The Face of a Stranger Audiobook By Anne Perry cover art

The Face of a Stranger

A William Monk Novel #1

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The Face of a Stranger

By: Anne Perry
Narrated by: Davina Porter
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In this exhilarating series debut, police detective William Monk must solve the mystery of his own past.

His name, they tell him, is William Monk, and he is a London police detective. But the accident that felled him has left him with only half a life; his memory and his entire past have vanished. As he tries to hide the truth, Monk returns to work and is assigned to investigate the brutal murder of a Crimean War hero and man about town. Which makes Monk’s efforts doubly difficult, since he’s forgotten his professional skills along with everything else.

“Richly textured with the sights and sounds of London and its countryside … Solidly absorbing and Perry’s best to date.”—Kirkus Reviews

Crack another case with William Monk.©1990 Anne Perry (P)1995 Recorded Books Crime Historical Murder Mystery Police Procedural Thriller & Suspense Fiction Suspense
Intriguing Double Mystery • Excellent Character Development • Versatile Voice • Vivid Historical Setting
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Wonderful characterizations! Felt like I knew everyone at the end. Monk's haunting memory loss and the method of repeating questions made me think a long time about re-starting relationships using only reactions. Excellent reader, too. The one additional thing I hope for in the remaining books is to share a character's delight in something. All mysteries contain darkness. However, in Agatha Christie and other "cozy mysteries" the cottages, gardens, and seaside are warming. In Patrick O'Brian's rich Aubrey-Maturin series, the music, the sea & nature, etc, engage repeatedly. This Monk novel does include a wonderful estate, and I hope we will roam it much more often in coming books, to smell the roses, tread the leafy paths, perhaps find a ghost in the kitchen. I look forward to the very interesting Monk-Hester relationship.

Great characters! One thing I'd like...

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I really do like this series. I wish I had listened to this one first. I've read some of the others out of order.

The Face of a Stranger

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I thought it was amazingly narrated because it was Davina Porter but the sorry lacked depth. I kept waiting for something more exciting to happen besides the fact that the detective didn’t remember anything. I think I’m just spoiled by the outlander series.

A bit drawn out

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The detective is given a very gruesome murder to solve.
His supervisor dislikes him so giving him this very "sticky" case, one which happens to touch on the nobility, gives him hope's
that it will be the com up ence of the detective.
As the detective looks deeper into the case things start to appear not what they seem. He must interfere in the lives of the elite. Yes, there is trouble now. You will be amazed at the final!

Amnesia, a thoroughly traumatic happenstance!

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What made the experience of listening to The Face of a Stranger the most enjoyable?

This is the first "Monk" novel, and I listened because I so enjoy Davina Porter as a narrator. While I found the first part of the story to be a little slow, I am glad I stuck with it. Monk is such a complex character, and his memory lost made the story that much more intriguing.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Edge of my seat - no. However, it was a good pace, and very satisfying.

Any additional comments?

I cannot wait to listen to the next in the series.

Older but Excellent Series

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What made the experience of listening to The Face of a Stranger the most enjoyable?

The narrator davina porter is excellent.story is great and characters are rich

Any additional comments?

I will listen to all of this authors books available on audio

Great British murder mystery

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Never lagged. The protagonist's struggle with amnesia was masterfully told. Excellent mystery and terrific period piece. Can't wait to listen to the next one.

Good mystery, well written and gorgeously read

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Anne Perry has an excellent mastery of the language. This novel is superb. The characters are well drawn, the mystery is intriguing, and the atmosphere is oh so Victorian.

First class writing

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Great story! I started reading the monks stories in the middle of the series, and always wanted to know how it all began.

good story

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I am new to the Monk series. What a treat. And I LOVE Davina Porter. She is so talented. The way she manipulates her voice, masters subtle accents, and gently tells a story is just brillant. Anne Perry serves up fascinating characters, psychological twists, and a duo of likeable protaganists. Have already downloaded the next two books in the series. Shamelessly hooked.

What did you like best about this story?

The idea that our detective has amnesia and is struggling to uncover details about his own life and get to know himself while he is uncovering details and getting to know the victim. The way these "investigations" mirror each other. When Monk reflects on the emptiness of only seeing the outcomes of elements in his life (the way he dresses, his ambition, his relationships) without having any understanding of the motives and drivers behind them. Not only is his memory lost, but the very essence of what make him him is lost, and his trying to figure it out by seeing himself reflected in the attitudes and behaviors of others toward him. Very powerful.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Monk revists the crime scence later in the book and is galvanized by the sight of the walking stick in the stand. Up to that point, I had thought that maybe his "flashbacks" and emotional responses to the crime scene where almost a psychic talent brought about by his accident and that that would be a part of his character. At that point, both he and the reader began to realize that his involvement in the crime is very real and, ironically, he begans to hide his secrets more and more just as he is uncovering the victim's secrets.

So glad I met William and Hester

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