A Breach of Promise [Mass Market Paperback]

The promises that are breached, broken, and never born in Anne Perry's rich and resonant new William Monk mystery all have to do with the roles and positions of women in Victorian society. At the center of the book is a rousing courtroom drama, as young Zillah Lambert--daughter of a wealthy, well-meaning northern businessman and his socially ambitious wife--sues an immensely gifted architect, Killian Melville. Melville, Zillah argues, failed to live up to his promise of marriage and thereby ruined her chances of making any sort of acceptable match. Private detective Monk is brought into the case by lawyer Oliver Rathbone when his client (Melville), facing financial and social ruin, still refuses to offer any reason for his dastardly conduct.

Monk's attentions are occupied elsewhere, too. Hester Latterly, the courageous nurse who worked with Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War, and whose favors Monk and Rathbone both desire, is looking after a British officer, Gabriel Sheldon, who was badly wounded and disfigured in India. Gabriel's wife, Perdita, is having trouble adjusting to her husband's broken body and spirit. "It was not Perdita's fault that she was confused and frightened," Monk muses. "She had been protected all her short life. She had not chosen to be, it was her assigned role." Monk has also promised a housemaid in the Sheldons' service that he will look for her two little nieces--deaf and deformed from birth--who were abandoned by their mother almost 20 years before. As the cases tangle and combine (perhaps a tad too coincidentally for some tastes, but, then again, real life is full of coincidences), Perry manages to show us the many ways in which women were made to pay for their place in a male-dominated society. She also delivers a touching and surprisingly suspenseful story. Other Monk books in paperback: The Silent Cry, Cain His Brother, Defend and Betray, Weighed in the Balance. --Dick Adler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

In this latest William Monk tale (after The Silent Cry, 1997), Perry offers her strongest indictment yet of Victorian England and a society "where beauty and reputation were the yardsticks of worth." Barrister Sir Oliver Rathbone defends Killian Melville, a talented young architect, in a breach of promise suit brought by Melville's benefactor, Barton Lambert, in support of Lambert's daughter Zillah. Melville insists that Mrs. Lambert, desperate that her daughter marry, misconstrued his friendship with the young woman. Meanwhile, Hester Latterly is hired to nurse Gabriel Athol, who was tragically injured in India and whose wife, Perdita, finds her desire to understand his suffering thwarted by a brother-in-law who insists that women be shielded from the realities of war and violence. Hester befriends Perdita's maid, Martha, who is desperate to find her two deaf, disfigured nieces who vanished years ago when her brother died and his wife disappeared. Rathbone hires Monk to investigate Melville and the Lamberts; Hester implores Monk to help Martha. The first case ends tragically before the startling truth behind Melville's refusal to marry is revealed; the second project ends on a happier note. Perry does a masterful job depicting Victorian hypocrisy regarding women. But she draws her stories together with an incredible connection whose dissonance spoils an otherwise exceptional novel. Mystery Guild main selection.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Perry (Brunswick Gardens, LJ 2/1/98) deftly brings her characters alive within a rich, finely detailed tapestry of Victorian London. Killian Melville, a young, gifted architect, seeks the services of lawyer Sir Oliver Rathbone to free himself from a marital misunderstanding with beautiful, rich, passionate Zillah Lambert and her social-climbing parents. As the trial unfolds, Melville's refusal to explain his unwillingness to marry Zillah veils him in mystery and builds the case against him. Rathbone engages the help of his old friends Hester Latterly, a nurse, and William Monk, a private investigator. Melville's murder sets the threesome to the task of exposing how calcified Victorian mores can render the human spirit grotesque. Highly recommended for popular collections. [A Mystery Guild main selection.]AMichelle Foyt, Fairfiel.
-AMichelle Foyt, Fairfield
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Gifted architect Killian Melville begs barrister Sir Oliver Rathbone to defend him in what is certain to be an ugly breach-of-promise suit. Melville claims he never asked lovely young Zillah Lambert, the daughter of his mentor and patron Barton Lambert, to marry him. Unfortunately, the young lady and her mother think otherwise and are already planning the couple's wedding. Melville swears that no matter what the consequences, he cannot and will not marry Zillah, despite her wealth and beauty. Rathbone senses there's more to the story but agrees to take the case. Days later, Melville is dead, an apparent suicide. Rathbone can't get the unfortunate young man out of his mind and determines to get to the bottom of the case, with the help of his trusted friends, detective William Monk and nurse Heather Latterly. The ugly, shocking truth leaves even the worldly trio completely stunned. The supremely talented Perry reaffirms why she's a perennial favorite. She makes Victorian London come brilliantly alive with authentic period details; her plot is stunningly original; and she has a knack for making her characters both real and genuine. Chalk up yet another winner in Perry's long list of best-sellers, and buy plenty of copies for this sure-to-be-hot book. Emily Melton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"CAPTIVATING . . . ONE OF PERRY'S MOST ENGROSSING PUZZLERS . . . A period piece in the best sense, the action seamlessly growing out of the social tapestry she weaves."
--People (A Page-Turner of the Week)

"No one weaves plot and subplots as seamlessly as Perry. . . . Fans will be delighted by the long-awaited romantic denouement, which brought tears to my eyes."
--Los Angeles Times

"The story is full of feeling and weighted with intelligent thought about the status of women in mid-Victorian society."
--The New York Times Book Review

In a sensational breach of promise suit, two wealthy social climbers are suing on behalf of their beautiful daughter, Zillah. The defendant is Zillah's alleged fiancé, brilliant young architect Killian Melville, who adamantly declares that he will not, cannot, marry her. Utterly baffled by his client's refusal, Melville's counsel, Sir Oliver Rathbone, turns to his old comrades in crime--investigator William Monk and nurse Hester Latterly. But even as they scout London for clues, the case suddenly and tragically ends. An outcome that no one--except a ruthless murderer--could have foreseen.

I was a dedicated Anne Perry fan long before I began working at Ballantine two years ago as an editorial assistant. One of the best perks of my job is getting sneak previews of upcoming books, and I take full advantage of that perk with Anne Perry's novels. As any follower of the William Monk series knows, the somewhat triangular relationship shared by Monk, nurse Hester Latterly, and barrister Oliver Rathbone is one of the enduring themes of the series. Although I read the William Monk novels for the edge-of-your-seat suspense and fascinating historical detail that Anne Perry is known for, I also read the series to find out the answer to the burning question: what will happen to them next? Well, when the bound galleys for A BREACH OF PROMISE came out, I immediately took one home with me for the weekend and read, spellbound, for two days. Let me tell you: this one has a kicker of an ending. For anyone who wants to know the answer to that question, you must read this book!

--Malinda Lo, Editorial Assistant
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Among Anne Perry's other novels featuring investigator William Monk are The Silent Cry, Cain His Brother, Defend and Betray, and Weighed in the Balance. She also writes the popular novels featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, including Pentecost Alley, Traitors Gate, The Hyde Park Headsman, Highgate Rise, Ashworth Hall, which was a Main Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club, Brunswick Gardens, and, most recently, Bedford Square. "Her grasp of Victorian character and conscience still astonishes," said The Cleveland Plain Dealer about the author. Hundreds of thousands of readers agree.

After a plodding start, the story evolves into several intertwined mysteries. Hardiman skillfully conveys the astonishment felt by each character as secrets are uncovered, one after another. Using variations of British accents and regional brogues, and employing subtle inflections denoting age and temperament, Hardiman makes it easy for the listener to identify and follow individual characters. He is especially adept at male characterizations, but female personae also develop distinct personalities. His adroit narration exposes us to a range of human conditions, from Victorian propriety to ruthless murder. B.L.W. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.