Acceptable loss: a William Monk novel
Description
Anne Perry’s seventeenth William Monk novel is a mesmerizing masterpiece of innocence and evil on London’s docks, a welcome addition to this successful and beloved series. NATIONAL BESTSELLER On a London riverbank, when the body of small-time crook Mickey Parfitt washes up with the tide, no one grieves. But William Monk, commander of the River Police, is puzzled by the murder weapon: an elegant scarf whose original owner was obviously a man of substance. Dockside informers lead Monk to a floating palace of corruption on the Thames managed by Parfitt, where a band of half-starved boys is held captive for men willing to pay a high price for midnight pleasures. Though Monk and his fearless wife, Hester, would gladly reward Parfitt’s killer, duty leads them in another direction—to an unresolved crime, to a deadly confrontation with some of the empire’s most respected men, and ultimately to a courtroom showdown with Monk’s old friend, Oliver Rathbone, in a trial of nearly unbearable tension and suspense.
“Masterful storytelling . . . [the] best in the series to date.”—The Star-Ledger
More Details
9780345530301
9781410441263
Subjects
Great Britain -- History -- Victoria, 1837-1901 -- Fiction
Historical Fiction
London (England) -- History -- 1800-1950 -- Fiction
Monk, William (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction
Mystery
Police -- England -- London -- Fiction
Private investigators -- England -- London -- Fiction
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Published Reviews
Publisher's Weekly Review
In Perry's latest novel set in Victorian England, William Monk, commander of the Thames River Police, is investigating the murder of a smalltime crook. But his inquiries soon uncover widespread corruption, child prostitution, and eventually more murder. A versatile, nimble narrator is required for this audio version of a story moving through several strata of Victorian society and filled with dramatic sequences and emotional confrontations . And Ralph Lister fits the bill admirably. He provides a range of distinctive accents-from common to posh-and creates apt voices for Perry's carefully crafted characters. His Monk is tough, determined, and wary; his rendition of Monk's wife, Hester, is spirited and down-to-earth; and his Sir Oliver Rathbone is as noble as he is aristocratic. Lister is just as careful with the supporting players, perfectly capturing a host of characters including Rathbone's intolerant, sharp-tongued wife and Monk's young ward, whose high-pitched Cockney chirp combines fear, gratitude, and hope. A Ballantine hardcover. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Publishers Weekly Reviews
In Perry's latest novel set in Victorian England, William Monk, commander of the Thames River Police, is investigating the murder of a smalltime crook. But his inquiries soon uncover widespread corruption, child prostitution, and eventually more murder. A versatile, nimble narrator is required for this audio version of a story moving through several strata of Victorian society and filled with dramatic sequences and emotional confrontations . And Ralph Lister fits the bill admirably. He provides a range of distinctive accents—from common to posh—and creates apt voices for Perry's carefully crafted characters. His Monk is tough, determined, and wary; his rendition of Monk's wife, Hester, is spirited and down-to-earth; and his Sir Oliver Rathbone is as noble as he is aristocratic. Lister is just as careful with the supporting players, perfectly capturing a host of characters including Rathbone's intolerant, sharp-tongued wife and Monk's young ward, whose high-pitched Cockney chirp combines fear, gratitude, and hope. A Ballantine hardcover. (Aug.)
[Page ]. Copyright 2011 PWxyz LLC