Execution Dock, Anne Perry

The Book 

Finally, Monk has closed Durban's most important open case and brought Jericho Phillips to trial for the murder of the boy, Walter "Fig" Figgis. It's a point of pride for Monk, who hopes this pays his moral debt to Durban and earn the respect of the men Monk leads in his new job as Commander of the River Police. Monk wants the win so badly that he fishes Phillips out of the water instead of letting him drown just so he can stand trial. 

At trial, Phillips is ably defended by Sir Oliver Rathbone. Rathbone preys on his deep friendship of Monk and Hester to paint them as overly emotional and lacking certain proof that Phillips is guilty. Phillips is acquitted, although everyone believes Phillips was guilty. Monk and Hester are shaken by what they feel is Rathbone's betrayal. Nevertheless, they start again, with their friends, including the mudlark Scuff, to see if they can gather evidence that will send Phillips away.

At home Rathbone is not enjoying his victory. He is aware, since Phillips was referred to him by his wife's father, that he was manipulated into taking the case, and allowed his vanity and desire to be liked by her family guide his decision. He cannot tell his wife her father was the one who asked him, because it is a professional confidence. After some thought, Rathbone consults his father for advice, without Margaret, and ends up driving a wedge in his young marriage. 

As the aftermath of the trial ricochets through London, Monk finds out Commander Durban wasn't who he claimed to be. Now, with the very real possibility that the River Police might get folded into Scotland Yard, Monk must prove that Durban was the good man everyone believed him to be. As the investigation heats up, Phillips get meaner, until finally he takes Scuff. Will Monk be able to close the case in time to save Scuff? 

My Thoughts

We have entered the three book arc which will see a most profound change in Sir Oliver Rathbone. And though the subject is distasteful, that of child sexual abuse, it is not depicted between the pages. And she is right, when so many of these characters are sick to see what has happened to the boys Phillips and his backers have abused. In the later stages of this series, I feel Perry make a few too many creative leaps, beginning here. Here we will see Oliver go from what he is in this book to what he will become and back again, all for driving the conflict. 

And perhaps nobody knows better than Perry how pride, arrogance, surety in one's own moral compass can lead people astray. This is a woman who has done terrible things in her own life, after all. And her need to tell a story about redemption, completeness after a terrible moral fall from grace must have compelling. The literary worth of this series is unparalleled. In Monk, Hester, and Sir Oliver there are a trio of characters, with flaws and virtues, with brains and guts, with loves and hates. They may be characters from the 1850s-1860s, but they reflect back at us quandries that are as real today as they would have been all of the years ago. 

How Much My Library Card Saved Me

This book came to me from the Des Plaines Public Library. The 306 page first edition seems to be in near pristine condition, although the pages don't crackle like a new book would. It entered into their system in March of 2009. There are no marking, dog ears, or stains on this book. And I hope they are able to keep it for many years to come. The inside cover says the book cost $26.00 at the time it was purchased. That's the number I will use. 

This Book                                                         $26.00

 Items Reviewed This Year                             $637.00

Private Books

This Book                                                         $0.00

Total of Private Books                                    $52.88

Total of All Items Reviewed This Year         $689.88

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