Weighed in the Balance

I actually haven't read this book yet; however, I absolutely love Anne Perry and haven't read a bad book of hers yet and don't expect to.

I have not read any Anne Perry in a long time-- largely because I was not that impressed by what I had read of the Pitt novels. But I have to say that I really liked this book. I found all the characters interesting because they had not only the trappings of the period, they also had the appropriate flaws. I liked that Monk did not really appreciate Hester as he should, and I liked his indecision about who to support in the slander trial. The centerpiece notion of forgotten European history worked very well. If you too have enjoyed Perry's books, but never really loved them, then you might enjoy Weighed in the Balance. Myself, I will look for more in the same series.

I started on Anne Perry by recommendation of a friend, and loved the Monk series. At the time, "Twisted Root" had come out a few weeks before, so I read through the first nine to get caught up.My first impression of "Weighed" was "What?" There was just nothing really grabbing at my attention about slander. True, Friedrich *may* have been murdered, but it didn't have the immediacy of the others.But of course, I was reading through it sort of quickly to get caught up, and this *was* after I had finished the entire Pitt series and was a bit annoyed with how it got sort of bogged down after about eight books...So I picked up "Weighed in the Balance" again a few months ago, and really read it. I was surprised at how different it seemed now that I considered it, and after I had read the later books too.Granted, slander just doesn't grab you by the throat and demand your attention. I had the same initial problem with "Breach of Promise."This re-reading also took place after my European history class had covered Germany in the nineteenth century, so I also had more historical perspective this time and could understand the German principalities and their concerns better.This book is more subtle and slower-moving than some. But I still think it's a good entry into the Monk series. All along, I kept thinking "Gisela couldn't have done it--Zorah's toast!" But the reasoning for it made sense--it was well developed. It was surprising and great to see emotionally corseted Oliver Rathbone take a risk and take up Zorah's cause. Though if you read, he sounds a little attracted to her...hmm! His development as more than the dry, skillful barrister was great to read. I never saw Oliver as really having passions and emotions before this--granted, there's been some gentle and sort of half-hearted courting of Hester, but after this book, it was possible he might actually get the girl in the end. At least, it evened the odds more!Monk also gets some development here--glimpses into his past. He also is romantically disillusioned yet again by Evelyn von Seidlitz. After Imogene, Hermione, Drusilla, and now Evelyn, it's possible he's actually gotten a romantic *clue*! Throughout the books, Perry keeps him slowly learning about himself and romance, and what he really is and what he wants. Even if some of us feel like giving him a good smack for being such an emotional duffer sometimes! ;-)The idea of the Cinderella couple gone wrong is interesting--most wouldn't dare to touch on something so exalted as royalty. Even in writing fiction today, besmirching those who were once considered "chosen by God" to rule is somewhat taboo.I reiterate that I still don't find it quite as gripping as some of her other Monk novels, but this one is more subtle and dark. It covers the lengths one may go to in order to save their good name and image in an era where honor and reputation were practically deified. It's got probably some of the *biggest* bits of character develo

Anne Perry takes William Monk--and us--to the uppermost of the upper-crust in Europe: the royalty. There William flirts with a rich and powerful lady of the court while trying to find something--anything--that will help Oliver win the toughest court case of his career. He discovers that in his pre-amnesiac days, he had a taste for the good life. My, my. Meanwhile, back in London, Oliver realizes he's definitely bitten off more than he can chew. What was he thinking when he agreed to defend the beautiful, bewitching Zorah of her slanderous charge against Princess Giselda? Win or lose, his career will never be the same again. I honestly don't know what these guys would do without Hester. The woman has more common sense than the two of them put together. Why doesn't one of them see what a gem she is?? Maybe in the next book Oliver will at least take her in as an associate and start paying her for her advice! Meanwhile, put on the teakettle, break out the cookies, and enjoy this lighter-than-usual Perry production. .

I've read the accusation that Perry can be too predictable, but each recent book has had something a little new. She has a great sympathy for people's weaknesses; she never paints a character totally good or evil, but allows for depth, humor, pathos, and a touch of romance. Her presentations of women's roles 100 years ago are great reminders of how far we've come, and still have to go. And yet, this was a delightful read for relaxing