Execution Dock (William Monk Mystery) [Paperback]

First Sentence: The man balanced on the stern of the flat-bottomed lighter, his wild figure outlined against the glittering water of the Thames, hair whipped in the wind, face sharp, lips drawn back.

Commander Thomas Monk of the Thames River Police is accomplishes the job his predecessor started and captures Jericho Phillips for the murder of a young boy, Fig. Phillips is the owner of a floating brothel that specializes in torturing young boys and using them sex and pornographic photographs with London's wealthy and powerful. Olive Rathbone, a leading barrister, is hired by his wealthy father-in-law, to defend Phillips. When Rathbone wins his case and Phillips is declared "not guilty," Monk, his force, wife Hester and their friends band together to get Phillips off the streets.

With each new Anne Perry book I am reminded of what an amazing writer she is. She seems to love contrasts but doesn't ignore the shades of gray. Her plots are so well done and touch every emotion. They are completely engrossing and the reading of them supersedes any other activity for that day. The courtroom scene is suspenseful and it aftermath poignantly conveys the sense of failure and frustration all police must feel when a criminal is found not guilty due to the evidence not being strong enough.

She shows us London with all its layers from the wealthiest to the most poor and desperate, and that goodness and corruption exist at all levels. Perry's characters are so real it is easy to remember them book to book. At the same time she gives new, or forgetful, readers enough of each character's background to the character to become known or remembered. Perry's dialogue, including her use of vernacular and dialect, make them come to life. Monk still has his determination for justice but has softened as a man, Hester is strong and determined, Scuff's street smarts layered over vulnerability, Sutton, the ratcatcher with his dog, Snoot, Squeaky, the ex-brothel owner, and so many more who give palpable emotion to the story. One thing I particularly loved in this book was her look at the differences in three marriages; Hester and Monk, Rathbone and Margaret and Claudine and Wallace.

Ms. Perry's books inform, entertain, and make me think. Her sense of time, place, dialogue, characters and plot are excellent. I look forward to each new book and am never disappointed. For what more can a reader ask? Brava, Ms. Perry.

EXECUTION DOCK (Hist/Pol. Proc- William Monk-England-1864) - Ex
Perry, Anne - 16th in Monk series
Ballentine Books, 2009, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780345469335

Anne Perry's latest book is of her usual high standard. Monk and Hester battle to prove the villain's guilt, and Oliver proves him innocent. It's left to Monk and Hester to find another charge that will stick. This creates a coolness between Oliver and Margaret and Monk and Hester. Anne Perry takes us on a 3D journey through a Victorian labyrinth to the final climax. Her word pictures are vivid and one can see the story progressing as one reads. A thoroughly "unputdownable" book.

Whatever he is reading actor/director David Colacci totally engages himself in the story. He is there, whether it be as a salami vendor in Italy, a New York cop or, this listener is happy to say, the voice of Victorian London. Many will remember his sterling performance of Anne Perry's Dark Assassin - hard as it is to believe he's even better in the latest in the William Monk series, Execution Dock.

With this, her first Monk series in three years, Perry takes us to the docks along the River Thames. Not a berth for a pleasure ship but a dark place where Jericho Phillips, a child pornographer, plies his trade, forcing young boys to commit unspeakable acts for the pleasure of pedophiles.

Perry opens her story with a chase worthy of the big screen as Monk tries to catch Phillips. The veteran detective doesn't shoot because he wants him alive "so he could see him tried and hanged." And so the pursuit continues from police boat to schooner, from barge to barge with Monk closing in until "...Phillips's face was so close, Monk could smell his skin, his hair, the exhale of his breath. His eyes were glittering, and he smiled as he brought the knife up in his hand."

Pure Perry - pure pleasure! Just try to stop listening. Of course, at this point we're only beginning of this compelling, assiduously plotted story. As the tale continues we learn more about Monk's past, witness the growing relationship between Monk and Hester, and are intrigued by the ways of 1864 London.

Highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke