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. With an intensity born of desperation, Hester, Monk, and their dear friend Lady Callandra Daviot, who cannot hide her deep love for the accused, seek evidence that will save Kristian from the hangman - hoping to penetrate not only the mystery of Elissa Beck's death... but the riddle of her life.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The uncut audio version of Perry's latest book about the enigmatic, rough-edged private detective William Monk and his wife, Hester the no-nonsense nurse who learned her trade with Florence Nightingale in Crimea is a veritable time machine. Aided by Colacci's cool but carefully calibrated reading, which cleverly cranks up the excitement when necessary, Perry's tale transports readers to Victorian London along with a splendid side trip to Vienna, as the Monks try to clear a doctor friend of two murder charges. Along the way, Perry gets to show off again her seamless talent for illustrating the era's social evils this time addictive gambling and barely hidden anti-Semitism without making her obviously prodigious research seem lumpy or excessive. There's more about period medical practices here than some listeners might have the stomach for, as Hester and Dr. Kristian Beck (the man accused of killing his wife and an artist's model) perform some very bloody surgery, but it certainly roots the story in reality. So do Perry's writing and Colacci's sly reading about women's fashions and what they had to say about the social roles of the people forced to wear them. This is a perfect example of an audiobook that deftly captures a book's spirit. Simultaneous release with the Ballantine hardcover.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.From Library Journal
William Monk is back to investigate the murders of Elissa, the wife of surgeon Kristian Beck, and Sarah Mackison, an artist's model, found strangled in an artist's studio. Who was the real target and who was killed coincidentally? The revolutions that swept Europe in 1848 are the background for this tale, as Kristian, Elissa, and Max Nieman, a friend of the Becks, met in Vienna and fought together there. When the passion and excitement of that life are gone, Elissa turns to gambling and loses much of Kristian's money. This provides a good motive for murder, and those fond of Kristian, notably Lady Callandra Daviot, fight to clear his name. The plot, when existent, is very slow paced. Much of the tale is endless philosophizing and questioning: Why do people gamble? Why would Kristian have killed his wife? When the real killer is uncovered it is climactic, if long overdue. Perhaps an abridged version would work better. Although the reading by David Colacci is good, this is not recommended. Marjorie Lemon, SRCF-Mercer, PA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A SUPERBLY NUANCED READING,
This review is from: Funeral in Blue (William Monk Series) (Audio Cassette)
Talented actor/director David Colacci gives a superbly nuanced reading to the 11th Victorian thriller by tireless Anne Perry. Much to the delight of her band of fans Ms. Perry brings back Hester and William Monk.As many recall, William is a private investigator who has no recall of his life prior to an accident that occurred some six years ago. Hester, William's wife who once toiled along side Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War, is a nurse for Vienna born Dr. Kristian Beck whose wife, Elissa, and a second woman are brutally murdered in an artist's studio. Is the good doctor the killer as many are prone to believe? Or, is Elissa's untimely death tied to her time as a freedom fighter during Austria's mid nineteenth century revolution? The Monks are called upon to solve this mystery by Lady Callandra who can barely conceal her love for Dr. Beck. Once again Ms. Perry excels at her descriptions of period London as well as recalling social inequities that darkened England during those years.
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