The Shifting Tide (William Monk Mystery, Book 14): A gripping Victorian mystery from London's East End - Softcover

'Anne Perry not only writes a dashed good story but almost outdoes Dickens for atmosphere and portrayal of the sleazy side of life' Northern Echo, 24/2/04 (Northern Echo)

'Anne Perry's command of story-telling and power of description is terrifyingly real...meaningful and illustrious writing, as if watching live theatre. She has such perception of passion too' Bangor Chronicle, 26/2/04 (Bangor Chronicle)

'Perry uses her characters and story to comment on ethical issues that remain as relevant today as they were in Victorian times' Publishers Weekly, 29/3/04 (Publishers Weekly)

When the Maude Idris docks at the Pool of London, laden with ebony, spices and first-grade tusks of ivory collected from her voyage to Zanzibar, Clement Louvain leaves four armed seamen on board to guard the precious cargo. But as soon as the relief for the night watch arrives ready for duty in the morning, he finds the ivory gone and one of the seamen dead. Hindered by his ignorance of the river and its customs, and ashamed of the fact that he so badly requires the huge fees that Louvain is prepared to pay, William Monk nevertheless begins his investigation into the theft and murder. Meanwhile Hester's work at the refuge at Portpool Lane is encountering acute financial difficulties. Sick prostitutes are arriving daily and the medicines needed to help them are running out. When a man arrives promising to pay a huge amount of money for the care of one particular woman, Hester is astonished to meet him. He is none other than Clement Louvain. So who is the woman he is so generously helping? And why is he offering such a substantial sum? Will Monk discover what Louvain is hiding before it is too late?