Slaves of Obsession, Anne Perry

 The Book

In the summer of 1864, the American Civil War seems far away when Hester asks William to accompany her a dinner with her good friend Callandra Daviot. Nevertheless, in the Alberton's home the Monks meet Lyman Breeland, an agent of the Union sent to Europe to buy the guns. As it happens, Daniel Alberton is a dealer in weapons, which Breeland hopes to buy. However, a Southerner by the name of Philo Trace has already put down a deposit on most of the stock of Alberton's Enfield P1861 short barreled repeating rifle. This is an advancement, accurate at over 300 yards, which both sides are eager to exploit. Alberton, feeling he is a man of honor, and not having any real interest in who wins the American Civil War, refuses to break the deal with Trace and sell to Breeland. This has caused significant trouble with Alberton's 16 year old daughter, Merritt, who loves Breeland's passion for anti-slavery and believes herself in love with Breeland.

The argument escalates between Breeland, Merritt, and Alberton until Merrit, furious with her father's lack of morality, leaves home. When friend of the family, and Mrs. Alberton's cousin Robert Casbolt finds out both Merritt and Alberton are missing, he retrieves William and together they discover Daniel has been brutally murdered, apparently by Breeland. They search for Breeland, only to discover he has left town. Theu report to Mrs. Alberton, who employs William and Hester to return her daughter to her, and if possible, force Breeland to stand trial for the murder. 

William and Hester are accompanied by Trace to American, where Hester and Merritt work to save as many lives on the battlefield as possible. They witness the Union's defeat at Manassas, in July of 1864. In the mess Trace finds Breeland, injured and together he and Monk force Breeland to stand trial. 

When they land in England, Merritt and Breeland are both arrested for Alberton's murder. Mrs. Alberton employs Sir Oliver Rathbone to defend them both. He in turn, hires Monk to finally get to the truth about what happened at the warehouse the night Alberton is murdered. But will Monk succeed before Merritt faces the rope? 

My Thoughts

This book is one of Perry's masterpieces. She effortlessly weaves a complicated tale about love, it's own responsibility, and fanaticism together. She examines the causes of morality, and deepens our understanding of Monk, and his love of Hester. She explores what each individual's responsibility is to another person inside a long and loving relationship, and how to bridge the gap. We see Breeland and Merritt as romantic foils for Monk and Hester. And yet, the story works. 

One of the interesting things about this book is that is was released in October of 2000, meaning the story and editing were completed well before the 9/11 attacks. The themes of this book seem to fit more of that age, and the examination of love, lust, and a young person's belief in a deeply flawed individual seems to speak directly of that time and the trials America was facing over the Bill Clinton affair. 

This series is marked at a few turning points, Face of a Stranger, where we first meet Monk as he is and learning to rebuild his life. Sins of the Wolf, my favorite in the series, where Monk and Hester first figure out that they are indeed in love with each other. (And then I subsequently spent another five books peeved with Monk for not just loving Hester and being complicated about it). And then these two books which mark roughly the halfway point in the series, The Twisted Root and Slaves of Obession tell the story of Monk figuring out his past and learning how much he has grown as a result of his love of Hester. 

This series does come full circle, I look forward to looking back on it when we get there. At the pace I'm reading these books, that should be some time in 2026.

How Much My Library Card Saved Me

This book was sent to me from the Park Ridge Public library. It entered their system in Oct of 2000 and is a first edition. It is in remarkably good condition, but not pristine. It seems time is taking the toll on this book. It seems it was printed on pulp paper, and the glue is beginning to weaken. There are no marks on the 344 pages, a short book considering how much longer many of her novels have been. The back has a card to be stamped from before the barcode system went into place. This is likely a remnant of how poor local libraries are compared to bigger, county wide systems. They just can't justify the upfront cost of changing everything over. Both the card in the back of the book and the jacket cover say that at the time the book cost $25. That is the price we will use. 

Adjusted for inflation today this book would cost. $45.35. By comparison, David Baldacci's latest hardcover, released Nov. 12, 2024 sells at full price on Amazon for just $30. Amazon tells me the Kindle edition is the most popular version. Publishing houses make more money on the eBooks, but the hardcover is on sale for Christmas for just $15.00. Oh how the publishing business has changed in the last 25 years. It's safe to say, we have exited the golden years of publishing. 

This book                                                   $25.00

Items reviewed this year                            $25.00

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