Book Review: Brit detective returns (Anne Perry)

From Oklahoma NewsOK --

Book Review: Brit detective returns - LONDON DOCKS OFFER EXCITING LOCALE FOR CRIME NOVEL SET IN 1860s --

May 17, 2009 --

John Harrington --

After almost three years, author Anne Perry brings back William Monk in "Execution Dock” (Ballantine Books, $26). Monk is now the commander of the Thames River Police. The time is 1864, and the Thames is teeming with ships and merchant trade from around the world.

But there are other types of action that are dark and evil. One of the chief problems is Jericho Phillips, who operates a floating brothel dealing primarily with young boys he holds as virtual slaves.

Monk captures Phillips and charges him with murdering one of his boys. Unfortunately, the case falls apart, and Phillips is acquitted. Monk and his river police are disgraced, but Monk and his wife, Hester, are determined to find out who and what is behind Phillips’ acquittal.

With wonderful, believable characters and details that make you a part of the London dockside, Perry has written another fine book.

BOOKS: A transplant, spoof and darkness (Anne Perry)

From The Washington Times --

BOOKS: A transplant, spoof and darkness --

May 31, 2009 --

By Muriel Dobbin --

...Anne Perry is an author who specializes in writing about the tribulations of detectives who are obliged to investigate the dark doings that lie beyond the lavish and elaborate social lives of London's Victorian aristocracy and she does a well researched job of it. Execution Dock (Ballantine, $26, 320 pages) is an especially gruesome investigation of sadism, pornography and pedophilia led by superintendent William Monk of the Thames River police that leads him into the highest levels of the English judiciary. Ms. Perry has a knack for character and her Scuff, a tough little bandit of a river orphan, almost runs off with the book.

Monk and his wife, Hester, as always, are morally impeccable and high-minded almost to the point of exasperation, and it is usually a relief to find in Ms. Perry's cast of characters someone who doesn't live up to his or her shining reputation. She has unquestionably mastered her territory and her topic and established herself as a chronicler of a social dark side made more horrifying by its hypocrisy.