William Monk #1: The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry

William Monk awakens in a hospital after a carriage accident with no memory of who he is. Told only that he is a London police detective, Monk attempts to return to work while concealing his amnesia from his colleagues. His first investigation involves the brutal murder of decorated Crimean War hero Joscelin Grey. As Monk follows the clues through Victorian London’s upper classes, he slowly uncovers disturbing truths—not only about the murder, but also about the kind of man he himself may once have been.

EugeneBookStore Summary

The Face of a Stranger launches Anne Perry’s acclaimed William Monk series with a unique twist on the traditional Victorian detective novel. Instead of merely solving a murder, Monk must reconstruct both the crime and his own forgotten identity. Perry blends atmospheric Victorian London, memorable characters, and psychological suspense into a compelling mystery that became the foundation for one of historical fiction’s most beloved detective series.

Collector Notes

This is the first novel in the William Monk series and introduces one of Anne Perry’s most enduring detectives. The 1991 Ivy/Fawcett mass market edition (ISBN 9780804108584) remains a desirable reading copy for collectors assembling Perry’s early paperback editions. It also marks the beginning of the Hester Latterly storyline that continues throughout the series.

Awards
Mystery Guild Dual Main Selection