Rating: 
Summary: Intruguing -
Review: After waking in a hospital ward with no recollection of who or what he is, the man who comes to know himself as William Monk is forced to learn the rest, beyond his name and job title: Detective. Can he learn all there is to find, in order to keep on top of his job? For what is there for the unemployed in Victorian London other than social shame and the poorhouse's cold charity?Forced to seek himself without letting anyone else in on the secret - he appeals to me on multiple levels. (So many "want to find themselves", but don't want to admit they're looking.) A gritty, gruesome look at the reality behind the trashy romance novels of our day, Perry gives Dickens a run for his money in attemptying to portray a hand-to-mouth existance cohabitating with the posh luxury of 1850's London. Those familiar with 19th Century literature or who simply have a well-educated vocabulary will have little or no need of linguistic assistance. The standard American high school education will probably leave you needing a good English dictionary for some of the slang used (or interpreting English currency). It is a toss-up between Face of a Stranger or Sins of the Wolf, as to which is her best book to date (Dec. 2000).
Rating:
Summary: Victorian amnesia meets murder
Review: Amnesia has probably occured in fiction more often than in fact. But rarely has it been handled better than is in this fascinating mystery, The Face of a Stranger. Imagine waking up not knowing who you are. Imagine having to pretend you haven't lost your memory because acknowledging it would mean the end of your job and probable poverty. Perry explores this fascinating territory in the character of William Monk, working class Victorian detective. The characters are probably the strongest part of this novel. Monk is most interesting as snatches of his past are revealed to him -- not all of which are pleasant. Hester Latterly is introduced as the veteran of Crimean War nursing (think Florence Nightengale). Even the circle of friends and acquaintences of the victim span a variety of circumstances. The Crimean War also plays a significant role as England struggles to come to terms with its lost sons and prestige. The unraveling of the mystery works quite well with an appropriate number of informative red herrings. All things considered, a dandy read. The book is a bit on the dark and bleak side, but nothing so depressing that you wouldn't want it for a vacation read. I look forward to learning more about Monk in the next book in the series, A Dangerous Mourning.
Rating:
Summary: The first William Monk book
Review: Even though the first few chapters seemed a bit slow for my taste, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The personal problem of William Monk is different from most main characters in other books. The reader is getting to know him as he, too, is getting to know himself. I was surprised at the end of chapter 10 when he remembered something about himself, and for those who have read this book will know why. John Evan and Hester Latterly are other characters I liked, and I'm glad to hear they are in the other books. I didn't care too much for Hester's "flashbacks" from the war, but then at the end I was thankful there was a reason for them. I will definitely read the next book, A Dangerous Mourning, despite some of the bad reviews written about it.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment
Review: Having heard the author speak on the radio, her works praised highly by the host, I decided to start with the first of the Monk series. Unfortunately, I found the main character thoroughly unsympathetic and unlikable. The story was slow as molasses with bits and pieces of useless information thrown in to fatten the book. Also, I don't know the clinical features of amnesia, but it seemed that Monk's memory loss was selective and inconsistent. The ending was highly anti-climactic and the fate of the characters in question never revealed. I was very much looking forward to reading her books, but was sorely disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: I liked this book!
Review: I can't wait to read another of Anne Perry's Books. This book kept be busy for hours on end.
Rating:
Summary: Now I Understand!
Review: I have read 3 or 4 William Monk books, but didn't pay any attention to order. I have really enjoyed them, so I thought I would start at the first and read them all in order. Now I more clearly understand about Monk's amnesia. It was really fun learning about Monk's 1st meeting with Hester Latterly. Great ending, although I felt very sympathetic to the killer. I love Anne Perry's books. Next, I'll probably read the Thomas Pitt novels in order.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent start to a series
Review: I picked this book up on a lark, just browsing at the library through the stacks. I can't even say what caught my eye about it. After reading it, however, I heartily recommend the book. The story starts with an amnesiac detective in the mid-19th century in London. As he returns to duty, he needs to rediscover himself as much as he needs to solve the case that he is assigned. I particularly enjoyed the idea that Monk, the protagonist, didn't like his old self that much (even though I don't think amnesia would change a person's basic traits). In any case, the Crimean War background, along with fine writing, make this historical mystery stand out. I plan to read other Monk novels after giving myself a short break. I think this book will mainly appeal to two types of readers: first, hardcore mystery readers will enjoy the twists and turns of a traditional "let's gather in the library so I can tell you who did it" mystery; second, readers of historical fiction will enjoy, as I did, the gas-lit streets of London, the withdrawing rooms, and the spiritual depression of the British following the catastrophe that was the Crimean War. All in all, this is a quick read that combines an interesting plot with high quality writing.
Rating:
Summary: Great Series opener
Review: I picked up this book used for a couple dollars while on vacation and spent the rest of my vacation reading it. I rated this book 4 stars because even though I found it to be very enjoyable, I seemed to easily figure out where the plot was heading, Nevertheless, I was still surprised by the ending. I found the tension between hester and Monk to be both intriguing and frustrating, especially when it was not resolved at the end of the book. Needless to say, I was delighted to discover that there are 11 (soon to be 12) more books in the series. I plan to read them all.
Rating:
Summary: William Monk is excellent!
Review: I was delighted and captivated by this Anne Perry mystery. Her character, detective William Monk, wakes up in a Victorian hospital in 1857 or so, with no memory of who he is--but he does know enough to realize that the man visiting him at the hospital--his boss--is an unmitigated jerk who will ruin him, if he can. So Monk hides the depth of his amnesia and returns to work, to catch a killer and wrestle with the mystery of his own identity. He discovers two disquieting and alarming facts--that he is not a man imbued with sweetness and light, and that he might himself have been responsible for a murder. This is set against a canvas of exquisitely detailed mid-Victorian life and culture--bran pillows in the hospital!--and against Monk's own mysterious personality, which is in some ways, a character in its own right. I believe it is quite clear from the way Perry writes, what she thinks of her own actions. A very strong moral code tuns through all of her stories. I cannot praise this book or the author enough. She is no Charles Manson.
Rating:
Summary: William Monk is excellent!
Review: I was delighted and captivated by this Anne Perry mystery. Her character, detective William Monk, wakes up in a Victorian hospital in 1857 or so, with no memory of who he is--but he does know enough to realize that the man visiting him at the hospital--his boss--is an unmitigated jerk who will ruin him, if he can. So Monk hides the depth of his amnesia and returns to work, to catch a killer and wrestle with the mystery of his own identity. He discovers two disquieting and alarming facts--that he is not a man imbued with sweetness and light, and that he might himself have been responsible for a murder. This is set against a canvas of exquisitely detailed mid-Victorian life and culture--bran pillows in the hospital!--and against Monk's own mysterious personality, which is in some ways, a character in its own right. I believe it is quite clear from the way Perry writes, what she thinks of her own actions. A very strong moral code tuns through all of her stories. I cannot praise this book or the author enough. She is no Charles Manson.
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