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.
--Ce texte provient de la
Audio Cassette
édition.
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.
--Ce texte provient de la
Audio Cassette
édition.