Defend and Betray, by Anne Perry

The Book

    When Hester Latterly's friend Edith Sobel arrives late for meetup in the park, Hester is a first annoyed. But when Edith arrives, late, and deeply worried, Hester forgives her instantly. Edith's older brother General Thaddeus Carlyon  has died in the most absurd way possible. He fell over the balcony at the top of the front stairs and landed on suit of armor. Unbelievably, the halberd pierced his chest, killing him. Hester is horrified and offers her friend comfort. Edith, though distressed, continues on with what she wanted to ask Hester. Edith is a widow of 33, with no children and not enough money to live on alone. She tired of living in her parent's house, and wants some sort of occupation to fill her days. She hopes Hester can get her a job nursing. Hester, thinks Edith would be more fulfilled as a research assistant or a secretary and advises her friend she will look into all possibilities. 

    A few days later, when Hester has figured out what Edith can do, she arrives at Carlyon House (belonging to Edith and Thaddeus' father, Colonel Carlyon) only to find that it was indeed unbelievable that Thaddeus fell, instead he was murdered as he lay on the floor. Even worse, his wife has confessed to the crime. Edith doesn't think Alexandra is guilty, and is worried. Hester promises to ask Sir Oliver Rathbone, her barrister friend, if he will take the case. Knowing Rathbone's reputation, Edith's brother-in-law Peverell Erskine, the family solicitor, is happy to get the assistance. 

    Rathbone hires Monk to figure out the case. Monk works the case diligently and brilliantly, only slightly hampered by the memories of a previous case he can't quite remember intruding on him. As the case goes to trial, Monk's memories crowd ever louder until he takes precious time off of the case to resolve them. But while he's doing that, he's risking more than Alexandra's life. He's risking letting the appalling reason Thaddeus was killed remaining silent. It's an outcome that will satisfy the powerful, snobby Carlyon family. But if the rich, powerful, and well thought of can keep their most lurid secrets, then very fabric of society is rotten to the core, and outcome Rathbone, Monk and Hester will not accept. 

My Thoughts

    Anne Perry is a very dark writer. Sometimes, because I love her work so much I forget how disturbing her themes can be. This is one of her darkest books. And yet, for all of her protestations that she wasn't influenced by Agatha Christie, we see her continue one of Christie's central themes, and that is murdered people are usually nasty people. It's not just murders who are morally bankrupt, but frequently the victims do something to bring their misfortune on themselves. Unlike the shorter Christie books, Perry layers with a lot more depth. 

    My favorite character in this book is Major Tiplady, who is not only Hester's totally delightful client, but also a spot of comic relief. But unlike in other books, where the comic relief is outlandish and clownlike, Major Tiplady is cute and sweet. And I can see him so clearly in mind's eye, the way he is confident as a person, but shy around women, whom he doesn't understand. And to see Edith draw this thoroughly good and likable man out of his shell is a delight. A side plot worth reading again and again. Which is why I own this as an audiobook. 

How Much My Library Card Saved Me

    Even though I own the audiobook, and I am certain I will listen to this book again, I checked a paperback out of my library. My specific library does not have a copy of this book and I had to wait nearly a week for this one to come in. This one was shipped from the Crystal Lake Public Library, which isn't that far away. Even so, I requested it on a Saturday, so my guess is nobody was able to pull it until Monday, which is why it took so long. The 428 page book seems to be lightly read and if I have figured out the Crystal Lake Cataloging System, it looks like it entered their library in December of 2019. This Ballantine Paperback edition is listed on the cover as costing $17.00

This Book                                       $17.00

This Summer                                $651.83

 

  

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