Slaves of Obsession

There are convoluted plots, and then there are plots so convoluted that one is forced to decide that life is too short to spend any more time trying to figure them out. Slaves of Obsession contained one of the latter. I now know who the bad guy was, and that is about as far as my understanding of this book goes.

For example, was the blackmail ever solved? I have no idea.

On the bright side, it is such a relief having Hester and Monk married, as opposed to playing out that silly love/hate/but mostly hate thing they were meant to be having. And of course Rathbone and his father are perfect. I hope that one day Rathbone marries someone with whom Monk used to be in love, but has forgotten about until he sees her again, at which point one show more more pre-amnesia memory comes flooding back. show less

7/10
Not one of the better William Monk books by Anne Perry.

On the positive side, the inclusion of the beginning of the American Civil War and the experiences of William and Hester in America planted the series more firmly in time for me (being an American). They were also some of the most interesting parts of the book and brought Monk and Hester closer in a very special way.

On the negative side, there was at least one glaring editing error. More importantly, the entire ending was even more confusing and rushed than usual and than it needed to be. Even after reading it a couple times, I am still not quite sure how the pirates, the blackmail, the Chinese War, the train, and the barge all fit together and exactly who did what.

This book kept me guessing about whodunnit right until the end. To sum up the story line, William Monk, a detective in Victorian London, is asked to investigate blackmail directed at the owners of a London shipping company which deals with guns among other goods. Then one of the owners is killed quite gruesomely and all the guns in his warehouse disappear. Suspicion points to an American who was negotiating for the guns for the Union army. It appears he and the dead owner's daughter have fled England. Monk and his wife Hester are asked by the widow to follow them and bring them back. In America they are caught up in the beginning of the Civil War at the battle of Manassas. Some of the best writing occurs at this point. The last half of show more the book occurs back in England and involves the trial and search for the murderer. I found a few spots that didn't quite make sense but I kept reading anyway. The ultimate culprit was someone I had suspected earlier and then decided couldn't have been responsible. So, it was quite an enjoyable read. show less

In this tenth book of the series, Monk and Hester are invited to a dinner party. The host and his partner sell guns. This is the start of the American Civil War and agents from both the North and South are there competing for his stock. When some gruesome murders occur, it's up to Monk and Hester to retrieve the murderers who have fled to America for a trial in the English courts.
I'm really enjoying this series, but I think I liked this book the best so far. The historical research, as always, is excellent. Not only do we see Victorian England, but I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the first battle of Bull Run as well as Monk and Hester's view of the New York City and Washington. The mystery was good also; I was never quite sure show more how the murders occurred and why much less by whom.
The relationship between Hester and Monk has grown deeper, if possible. I feel quite sorry for Oliver and I hope he finds someone he can love as much as Hester.
Great book in an interesting series. show less

Another excellent historical mystery with William Monk and Hester working together to solve a murder of Mr. Alberton and bring the right person to justice - even if it takes going to America during the eve of the Civil War.

Monk learns more about his past and it’s devastating and he worries Hester will turn away from him.

Well written and as always, with unforeseen twists and turns and likable characters.

The year is 1861 and the Civil War divides the United States. The story begins with an English gun dealer that has promised to sell guns to the agent of the Confederate Army. But a representative of the Union Army, Lyman Breeland, hopes to change the mind of Daniel Alberton, the guns dealer. Breeland has won Daniel's 16-year-old daughter, Merrit, to the fight against slavery. Daniel is found murdered, the gun shipment has disappeared, and Merrit has disappeared. Daniel's widow, Judith, employs Monk and Hester to go to the United States to find and retrieve Merrit. Perry does a wonderful job showing the first battles of the war, and the utter chaos. Sir Oliver Rathbone defends Merrit and Lyman once the pair has been brought back to show more England. Of course the English judicial system is a little different than the American system. Rathbone struggles with his feelings for Hester and his regret concerning her marriage to Monk. The ending was not a total surprise as in the earlier novels. show less

Another complicated read, with the end coming in the last 3 pages -- I figured it out just as she was making it clear -- which is just fine with me.