Execution dock

1864. Inspector William Monk, of the Thames River Police, must face a dangerous foe. He's finally captured Jericho Phillips, the man he suspects of brutally killing a young mudlark and running a child prostitution ring. In bringing Phillips to justice, Monk hopes to close down the ring and to avenge the memory of Durban, his old commander, who was determined to capture Phillips. At trial, however, justice does not prevail and Phillips is freed. Monk, determined to prove Phillips' guilt, begins the investigation again. But, as he ventures into London's murky underworld, he realises that Durban may have had his own reasons for pursuing Phillips and, shockingly, that secret support for Phillips may reach further into civilised society than anyone could ever imagine ...