"Inspector William Monk searches for proof of his friend's innocence in a controversial and dangerous case, in the nineteenth novel in Anne Perry's acclaimed series. Oliver Rathbone, now a judge, is presiding over a trial for corruption. Proud of his elevation to this position, he is determined to be proper and fair, and, with much skill, convicts a deeply corrupt man. On the back of this success Rathbone is given a controversial new case: that of a charismatic minister accused of using other people's faith for his own gain. This will be a real test of skill, perhaps even dangerous - is this what Rathbone wants? A sensational case begins. True to his principles, Rathbone delivers justice - but at a cost, as murder and suicide ensue, and he is arrested under the charge of blackmail. Can Monk unravel the truth behind the court hysteria? Or will Rathbone spend the rest of his years in prison for exposing a relevant truth, in an appropriate way, for a cause he saw as just?"
Sir Oliver, on the heels of one fraud case, is given another. A minister is accused of defrauding his parishioners of their donations, which he doesn't use for the charitable purposes he claims he will. Hester attends the church, just once, with Scuff. She's impressed with the preacher, but feels high pressure from his assistant, and tells Monk so. She also asks her accountant at the clinic to look at the public records to see if he can see discrepancies. He does. She and Monk don't tell Oliver, since it's his job to be impartial. A surprising end to the trial results in an arrest of Oliver for not being impartial. What's gone wrong? His trial is even more dramatic than the first one over which he presided. The second half of the book is much stronger than the first. Overall, I learned a great deal more about Oliver and his feelings than in most books in this series, and I appreciated that.
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Add a CommentSir Oliver, on the heels of one fraud case, is given another. A minister is accused of defrauding his parishioners of their donations, which he doesn't use for the charitable purposes he claims he will. Hester attends the church, just once, with Scuff. She's impressed with the preacher, but feels high pressure from his assistant, and tells Monk so. She also asks her accountant at the clinic to look at the public records to see if he can see discrepancies. He does. She and Monk don't tell Oliver, since it's his job to be impartial. A surprising end to the trial results in an arrest of Oliver for not being impartial. What's gone wrong? His trial is even more dramatic than the first one over which he presided. The second half of the book is much stronger than the first. Overall, I learned a great deal more about Oliver and his feelings than in most books in this series, and I appreciated that.
A very good story. I love these William Monk books.