What: You open your eyes and remember nothing. Not where you are, or when it is . . . or who you are. The Face of a Stranger begins when a man wakes up from a coma with no memory. By alternately keeping quiet and bluffing, he begins to learn about himself without revealing the extent of his amnesia. William Monk returns to work as a police detective in Victorian London as he continues to investigate the mystery of his own past and identity. Author Anne Perry skillfully traces how Monk objectively dislikes what he learns about himself but cannot easily change it. Not all new chances at life are Scrooge's Christmas morning.
Comparable to: If you fancy historical mysteries, you are in luck; Perry is a master of them. In addition to the Inspector Monk series, she writes about another Victorian detective, Thomas Pitt, and his wife, Charlotte. She also has a WWII-era series.
Representative quote: "A tailor. So that was where his money went --- vain beggar. He must take a look through his wardrobe and see what his taste was. Expensive, according to the bill in his hand. A policeman who wanted to look like a gentleman!"
You might not like it if: You are not a fan of historical details.
How to get it: Perry is a popular author, and her books are widely available.
Connection to previous Wreckage: This connection is a bit of a stretch, but it's too fascinating not to include. The film Heavenly Creatures tells the true story of a sensational murder in 1954 committed by two girls, Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme. Author Anne Perry is Juliet Hulme.
In the 1994 film, Pauline Parker was played by Melanie Lynskey, who has a significant role in Away We Go (Rec. #83). Juliet Hulme (a.k.a. Anne Perry) was the first film role of a young actress named Kate Winslet.
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