Dark Tide Rising

William Monk #24

by Anne Perry

DARK TIDE RISING is the 24th compelling mystery in the William Monk series, from the master of Victorian crime, New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry. 'Anne Perry's Victorian mysteries are marvels of plot construction...truly remarkable' New York Times.

When Kate Exeter is kidnapped on the shore of the Thames, Commander William Monk is enlisted by her desperate husband to save her. Kate's captors are demanding a ransom for her safe return and Monk and his most trusted men must arrange a secret handover in the dark slums of Jacob's Island. But on the night someone betrays them and a brutal skirmish breaks out, leaving death and destruction in its wake . . .

Who is to blame for what went wrong? Monk senses tensions mount and no one knows who to trust. Then a whistle blower claims that the ransom money was embezzled funds that incriminate Kate's husband, and the case takes on a whole new meaning...

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, British Literature, Mystery Thriller, Victorian

300 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2018

About the author

Anne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.

Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".

Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.

Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this 24th book in the 'William Monk' series, the Victorian police detective investigates a kidnapping. I'm a fan of the Monk novels and had high hopes for this book. Sadly, I was disappointed.😒

*****



Commander William Monk of London's 'Thames River Police' had a difficult past. A decades-old injury left Monk with severe permanent amnesia, a condition he had to hide to remain a police detective. Monk struggled to maintain the pretense, and even recovered snippets of memory, but his life was a rocky road. Monk persevered, however, and eventually married a fine woman named Hester and secured his current job.



As the story opens, a wealthy London builder named Charles Exeter requests assistance from the Thames River Police.



Exeter's wife Kate was abducted, and the kidnappers have demanded a large ransom for her return.



Exeter can put the money together, but is unfamiliar with the location chosen for the exchange - a filthy, dangerous, dilapidated slum called Jacob's Island. Since the river police are acquainted with the hellhole, Exeter would like them to escort him in.....and back out (presumably accompanied by his wife).

Monk selects five of his best men, and the six policemen and Exeter approach Jacob's Island in a couple of boats. Two men stay with the skiffs, Monk and Exeter approach the exchange location, and the three remaining cops stake out various exits.....in an attempt to trap the kidnappers.



SPOILER ALERT / SPOILER ALERT / SPOILER ALERT
(The rest of this review contains possible spoilers)


Things go shockingly wrong, however. The police are attacked, the money is snatched, and Kate is killed. 😖

Exeter is distraught, and the Commander blames himself for the fiasco.



What really eats Monk up though, is the certainty that one of his men is in cahoots with the kidnappers, who knew exactly where every cop would be stationed.

As the rest of the story unfolds, Monk makes it his mission to bring the kidnappers to justice and to expose the cop who betrayed him. Monk REALLY hopes the traitor isn't Officer Hooper - a man Monk considers his best copper and his friend - but Monk investigates everyone involved in the Jacob's Island operation.



This exposes a lot of secrets, including a hanging offense. And in that era, you could be tried and hung in a matter of days! 😵

Monk also confides in his wife Hester, an intrepid woman who nursed soldiers during the Crimean War, and opened a free clinic for prostitutes and indigent people.



Hester asks Will (Scuff) - a young man the Monks took in as a lad - to secretly obtain information about the 'suspected' police officers - to determine if one of them could be bribed or blackmailed.



Before long some clues about the abduction come to light: a London ruffian starts spending A LOT of money he should not have; and a young woman who works at a bank discovers irregularities in Kate Exeter's trust fund. All this puts the police on the trail of the kidnappers.....and leads to more murder and mayhem. 🔪

Additional characters in the book include Celia Darwin - Kate's plain, almost impoverished cousin; Maurice Latham - a lawyer who's the trustee of Kate's trust fund; Mr. Doyle - the manager of the bank that holds the Exeter accounts; Oliver Rathbone - an attorney and longtime friend of William and Hester Monk; Police Officers Laker, Bathhurst, Marbury, and Walcott - who went to Jacob's Island with Monk; and more.

Sounds like a good story, right? Unfortunately it doesn't pan out. These are some of the novel's flaws (IMO):

- The solution to the kidnapping is glaringly obvious, but Monk is uncharacteristically obtuse. He comes across as willfully blind to the truth.

- The cops are constantly mooning around and sporting 'expressions of pity' when they think about crime victims. Come on! They're in the law enforcement profession! Not where we want a bunch of wusses.

- Observations about the investigation are repeated ad infinitum, and slow the book to a crawl. The novel could have been shortened by half.

- Two characters 'fall in love' almost as soon as they clap eyes on each other. I don't buy this in ANY book, and it's especially odd in this context.

- A key witness commits perjury for a reason that doesn't make a lick of sense. 🙄

- Hester, who's usually a major character, makes only a token appearance - mostly to comfort her husband. I don't like her being relegated to this role.

For me these (and other) 'blemishes' detract from the book.

One thing the author does well is demonstrate the snobby attitude of the supremely arrogant 'upper classes' - who openly disdain anyone they think is 'below them.' I'm always happy to see these snotnoses get taken down a notch (or ten). 😁



If you're a big fan of the Monk stories you might want to read this book. Otherwise, I don't recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Anne Perry), and the publisher (Ballantine Books) for a copy of the book.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

[Beata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good offering in the Monk series. I'll definitely read the next one, but I guess I enjoyed the first ten or twelve more .....

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book number twenty-four of the William Monk Series. Monk is Commander of the Thames River Police. A wife of a wealthy developer is kidnapped. Attorney Sir Oliver Rathbone suggests Cmdr. Monk accompany him to pay the ransom. Monk picks 6 key men to accompany them to pay the ransom. Then, everything goes wrong.

The book is well written and the plot twists and turns as only Perry can do. I am disappointed that my favorite character, Hester, was not in her usual spot as a key player. We saw very little of Hester except near the end of the story. I do hope Perry brings Hester back as a key protagonist. I had a feeling that in the middle of the book Perry was using repetition as a filler. Overall, it is a good Victorian Mystery story.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eleven hours and fifty-five minutes. David Colacci does an excellent job narrating the book. Colacci is one of my favorite narrators. Colacci is an actor and director. He is now a full-time audiobook narrator. He has won many Audiofile Earphone Awards, earned an Audi nomination and was included on the “Best of the Year” list by Publishers Weekly.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate Exeter is kidnapped and held for ransom. Her wealthy husband contacts Rathbone, attorney and Monk's friend, to get Monk's assistance in paying the ransom. The exchange is to take place on an Island in Commander Monk's jurisdiction. Monk assembles a team to help in the pay-off and the securing of Mrs. Exeter safely.

The plan goes off like clockwork until Monk and his team are ambushed and the exchange goes very badly. Monk assumes one of his loyal team is a traitor and revealed the plan to the kidnappers. He spends a great deal of time investigating the men's backgrounds to discover who betrayed them.

The kidnapper was quite obvious to me almost immediately. Logically it really couldn't have been anyone else but Monk is blind to it. He was so blind and fixated on his own theory, I really questioned his abilities. How could the Commander be so obtuse? After awhile, it set my teeth on edge.

I think this #24 edition to the series was a little time worn and lifeless. There was very little Hester, my favorite, and even less of Scruff. He was thrown in as an afterthought. In her other series about the Pitts, she just had a book come out that featured the Pitts' son and it was quite delightful. I think she needs to freshen this series too as it appears to have run out of gas.

Thanks to Net Galley and the author for a copy of this book.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and 1 / 2 stars

It is Victorian England and Commander William Monk of the Thames River Police has received a visit from Attorney Oliver Rathbone. Harry Exeter’s wife Kate has been kidnapped and a request for ransom has been received. She was with her cousin Celia Darwin when it happened. Celia is very distraught. The ransom is quite a bit of money, but Mr. Exeter can raise the funds. He wants someone to go with him for he does not know the area of Jacob’s Island. Monk feels for Exeter as his own wife Hester was kidnapped not long ago. He chooses his second-in-command Hooper and four other trusted men to go with him.

Jacob’s Island is a swampy area of London, universally hated – and perhaps feared – by the police. But when they arrive at the exchange place, the plan goes wrong. The men are attacked and violence ensues. Monk had picked out his best and most promising officers for the meet. Kate Exeter is killed. What had gone wrong? Did someone tip off the kidnappers to their plans?

The kidnappers seem to know who Exeter was. They knew he could raise the money. Did they also know Kate? The police chased the kidnappers after they killed Kate. One man in particular named Lister was captured, but got away during another altercation that took place.

Monk and Hooper spot Lister in a pub. They take up a position to watch but are surprise attacked again. The men get away. While searching for the men, they find Lister. He is dead with his throat cut. Lister couldn’t have been the mastermind of the kidnapping plan. He was too unstable and impulsive. Hooper takes Celia to view Lister’s body to ascertain if he was the one who kidnapped Kate. She identifies him as the man who took Kate. Dare I say that Hooper has become rather smitten with Celia?

The bookkeeper at the bank where Mrs. Exeter had her trust comes in to Monk and shows him evidence that someone has been fiddling the books. The only people with access to the account were the bank manager Roger Doyle and attorney Maurice Latham. When Harry Exeter is arrested for the murders, it is clear that someone has framed him.

In a surprise twist, the reader learns the identity of the murders of three people.

This is a very well written and plotted novel, as are all of Anne Perry’s books. It is filled with descriptions of the life and times of Victorian England. One can smell the river, see the people and follow the police as they track the killer of Kate Exeter and the others. We can hear the attorneys arguing at the bar as to determine whether Harry Exeter is guilty or not. I truly enjoy Ms. Perry’s books. They have transported me on many a day to other places, and sometimes, to other times. I await the next in the series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Ballantine/Ballantine Books for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely good novel featuring Commander William Monk and his men. At times the writing was slow as the men's thoughts were repeated over again. Monk is aiding a husband whose wife has been kidnap and h3 is willing to pay the Samson for her safe return. He hired Monk to oversee the exchange. He selects his men carefully and the payout is kept secret. The woman was killed at the scene and the ransom money is missing. The men are betrayed and one of them did the betrayal. Monk and his second in command work to determine who was responsible. This story has many twists and turns that will keep you occupied. The ending is a surprise. I Highly recommend this book series.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Random House Publishing Groups - Ballantine. The opinions expressed are my own.

[J.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a ransom exchange goes deadly wrong, Commander William Monk of the Thames River Police faces the terrible possibility of betrayal by one of his own trusted men.
Anne Perry has penned another winner in this 24th in this stellar Victorian crime series.
Recalling what they'd endured when his wife Hester was kidnapped, Monk is moved by sympathy for Harry Exeter and swears he will do all he can for the safe return of the businessman's wife Kate, who is being held for ransom on Jacob's Island, a slum slowly sinking into the mud on the river's edge. Exeter says he wants the River Police as escort, to assure the safe return of Kate, not to save the money and capture the kidnappers.
With Exeter and a team of five men he trusts with his life, Monk leads the expedition. But, they are ambushed, the money is lost and Kate Exeter is brutally murdered. Because their plans were known only to the party, it seems apparent they have been betrayed by one of his own men, a devastating conclusion for Monk to face. How could he have been so wrong about men he knew so well--or thought he did.
As he delves into the backgrounds of his men, suspicion begins to focus most of John Monk, his right hand man since the death of Orme. Monk is harboring a secret and has further complicated the situation by falling in love with Celia Darwin, Kate's cousin and a witness to the kidnap. This relationship will add another twist later in the story.
Some readers may be annoyed with repetition as Monk and other characters review facts of the case. But it should be borne in mind, such plodding is true to real life investigations, which are seldom the slam dunks Hollywood might lead them to believe.
Another fine, atmospheric and engaging mystery with finely drawn characters and all the twists we've come to expect from Perry.

[We Are All Mad Here · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monk, at his most dimwitted and obtuse. Possible minor spoilers ahead.

I am fairly certain that almost anyone to whom you handed this book could solve the mystery within 7-9 chapters, even if that person were a small toddler, or possibly even an infant.

And yet William Monk, Commander of the Thames River Police...oh, never mind.

At one point, early in the book, Monk thinks: "That man's life was in his hands, depending on his skill and judgment, which had become so flawed."

It is charming that Monk believes his skill and judgment have ONLY JUST NOW BECOME FLAWED.

And when the true killer is finally revealed to him: "Monk was stunned. 'What are you talking about? That makes no sense!'"

I have come to the end of this series, though make no mistake - if there were a #25 available, I'd read it. But there isn't. So I won't.

Believe it or not, I really did enjoy it while it lasted.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Sentence: Monk sat beside the fire and felt the heat seep through him.

Kate, the wife of property developer Henry Exeter, is kidnapped during an outing with her cousin, Celia. Exeter is told his wife will be killed if he doesn't deliver a large ransom to Jacob's Island, one of the worst slums in London. William Monk, Head of the Thames River Police, and three of his best men go along to deliver the ransom. When Monk and his men are attacked, it's clear they were expected. Not only do the kidnappers escape, but Kate is found brutally slaughtered. How well does Monk really know his men? Did one of Monk's men betray their plans to the kidnapper?

Perry creates a palpable sense of urgency. She overlays that by establishing the dangers involved and providing a strong suspicion to taunt the reader with the question as to who can be trusted. One can almost sense Perry smiling as she takes readers along with her.

There is wisdom in Perry's writing which can see as being appropriate to today—"The raving madman is perfectly easy to recognize. It's the one who believes he's good, that all he does is justified, who is hard to see. The one who is in the center of his own universe is the real danger."

Perry doesn't simply introduce one to the characters. She enables one to see inside them, helps one understand and often like them, as with Hooper and Celia. Those who follow the series will appreciate seeing how Will, aka Scruff, has developed. The relationship Monk has with others; his wife Hester, his men, and particularly with his former boss Rathbone, says so much about the character. Because of that, one can sense his pain at thinking one of his men may have betrayed him and the other men.

Redemption, in ways both large and small, is an important theme in Perry's writing. Her thoughts on grief is something with which many can identify and empathize, as are Monk's self doubts. It is things such as this which make the characters both interesting and real. She brings characters in from earlier books, but always in such a way that new readers are not confused.

It is lovely, and a nice distraction, watching as a relationship develops. The conversations between the two characters are delightfully done.

Perry's descriptions create wonderful visual images—"He thought about broad estuary skies and birds on the wild winds, white gulls, skeins of geese with their wings creaking. There was no other sound like it." She is a lyrical writer—"I love numbers, Mr. Monk." She was looking at him again. "That may seem to be a strange thing in a woman, but they have a beauty, when you understand them. They are utterly without emotion, yet they have music in them, and reason, and occasionally humor."

"Dark Tide Rising" is not light, comfortable read, but it is a very good one. There is violence, danger, anger, and an increasing body count. Perry even captivates readers with an excellent Victorian version of "Law and Order" as truth will out and justice have her day.

DARK TIDE RISING (HistMys-William Monk-England-Victorian) - VG
Perry, Anne
Ballentine Books - Sept 2018

[Anne Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Perry can write no wrong... (There IS one strange sentence deep in the book that has a long preliminary phrase, but no verb... I decided to leave it as it was)

This is another winner: colorful historical setting (the seamy underside of Victorian London, belying Perry's extensive preparatory research); believable, ie not exaggerated, interpersonal behavior, especially between Monk and his team, but also in another sweet glance at Monk and Hester's marriage, AND an early hint at something sweet to come for two others, couched in their social standing and personal backgrounds; and a delicious lagniappe (look it up!!) of a story-within-the-story that ONLY serves to elucidate Victorian morés, and, in particular, the strange but pointedly minimal interaction between two policemen. (I really didn't mean that sentence to be so long. Sorry.) In other words, this little interior story clarified, but didn't particularly move the main story along....although it DID clear up some of Monk's main dilemma in the plot.

Great psychological interplay, as usual, and some of the lesser characters are given non-scutwork assignments... Thanks, Ms Perry!

This is one of the best Anne Perry books I've read (and I've read them all). I opened it before breakfast because the newspaper hadn't yet come, and finished it around 7 pm. A balm for an ailing body and bored mind.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoiler alert: I have to reveal “who done it” to explain how bad this book was. It had been a while since I’ve read an Anne Perry book and I couldn’t believe I would have read more than one if Monk was always such an idiot. After I finished, I called a friend who has read many of the Monk books and she assured me that he was not always an incompetent and unprofessional moron.

A guy comes to Monk because his wife has been kidnapped. He wants to pay the ransom and only wants Monk along because the payoff is in a bad part of town that he is unfamiliar with. Monk is so sympathetic that he is rendered incapable of rational thought - because Hester was once kidnapped and he couldn’t stand the thought of losing her. Monk and some of his men go with the bereft husband and are attacked - all of them. Husband goes alone upstairs to make the payoff and wife is killed.

Monk never asks Husband how he came up with the ransom. He doesn’t check the case with the money- although at page 239 he claims he did. Monk immediately assumes that one of his men must have betrayed them. He actually tells Husband that there is no other conclusion. Husband tells him to let it be.

Over halfway in, Hester raises questions about Husband, but as the target who might seek vengeance. When Runcorn arrests the husband, Monk argues against all evidence. He testifies in court that he thinks Husband didn’t do it.

All through the book I thought it is so obviously the husband that it will have to turn out to be someone else. Otherwise this will be the worst mystery I have ever read.

[Patricia Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit predictable. Or so I thought. But ‘predictable’ changed as the book went along. First, I was certain—definitely certain—that it was this guy who was behind Kate’s kidnapping and the murders. hmmm, I guess not. So then, I was sure it was that guy. Nope. My whodunnit really was a question. The author kept the mystery a mystery.

But then it dragged on. Someone in the police department was allegedly connected to the crime; and all the suspicion about each other, the what-ifs, and maybes became tedious/laborious to read.

The repetition of facts and explanations in the middle pages along with the continual allusion to the secret past of Hooper became annoying until the secret was finally revealed three-quarters of the way through.

I will say, however, it was a great ending.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I appreciate it.

[Kris Rafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a book like this since my teens. It was straight who dunnit and lots of historical atmosphere and attitude. Recommend.

[Kate Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** 3.5 Stars ***
It's 1871. Sir Oliver Rathbone, a long-standing friend and colleague, appears on Commander Monk's doorstep, past dusk of a cool evening, with a solemn countenance and a proposition. The wife of Rathbone's high-profiled client, Harry Exeter, has been kidnapped and ransom's been set. Exeter will do what he must to procure the means to pay off the ransom and procure his wife's freedom. However, the payoff is to be made on a seedy island in the Thames, unfamiliar to Exeter and so he therefore requests the assistance of the Thames River Police to accompany him and guide him to the correct spot at the appointed hour. With tricky tides, an island with dilapidated housing and vast detritus, what could possibly go wrong?...and when it all does, no stone will be left unturned as The Thames River Police search every angle and smallest clue to right the wrong done to Exeter's wife.

Author Anne Perry is a tremendously talented writer. Her prose is elegant and highly atmospheric as she delivers another good Commander Monk police procedural. My only disappointments were in having guessed the perpetrator early on and finding the ending rather abrupt. I much prefer a gentle easing of the tension following its apex in any story. It just felt as though the author ran out of time on her exam and had to instantly cease writing and close the exam book. Perhaps this sudden ending was eased prior to publication. I leave that to you, dear reader, to decide.

I am grateful to author Anne Perry, publisher Penguin Random House and Netgalley for having provided an uncorrected proof eBook file of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this latest installment, Monk's broad, capable shoulders are forced to take on a burden that might prove too heavy even for him. A kidnapping situation goes utterly wrong and it looks like one of his own men might have betrayed them and the dead kidnapped woman.

Dark Tide Rising is the 24th book in the often times riveting, sometimes contemplative, but always engaging blend of police detection and courtroom drama. I suppose it could be read standalone, but I wouldn't recommend getting this series out of order b/c the personal lives of the main characters are an ongoing story even if each book presents a standalone murder mystery.

The opening scene was a real humdinger and had me breathlessly turning pages as Monk and his River Police are forced into a dangerous and dark warren along the river where a money drop is supposed to happen in exchange for a kidnap victim. It was gritty and tension-wrought. My attention was hooked.

There were other moments of excitement on the hunt for the kidnappers and killers and then of course equally exciting in a different way was the final courtroom drama that I've become familiar with for this series that follows the police work and its all has the authentic feel of a Victorian era setting and situation down to how things looked back then to how people thought and talked.

I like how with each book, Monk, Hester, or Rathbone are faced with a personal crisis along with a murder to solve. I don't mean drama for drama's sake, but something like Monk's past amnesia causing him trouble or his not wanting to doubt himself or his men because he now has to figure out who betrayed them all and he desperately doesn't want it to be the man he counts as a friend. It adds that extra layer to the already riveting detection done by Monk and courtroom work done by Rathbone.

Hester and Will (Scruff), Monk's family, made their appearances with a little help on Monk's case and even Oliver Rathbone had a lesser role with Monk taking up the most of the narration with a surprising narration partner in his police sergeant, John Hooper.

This installment had John Hooper getting his past story revealed, several investigation scenes, a bit of romance, and I enjoyed seeing this. He was stalwart and tenacious and oh so scared that his past would ruin everything- his police career and his friendship with Monk which he treasures because he is all alone save that trust and respect he has from his commander.

The plot was tight, the pacing was perfect throughout, and even though I fingered the solution from the beginning, I was really into this one from start to finish. The villain had me so angry and I could not wait seeing them slowly but surely get there. If I had a niggle, it was the abrupt end. Without spoiling things, I really wanted to get Rathbone's reaction afterward and it cut off before showing that. Maybe there will be a mention in the next installment.

So, it was another engaging mystery from a series I can't wait to get the new release each time.
Those who love historical mysteries should really give this series a look-see.

I rec'd this book from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.

[OLT · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is #24 in the William Monk Victorian mystery series by prolific mystery author Anne Perry. It has some moments that are very interesting, Perry's usual good Victorian atmosphere, familiar characters that a series fan has grown to know and even, in some cases, to love, and an exciting hostage/ransom exchange on Jacob's Island on the Thames that goes terribly awry, and some relatively gruesome murders, if you are into that.

That said, it has several flaws that keep me from liking it more than I do. In particular, it's the perfect book for a very distracted reader. Why do I say this? Because if you miss a particular event, or piece of evidence or clue, or musing by a character, you don't have to worry. It will come around again and again and again in this 289-page novel.

Another flaw is the really poor detective work in this. There's the likelihood that one of Monk's own men betrayed the others and caused everything to go wrong. So we had lots of agonizing over how it could be possible that one of these men who feel almost like family could betray the others. Over and over we agonize about this but do little to figure out which one it is. Another example of the poor detective work is the vacillations over who the culprit is, and it's only by happenstance that this criminal is found out and receives his just deserts.

And there's a courtroom scene at the end which contained a few testimonies not relative to the crime being tried that, IMO, probably shouldn't have been admissible in court, important as they were to exposing our vile murderer. The last three chapters felt somewhat contrived so that we could get to the resolution of the crime.

All in all, this is perhaps a must read for a die-hard Monk fan but not for me. This time Monk needed a few more little grey cells for his crime solving. Monk of the TV series set in San Francisco was probably needed on this case.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read one of Anne Perry’s novels years ago and although I enjoyed it never read another because historical mysteries are not usually my favorite genre.

I decided to try this new one and am glad I did. It is a well written, engrossing read with strong characters.

Dark Tide Rising is the latest in the series about William Monk who is now superintendent with the Thames River Police. The first in the series was written 28 years ago! Long time fans of Anne Perry will welcome this most recent addition, but it is not necessary to have read the prior novels to enjoy this one. Bits of Monk and his wife, Hester’s, past revealed here
have inspired me to go back and read some of the earlier ones.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never tire of William Monk and Hester stories!

[Alana White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark Tide Rising is Anne Perry’s 24th title in her William Monk series set in Victorian London. This time around, Commander Monk of the Thames River police accompanies wealthy real estate developer Harry Exeter to Jacob’s Island, the watery site of London’s worst slum, where Harry’s wife, Kate, is being held for ransom. When the secret exchange of money for Kate turns deadly, Monk fears one of the five subordinates who accompanied him to the island alerted the kidnappers to his carefully laid, but dangerous, plans. Haunted by the possibility of betrayal by one of his own men, Monk investigates their backgrounds while hunting a cold-blooded killer.
A feeling of loneliness lies at the heart of this story, personified by Monk’s right-hand man, John Hooper, who, unbeknownst to Monk, is hiding a secret that could see him hanged, even as he tentatively questions Kate’s cousin, Celia Darwin, the solitary woman who adored Kate—or did she? Perry’s descriptions of Jacob’s Island, an abandoned, filthy slum, are chilling and lovely, echoing her themes of melancholy and loss. Fans of the series will enjoy appearances by Monk’s wife, Hester, and his friend and attorney, Sir Oliver Rathbone, among others.
In addition to the Monk series, Perry is the author of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels (with a new series featuring their son, Daniel), five WWI novels, sixteen holiday novels, and a historical novel set in the Ottoman Empire. {MY HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY REVIEW APPEARED IN
HNR Issue 86 (November 2018)}

[Pianobikes · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Pa­re­cía un buen plan, todo lo bueno que pue­de ser cuan­do hay tan­tas in­cer­ti­dum­bres. Le ha­bía ase­gu­ra­do a Exe­ter que iba a sa­lir bien y este ha­bía he­cho exac­ta­men­te lo que le ha­bían di­cho, y lo ha­bía per­di­do todo.” ~ Mareas de sangre de Anne Perry.

Londres. Época victoriana. Kate, mujer de Harry Exeter, es secuestrada cuando pasea por la orilla del Támesis con su prima Celia. Los secuestradores piden un alto rescate y que sea entregado en una zona de difícil acceso que el investigador William Monk conoce muy bien así que Harry recurre a él para que le ayude a acudir al intercambio. Sin embargo algo sale mal y el inspector llega a la conclusión de que ha sido traicionado por uno de sus hombres con lo cual su investigación se duplica: tendrá que encontrar a los secuestradores y a quien le traiciona desde dentro.

Mareas de sangre es la entrega número ¡¡veinticuatro!! de la saga del investigador William Monk de los cuales me he leído este. ¿He echado en falta el resto? No, la autora te centra fácilmente en la historia repitiendo hechos del pasado. Eso sí, le coge gusto a las repeticiones y más que repetir el pasado se dedica a recordarte una y otra vez el caso que estás investigando como si no estuvieses leyendo el libro en orden.

Un caso predecible y por momentos parado y lento, quizá las repeticiones influyan en ello. Los personajes me han dado un poco igual –esto puede ser porque ya debería conocerlos tras 24 entregas– y lo único que me ha transmitido es el frío y la humedad a la vera del Támesis. Me quedo con un sabor de boca de “esto podía haber sido mejor de lo que me ha parecido”.

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent roller coaster of a mystery

[Melek Nur · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5/5 stars

[Laura Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monk's self-doubt is increasing with each book. Not surprising since, no matter how often he tells us he's brilliant, he seems to get the cases all wrong. Exeter's guilt is obvious from the beginning. The only way he can get his hands on Kate's wealth is to have her killed and the two cousins relinquish claim to the money (used for ransom and conveniently disappearing). And he knew all the plans, just like the coppers Monk spent almost the entire book anguishing over. Which one had betrayed them? None, you idiot. Exeter betrayed you. Once again, in spite of all his vanity, Monk is proven an idiot.

Hester did not do much in this book aside from cooking Monk's dinner. :/ She had one scene with Will which was pretty lame and that was about it, aside from the cooking and sitting in court.

Runcorn was involved and we learn more about John Hooper, so a couple of pluses, I guess.

And can't Ms. Perry find a competent editor? She's certainly rich and famous enough. On page 92, Celia is musing that Harry Exeter had never called on her at home before. Yet there is a scene seventy pages earlier (pg. 22) where Harry is calling on Celia AT HER HOME!

Another glaring mistake missed by our editor. Earlier on in the book, Doyle is said to have several adult children. Then later on it is two. Two is not several. This discrepancy jumped out at me because I'm paying attention to the clues, etc. Why does it sail past the notice of the author and editor? There are only two reasons I have deduced. Either the editor is not up to the task or Ms. Perry makes so many mistakes, the poor editor can't catch them all. Either way is unacceptable.

So while a lot grated about this book, it was fairly fast-paced and held my interest. So-so, I guess you could say, hence the middling rating.

[Gail Barrington · Rating 2 out of 5]

I ask myself why I continue to read Anne Perry's novels--but I know why, I love the characters. However, the plot in this latest one is so untenable, I just shake my head. That someone would be so organized that they would pick the police detective, Monk, before they commit the crime is unbelievable, and then to be able to dig so deep into a mutiny that happened 20 years ago, and know that our friend Hooper was actually involved, when he was living under another name, and then pin the crime on him, knowing that he actually worked for Monk--isn't this convoluted, just a bit? And then of course Hooper falls in love after seeing a woman exactly three times, and she is ready to perjure herself on his behalf (after seeing him for only three times) beggars belief. Finally, Hester has been shoved to the background and I miss her spark. Can't she have a few adventures of her own and not just dish out tea and lamb stew? Oh well, we'll see what the next one brings.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

2025--Alas, this is the last of the Monk books.

Original Review:This may be the last Monk book that Perry writes, as she seems to have turned away from her two main series. Perhaps she felt as if she was going stale and needed to move on, and perhaps that explains this book. It doesn't leave me as satisfied as most of the books in this series do. Without getting into spoilers, the plot seems to be going in a certain direction, only to flip wildly at the 11th hour. Perry has done this before, but this one just didn't work for me.

On the other hand, I find her Daniel Pitt books to be pale shadow of her books about his parents, and I don't think the world of espionage she portrays in her Elena Standish books is really successful. So I'm hoping that at some point she will write at least one more Monk and Hester book.

[Arthur O'dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always liked the William Monk novels. This one is a bit of a letdown. The solution to the mystery is glaringly obvious from the initial setup, and there is a lot of filler; the book could easily be fifty pages shorter, without losing anything. I still enjoyed it as I like the characters, the period detail, and the atmosphere, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who wasn’t a diehard fan of the series.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series: William Monk #24
Publication Date: 9/18/18

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This mystery was filled with twists, turns, betrayals, and gruesome murders. The writing is excellent, as always, but the story seemed to drag a bit at times with repetitions of various aspects of the story. I enjoyed the story, but I missed the old Monk, this one seemed a bit old, tired and melancholy and not nearly as sharp as he used to be. I really love the stories when Hester and Scuff help Monk, but this time Scuff didn’t get more than an honorable mention and Hester’s input was to be home cooking dinner when Monk finally arrived home. From Monk’s demeanor throughout the entire book, it would not have surprised me to read Monk’s announcement that he was retiring and moving to the Cotswolds at the end of the book.

Sir Oliver Rathbone is an attorney and a good friend to William Monk – probably his best friend. When Rathbone arrives at Monk’s house one evening and tells him the story of Harry Exeter and his missing wife, Kate, Monk immediately agrees to help. Kate has been kidnapped and the kidnappers have demanded a huge ransom to be delivered to a very dangerous place – Jacob’s Island. Jacob’s Island is not really an island, but a place that the river is reclaiming – it is filled with buildings that are being sucked down into the mud and muck of the river and pathways are constantly changing as walls collapse, etc. Exeter asks Monk and the River Police to help him drop the ransom because he has no idea how to get through the island to the drop point. Monk immediately identifies with Exeter’s terror for his wife because Monk’s wife Hester was once kidnapped.

Kate Exeter was out for a walk with her cousin, Celia Darwin, who is also her best friend. They are having a lovely walk along the shore of the river when Kate is approached by a gentleman Celia doesn’t know. Celia doesn’t want to seem to be eavesdropping on the conversation, so she moves away slightly – then a group of people walks between them – and then – Kate is gone.

Monk, Exeter and five of Monk’s best River Policemen plan to deliver the ransom – exactly according to the instructions. Exeter is adamant – he doesn’t care about the money, he wants his wife back. Then, everything goes horribly, horribly wrong. The team is attacked and Kate is viciously murdered. What happened? They were doing exactly as asked – why murder Kate? Is there a traitor among the team who provided details of their movements to the kidnappers? Monk absolutely can’t believe that – but it must be true – how else would the kidnappers have known where each one of the team was stationed? Add two more murders into the mix and you have a really dastardly villain.

I was sure about who the villain was early on, but I also knew the author would throw some kinks into the story to make me doubt myself. There were a number of leads to follow and a few red herrings along the way. I loved that Runcorn took on a part of the investigation, but hated that he was more astute and less wrung out than Monk was.

The end seemed a little contrived and a bit abrupt, but finally, justice was served.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

[Sarah Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Monk has changed his profession several times since I began reading the series many, many years ago. Police detective, private detective, investigator for attorneys, etc. His position with the River Police, though, seems to have become his permanent berth. He's settled into the role, assumed the mantle of authority, and formed ties to his men, a change from the alienation he experienced in the early books. Those ties will be challenged in this novel.

Oliver Rathbone contacts Monk on behalf of Harry Exeter. His wife, Kate, has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. Exeter is willing to pay the ransom, but it requires that he go to a very dangerous area along the river and he wants protection against robbery (en route) and double-crossing during the transfer. Monk accompanies Exeter personally and stations his men in nearby locations to try catching the kidnappers after the safe return of Kate. Instead, the double-cross does happen, and the police are ambushed in their locations.

Kate Exeter is dead, and clearly the kidnappers knew where Monk’s men were going to be. Someone has provided the information to the bad guys, and it could only be someone involved in the exchange. Monk must investigate his own men to clear or condemn them. They all have secrets, and they all have weaknesses… did one knuckle under to blackmail? Worse…bribery?

One of Monk’s men, John Hooper, often takes center stage during this novel. Like Monk, he is agonizing over the idea that they were all betrayed… and, as the secrets of his fellow officers are revealed, it becomes clear that he has one of his own, and it could cost him everything.

As Monk pursues his leads, the trail of crime enters Superintendent Runcorn’s patch. Runcorn, Monk’s old boss and former enemy, develops his own opinions on the case, which don’t always agree with Monk’s. Runcorn charges the husband with murder, and Monk, with Rathbone, work to prove Harry Exeter innocent.

The case ends with a twist I didn’t expect the author to make. It keeps the story from entirely sinking into the tawdry background of Monk’s many cases (since this is the twenty-fourth Monk novel).

I was pleased to see Monk’s men fleshed out further, even under the unpleasant circumstances, and I enjoyed Runcorn’s bold entry into the investigation. Monk’s wife, Hester, does appear in this book, though not frequently enough for my tastes. Scuff, their adopted son, is maturing nicely and has developed ambitions for his future. Beata, Oliver’s new wife, also makes a brief appearance.

Perry often ends the book shortly after revealing the killer; this is one of those occasions. I like a little more denoument, personally, but it wasn't too abrupt. It did remind me a little of a Perry Mason ending, where all is revealed on the stand.

I accessed this novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty-fourth in the William Monk historical mystery series revolving around a self-made man and his friends who have known each other for years. The story is set in the London of 1871.

This eARC was sent to me by NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an honest review.

My Take
It's a tale of kidnapping and the the secrets of one's past, as it explores man's need to save his face.

Using third person dual point-of-view with the perspective switching back and forth between Monk and Hooper allows us to listen on on their worries, hopes, and fears. To learn more about their back history. And while the crisis is the ostensible tale, it's Hooper's back history that is on display here as well as the love he's found. And it's so much easier to demonstrate it for the reader when Hooper can provide his perspective.

It's Monk's own experience with loss and his realization over the years since he met and married Hester that enables him to empathize with what Harry Exeter is enduring. And it is a truth that we never know how we'll react when it is one of our who is a hostage to fortune and love.

The tension really ramps up with the unknown betrayer and provides an excellent opportunity for Perry to dive into the individuals who make up Monk's men. It's the description of Celia and Kate's friendship, "of sharing dreams that mattered, someone with whom you could laugh at the small things ... someone who laughed with you and not at you" that eases that tension. And just enough that when the reality strikes of the loss, the loss becomes even greater.

It was bad enough being a woman in this time period and having Kate's friendship must have helped Celia cope with the people who decried her for not following the "rules" and having a husband, money, etc. The ones who looked down upon her as an inferior person.

I do have a niggle about Monk's reactions throughout, as I didn't quite believe he could be that susceptible. That he wouldn't question things more. I will say it was a merry chase, and I had no idea how he'd manage to prove the truth. Of course, it really was Hooper who got that ball rolling.

In all, Dark Tide Rising was an exciting tale that had me flipping pages, trying to figure out whodunnit!

The Story
Kate Exeter has been kidnapped, right from under her cousin's nose. Her husband is frantic to get her back, doing everything he can to raise the ransom.

It's William Monk and his men who escort the worried husband to the drop-off where the plan suddenly goes wrong. Monk knows he's responsible for the operation, and yet, how could the kidnappers have known their plans? Unless it was one of his own men.

Tensions mount within the police station, as each wonders who they can trust. Then the case takes on a whole new meaning when a whistleblower waves proof of embezzlement.

The Characters
The sometimes-too-proud William Monk is the commander of the Thames River Police, which he had joined in Dark Assassin , 15. Hester Monk had been a nurse in the Crimea and determined to change the world's attitude toward women in the medical field. She runs a clinic in Portpool Lane. Scuff, who chooses to be called Will, had been a mudlark until Monk adopted him nine years ago. Now Scuff is apprenticed to Crow, a man who practices unlicensed medicine on the poor.

Sir Oliver Rathbone is an excellent defense lawyer and friends with Monk. Beata is his much-appreciated wife who'd been married to a violent, arrogant judge.

Wapping Police Station, Thames River Police
Monk's men include Bathurst who comes from a large family, Marbury who is passionate about animals, Sergeant John Hooper who had been in the Merchant Navy for twenty years and is Monk's second-in-command, the flippant Laker, the green Jones, and the stubborn, snappy Walcott with an ability for street fighting and who has a wife and son.

Clacton. Orme had also been a friend. Peter Ravenswood is the crown prosecutor and a friend of Rathbone's, outside court.

Greenwich Police Station, Metropolitan Police
A rule clinger, Superintendent Runcorn is Monk's former superior who became friend, then enemy, and then friend again. Sanders will see Monk home. Fisk had been in the Merchant Marines.

Harry Exeter is a land developer, and Kate is his second wife. Celia Darwin is Kate's poorer cousin and will inherit a fortune if Kate dies before she turns thirty-three. Mary is Celia's maid. The pompous Maurice Latham is another cousin and a lawyer who holds the trusteeship for Kate's inheritance.

Nicholson's Bank holds...
...Kate's trust where Roger Doyle is the bank manager and one of her trustees. Bella Franken has been head bookkeeper for three years.

Albert Lister is one of the kidnappers. Jimmy Patch is one of Hooper's informers. Jacob's Island is a particularly nasty slum in London...where you can step into a mud puddle and disappear forever.

Major Carlton had suffered a terrible injury for which Hester had nursed him. Seems he keeps up with Hester's activities and with anyone who matters to her. Betsy is a barmaid at a local public house. Squeaky Robinson is the bookkeeper at Hester's clinic.

Twenty years ago...
...there was a mutiny on the Mary Grace commanded by Captain Ledburn. Jacob Abbott had been first mate. Joe Twist had been an ordinary seaman. Chester, the second mate, was keeping an eye on Ledburn for his father.

The Cover and Title
The cover is a peaceful scene looking down the softly golden river into a pinkish golden sunrise, water lapping at the small boats tied to the stairs, a bridge in the background, and a side view of parliament in deeper brown tones. An info blurb and the author's name are at the top in red. Immediately below it is the series information in white bracketed by a yellow gold icon on either side. The title spans the building, boats, and river in the bottom quarter in white with a bit of shadowing

That Dark Tide Rising is one of suspicion and betrayals.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at https://www.robinlovesreading.com.

Thames River policeman Harry Monk isn’t quite sure why businessman Harry Exeter doesn’t want help in finding his kidnapped wife, Kate. Even more suspicious, he only wants help navigating where she might be located. Imagine the shock of everyone when they find Kate brutally murdered.

Things went from bad to worse when during the ransom exchange, Monk and five of his men are attacked. Monk can only draw one conclusion: there is a traitor among his men. Monk has to work hard chasing down leads, some even provided by Kate’s cousin, Celia. Monk has the awful task of investigating his own men, men he was sure he knew through and through. Unfortunately Monk continually runs into dead ends.

Monk takes this case quite personally, remembering a horrid time when his own wife Hester had been kidnapped. So, between his painful history, and doubting one of his men, Monk remains quite conflicted during the investigation.

I have read a few Anne Perry novels over the years and am quite pleased that I had the opportunity to read this one. Dark Tide Rising is Book #24 in the William Monk series. I haven’t had the opportunity to read any others of the series, and this did very well as a standalone. I felt as if I was able to get to know several of the characters fairly well. As a new reader of this series, I appreciated the fact that I was able to learn how William and Hester adopted Will, or Scruff, providing wonderful insight as to Monk as a father.

This is an excellent, fast-paced multi-level mystery. I really enjoyed the romantic elements thrown in, as well as the effectively descriptive language throughout. One of the detectives, Hooper, had quite a story of his own which was quite compelling.

Many thanks to Ballantine Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.