On the bustling docks along the River Thames, Great Britain's merchant ships unload the treasures of the world. And here, in dank and sinister alleys, sex merchants ply their lucrative trade. The dreaded kingpin of this dark realm is Jericho Phillips, who seems far beyond the reach of the law. But when thirteen-year-old Fig is found with his throat cut, Commander William Monk of the River Police swears that Phillips will hang for this abomination. Monk's wife, Hester, draws a highly unusual guerrilla force to her husband's cause-a canny ratcatcher, a retired brothel keeper, a fearless street urchin, and a rebellious society lady. To one as criminally minded as Phillips, these folks are mere mosquitoes, to be sure. But as he will soon discover, some mosquitoes can have a deadly sting.
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"I listened to this and it was like most of anne perry's books very well written and great period piece! I'd forgotten much about Monk's character and should read some of those books I've not read between now in this series."
— Suevw (4 out of 5 stars)
" It was good. I like that there was more character development for Claudine and Squeaky Robinson. I also enjoyed seeing Rathbone in a new light. It was interesting to see him in opposition to Monk and Hester. "
— Whitney, 2/15/2014" One of her best in the series. "
— Chuck, 2/15/2014" March, 2012 - read second time "
— Pat, 2/4/2014" Her usual good read "
— Anita, 1/30/2014" I really like all of Anne Perry's books. This one features Inspector Monk, who is married to Hester. Perry really does her research about Victorian England. "
— Kaye, 1/14/2014" I just read the new PD James, so my standards may have been much higher, but this was a solid effort by Perry. "
— Gina, 1/13/2014" In the 1860s a sleazy porno purveyor evades conviction. Monk is the protagonist. "
— Mary, 12/25/2013" This book was not my favorite of Anne Perry's. Generally I love every book she writes but the subject of this book (the child sex trade in Victorian England) is very depressing. It's not Perry's fault but I found this book to be both enlightening and sad. "
— Clare, 12/19/2013" This is one of the best Monk books in years. The story was exciting and the characters were well developed. Looking forward to see where Perry will take her characters next. "
— Mary, 12/15/2013" really enjoying this series, even if I am reading them out of order "
— Nepeta, 11/29/2013" This one starts with a trial rather than it coming at the end. "
— Mckinley, 11/3/2013" Good book in the Monk series. I am curious about the new direction the series seems headed. "
— Steph, 10/31/2013" This is a terrific "can't put it down" mystery story. I love Anne Perry's writing, and this was one of the most exciting and satisfying of her Monk series. "
— Jan, 9/10/2013" I really like the characters of Monk and Hester. "
— Alyson, 8/29/2013" One of my all time favourite authors. I know I'll alwys have a good story to read with twists and turns and authentic detail to capture my attention. don't think I have ever been disappointed with her work. "
— Bonny, 7/19/2013" This is the 18th novel in the series, and is definitely one of the better ones. Perry has tended to get a bit maudlin in the last few, but this one was grittier. "
— Carolyn, 9/5/2012" I think I may have enjoyed this book more if I had read the one before it. It seemed this story was a sort of continuation of that one. It was easy to catch on and get up to speed. What I like about Monk is that he changes quite a bit throughout the series and you continue to see that here. "
— Linda, 7/26/2012" Could not finish it - pages & pages of anguished swirling around the same 3 ideas. "
— Sara, 7/20/2012" Love this series - can't wait for the next one! "
— MBP, 10/25/2011" I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love Anne Perry! Another home run in the William Monk series. "
— Trudy, 8/26/2011" Good, as is her usual. Though, I thought the ending was a bit rushed. "
— Amy, 5/16/2011" This was very good, well-written, although the subject matter was very disturbing. It was not my favorite because of it, but I still liked it. "
— Cathy, 4/3/2011" It was good. I like that there was more character development for Claudine and Squeaky Robinson. I also enjoyed seeing Rathbone in a new light. It was interesting to see him in opposition to Monk and Hester. "
— Whitney, 12/23/2010" I really like the characters of Monk and Hester. "
— Alyson, 12/13/2010" I love Hester and Monk. I couldn't put it down, although the story is all a bit incredible. "
— Graeme, 11/23/2010" Last of the William Monk series; waiting for the 2011 story... "
— Susan, 8/25/2010" Execution Dock by Anne Perry is well worth reading. Anne Perry is a gifted writer "
— Jeanette, 8/16/2010" This is one of the best Monk books in years. The story was exciting and the characters were well developed. Looking forward to see where Perry will take her characters next. "
— Mary, 6/10/2010" Well written escapism. I read it during my recent 6 hour flight. "
— Kathy, 5/17/2010" Excellent book. I really like all the 'period' details. "
— Martha, 5/11/2010" In the 1860s a sleazy porno purveyor evades conviction. Monk is the protagonist. "
— Mary, 4/12/2010" Monk and Hester have to go after child pornographer, Jericho Phillips again after their attorney friend gets him freed from a murder charge on the grounds that he was not proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt--raises questions about law and justice. "
— Jack, 4/12/2010" I skipped the first 80 pages--dull, and who cares. I'm sure she thought it would be a nice change to start with the trial first, but when you don't care about the characters yet, it's just tedious. "
— Susan, 3/29/2010" Anne Perry write wonderfully. This latest in the Monk series while a bit shorter than usual, contains all the features of her past books. Great character development, twisting story line, and a moral dilemma. "
— Sandra, 3/22/2010Anne 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.
David Colacci is an actor and director who has directed and performed in prominent theaters nationwide. His credits include roles from Shakespeare to Albee, as well as extensive work on new plays. As a narrator, he has won numerous Earphones Awards, earned Audie Award nominations, and been included in Best Audio of the Year lists by such publications as Publishers Weekly, AudioFile magazine, and Library Journal. He was a resident actor and director with the Cleveland Play House for eight years and has been artistic director of the Hope Summer Rep Theater since 1992.