The Shifting Tide

Anne Perry

William Monk has been contacted by a wealthy shipping owner to investigate a theft from his recently arrived ship from Africa. Ivory tusks were stolen from the manifest in the middle of the night. The night watchman was hit in the back of the head and died.

Monk is more disturbed about the murder. Louvain wants the ivory back - his future interests depend on the money the ivory can bring. Monk agrees to take the job even though he doesn't know the river and the society that lives and works there. He knows how close their finances are. He doesn't want his wife to know how close they are to being in debt - an abhorrence to him. This job pays well with the promise of a good reward if the ivory is found within ten days. Also, Louvain says Monk can look for the murderer while trying to recover the ivory.

Hester had blackmailed a brothel owner and used his building to start a clinic for prostitutes and downtrodden women. They survive day to day on the little charity they can raise. It is difficult to make Londoners give to their clinic because of the"shameful" type of clientelle the clinic treats. Hester understands how her lack of income affects her and Monk's life. Monk understands how important the clinic is.

When Louvain bring a sick woman into Hester's clinic, Monk's case and Hester's work collide. Louvain says the woman is the sick mistress of a friend. He gives Hester money to care for the woman plus a nice donation to keep the clinic running. The woman causes contention within the clinic. Monk starts familiarizing himself with the riverside and the people who live there. He starts making contacts...and enemies. Ten days is not much time to discover the theif and the murderer. He is determined he will - for his and Hester's sake.

Once again Anne Perry has brought a thought provoking, excellent mystery. These take place in London 150 years ago. But people are still people, and our ills remain the same, just in different environments. The Shifting Tide covers greed and fear - greed in business and personal lives, fear of people and of illness. But it also has loyalty, friendship, tenderness, and love. It's a quick, fairly easy read, but not to forget.

The Face of a Stranger
A Dangerous Mourning
Defend and Betray
A Sudden, Fearful Death
The Sins of the Wolf
Cain His Brother
Weighed in the Balance
The Silent Cry
A Breach of Promise
The Twisted Root
Slaves of Obsession
Funeral in Blue
Death of a Stranger
The Shifting Tide
Dark Assassin
Execution Dock
Acceptable Loss