Weighed in the Balance (A William Monk Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "SIR OLIVER RATHBONE SAT in his chambers in Vere Street, just off Lincoln's Inn Fields, and surveyed the room with eminent satisfaction..." (more)
Key Phrases: Sir Oliver, Prince Friedrich, Countess Rostova (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Perry's series about Victorian-age investigator William Monk is one of the crown jewels of the genre, and her latest keeps the standards high. Called to the small German principality of Felzburg, Monk finds himself involved in aristocratic murder, slander and politics. Two eras are ending -- English innocence and the independence of little states like Felzburg -- and as Monk and his associates work on this case, their efforts are shadowed by clouds of coming conflicts. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

The byzantine politics and aristocratic squabbles of a small German principality called Felzburg exasperate and puzzle William Monk in his seventh distinctive appearance (after Cain His Brother). Monk, a Victorian-era "agent of inquiry," is still haunted by a baffling amnesia, and he feels that his associates?the rigidly proper barrister Sir Oliver Rathbone and the uncompromising and outspoken nurse Hester Latterly?have taken on more than they can handle when Sir Oliver decides to defend Countess Zorah Rostova against a slander charge. The patriotic Zorah has accused Princess Gisela of Felzburg of murdering her husband, Prince Friedrich, heir to the throne, who presumably had died as a result of a fall from a horse. Gisela is suing. The issue of slander is almost lost in all the politicking. Gisela and Friedrich had lived in English exile, Gisela having played a sort of Wallis Simpson role to Friedrich's Edward. But Friedrich dreamed of returning triumphant to Felzburg in order to defend the statelet's independence against the unifying tide of Germany. Zorah's defense requires that Monk polish his image, refine his abrasive nature and interview some devious, scheming?and perhaps murderous?aristocrats. Was Friedrich poisoned? Was Gisela the intended target? Who profits? Are personal or political motives dominant? Perry indulges her characters in a bit too much unproductive speculation, but the novel springs to life in the courtroom scenes, where careful investigation and astute teamwork produce some astonishing revelations that presage the end of Victorian propriety and an era's pretense of innocence. Major ad/promo; Mystery Guild main selection; author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Books; 1st THUS edition (August 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804115621
• ISBN-13: 978-0804115629
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 3.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,156 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 7 in The William Monk Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not her best, but still excellent!, August 9, 2001

By	J. Pravatiner "corglacier7" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I started on Anne Perry by recommendation of a friend, and loved the Monk series. At the time, "Twisted Root" had come out a few weeks before, so I read through the first nine to get caught up.

My first impression of "Weighed" was "What?" There was just nothing really grabbing at my attention about slander. True, Friedrich *may* have been murdered, but it didn't have the immediacy of the others.

But of course, I was reading through it sort of quickly to get caught up, and this *was* after I had finished the entire Pitt series and was a bit annoyed with how it got sort of bogged down after about eight books...

So I picked up "Weighed in the Balance" again a few months ago, and really read it. I was surprised at how different it seemed now that I considered it, and after I had read the later books too.

Granted, slander just doesn't grab you by the throat and demand your attention. I had the same initial problem with "Breach of Promise."

This re-reading also took place after my European history class had covered Germany in the nineteenth century, so I also had more historical perspective this time and could understand the German principalities and their concerns better.

This book is more subtle and slower-moving than some. But I still think it's a good entry into the Monk series. All along, I kept thinking "Gisela couldn't have done it--Zorah's toast!" But the reasoning for it made sense--it was well developed.

It was surprising and great to see emotionally corseted Oliver Rathbone take a risk and take up Zorah's cause. Though if you read, he sounds a little attracted to her...hmm! His development as more than the dry, skillful barrister was great to read. I never saw Oliver as really having passions and emotions before this--granted, there's been some gentle and sort of half-hearted courting of Hester, but after this book, it was possible he might actually get the girl in the end. At least, it evened the odds more!

Monk also gets some development here--glimpses into his past. He also is romantically disillusioned yet again by Evelyn von Seidlitz. After Imogene, Hermione, Drusilla, and now Evelyn, it's possible he's actually gotten a romantic *clue*! Throughout the books, Perry keeps him slowly learning about himself and romance, and what he really is and what he wants. Even if some of us feel like giving him a good smack for being such an emotional duffer sometimes! ;-)

The idea of the Cinderella couple gone wrong is interesting--most wouldn't dare to touch on something so exalted as royalty. Even in writing fiction today, besmirching those who were once considered "chosen by God" to rule is somewhat taboo.

I reiterate that I still don't find it quite as gripping as some of her other Monk novels, but this one is more subtle and dark. It covers the lengths one may go to in order to save their good name and image in an era where honor and reputation were practically deified. It's got probably some of the *biggest* bits of character development in the series, "Sins of the Wolf" probably having the most *significant*. Not her best Monk novel, but still superb and not to be consigned to the shelves at all!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Royal intrigue and a brilliant courtroom drama, February 27, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Weighed in the Balance (Hardcover)

Anne Perry takes William Monk--and us--to the uppermost of the upper-crust in Europe: the royalty. There William flirts with a rich and powerful lady of the court while trying to find something--anything--that will help Oliver win the toughest court case of his career. He discovers that in his pre-amnesiac days, he had a taste for the good life. My, my. Meanwhile, back in London, Oliver realizes he's definitely bitten off more than he can chew. What was he thinking when he agreed to defend the beautiful, bewitching Zorah of her slanderous charge against Princess Giselda? Win or lose, his career will never be the same again. I honestly don't know what these guys would do without Hester. The woman has more common sense than the two of them put together. Why doesn't one of them see what a gem she is?? Maybe in the next book Oliver will at least take her in as an associate and start paying her for her advice! Meanwhile, put on the teakettle, break out the cookies, and enjoy this lighter-than-usual Perry production. .

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Historical Mystery Is Solved Perry-Mason Style, June 5, 2001

By	Professor Donald Mitchell "Jesus Makes Me a P... (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Weighed in the Balance (Hardcover)

This book focuses on the political machinations of a small German realm prior to the unification of Germany. Most of the action is set in either Victorian England or Venice. The plot revolves around a slander suit against Countess Zorah Rostova by Princess (a courtesy title) Gisela. The countess has publicly accused the princess of murdering her husband, Prince Freidrich. The official cause of death was internal bleeding, following a riding accident.

The book develops from the perspectives of Ms. Rostova's barrister, Sir Oliver Rathbone, private investigator, William Monk, and his friend, nurse Hester Latterly. The countess is threatened with financial ruin, and Sir Oliver's career is on the line. Ultimately, the defense takes the tack of trying to prove that a murder has taken place. That search goes into unexpected areas.

The handling of the trial is masterly, and will please those who stick with the story that long. Much of the rest of the book is slow-going with little happening either in the way of character development or plot advancement. It often seems like filler.

If the book had focused on just the trial, this could have been a five star novella. If reduced to that area, there still would have been a few problems. The author never adequately explains why Sir Oliver and the countess faced financial ruin if the suit was lost. Barristers lose suits all of the time. Unless a plaintiff can prove substantial economic damages and malice, slander is not going to cost the defendent very much beyond the defense. Also, if this suit was so risky, it is not obvious why Sir Oliver took the case.

The trial has a great strength of doing some marvelous character development with the princess through the testimony that she and others provide. This was a virtuoso accomplishment because the princess is kept well hidden until then by her public image of being one-half of one of Europe's most romantic couples.

The book has some interesting things to say about what happens after you get your wish. I suggest that if you do read the book that you consider the potential downsides of what you wish for, as well.

Find the truth!