Anne Perry’s magnificent Victorian mysteries established her as one of the world’s best known and loved historical novelists. Now, in her vividly imagined World War I novels, Perry’s talents “have taken a quantum leap” (The Star-Ledger), and so has the number of her devoted readers. We Shall Not Sleep, the final book in this epic series featuring the dedicated Reavley family, is perhaps the most memorably enthralling of all Perry’s novels.
After four long years, peace is finally in sight. But Chaplain Joseph Reavley and his sister Judith, an ambulance driver on the Western Front, are more hard pressed than ever. Behind the lines, violence is increasing: soldiers are abusing German prisoners, a nurse has been raped and murdered, and the sinister ideologue called the Peacemaker now threatens to undermine the peace just as he did the war.
Then Matthew, the third Reavley sibling and an intelligence expert, suddenly arrives at the front with startling news. The Peacemaker’s German counterpart has offered to go to England and expose his co-conspirator as a traitor. But with war still raging and prejudices inflamed, such a journey would be fraught with hazards, especially since the Peacemaker has secret informers everywhere, even on the battlefield.
For richness of plot, character, and feeling, We Shall Not Sleep is unmatched. Anne Perry’s brilliantly orchestrated finale is a heart-stopping tour de force, mesmerizing and totally satisfying.
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"I gave this whole series four stars, a little begrudgingly. Characters were great and historical details were fascinating, and I really enjoyed those aspects. But the "mystery" was very weak in the whole series--lots of predictability and poor plot twists. The grand "reveal" at the end was a big let-down. I loved the characters and time period so much, though, it was still worth the read."
— Shannon (4 out of 5 stars)
" Overall a good but not great historical fiction series about WW1 "
— Camille, 2/17/2014" She was really scraping the bottom of the barrel on the plot in this one. Not her best series, and this was the worst of the bunch...but I still like the story enough to give it a 3. "
— Sara, 2/14/2014" I enjoyed this entire series but, as I find with most of Anne Perry's books, she drags things out just a bit too long in each book. I finally gave up before finishing the series because I just lost interest. I have the same problem with her Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series. The characters are engaging and the setting is very interesting but the individual stories need to be tightened up. This may be a failing on my part and not the author's fault at all! "
— Julie, 1/27/2014" Not one of her bests stories, but still compelling. Still like the thoughtfullness she brings to Joseph Reavly the chaplain who has faced hell during the war and continues to question his faith. That was some of the most compelling and true aspects of this story. Ended well as well. Tied all the stories and subplots up well. "
— TJ, 1/25/2014" I enjoyed this five-book series tremendously. It is well written, the characters are full and rich. Anne Perry doesn't shy away from the horror of war at the battlefield nor at the homefront. She takes on many of the problems that occurred during this time. I would highly recommend the series to anyone who likes historical fiction/mystery. "
— Kateann, 1/21/2014" Just finished the final book (CD) in the 5 book series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, although the descriptions of the war were difficult to listen to. Fascinating history imbedded in this series. "
— Ann, 1/14/2014" The author repeats her idealistic thinking so much in this series that she takes away lot from the profound goodness in those ideas. Even though I absolutely agree with her, after 5 books in a row I was totally ready to move on. However, overall well worth reading! "
— Elaine, 1/11/2014" poignant and evocative, extraordinarily well done. thought-provoking and real, and obviously very well researched. A fitting conclusion to her WWI series. "
— Elaine, 1/5/2014" Someone recommended Anne Perry to me and I chose this book at random. Maybe my rating is to do with the fact that this book is the last one in a series. I never felt like I got to know the characters as well as I wanted to. It was easy to read but I found myself skimming which I usually don't do. "
— Jen, 1/2/2014" Not the best she has written, I had to keep plugging along to the end. "
— Elisabeth, 12/27/2013" Good story. As usual she has written a good twisted tale. I even had trouble figuring out who did it. "
— Susie, 12/27/2013" Ah, I've at last come to the final book of Anne Perry's World War I series. We come to know who the Peacemaker is. We solve some concomittant horrific crimes close to the battlefield! Hate to say goodbye! "
— Barbara, 12/12/2013" This is the last book in a series of novels about WW1. I haven't read the previously books and I am sure that this book would mean a lot more to me if I had, but it is still a great book to read. "
— Donna, 12/12/2013" The final book in Perry's World War I series. And it wrapped things up wonderfully. Some of the details of the murder were a bit disturbing, but the war portrayls have been too. A good series to read to get one thinking about right and wrong, about what is worth fighting for. "
— Christie, 12/10/2013" Sad to see the series end, but glad to finally have the battle against the Peacemaker resolved. This one did not grip me as much as some of the others. Still a good read. "
— Patty, 9/22/2013" I was sad to see this series end. I learned so much about WWI. The language in a spot or two surprised me, coming from Perry. "
— Kristie, 3/19/2013" Victorian Novel, but the background of WWI is very interesting "
— Judy, 1/10/2013" Last in a series of WWI spy/war stories. I enjoyed reading all of them. I learned a great deal about WWI. "
— Sylvachristenson, 8/8/2012" It's a shame there are only four to this WWI genre - they are so enjoyable. "
— Michaelbatte, 5/22/2012" WWI mystery "
— Roni, 2/14/2012" I love historical fiction. This is the last in a series spanning the years of WWI. Typical Perry in that it is a murder mystery, but also tackles deeper issues like human nature during combat and the aftermath of war. Sometimes too philosophical for my taste, but worth a read. "
— Amanda, 2/13/2012" Overall, I enjoyed this series, but I feel like it ran out of steam at the end. I'm not sure why - maybe too many strings to tie up and it felt sort of rushed and pat. I certainly will still read Anne Perry books, it hasn't put me off! "
— Geneen, 1/16/2012" The fifth in the series, set during WWI. It's a time period I'm finding fascinating. Loved the first one, which I read in London last fall, as well as the next three. This one final resolves the larger plot--thank goodness! "
— Ginnyvette, 9/30/2011" Slow and reflective at times, this is the final in her series of WWI books. More than the earlier volumes, it dwells on the cultural impacts of the war and changed class and sexual roles. The ultimate plot wrapup seemed a trifle hasty and offhand, but it covered the details adequately. "
— Savannah, 8/7/2011" I didn't think any of these books were very good and this was the worst. It seemed like she ran out of time and energy and just finished it up quick and lazy. "
— Elizabeth, 6/29/2011" Okay, the series is ended. I liked it. This last book got a little fantastical in how it resolved the hunting of the Peachmaker, but I enjoyed the book. The first book 'No Graves Yet" is the starter. Go for it. "
— A., 6/20/2011" At the beginning I thought it was going to be a page turner - that it was going to involve reveallings of the great tragedies of WW1, but sadly it didn't. It didn't even manage to illustrate the life in the front. <br/> "
— Merethe, 12/15/2010" The final book in this 5-book series, it was okay. The main theme, "what are we going back to when the war is over" is repeated over and over--as if there wasn't anything else to put in a book. Not nearly as good as #3 and 4. "
— Rhonda, 6/6/2010" Last in a series of WWI spy/war stories. I enjoyed reading all of them. I learned a great deal about WWI. "
— Sylvachristenson, 9/28/2009" The final book in Perry's World War I series. And it wrapped things up wonderfully. Some of the details of the murder were a bit disturbing, but the war portrayls have been too. A good series to read to get one thinking about right and wrong, about what is worth fighting for. "
— Christie, 3/31/2009" This is the last book in a series of novels about WW1. I haven't read the previously books and I am sure that this book would mean a lot more to me if I had, but it is still a great book to read. "
— Donna, 3/14/2009" If you know nothing of WWI and think you don't want to know, start this series and read in order of publication. I think this is the second in the series. "
— Jane, 1/28/2009" Book 5 of Perry's WWI saga. An interesting way to experience WWI, although by the end of this book, the "mystery arc" and "bad guy revealed" was anti-climatic. "
— Daniel, 1/20/2009" I listened to this book not realizing it was the 5th in a series of 5 novels about a family and their service during WWI. The story was great, though the writing was a bit wordy at times. "
— Kathryn, 12/17/2008Anne 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.
Samuel Roukin, Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a British film and stage actor who is best known for his role as Snatcher in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. He has also appeared in Bright Star and Miss Austin Regrets.