A Sudden, Fearful Death

by Anne Perry Narrated by Davina Porter

Overview

In a London hospital, Prudence Barrymore, a talented nurse who had once been one of Florence Nightingale's angels of mercy in the Crimean War, meets sudden death by strangulation. Private inquiry agent William Monk is engaged to investigate this horrific crime-which intuition tells him was no random stroke of violence by a madman.

Greatly helped by his unconventional friend Hester Latterly, another of Miss Nightingale's nurses, and barrister Oliver Rathbone, Monk assembles a portrait of the remarkable woman. Yet he also discerns the shadow of a tragic evil that darkens every level of society, and a frightening glimmer of his own eclipsed past.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In this excellent historical mystery, Victorian detective William Monk investigates the suspicious death of a young English nurse. (Oct.)

Library Journal

William Monk ( Defend and Betray ) investigates the terrible rape of a woman in a garden and the strangulation of another in a London hospital. Wonderful Victorian backdrops, memorable characters, and vivid courtroom drama from a master craftswoman. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/93.

School Library Journal

YA-Another Perry mystery that highlights the frustrating status of women in Victorian England. The story hinges on society's low opinion of nurses and of both single and married women who seek abortions. A talented nurse is found strangled, and Inspector Monk and his friends, a nurse and a lawyer, follow the clues to see that the murderer will hang. It is difficult to decide which element is the author's true forte-the details of everyday life or the suspenseful courtroom dialogues. The plot has many twists and turns. Readers may suspect some of the answers, but surprises continue right until the last page. The opening chapters place readers in a subplot that provides background on different characters. The shift in the action is slightly confusing as these people are rarely mentioned again. However, Perry fans will not be disappointed, and newcomers will be entertained by a good mystery as they enter the world of Victorian high society.-Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171027377
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	11/27/2009
Series:	William Monk Series , #4
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	479,614

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