Execution Dock (William Monk Series) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Anne Perry (Author), David Colacci (Reader)

Book Description

Series: William Monk Series | Publication Date: March 24, 2009

Listeners of Anne Perry’s bestselling William Monk novels feel as if they’ve experienced the many shades of Victorian London, from Belgravia to Limehouse, from drawing room to brothel. In Execution Dock, Perry’s first Monk novel in three years, we find ourselves on the bustling docks along the River Thames. Here the empire’s great 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. On his floating brothel, sex slaves are forced to endure unspeakable acts. Now one such soul, thirteen-year-old Fig, is found with his throat cut, his tortured body tossed into the river. Commander William Monk of the River Police swears that Phillips will hang for this abomination. But the miscreant is as wily as he is monstrous, and his wealthy clients seem far beyond the reach of the law. Monk’s attempt to bring about justice becomes the first electrifying episode in a nightmare that will test his courage and integrity. However, reinforcements are on the way. Monk’s wife, Hester, who runs a free clinic for abused women, 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. This gripping, terrifying story hurtles toward a denouement that will leave the reader breathless but cheering. Execution Dock is Anne Perry at her incomparable, magnificent best.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Set in 1864, bestseller Perry's outstanding 16th novel to feature William Monk (after Dark Assassin) finds Monk suffering from a series of hard knocks, including memory loss. Now superintendent of the Thames River Police Force, Monk is on the verge of closing the books on Jericho Phillips, a particularly nasty villain who specializes in child pornography. Monk and his team catch Phillips, but what appears to be an airtight murder case springs leaks and ends with the accused's acquittal. Many in authority view the judgment as a rebuke to the river police, whose existence as a separate force is threatened. Convinced that he got the right man, despite the jury's verdict, Monk devotes himself to setting the record straight. Monk's wife, Hester, who works with London's downtrodden, provides support. Rich in plot development, believable characters and period detail, this entry will only add to the already sizable ranks of Perry's admirers. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Set in 1864, bestseller Perry's outstanding 16th novel to feature William Monk (after Dark Assassin) finds Monk suffering from a series of hard knocks, including memory loss. Now superintendent of the Thames River Police Force, Monk is on the verge of closing the books on Jericho Phillips, a particularly nasty villain who specializes in child pornography. Monk and his team catch Phillips, but what appears to be an airtight murder case springs leaks and ends with the accused's acquittal. Many in authority view the judgment as a rebuke to the river police, whose existence as a separate force is threatened. Convinced that he got the right man, despite the jury's verdict, Monk devotes himself to setting the record straight. Monk's wife, Hester, who works with London's downtrodden, provides support. Rich in plot development, believable characters and period detail, this entry will only add to the already sizable ranks of Perry's admirers."—Publishers Weekly


Praise for Anne Perry and her William Monk novels

Dark Assassin
“Brilliant . . . a page-turning thriller . . . blending compelling plotting with superbly realized human emotion and exquisite period detail.” —Jeffery Deaver, author of The Broken Window

The Shifting Tide
“An engrossing story that leaves the reader waiting for Monk’s next adventure . . . The mysterious and dangerous waterfront world of London’s ‘longest street,’ the Thames, comes to life.”—South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Death of a Stranger
“[A] tantalizing puzzle . . . At last, in Death of a Stranger, the secrets of Monk’s past are dramatically revealed.”—New York Times Book Review


Funeral in Blue
“No one writes more elegantly than Perry, nor better conjures up the rich and colorful tapestry of London in the Victorian era. But for all its arcane setting and stylistic eloquence, Funeral in Blue is an old-style private eye novel—and an extremely good one.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer

Slaves of Obsession
“Luxuriant . . . It’s E. M. Forster spliced with Thomas Harris. . . . Perry is a master.”—Baltimore Sun --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio Unabridged (March 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596002840
• ISBN-13: 978-1596002845
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,064,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I've never wanted any villain more than I want this one.", April 4, 2009

By 

E. Bukowsky "booklover10" (NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Execution Dock: A Novel (William Monk Novels) (Hardcover)

It is 1864 in Anne Perry's "Execution Dock," and William Monk is the head of the Thames River Police. His wife, Hester, is a trained nurse who runs a clinic at Portpool Lane, where she and her staff give free medical care to destitute people who are sick or injured. As the story opens, Monk is on the brink of capturing the ruthless Jericho Phillips, a sadist who runs a "floating brothel" on which he uses and abuses young boys and sells their services to gentlemen of means. The police suspect that Phillips tortured and murdered at least one child named Walter Figgis who rebelled against him. Monk is anxious to arrest Phillips and see him tried and hanged. However, even if Monk were to take this fiend into custody, would he somehow find a way to escape punishment? Sir Oliver Rathbone, "arguably the best attorney in London" and a friend of Hester and Monk, also becomes embroiled in the Phillips case with unexpected consequences.

Monk and Hester are anxious to learn the truth behind Phillips' uncanny success at keeping himself out of prison. Who is protecting him and why? In addition, they are determined to clear the name of Monk's late mentor, Commander Durban, whose integrity has been called into question. Durban hated Phillips but was never able to prove the charges against him. Monk and Hester risk their lives to bring Phillips to justice, not only for Durban's sake, but also for the vulnerable boys at risk while this monster is at liberty to ply his loathsome trade. Hester and her associates question anyone who may have relevant information, while Monk studies Durban's notes and tirelessly follows up every lead.

Readers who have cared about Hester, Monk, and Rathbone over the years will notice that Monk has matured. While he used to be a loner who lashed out at others, he now tries to earn the respect and admiration of his colleagues. Hester is still feisty and independent, giving as good as she gets when anyone tries to bully her. Yet, she is a soft touch when it comes to helping those in need. Meanwhile, Rathbone finds himself in an awkward position when he uncovers scandalous secrets that, if revealed, would cause an uproar in the corridors of power. For years, Perry has written novels that highlight the huge chasm between the rich and poor. She does so again here with vivid descriptions of the busy docks, fetid slums, stately homes, and marketplaces of Victorian London. This is a city of contrasts--home to the satiated and the starving, the compassionate and the selfish, honorable men as well as those without scruples.

Perry delivers a scathing indictment of the hypocrisy among London's wealthy and influential men who behave respectably in public but commit depraved acts under the cover of darkness. In addition, the author explores the imperfections of a legal system that too often allows the guilty to go free. "Execution Dock" has stirring courtroom scenes, an undercurrent of danger, and a colorful supporting cast of characters, some of whom speak in dialect. The author concludes the proceedings with a series of unpleasant confrontations that catch both the Monks and the Rathbones by surprise. In spite of a finale that is a bit too melodramatic, this is an exciting, suspenseful, thought-provoking, and engrossing work of historical fiction.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of her absolute best-Perry fans should not miss, March 28, 2009

By 

up all night reader (ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Execution Dock: A Novel (William Monk Novels) (Hardcover)

One of her best books of the Monk series since "Sins of the Wolf". It's well crafted and well written. I'm not sure how it would rate for readers new to the series as its richest aspect is the exploration into the lives and relationships of the main characters. Anne Perry did not disapoint in this regard as she managed to avoid simplyfying and gloryfying them, in essence turning them into black and white caricatures of the complicated characters they once were. She remained true to the characters testing their many strengths and displaying their flaws.

As is usual with the Monk series, there are dark and uncomfortable undertones and gripping courtroom drama, although again what is at stake for the reader is not so much the outcome of the trial but the relationships of the participants.

An excellent job by Ms Perry with quite a few loose ends to tie up. Here's hoping it doesn't take 3 years for the next part of the story to be told.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best? Absolutely!!, April 24, 2009

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Execution Dock: A Novel (William Monk Novels) (Hardcover)

I have been a long time reader of Ms. Perry's novels, and she is in fact my favourite author. Of all her series, my favourite is the William Monk series, and this book, without exaggeration, is the best of the lot! It has been three long years since we've had a William Monk novel, and this book left me breathless right until the end. Monk, Hester, and the Barrister Oliver Rathbone are on a mission to save the reputation of a great man, and to save the River Police where Monk is Commander. They are pitted against a truly evil man who exploits young boys in the worst ways possible. They have a lot of trouble proving it, and even more trouble getting someone to stand up against this evil man, but they persevere. We are exposed to blackmail, sexual exploitation, murder and all number of horrible things as Monk and Hester try to get the evidence they need to convict this monster. No one can make a reader actually live in the moment of the time of their story like Anne Perry. Mid-nineteenth century London is teeming with life in this book. Please don't make us wait another three years for a William Monk book Ms. Perry.