Defend and betray

A Murder, A Confession, and a Deeper Mystery

Defend and Betray is the third installment in Anne Perry’s acclaimed Victorian mystery series featuring private investigator William Monk. Set in the refined yet shadowed world of 19th-century England, this gripping tale unravels a case that begins with a shocking confession — and leads to a far more disturbing truth.

A Soldier’s Death... and a Wife’s Admission

When the highly respected General Carlyon is found dead in what appears to be a tragic accident, no one suspects foul play — until his wife calmly confesses to the crime. With the trial rapidly approaching, the case seems straightforward... but Monk is not convinced.

Working alongside the insightful Hester Latterly and the brilliant barrister Oliver Rathbone, Monk begins to uncover a tangle of secrets, loyalty, and long-buried pain. Why would a devoted wife so easily admit to murder? And what horrors lie behind the Carlyon family's respectable façade?

Classic Victorian Suspense

Defend and Betray combines rich period detail with complex characters and masterful plotting. Anne Perry delivers a compelling mystery full of emotional depth, moral conflict, and the relentless pursuit of justice. A must-read for fans of historical crime fiction and Victorian-era drama.