Customer Reviews

Execution Dock (William Monk Series)

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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.

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.

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.

As an Oliver Rathbone fan, this one was so difficult when I first started, but I feel Anne Perry really rounded out his character by giving him internal conflict and a chance to redeem a bad choice made.

I loved Scuff in this book and enjoyed the deepening relationship he has with Monk and Hester.

A very good addition to the Inspector Monk series.

Anne Perry is an elegant writer - even when she is exposing (pardon the expression) the prevalent pornography exploitation in Victorian England.
This book takes place just after Prince Albert's death, and Queen Victoria has started her mourning - which will last decades -
Monk and his river police try to put away Phillips, a man who owns a river boat where patrons can come and use children for their sexual needs, or buy pornagraphic photographs, or watch the action as it happens. It is a disgusting thing that truly was the 'rage' in this era, and unfortunately pornography has no era constraint.
Phillips is tried (his counsel is the Monk's longtime friend Sir Oliver Rathbone) and found not-guilty for the murder of a boy who had started puberty and no longer useful to his porno industry.
Monk, and his wife Hester start an investigation to catch Phillips in something that will bring him to justice.
Including the characters that have endeared themselves to us in this series, Sullivan, the rat catcher, and his wonderful dog, Scuff, the homeless boy that Hester and Monk have semi-taken in, and a cast of others. They persue Phillips, and face dangers.
This book delves into the relationships of the Monks and the Rathbones and the dynamic changes. It is excellently written and is Anne Perry at her best.
Mrs. Perry is now writing one book a year and is alternating between the Monk series and the Pitt series (Victorian England at its latter stages), as well as the Christmas books she writes about a character from her series and their experiences around Christmas. She is a lovely lady - I emailed her and to my surprise received a lovely handwritten card from her and I have kept it in the 1st Christmas book.
Execution Dock is vintage Perry - you will not be disappointed - great read.

Anne Perry is one of the most skilled writers in our modern age. Her mysteries are well-crafted, intricate, and hard to put down. EXECUTION DOCK is a bit dark, and in parts depressing, but that only makes it that much more gripping. William Monk and his wife, the former Hester Latterly, are shocked to hear that their old friend, lawyer Oliver Rathbone, has agreed to defend a known trafficker in child prostitution - who has allegedly murdered one of his young male hookers. Not only that, Rathbone gets the man acquitted. As a result, Monk, though he can't try him for the same crime, determines to find another crime to charge the man with - hopefully, one that will send him to prison for life. What follows is an intense and sometimes depressing manhunt - which puts him and his young sidekick, Scuff, in fear for their lives. Nonetheless, the two of them are determined to get this evil man off the streets. In the meantime, Hester, unknown to her husband, has rallied some of her colleagues to also seek another crime to charge the pimp with - and while doing this, she seeks out Rathbone to find out why he defended such a dreadful person. I won't tell you anymore; you'll want to read the book - immediately if not sooner! Enjoy!

This is Perry's first new Victorian crime story in three years; don't tell me she's finally slowing down? If you haven't been keeping up, the previous one, _Dark Assassin,_ introduced William Monk Version 2.0. Having been booted off the Met years before, having become a private enquiry agent to make a living since then, having acquired a coterie of supporting characters (I especially liked Sgt. Evan), the author has suddenly put Monk back into uniform as a senior officer in the Thames River Police, thrown out everyone else except Hester and Sir Oliver Rathbone, and started virtually an entire new series. If she was simply getting tired of the characters, this is probably a good move, though. Crime on the river is certainly a world most of us know extremely little about. In this one, the main Bad Guy, Jericho Philips, is a noxiously evil supplier of very young boys to the pedophilia trade, working from a river boat. And where Perry Mason always had his big trial scene at the end, Rathbone and Monk have theirs right up front -- and they screw it up rather badly, which leads to the accelerating plot that expertly fills the rest of the story. Perry has had a rather sloppy tendency of late to lose control of a sprawling narrative, and to repeat information unnecessarily, but she seems to have mostly gotten all that under control. There's a minimum of domestic life this time -- their starchy young maid, Gracie, doesn't appear at all -- and Hester's free clinic is depicted almost entirely as it supports the investigation, rather than providing a stage for Hester's social causes. Runcorn, Monk's colleague/friend/enemy/rival, is mentioned in passing but is never seen. The focus is all on Monk's detection, and on the suddenly awkward relationship between Monk and Hester on one hand and Rathbone and his new wife on the other -- and the latter is very much part of the main plot, too. It's a very good read and I hope Perry doesn't wait so long for the next one in the series. (And what's become of Thomas and Charlotte, anyway?)

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

In 1864, now the head of the Thames River Police, William Monk is anxious to arrest Jericho Phillips and see him hung. The odious Phillips is a child pornographer who kidnaps young boys and forces them to perform perverted deeds. He makes a lucrative business as a supplier of kids to his pedophile customers and takes photos of the young in sexual acts that he sells to the stores.

Monk apprehends the lowlife, who is on trial defended by the police chief's friend Sir Oliver Rathbone at the bequest of his father-in-law; who insists everyone deserves a good lawyer. Oliver tears into the prosecution's airtight case leading to the defendant walking away free and Mon's reputation sunk into the sift on the bottom of the Thames. Monk, his wife Hester and others are more determined than ever to see Phillips hang, but rumors spread about their methods and judgment leading to condemnation of the chief and his police force as stalkers. Phillips has clients in high places who refuse to lose their pleasure connection, but when the pedophile take something Monk treasures all hell breaks loose.

It has been too long (2006 DARK ASSASSIN) since Anne Perry has written a Monk Victorian Era police procedural, but fans of the series will feel the wait was worth waiting. Readers are taken on a tour of the Thames just after Queen Victoria's beloved Consort Prince Albert dies. Monk is as efficient as ever, but his efforts are purposely misinterpreted so that he seems more like Les Miserables' (by Hugo) malevolent stalking Police Detective Javert chasing Valjean over a stolen loaf of bread (note that novel occurs during the reign of Napoleon III so is the same age as the Monk thriller). Hester is a free thinking woman not afraid to act on her own so Monk has learned throughout the series to rely on her as she always comes through. Readers will enjoy this riveting historical mystery.

Harriet Klausner

Corruption. "Like a drop of ink in a glass of clear water, it spreads to stain everything else." Perry exposes the horrors of the flesh trade and the corruption it breeds in Victorian London, the tale beginning with the arrest of pornographer and child-thief Jericho Phillips, a man who plies his trade through the exploitation of homeless young boys. Continuing a vendetta begun by his former boss and mentor, Durban, supervisor William Monk of the Wapping River Police hopes the score will finally be settled with the arrest of the criminal. Unfortunately, Jericho slips free from the knot of justice thanks to powerful friends. Monk is stunned by the realization that the battle has only begun.

At the same time Monk contemplates the consequences of his failure, solicitor Sir Oliver Rathbone considers his own moral dilemma. His recent participation in a troubling case causes the attorney to question the motives of his contemporaries. Enjoying the benefits of wealth and society, Rathbone is isolated from the brutal realities of London's poor, the shameless conditions imposed by poverty and the greedy men who indulge their twisted vices without fear of police interference. Between the very rich and the very poor are those who seek to stem the tide of human trafficking, Monk and the River Police, Monk's wife, Hester, who runs a women's clinic, the society women who volunteer at the clinic and the eccentric characters who inhabit the docks, including a homeless boy, Scuff, who proves invaluable to Monk and Hester in their quest to redress the outrage of Jericho's escape from justice.

While good men may err without malicious intent, others thrive in the darkness. Perry's novel highlights the motives of those who benefit from the exploitation of the helpless in Victorian London, exposing the plight of innocents at the hands of a monster who is protected by interested and powerful parties. There is no lack of drama as Monk seeks to finish Jericho in spite of the obstruction of others. Victorian outrage at injustice is endemic to the era until it conflicts with the base needs of those who pay handsomely for their secret pleasures. From well-appointed solicitor's offices to the winding alleys of London's daily criminal enterprise, Hester, Monk and their devoted associates refuse to relinquish helpless children to a terrible fate, descending into Jericho's lair in a final desperate confrontation. Knives flash, bodies fall, chaos ensues. But does justice finally triumph? Luan Gaines/2009.