Execution Dock by Anne Perry

Execution Dock is the sixteenth in Anne Perry's series of investigations by William Monk. Formerly a Private Investigator he is now Commander of the River Police, a unit independant of the Metropolitan Police Force. As the story opens he is in hot pursuit of Jericho Phillips, a pornographer and owner of a boy brothel, who has murdered one of his boys who attempted to run away. Phillips is brought to trial but found not guilty after a clever defence by Sir Oliver Rathbone, a friend of Monk, and another regular character in the series. Monk is determined to bring Phillips to justice and Miss Perry weaves his quest into an enthralling story.One slight grumble. Perhaps a little less of the high-minded philosophising and moralising would make a more pleasing narrative.