A Sudden, Fearful Death
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Anne Perry's Victorian murder mysteries have enthralled millions with their evocative atmosphere and finely-crafted suspense. Now, in this mesmerizing best seller, the star of these mysteries, Inspector William Monk, returns to solve the most heartbreaking case of his career.
-
-
Oh, yummy, yummy -- another great Anne Perry
- By Nina on 05-07-05
By: Anne Perry
-
The Sins of the Wolf
- A William Monk Novel #5
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When her wealthy Scottish employer dies of an overdose of heart medication, Nurse Latterly is charged with murder and locked up in Newgate Prison. To save his friend from the gallows, Inspector Monk works feverishly to identify a cold-blooded killer in the victim's greatly admired - and coolly silent - family.
-
-
A great addition to the Monk canon
- By Victoria J. Mejia-Gewe on 05-02-13
By: Anne Perry
-
Funeral in Blue
- A William Monk Novel #12
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The headlines were gruesome: two beautiful women found strangled in the studio of a well-known London artist. To investigator William Monk and his wife Hester, the murders are a nightmare. One of the victims is an obscure artist's model. The other is the wife of Hester's cherished colleague, distinguished surgeon Dr. Kristian Beck, a Viennese emigre who swiftly becomes the principal suspect.
-
-
Good story, terrible narrator
- By KT on 10-30-16
By: Anne Perry
-
Death of a Stranger
- A William Monk Novel #13
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For the prostitutes of Leather Lane, nurse Hester Monk's clinic is a lifeline, providing medicine, food, and a modicum of peace - especially since lately their ailments have escalated from bruises and fevers to broken bones and knife wounds. At the moment, however, the mysterious death of railway magnate Nolan Baltimore in a sleazy neighborhood brothel overshadows all else.
-
-
Perry is without par
- By Nina on 12-01-08
By: Anne Perry
-
The Cater Street Hangman
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a maid in the upper class Ellison household is strangled, Inspector Pitt is called in to investigate. He finds a world ruled by strict manners and social customs, where the inhabitants of the Ellison's neighborhood appear to be more outraged by the thought of scandal than they are by murder. Inspector Pitt finds a most unlikely ally in Charlotte, the Ellison's spirited daughter. But as the murders continue, Charlotte and Pitt find themselves drawn together by more than the investigation.
-
-
Excellent
- By Nancy on 05-12-12
By: Anne Perry
-
Dark Assassin
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On a patrol boat near Waterloo Bridge, police superintendent William Monk notices a young couple engaged in an intense discussion. Seconds later, the two plunge to their deaths in the icy waters of the Thames. Was it an accident, a suicide, or a murder? Ever the investigator, Monk learns that the woman, Mary Havilland, had planned to marry the fair-haired man who shared her fate. He also discovers that Mary's father had recently died in a supposed suicide.
-
-
What a ride!!!!!!!
- By bigdjunta on 05-07-19
By: Anne Perry
-
The Shifting Tide
- A William Monk Novel #14
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
William Monk knows London's streets like the back of his hand; after all, they are where he earns his living. But the river Thames and its teeming docks - where towering schooners and clipper ships unload their fabulous cargoes and wharf rats and night plunderers ply their trades - is unknown territory.
-
-
The Shifting Tide
- By Brenda on 07-17-09
By: Anne Perry
-
Callander Square
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Callander Square is the second of Anne Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries. Full of well-drawn and convincing characters, Callander Square offers a finely crafted recreation of Victorian England. The bodies of two newborn babies have been found in a park in the fashionable London neighborhood of Callander Square.
-
-
The Pitt Family at their best!
- By Chuck on 07-21-05
By: Anne Perry
-
Execution Dock
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the bustling docks along the River Thames, Great Britain's merchant ships unload the treasures of the world. And here, in dank and sinister alleys, sex merchants ply their lucrative trade. The dreaded kingpin of this dark realm is Jericho Phillips, who seems far beyond the reach of the law. But when 13-year-old Fig is found with his throat cut, Commander William Monk of the River Police swears that Phillips will hang for this abomination.
-
-
one oh my favorite books!
- By Amazon Customer on 08-22-20
By: Anne Perry
-
Slaves of Obsession
- William Monk Series, Book 11
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Simon Jones
- Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year is 1861. The American Civil War has just begun, and London arms dealer Daniel Alberton is becoming a very wealthy man. His quiet dinner party seems remote indeed from the passions rending America. Yet investigator William Monk and his bride, Hester, sense growing tensions and barely concealed violence. For two of the guests are Americans, each vying to buy Alberton’s armaments. Soon Monk and Hester’s forebodings are fulfilled as one member of the party is brutally murdered and two others disappear - along with Alberton’s entire inventory of weapons.
-
-
Abridged
- By Ann on 06-02-18
By: Anne Perry
-
Twenty-One Days
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Samuel Roukin
- Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's 1910, and Daniel Pitt is a reluctant lawyer who would prefer to follow in the footsteps of his detective father. When the biographer Russell Graves, who Daniel is helping defend, is sentenced to execution for the murder of his wife, Daniel's Pitt-family investigative instincts kick in, and he sets out to find the real killer. With only 21 days before Graves is to be executed, Daniel learns that Graves is writing a biography of Victor Narraway, the former head of Special Branch and a close friend of the Pitts. And the stories don't shed a positive light. Is it possible someone is framing Graves to keep him from writing the biography-maybe even someone Daniel knows in Special Branch? The only answer, it seems, lies in the dead woman's corpse.
-
-
The Pitt Novels
- By Amazon Customer on 04-19-18
By: Anne Perry
-
A Sunless Sea
- William Monk, Book 18
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 15 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As commander of the River Police, Monk is accustomed to violent death, but the mutilated female body found on Limehouse Pier one chilly December morning moves him with horror and pity. The victim’s name is Zenia Gadney. Her waterfront neighbors can tell him little - only that the same unknown gentleman had visited her once a month for many years. She must be a prostitute, but - described as quiet and kempt - she doesn’t appear to be a fallen woman. What sinister secrets made poor Zenia worth killing?
-
-
Excellent entry in the series
- By Christy on 09-10-12
By: Anne Perry
-
Bethlehem Road
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A London policeman and his highly-educated wife investigate a series of murders involving members of Parliament.
-
-
Davinia Porter - the reader
- By Kazren on 08-13-11
By: Anne Perry
-
Rutland Place
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Charlotte Pitt, well-born wife of Thomas Pitt, the police investigator, learned of her mother's distress in losing a locket with a compromising picture, she did not know it was the beginning of several bizarre events that would end in sudden death. For hidden behind the sumptuous elegance of Ruthland Place were terrible secrets. Secrets so horrifying that only murder could conceal them. And only the dogged persistence of Charlotte and Thomas could reveal them.
-
-
Anne Perry NOT at her best
- By Nina on 12-11-04
By: Anne Perry
-
Resurrection Row
- A Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novel
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fourth in the series of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries, Anne Perry's Resurrection Row explores the dark undercurrents that run through the lives of the idle rich in Victorian England. After a wonderful night at the theatre, Thomas and Charlotte find themselves confronted with a corpse in the driver's seat of a cab. Even more shocking, it is the body of a peer who had been decently buried the week before.
-
-
Love the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series!
- By Leigh Billingsley on 06-24-13
By: Anne Perry
-
Paragon Walk
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the posh London street of Paragon Walk, a young woman is brutally raped and murdered. Once again the incomparable team of sleuths, Inspector Thomas Pitt and his young wife, Charlotte, peer beneath the elegant masks of the well-born suspects and reveal that something ugly lurks behind the handsome facades of Paragon Walk, something that could lead to more scandal, and more murder.
-
-
Complex and Enthralling Mystery
- By Chuck on 08-23-04
By: Anne Perry
Publisher's Summary
A tragic accident leaves Inspector Monk with amnesia just moments after he solves the murder of a popular Crimean war hero. Forced to redo his entire investigation, a frustrated Monk faces a desperate murderer who will do anything to keep the inspector from discovering the truth twice.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Face of a Stranger
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
- Carl Smith
- 07-13-10
Enjoyed it but editing would help a lot
As detective fiction goes, I enjoyed this and plan to listed to the next in the series. But ditto to the reviewer's comment about the need for more editing. Really tiresome at points -- millions of repetitive, unanswerable questions (who am I?) that can't be answered b/c of total amnesia. In print you can skim that stuff but for audio, I might recommend an abridged version.
I like Davina Porter much better than most narrators, and, for me, narrators are as important as the novel itself.
48 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- connie
- 01-09-10
promising start to the series
I'm very glad to see this first book of the Inspector Monk series on Audible. Every time I finish an Anne Perry mystery I wish she had edited the thing just once more to tighten dialogue or tidy plot points, but I keep downloading them. They are engaging, with good setting details of Victoian England and fairly interesting characters. She is not a mistress of atmosphere like P D James, but Perry does consistently create better than average atmospheric light historical mysteries without graphic sex or violence and without too much of the dark side.
Even if you're not enough of a Perry fan to contemplate listening to the entire series, this first instalment has added interest due to the brain injury of the protagonist and a slightly earlier setting than Perry's Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. By the way, whoever wrote the publisher's summary in the product description obviously did not read the book--Monk's antagonist is his brain injury irself-- that's what most makes this book worth reading.
93 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Snoodely
- 11-13-12
A bit tedious ... Saved by the narrator
Can an author present too much character development? If so, then "The Face of a Stranger" verges on such excess. It does get a bit tedious listening to William Monk anguishing over his amnesia -- almost to the point of whining. He is, improbably, attempting to hide his amnesia from his acquaintances and co-workers, while continuing to function as a detective. One can semi-understand -- given that he is living in Victorian London, with no disability insurance -- Monk's wanting to conceal his amnesia from his boss; but I kept wondering why he didn't want to tell his loving sister about his affliction, for Pete's sake? Also, speaking of character development, why did Monk's boss start off with a jolly, compassionate, friendly demeanor -- when he visits Monk in the hospital -- then transform into Monk's meanest enemy a few chapters later? "The Face of a Stranger" does have some flaws; but, on the other hand, it introduces an intelligent series that truly brings Victorian times to life. If you like historical fiction -- particularly the Victorian era -- then I think that you will enjoy Anne Perry's novels very much. As an extra, added bonus, the most beautiful female voice in all of Audiobookdom narrates "The Face of a Stranger," practically compensating for this novel's minor shortcomings. Davina Porter possesses not only a beautiful voice, but an exceedingly versatile and expertly trained one, as well. It always gives me immense pleasure to hear her rendering the delightful multitude of British accents, and deftly distinguishing all the characters' voices -- both men and women. "The Face of a Stranger" definitely qualifies as a mystery, but not a thriller. If you like some action and testosterone in your audiobooks, then you probably should give "The Face of a Stranger" a pass. If you like romance novels, then you will also want to bypass this one. "The Face of a Stranger' contains no sex or romance at all. However, historical fiction fans who appreciate well-researched settings and beautiful narration will not regret purchasing this audiobook.
31 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nancy J
- 07-05-13
Beginning of a Wonderful Series
By the time this book came out in 1990, beginning the Monk and Hester series, Anne Perry had already been writing the Inspector Pitt novels for 11 years, and I had read all 9 of the then published books in that series. Clearly, I liked the Pitt books, particularly the characters and the historic detail concerning woman's place in the middle and upper classes.
But when I read the first Monk book, "Face of a Stranger," I was blown away. Set at an earlier time in the 19th century, shortly after the Crimean War, this book had more complicated characters I liked much more than Pitt and Charlotte. A police inspector who has almost total amnesia from an accident, trying to carry on in his police job without letting his superiors know that he has no memory. And an unmarried woman who nursed with Florence Nightingale on the battlefields of the Crimea, now trying to improve health care services in England and make a living for herself. Both characters are complicated, opinionated, and abrasive, especially with each other.
Not for these characters the almost immediate attraction of Pitt and Charlotte, growing into love and marriage all in the beginning of the series. No, Monk and Hester Latterly dislike each other at first glance, and even after each begins to see the positive characteristics of the other, their interactions are often laced with antagonism and argument. They become unwilling allies in the case which Monk investigates in this first book, and their subsequent adventures continue to be on a less than amiable footing for some time through the series.
The historical details regarding everything from the hospitals of that day, to the low status of Scotland Yard, to the precarious nature of life for those who have to struggle to support themselves, and the vast difference of the lives of the well-to-do, are fascinating and presented in a way that often causes the reader to recognize the injustice of such matters.
After this first Monk book, I continued to read both the Pitt books and the Monk books, but I always looked forward the most to the Monk books. It has been interesting to see the development of the characters, including Sir Oliver Rathbone, over the years.
Listening to this book was a pleasant return to the beginning, made even better by the superlative narration of Davina Porter. She does the accents of Englishmen and women from all over the empire, and from all areas and classes of London, impeccably.
Long may this series continue to flourish!
29 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jean
- 08-04-11
The Face of a Stranger
So glad Audible has the beginning books in this series. I can now start to read them in order. Have read a few of the latest ones. This book makes everything fall into place. Perry does a great job painting a picture of London/England in the 1850's. The description of the social problems of day shows how far we have come and how easy it might be to fall back into the past again. Can not wait to start the next book to see if Hester and Monk get together. This is the time in history that the role of women began to make major changes then the biggest change came with WWI.
22 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kathi
- 03-08-14
Amazing skill from the writer!
In most books, I have to listen for a while to get all the characters and situation in my mind. In this one, I was hooked almost from the first sentence. I'd had this in my library for a while, and passed it by, not feeling inspired by the notion of an amnesiac detective trying to solve a separate, different crime. What astonishment I felt when I realized that this is one of the best-crafted, well thought out, engaging and wonderfully narrated mysteries I've encountered in quite a long time.
Anne Perry, who wrote this many years ago,has assembled a challenging story of a double mystery (Monk's own identity and that of a murder) in a way that is neither overly complicated to follow nor challenging to one's belief system. I had thought the premise might have been a bit over the top, so avoided this book. Don't do it! This is a great book--one that I find notable for both it's writing style and it's good mystery.
I believe the beginning, the unfolding of how Monk discovers that he doesn't know who he is, is exceedingly interesting, credible, and works so very well with the story as a whole. His search for his own identity is taking place as a quiet, private matter while he works a very public case for the "Peelers" (newly formed police department in Victorian era London).
Many people have already written reviews about this--I want to echo the ones that praise it. Perry's weaving of the two plots in and out is very skillful and very rarely strayed into a forced conversation or interaction between characters to get to where she was leading the reader (listener). Just for the actual skill of assembling this book I would give it 5 stars. The narration by the excellent Davina Porter is a plus that just put it over the top for me. I only wished it could have been longer--I didn't want it to end! Highly recommend!
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Abigail
- 09-29-11
After hearing this I bought 4 more in the series
People always compare mysteries to Agatha Cristie but this book really did remind me of her style of mysteries. Gentle, thoughtful, interesting mysteries but set in Victorian London which contains plenty of seedy dirt to keep you interested. Imagine Hercule Poirot has amnesia and in discovering who he is he finds not only the talent and love of justice but also realizes he's been a complete ass and doesn't like it. (I bet Cristie would have wished she'd thought of this as she grew to find Poirot an intolerable ass) Thats Monk, the main character who must unravel his past as well as a high class mystery. In addition you get the charming, graceful and intelligent young Evan, Monk's idealistic assistant and the no nonsense, piercing wit of Hester, the frustraitting woman in Monk's life. Perry packs these novels with intensely likable characters who are intuitive and empathetic. I think because this book is establishing these characters, it has just a few parts where it runs long but I found it an entirely satisfying listen. This is a character driven, thoughtful mystery so if you want tons of explosions and sex, this is not the series for you. I love the addition of history to such lovely mysteries. (I just started #2 and it seems even better and a bit faster paced) Oh and this is the perfect medium for Davina Porter, who is an excellent narrator and I don't tend to like female narrators.
14 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Linda Cast
- 02-19-11
Great characters! One thing I'd like...
Wonderful characterizations! Felt like I knew everyone at the end. Monk's haunting memory loss and the method of repeating questions made me think a long time about re-starting relationships using only reactions. Excellent reader, too. The one additional thing I hope for in the remaining books is to share a character's delight in something. All mysteries contain darkness. However, in Agatha Christie and other "cozy mysteries" the cottages, gardens, and seaside are warming. In Patrick O'Brian's rich Aubrey-Maturin series, the music, the sea & nature, etc, engage repeatedly. This Monk novel does include a wonderful estate, and I hope we will roam it much more often in coming books, to smell the roses, tread the leafy paths, perhaps find a ghost in the kitchen. I look forward to the very interesting Monk-Hester relationship.
17 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Noel
- 06-17-10
OK
Seems I will have to purchase the following books. This was a very easy listen. The characters identifiable, however no feeling of attachment. I felt lost at times. Though I did fall asleep on a few occasions. This is worth the purchase by all means. I will follow Anne Perry,s Monk.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brenda
- 05-17-10
The Face of a Stranger
I really do like this series. I wish I had listened to this one first. I've read some of the others out of order.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- M. Hargreaves
- 01-28-20
Setting the scene for further books
I enjoyed this book I love all the Anne Perry books however I did find this one a little drawn out, I know it is the first in the series and so I think it might be because she is setting the scene for others to come and as I have read a lot of both Monk and Pitt books this might be the reason why I found it so. Loved it anyway.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- lindajones
- 11-12-19
You can't go wrong with Anne Perry
I have read all her books apart from the latest which I will do in the near future. Her characters are brought to life in a way which is easy to listen to/read. I love the way she writes as you get into the story straightaway and get to know all the characters, whether it's Thomas Pitt or William Monk. I've also read her short stories which are equally enjoyable. The hardest thing for me is to actually put the book down/stop the audible.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- George
- 01-01-15
Turgid .
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Possibly , you need a great deal of patience if you are not to give up before the end .
What did you like best about this story?
The idea was very good and the characterisation well drawn in the main .
What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Davina Porter has a very professional microphone technic , she avoids sounding like a gurgling drain whenever she has to swallow , unlike a lot of narrators .
If this book were a film would you go see it?
Yes
Any additional comments?
This is not five star for me because it's too long , it's dragged out and soooo slow , the number of times the phrase " if only I could remember " is used is beyond counting , it's like toiling through treacle a lot of the time , needed better editing .
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- zhiraeth
- 10-14-14
Disappointing
Would you try another book written by Anne Perry or narrated by Davina Porter?
I would not read another Anne Perry book. I'm a tolerant reader but this was tedious and with a very unsatisfactory ending. I found it hard to care about any of the characters and the protagonist was irritating and whining. There were also lots of bad plot leaps and assumptions.
Davina Porter is a great reader I only kept going because of her voice.
What will your next listen be?
Back to reliable Scandinavian noir!
Which scene did you most enjoy?
None
Did The Face of a Stranger inspire you to do anything?
Yes - not read anything by this author again!
-
Overall

- Alison
- 04-14-13
Excellent!
A thoroughly good listen. Good Victorian mystery with engaging characters. Several strands of story that flow through the series, yet the writer never gets bogged down in detail and keeps the reader keen to hear more. The narration is clear and the various characters are voiced well without being distracting. A gem of a book.
-
Overall

- s
- 04-09-13
And an other great Anne Perry listen
I love Anne Perry books. All of her books are a joy to listen to. But I think it would have been better to have just one Narrater for the books ( the monk mysteries).
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 04-13-20
Addictive listening
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this novel. The characters were brought to life by the reader's thoughtful choices of vocal tones.