Anne Perry’s seventeenth William Monk novel is a mesmerizing masterpiece of innocence and evil on London’s docks, a welcome addition to this successful and beloved series.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
On a London riverbank, when the body of small-time crook Mickey Parfitt washes up with the tide, no one grieves. But William Monk, commander of the River Police, is puzzled by the murder weapon: an elegant scarf whose original owner was obviously a man of substance. Dockside informers lead Monk to a floating palace of corruption on the Thames managed by Parfitt, where a band of half-starved boys is held captive for men willing to pay a high price for midnight pleasures. Though Monk and his fearless wife, Hester, would gladly reward Parfitt’s killer, duty leads them in another direction—to an unresolved crime, to a deadly confrontation with some of the empire’s most respected men, and ultimately to a courtroom showdown with Monk’s old friend, Oliver Rathbone, in a trial of nearly unbearable tension and suspense.
“Masterful storytelling … [the] best in the series to date."—The Star-Ledger
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"#17 in the William Monk series. Takes place later in 1864 after #16 Execution Dock. Monk and his wife Hester with the help of their friends solve a murder which occurred in the River Thames. They also expose another child prostitution ring. Does not paint a pretty picture of the dark underbelly of London society."
— Richard (4 out of 5 stars)
" This continues to be one of my favorite mystery series. I like how Anne Perry takes on class and social issues of 19th-century England. "
— Theresa, 1/17/2014" This continues to be one of my favorite mystery series. I like how Anne Perry takes on class and social issues of 19th-century England. "
— Theresa, 1/17/2014" I sort of consider Anne Perry novels to be junk reads, but I have to admit that I already pre-ordered the next book from Amazon. "
— Courtney, 1/14/2014" Love the Victorian mystery - & - Anne Perry is so good at them. "
— Gerry, 1/14/2014" I sort of consider Anne Perry novels to be junk reads, but I have to admit that I already pre-ordered the next book from Amazon. "
— Courtney, 1/14/2014" Love the Victorian mystery - & - Anne Perry is so good at them. "
— Gerry, 1/14/2014" #17 in the William Monk series. Takes place later in 1864 after #16 Execution Dock. Monk and his wife Hester with the help of their friends solve a murder which occurred in the River Thames. They also expose another child prostitution ring. Does not paint a pretty picture of the dark underbelly of London society. "
— Richard, 1/13/2014" Love Anne Perry's way of making you feel like you are in Victorian England. This my first William Monk and unfortunately, it made too many references to the prior book. "
— Jeanne-Marie, 1/4/2014" Love Anne Perry's way of making you feel like you are in Victorian England. This my first William Monk and unfortunately, it made too many references to the prior book. "
— Jeanne-Marie, 1/4/2014" A good story, though a sad subject. Normally, her storylines don't continue to the next book, but in this case it did, but it was still good. (Same main characters always.) Just like the way she writes. "
— Summers, 12/25/2013" A good story, though a sad subject. Normally, her storylines don't continue to the next book, but in this case it did, but it was still good. (Same main characters always.) Just like the way she writes. "
— Summers, 12/25/2013" I love Anne Perry! Have read everyone of her books except the First World War series. Acceptable Loss is a fine book and if you want a good victorian mystery, look no further than Anne Perry's series books! "
— Catherine, 12/24/2013" I love Anne Perry! Have read everyone of her books except the First World War series. Acceptable Loss is a fine book and if you want a good victorian mystery, look no further than Anne Perry's series books! "
— Catherine, 12/24/2013" Enjoyed this book as I enjoy all of Anne Perry's books. Fun mystery and then learn more about victorian england! "
— Diana, 12/23/2013" Enjoyed this book as I enjoy all of Anne Perry's books. Fun mystery and then learn more about victorian england! "
— Diana, 12/23/2013" This was a 12 hr. audiobook I 'read' on a drive and it was interesting enough to keep me alert and engaged. Not the best mystery I've ever read, but I have not yet read Perrys Monk series at all and can now try it. It was interesting, but without some of the background on Monk, assumed a bit much. "
— Victoria, 12/12/2013" This was a 12 hr. audiobook I 'read' on a drive and it was interesting enough to keep me alert and engaged. Not the best mystery I've ever read, but I have not yet read Perrys Monk series at all and can now try it. It was interesting, but without some of the background on Monk, assumed a bit much. "
— Victoria, 12/12/2013" Overall, this was a good solid entry in the William Monk series. My only quibble is the change in Margaret's character. She hardly seems like the same person. "
— Manda, 12/8/2013" Overall, this was a good solid entry in the William Monk series. My only quibble is the change in Margaret's character. She hardly seems like the same person. "
— Manda, 12/8/2013" Follow-up to book immediately preceeding. "
— Mckinley, 9/24/2013" Follow-up to book immediately preceeding. "
— Mckinley, 9/24/2013" Anne Perry knows her genre - the Victorian setting. But this novel did not seem to reach a standard that an Anne Perry reader has come to expect. Too much contemplation and not enough action. "
— Hapzydeco, 7/29/2013" Anne Perry knows her genre - the Victorian setting. But this novel did not seem to reach a standard that an Anne Perry reader has come to expect. Too much contemplation and not enough action. "
— Hapzydeco, 7/29/2013" Read my review this week on bookreporter.com "
— Ray, 3/10/2013" Read my review this week on bookreporter.com "
— Ray, 3/10/2013" Oh my! I forgot how much I LOVE Anne Perry! I wish she would write a new book every 2 weeks! I have enjoyed her William Monk series termendously and this one did not fail to please. "
— Trudy, 1/28/2013" Oh my! I forgot how much I LOVE Anne Perry! I wish she would write a new book every 2 weeks! I have enjoyed her William Monk series termendously and this one did not fail to please. "
— Trudy, 1/28/2013" This was a very good book- one of the best in her series featuring William Monk. "
— Daniel, 12/5/2012" This was a very good book- one of the best in her series featuring William Monk. "
— Daniel, 12/5/2012" Loved it! Another one I couldn't put down. I loved that this one was tied to Execution Dock in plot. I really grew to detest Margaret. I just wanted to slap her for saying the things she said to Hester! And I felt so sorry for poor Rathbone. He definitely deserves better. "
— Tammie, 4/23/2012" Loved it! Another one I couldn't put down. I loved that this one was tied to Execution Dock in plot. I really grew to detest Margaret. I just wanted to slap her for saying the things she said to Hester! And I felt so sorry for poor Rathbone. He definitely deserves better. "
— Tammie, 4/23/2012" This is one of my favorite series, William Monk series is a great read. "
— Jeanette, 4/3/2012" This is one of my favorite series, William Monk series is a great read. "
— Jeanette, 4/3/2012" This was one of the better Inspector Monk books in Perry's series. Well done. "
— Liz, 3/5/2012" This was one of the better Inspector Monk books in Perry's series. Well done. "
— Liz, 3/5/2012" Anne Perry once again is up to her usual excellant story telling with Hester and Monk. "
— LaVerne, 1/6/2012" Anne Perry once again is up to her usual excellant story telling with Hester and Monk. "
— LaVerne, 1/6/2012" The latest entry in the William Monk series by Anne Perry--I always look forward to the newest story and the update on the characters. If you are an Anne Perry fan, this is another good one! "
— Judy, 9/27/2011" The latest entry in the William Monk series by Anne Perry--I always look forward to the newest story and the update on the characters. If you are an Anne Perry fan, this is another good one! "
— Judy, 9/27/2011" Anne Perry is a fabulous storyteller. This one is a page-turner but quite dark. I certainly hope London wasn't quite that depraved as a society - if so, I am surprised anyone still lives there at all. All in all a great mystery in the Monk series. "
— Linda, 9/19/2011" Anne Perry is a fabulous storyteller. This one is a page-turner but quite dark. I certainly hope London wasn't quite that depraved as a society - if so, I am surprised anyone still lives there at all. All in all a great mystery in the Monk series. "
— Linda, 9/19/2011" Not my favorite Anne Perry book. I think she needs to find a new word other than "horror" to use, can we PLEASE have Monk land a case that doesn't involve some sort of sexual depravity?!? "
— Susan, 9/15/2011" Not my favorite Anne Perry book. I think she needs to find a new word other than "horror" to use, can we PLEASE have Monk land a case that doesn't involve some sort of sexual depravity?!? "
— Susan, 9/15/2011" It was not the typical Anne Perry book - easy to figure out and rather an unpleasant subject - not her best although she is one of my favorite authors and William Monk is one of my favorite characters<br/> "
— Michaelbatte, 9/14/2011" It was not the typical Anne Perry book - easy to figure out and rather an unpleasant subject - not her best although she is one of my favorite authors and William Monk is one of my favorite characters<br/> "
— Michaelbatte, 9/14/2011Anne Perry (1938-2023) was an English author of historical detective fiction, mysteries, young-adult fantasy, and young-adult fiction, and holiday novels, with several making the New York Times bestsellers list. Her novels were set in Victorian England, the Ottoman empire, and in Europe during WWI and WWI.
Ralph Lister is an actor, voice actor, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. He spent fifteen years in London theater before moving to the United States to focus on film and television. He has held numerous roles in Shakespeare and modern dramas, as well as starring roles in independent films. His voice and character work can be heard in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearland 13 Going On 30. He lives in Los Angeles.