Two beautiful women have been 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 the wife of Hester’s cherished colleague, surgeon Dr. Kristian Beck, a Viennese émigré who becomes the prime suspect. With an intensity born of desperation, the Monks seek evidence that will save Dr. Beck from the hangman. From London’s sinister slums to the crowded coffeehouses of Vienna, where embers of the revolution still burn in the hearts of freedom-loving men and women, Hester and Monk seek to penetrate not only the mystery of Elissa Beck’s death but the riddle of her life.
“Perry’s historical mysteries suggestively peel away layer after layer of Victorian respectability until the underlying social evils of a gilded era are exposed in all their naked truth.”—New York Times Book Review
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"Loved to see Hester's family again, and I'm hoping to see Beth in the next book, although that could mean troubles at Northumberland... (Anyway, I wish to see Hester meeting her sister-in-law since the first book!)"
— Ana (5 out of 5 stars)
" Not quite as good as her books usually are, but I still liked it. "
— Cindy, 2/16/2014" I liked this book, although I was a tad disappointed with the ending. Anne Perry seems to have great character development (in the two books of hers that I've read). "
— Maggie, 2/12/2014" It was the usual good slushy fun. "
— Aparnaa, 2/7/2014" The narrator was okay - had trouble with the women's voices. The story was good and I was surprised at who the killer was which is unusual for me because I usually figure it out about halfway through. I've been reading so many romance books lately, that it was strange not seeing/hearing/reading sex scenes but that doesn't reflect on this book because most of her books don't have many if at all. "
— Carolyn, 2/3/2014" This is a good story for those familiar with the characters. Those who haven't read the prior books in the series probably won't enjoy it as much. "
— Mandy, 1/13/2014" Not bad for a long car trip. I liked the historical setting but was disappointed with how the ending wrapped up. "
— Chris, 1/6/2014" These books always drag a little at the end but I could not tell who did it which I always count as a great mystery. I also really love this series. Long live William and Hester Monk. "
— theknitsmith, 1/6/2014" plainly.......just not exciting "
— Shirlyn, 1/1/2014" I like Ann Perry's Monk series...maybe because Hester is a strong woman and a nurse? "
— bookczuk, 11/19/2013" William & Hester Monk are interesting characters; strong but flawed. "
— Pat, 11/13/2013" I loved that the mystery was solved in the last page or two. It was a good read, and kept me reading for the answer. Very enjoyable brain candy. "
— Caesaree, 10/30/2013" Anne Perry has the ability to transport the reader to another place and time - I read Funeral in Blue in a single sitting and was completely disappointed when I reached the end! "
— Judy, 10/17/2013" The best of the Anne Perry/William Monk books I've read so far. Perry writes tales of guilt and redemption that are moving and believable. "
— Jocelyn, 10/14/2013" It's nice to have a different detective. "
— Kate, 11/15/2012" One of the best in the series. "
— Catarina, 8/15/2012" I did not like this nearly as well as "A Breach of Promise", which, granted, is not a murder/mystery, per se. These are not my cup of tea, and I, generally, do not enjoy them. Thus, the 2 star rating. "
— Linda, 7/9/2012" Historical mystery with William Monk and his wife Lester investigating. The whole series is fun, so this is what you would expect - a good read. "
— Brigitte, 6/12/2012" Another entertaining Monk mystery. "
— Angela, 4/18/2012" Ouh que c'est tordu. "
— Beowulfwulf, 12/29/2011" Very enjoyable. Kristian imprisoned for killing his wife. Monk and Hester must prove him innocent. Gambling is the root of the evil. "
— Jen, 12/16/2011" The wife of Dr. Kristian Beck, a doctor at the hospital where Hester Monk and Lady Callandra Daviot volunteer, is murdered. This was another great Monk mystery. "
— Christie, 3/28/2011" William & Hester in classic form. "
— Lisa, 12/25/2010" Good, typical book from Perry. "
— Diane, 12/21/2010" This was a pleasant Victorian mystery featuring William and Hester Monk. My suspicions as to the murderer were correct but not the motive. "
— Mrsgaskell, 11/13/2010" Not bad for a long car trip. I liked the historical setting but was disappointed with how the ending wrapped up. "
— Chris, 8/17/2010" William & Hester Monk are interesting characters; strong but flawed. "
— Pat, 1/14/2010" Am I really on number 12 in this series? Good, not great...good. "
— Melissa, 1/5/2010" It's nice to have a different detective. "
— Kate, 12/2/2009" I like Ann Perry's Monk series...maybe because Hester is a strong woman and a nurse? <br/> "
— bookczuk, 4/3/2009" The wife of Dr. Kristian Beck, a doctor at the hospital where Hester Monk and Lady Callandra Daviot volunteer, is murdered. This was another great Monk mystery. "
— Christie, 3/31/2009" Not quite as good as her books usually are, but I still liked it. "
— Cindy, 3/6/2009" Anne Perry has the ability to transport the reader to another place and time - I read Funeral in Blue in a single sitting and was completely disappointed when I reached the end! "
— Judy, 2/20/2009" Good times with Anne Perry. . . pretty much par for her course. This was a good one. "
— Alice, 2/9/2009" William Monk, his wife, Hester and others try to gather evidence to save Dr. Kristian Beck from being convicted and hanging for the murder of his gambling wife. Excellent read. "
— Kitty, 12/31/2008Anne Perry (1938-2023) was an English author of historical detective fiction, mysteries, young-adult fantasy, and young-adult fiction, and holiday novels, with several making the New York Times bestsellers list. Her novels were set in Victorian England, the Ottoman empire, and in Europe during WWI and WWI.
Ralph Lister is an actor, voice actor, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. He spent fifteen years in London theater before moving to the United States to focus on film and television. He has held numerous roles in Shakespeare and modern dramas, as well as starring roles in independent films. His voice and character work can be heard in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearland 13 Going On 30. He lives in Los Angeles.