Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: I read a lot of historical fiction. This is perhaps the third novel in the last 10 years that I could not finish because it was so slow. I forced myself to 250 or 270 pages but the story drags on.Its simply boring.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Gripping as Usual, But Still Worth Reading
Review: I'm used to Anne Perry coming up with a twist in the motive that catches me by surprise even when the killer was spotted much earlier in the book. I wasted my time trying to think of the most lurid possible motive. On the other hand, the Secret of the Incredible Disappearing Barge was one I hadn't seen coming.I give nothing away by stating that Lyman Breeland is a jerk cut from the same cloth as Peter Kreisler from TRAITOR'S GATE. In fact, I could hear Lady Vespasia commenting on their type in my head during one of his early appearances. But does that mean he's guilty? Philo Trace seems to be a really great guy even if he is from the slave-owning South. Is it all just a mask? I'm not going to automatically condemn one side or the other in my country's Civil War. My father's family fought for the South. My mother's family is from the North. I thought Anne Perry did a pretty even-handed job of presenting Breeland and Trace's viewpoints. However, I don't recall any of the English characters comparing or contrasting the American Civil War with England's Civil War. I found that odd. At least having Hester and William at the scene of a bloody battle, besides being the best part of the book, enabled William to understand Hester better. I wonder if Hester is going to exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome in a later book. Speaking of later books, I hope Anne Perry follows up on the tantalizing clue to Monk's past discovered in this one. Could he really have done anything as disgusting as he fears he might have? Have fun speculating on whether Ms.Perry meant anything by giving her characters names such as "Lyman", which sounds like "lie, man"; "Meritt", and "Philo Trace". Don't expect much from the courtroom scenes, although I did like the way Rathbone's opponent gave Breeland a well-deserved setdown.
Rating:
Summary: Not as Gripping as Usual, But Still Worth Reading
Review: I'm used to Anne Perry coming up with a twist in the motive that catches me by surprise even when the killer was spotted much earlier in the book. I wasted my time trying to think of the most lurid possible motive. On the other hand, the Secret of the Incredible Disappearing Barge was one I hadn't seen coming. I give nothing away by stating that Lyman Breeland is a jerk cut from the same cloth as Peter Kreisler from TRAITOR'S GATE. In fact, I could hear Lady Vespasia commenting on their type in my head during one of his early appearances. But does that mean he's guilty? Philo Trace seems to be a really great guy even if he is from the slave-owning South. Is it all just a mask? I'm not going to automatically condemn one side or the other in my country's Civil War. My father's family fought for the South. My mother's family is from the North. I thought Anne Perry did a pretty even-handed job of presenting Breeland and Trace's viewpoints. However, I don't recall any of the English characters comparing or contrasting the American Civil War with England's Civil War. I found that odd. At least having Hester and William at the scene of a bloody battle, besides being the best part of the book, enabled William to understand Hester better. I wonder if Hester is going to exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome in a later book. Speaking of later books, I hope Anne Perry follows up on the tantalizing clue to Monk's past discovered in this one. Could he really have done anything as disgusting as he fears he might have? Have fun speculating on whether Ms.Perry meant anything by giving her characters names such as "Lyman", which sounds like "lie, man"; "Meritt", and "Philo Trace". Don't expect much from the courtroom scenes, although I did like the way Rathbone's opponent gave Breeland a well-deserved setdown.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe it was the sea air
Review: If I'd had known how good this book was, I'd have gotten it from the library when it first came out in hardcover! I can't remember when I last enjoyed one of Anne Perry's books so much.
Rating: 
Summary: Join the Obsession
Review: In Slaves of Obsession, Anne Perry has expanded Hester and Monk's world to include a trip to America at the start of the Civil War. Monk finds war horrific. Having always considered himself a brave man able to face death he is frightened by his reaction to the destruction. On the other hand Hester rises to the occasion. Her battle experience puts her in the position of strength. This glimpse into his wife's past fills Monk with admiration and a greater understanding of Hester's past. All the characters have a noble obsession, which contributes to their downfall. Whether is it love or glory or freedom it infects their reason bringing death in its wake. The plot is clever and holds the reader's interest. An excellent novel, I highly recommend it
Rating:
Summary: Good Read!
Review: It's no wonder Anne Perry is a writer whose work I look for. Her main characters are so human, and so lovable. The way she incorporates history into the story, you can believe that the tale is an actual part of the true history. She is so talented and creative. Slaves of Obsessions evolves with the guns needed for the Union and Confederate States of America to fight the Civil War. You will find a devoted family, the Albertons, in the center of it, complete with an idealist daughter passionate on the subject of slavery. There is a triple murder, the daughter disappears,and guns are stolen. Mrs. Alberton hires our heroes, William and Hester Monk, to find answers. The case takes them to the battlefields in America, the trial in England, with another hero, Oliver Rathbone, as the guy with the right questions. The story has Hester running for her husband's life, bringing the good guys to the rescue in the nick of time. And thank God, we do not want to be losing the Monks. There are more mysteries to solve.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth reading - Once
Review: Starts off well, interesting characters, but I lost interest about halfway through. Monk and Hester get to experience the Civil War, which gives him some deeper insight into her life experiences. Later Monk is able to pick up another fragment of his past life. There are many good details, but the author's passion and plots seem to be wearing thin by this time. It's about time to bring Monk's story to a close.
Rating:
Summary: This was a good book!
Review: This book brought the Civil War to life for me and showed the darker side of fighting for a nobel cause. This was the first book I have read by Anne Perry and I really enjoyed the simple, yet elegant way that she writes her mystery novels. She does not need to use overly elaborate symbolism or words to make a great novel. Instead it is a beautifully written "who-done-it" that keeps you guessing all the time. This is a good book for anyone who likes mystery novels from Nancy Drew to Agatha Christy.
Rating:
Summary: This was a good book!
Review: This book brought the Civil War to life for me and showed the darker side of fighting for a nobel cause. This was the first book I have read by Anne Perry and I really enjoyed the simple, yet elegant way that she writes her mystery novels. She does not need to use overly elaborate symbolism or words to make a great novel. Instead it is a beautifully written "who-done-it" that keeps you guessing all the time. This is a good book for anyone who likes mystery novels from Nancy Drew to Agatha Christy.
Rating:
Summary: Is it Lyman Breedlove or Lyman Breeland?
Review: This book was an intricate victorian mystery with historical overtones and I enjoyed it. But I was confused during the whole book, looking for Lyman Breeland to be revealed as some kind of dual personality or undercover spy, because the flyleaf write-up on the hardbound version refers to him as Lyman Breedlove. What gives? I spent the whole book looking to solve this puzzle and by the end it was obviously a (major) publishing faux pas. Anybody else find this?
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