Defend and Betray

Monk Mysteries

ISBN: 0-7887-0403-6 Order from: Recorded Books

A leisurly investigation/court drama, well-crafted but suffering from angst and with excessive detail.

Reviewed by David on April 20, 2000

Genre: Mystery (Amateur Sleuth, Historical, Court Drama)

Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Defend and Betray, a mystery set in Victorian England. The narrator performs a skillful, smooth job, taking a cue from the unhurried pace of the novel.

Hester Latterly, a strong-willed nurse with bitter experience in the Crimean war, is asked by her friend for assistance in the seemingly inexplicable murder of her brother, a well-known general. When all the evidence points to the general's wife, Hester and her friends and occasional investigative partners Rathbone and Monk, face a daunting challenge to explain the brutal murder.

Full Review: This mystery, part of a series featuring the ex-inspector Thomas Monk and Hester Latterly, is a strong and well—plotted addition to the series. The plot is well-conceived, and the solution is subtly foreshadowed, without being too blatant, creating a fair amount of suspense. The characters, for the most part, are detailed and believable.

While quite skillful in its description of the period, the author takes the Victorian style too much to heart, spending much time in distracting asides and wordy descriptions. The character of Monk is frustrating, with many recollections of his uncommon competence, but shown as angst-filled, vacillating and largely ineffective in this book.

Another somewhat disturbing feature was the denouement, when the proceedings took a politically-correct turn with abruptness and lack of deliberation reminiscent of which-hunting.

In general, the book is entertaining but overly long, and probably works better as a recording in a car (where only partial attention is available) than during a normal reading experience.

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 7; Originality: 4;

ISBN: 0-7887-0403-6 Order from: Recorded Books