Take it Away Sophia Rose!
Enjoy!
Dark Tide Rising by Anne Perry
#24 William Monk
Historical Mystery
Publisher: Ballantine
Books
Published: 9.18.18
ASIN: B078LJSXVV
Pages: 304
Rating: 4.5
Format: eARC
Source: Net Galley
GoodReads Blurb:
When a ransom exchange turns violent in the latest
mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry, Commander
William Monk faces an unthinkable possibility: betrayal by his own men.
Local businessman Harry Exeter doesn't want the aid of the Thames River Police in tracking down the men who kidnapped his wife, Kate. He only asks them to help him navigate Jacob's Island, a creepy mass of decrepit buildings where he will hand off a large sum of money in exchange for her life. But when they arrive at the meeting place, Commander Monk and five of his best men are attacked from all sides, and Monk is left wondering who could have given away their plans--and why anyone would want to harm Kate Exeter.
As Monk follows leads from Kate's worried cousin and a crafty clerk at the bank where Exeter gathered the ransom money, it seems inevitable that one of his own men has betrayed him. Delving into their pasts, he realizes how little he knows about the people he works with every day, including his trusted right-hand man Hooper, the one colleague Monk has always been certain he can count on. Even as they identify one of the kidnappers, the case runs into hurdle after hurdle, causing Monk to choose between his own safety and the chance to solve the case--and figure out where his men's loyalty really lies.
Local businessman Harry Exeter doesn't want the aid of the Thames River Police in tracking down the men who kidnapped his wife, Kate. He only asks them to help him navigate Jacob's Island, a creepy mass of decrepit buildings where he will hand off a large sum of money in exchange for her life. But when they arrive at the meeting place, Commander Monk and five of his best men are attacked from all sides, and Monk is left wondering who could have given away their plans--and why anyone would want to harm Kate Exeter.
As Monk follows leads from Kate's worried cousin and a crafty clerk at the bank where Exeter gathered the ransom money, it seems inevitable that one of his own men has betrayed him. Delving into their pasts, he realizes how little he knows about the people he works with every day, including his trusted right-hand man Hooper, the one colleague Monk has always been certain he can count on. Even as they identify one of the kidnappers, the case runs into hurdle after hurdle, causing Monk to choose between his own safety and the chance to solve the case--and figure out where his men's loyalty really lies.
Sophia Rose's Review:
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.
Author’s Bio:
Anne Perry (born Juliet Hulme) is a British historical
novelist.
Juliet took the name "Anne Perry," the latter being her stepfather's surname. Her first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published under this name in 1979. Her works generally fall into one of several categories of genre fiction, including historical murder mysteries and detective fiction. Many of them feature a number of recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt, who appeared in her first novel, and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in her 1990 novel The Face of a Stranger. As of 2003 she had published 47 novels, and several collections of short stories. Her story "Heroes," which first appeared the 1999 anthology Murder and Obsession, edited by Otto Penzler, won the 2001 Edgar Award for Best Short Story.
Recently she was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies/One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Juliet took the name "Anne Perry," the latter being her stepfather's surname. Her first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published under this name in 1979. Her works generally fall into one of several categories of genre fiction, including historical murder mysteries and detective fiction. Many of them feature a number of recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt, who appeared in her first novel, and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in her 1990 novel The Face of a Stranger. As of 2003 she had published 47 novels, and several collections of short stories. Her story "Heroes," which first appeared the 1999 anthology Murder and Obsession, edited by Otto Penzler, won the 2001 Edgar Award for Best Short Story.
Recently she was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies/One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking,
book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man
and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region
of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
Sophia’s Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816
I was thinking I tried this author years ago and liked her but now I'm not so sure. I need to check, I always love a good mystery and it would be fun to have another go to author for them. ;)
ReplyDeleteShe has definitely been writing for quite some time so you might have tried a book from one of her other series or an early one from this series. I love the way she brings the Victorian era alive in these alongside a delicious mystery.
DeleteI like the sound of this one. Thanks for the great review, I hadn't heard of this one before.
ReplyDeleteThey are great low burn pot boilers and I enjoy how she brings out the dark side of Victorian London. :)
Deletewow! SO many books!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, she's got three decades of writing worth and most are fantastic writing across three genres. :)
DeleteI am going to have to try one of these books Sophia. You always leave me curious.
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad to hook you in for a try, Kimberly. Definitely start from the beginning of whatever series that grabs your interest first. :)
DeleteI like personal stories in my favorite series too Sophia and wow #24 is quite a feat. Thank you for this fabulous review!
ReplyDeleteYes, even mystery feels sterile if the author skips the personal touch. Oh yes, she's up high in not one, but two of her series.
DeleteYou bet! Always glad to visit.