William Monk knows London’s streets like the back of his hand. But the river Thames and its teeming docks—where wharf rats and night plunderers ply their trades—is unknown territory. Only Monk’s dire need for work persuades him to accept an assignment from shipping magnate Clement Louvain, to investigate the theft of a cargo of African ivory from Louvain’s recently docked schooner, the Maude … the Maude Idris. But why didn’t Louvain report the ivory theft directly to the River Police? Another mystery is the appearance of a desperately ill woman who Louvain claims is the discarded mistress of an old friend. Is she connected to the theft, or to something much darker? As Monk endeavors to solve these riddles, he can’t imagine the trap that will soon so fatefully ensnare him.
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First Book I’ve read in the Monk series. Can’t wait to read the rest.
Anne Perry is an interesting and challenging author.
I love the William Monk series the best. Each one builds the atmosphere of the Thames River culture and the issues with smuggling and corruption. As always the regular characters woven throughout the stories are the ones you hold dear.
Anne Perry continues to write good detective and life stories!