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Pauline Rowson
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THE PORTSMOUTH MURDERS a gripping crime thriller full of twists (Solent Murder Mystery Book 1) Kindle Edition

by PAULINE ROWSON (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 7,726 ratings
See all formats and editions
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE DETECTIVE SERIES!

Meet Detective Inspector Andy Horton. It’s his second day back in Portsmouth’s CID and things aren’t going well.

Please note this was previously published as Tide of Death.

DI Andy Horton is on his morning run along an isolated stretch of beach when he stumbles across a dead man. Stark naked and bludgeoned to death.

Eight months ago, DI Horton’s life fell apart when he was suspended for misconduct. His wife kicked him out and stopped him seeing his daughter.

The young woman who’d accused him went missing and the charges were dropped, but his personal and professional life are still in a mess.

And now it doesn’t look good for a detective under suspicion to be the one to find a dead body. His colleagues don’t want him on the case.

But this murder will challenge Detective Horton in every single way. And when another body turns up with the same cause of death, Horton suspects he might be the next person in the killer’s sights.

This absolutely gripping detective mystery is perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Joy Ellis, Rachel McLean, Helen H. Durrant, Angela Marsons, Elly Griffiths, Karin Slaughter, Matt Brolly and Simon McCleave.

PRAISE FOR PAULINE ROWSON:

“A great read for mystery lovers with plenty to keep you guessing until the last moment.” Crime Book Club

“The Harley Davidson-riding, boat-dwelling Horton is a fascinating man to get to know, and his thoughtful approach to detection is a pleasure to read.” Publishers Weekly

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Once you get to know Andy Horton you'll be sure to name him as one of your favourite police characters in crime fiction.” James C.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Couldn't put this book down . . . I thought the story was brilliant.” Nikki

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “An enjoyable fast-paced crime novel in an unusual and evocative setting.” Bobby H.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Cleverly plotted with lots of twists and turns. Can’t turn the pages fast enough. For anyone who enjoys a gripping crime novel these are a must.” Darren C.

THE DETECTIVE
DI Andy Horton’s mum walked out on him when he was a child and he grew up in children’s home. Now he lives onboard his yacht in Southsea Marina. He rides a Harley-Davidson and never wears a suit or tie — unless it’s to go to court. He’s an instinctive copper and a man of contrasts, which often lands him in trouble with his bosses. He has a desperate need to belong, and yet is always just on the outside. Self-contained, afraid to show his feelings, but he’s a risk-taker that seeks justice.

THE SETTING
Portsmouth boasts a vibrant waterfront, a diverse multicultural population, an international port, a historic dockyard, and is home of the Royal Navy. Portsmouth Harbour is one of the busiest in the world — and one of the best places to hide a body, it seems. Set against the backdrop of the sea, the Solent area of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight is every detective’s worst nightmare. The sea is ever-changing and often the best clues get swept away by the tide.

ALSO BY PAULINE ROWSON
THE SOLENT MURDER MYSTERIES
Book 1: THE PORTSMOUTH MURDERS
Book 2: THE LANGSTONE HARBOUR MURDERS
Book 3: THE HORSEA MARINA MURDERS
Book 4: THE ROYAL HOTEL MURDERS
Book 5: THE ISLE OF WIGHT MURDERS
Book 6: THE PORTCHESTER CASTLE MURDERS
Book 7: THE CHALE BAY MURDERS
Book 8: THE FARLINGTON MARSH MURDERS
Book 9: THE OYSTER QUAYS MURDERS
Book 10: THE COWES WEEK MURDERS
Book 11: THE BOATHOUSE MURDERS
Book 12: THE THORNEY ISLAND MURDERS
Book 13: THE GUERNSEY FERRY MURDERS
Book 14: THE RAT ISLAND MURDERS
Book 15: THE LUCCOMBE BAY MURDERS
Book 16: THE SOUTH BINNESS MURDERS

Look out for more books in the series! Join the Joffe Books mailing list for updates on the next Pauline Rowson crime thriller.
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  1. Book 1 of 17
    Solent Murder Mystery
  2. Print length
    194 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    February 17, 2022
  6. File size
    1044 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

MEET DETECTIVE INSPECTOR ANDY HORTON. IT’S HIS SECOND DAY BACK IN PORTSMOUTH’S CID AND THINGS AREN’T GOING WELL.

This absolutely gripping detective mystery is perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Joy Ellis, Rachel McClean, Helen H. Durrant, Angela Marsons, Elly Griffiths, Karin Slaughter, Matt Brolly and Simon McCleave.

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crime, thriller, mystery, murder, secret, detective, rogue, Elly, Griffiths, karin, slaughter

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DISCOVER THE ANDY HORTON MYSTERIES

More books coming soon!

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THE PORTSMOUTH MURDERS THE LANGSTONE HARBOUR MURDERS THE HORSEA MARINA MURDERS THE ROYAL HOTEL MURDERS THE ISLE OF WIGHT MURDERS
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Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
7,726
4.2 out of 5 stars
5,016
4.4 out of 5 stars
4,124
4.4 out of 5 stars
4,584
4.3 out of 5 stars
4,276
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Adventure, mystery and heroes have always fascinated and thrilled Pauline, that and her love of the sea has led her to create her exciting and gripping range of crime novels. Born and raised in the coastal city of Portsmouth in the UK, Pauline Rowson draws her inspiration for her crime novels from the area. When she isn't writing (which isn't often) she can be found walking the coastal paths on the Isle of Wight and around Langstone and Chichester Harbours looking for a good place to put a body! Pauline is the author of twenty-three crime novels - fifteen featuring the rugged and flawed Portsmouth detective, Inspector Andy Horton; four in the mystery thriller series featuring Art Marvik, the troubled former Royal Marine Commando now an undercover investigator for the UK's National Intelligence Marine Squad (NIMS); two standalone thrillers, the award-winning In Cold Daylight and In For the Kill, and the 1950 set mystery series featuring Scotland Yard detective, Inspector Alun Ryga, who makes his debut in Death in the Cove with his second investigation Death in the Harbour. Her crime novels have been highly acclaimed in the UK, USA and Commonwealth and they have been translated into several languages. Multi-layered, fast-paced, and compelling, they are full of twists and turns and are played out against the dramatic and powerfully evocative British marine landscape of the south coast of England. Pauline is a member of the Crime Writers' Association and the Society of Authors. Before becoming a full-time writer, she was a renowned marketing and training guru, with a collection of 'how to' business books and a successful marketing, media and training career behind her. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09SV6G9QP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joffe Books crime thriller, mystery and suspense (February 17, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 17, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1044 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 194 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1804050598
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 7,726 ratings

About the author

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Pauline Rowson

Pauline Rowson

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Hello, thank you for visiting my author page. I love creating fast-paced, twisting crime novels and I hope you get as much pleasure out of reading them as I do writing them. The latest DI Andy Horton Solent Murder Mystery (17), THE HAYLING ISLAND MURDERS, is now published and there will be a brand new DI Andy Horton in late 2024. There will also be a brand new Inspector Ryga 1950s set mystery, no. 5 in early summer 2024. The first DI Andy Horton novel is THE PORTSMOUTH MURDERS. And if you enjoy historical detective mysteries then DEATH IN THE COVE is the first in the 1950s set Inspector Ryga murder mystery series of four. There is also former Royal Marine Commando Art Marvik, now an undercover investigator for the UK Police Marine Unit who first appears in DEADLY WAVES. There are four in this thriller crime series. I am also writing number five. Always lovely to hear your views. You can also contact me via my website. Happy reading.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
7,726 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good mystery
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
Overall great book, easy to read and maintains a readers interest. Characters are believable and not overly developed. Some surprises and a very interesting ending.
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DannyLee
4.0 out of 5 stars The Portsmouth Murders Kill It
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2022
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Enjoyed this book! The characters were engaging, but not overplayed. The plot was good, and kept me going. I’ll look forward to another in the sequence. A good mix of players and story. A downside: the text was not well edited. It needs another reader to correct that, because it’s distracting.
5 people found this helpful
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Clyde M. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars The Portsmouth Murders Highly Recommended!
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2023
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When a detective is framed for rape & suspended, most view him with suspicion, including his wife. This tale of how he uncovers the real culprit is fascinating & will keep you guessing until end!
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars I Don't Think So!
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
I don't think I will read the rest of this series. It was at times quite amateurishly written with lots of obvious maudlin bits. I very much doubt the veracity of the twin exact handwriting match. And some misuses of the English language, e.g., "such a scandal to continence" ( should be countenance); "...all could do is ball her out" (substitute bawl); "... as though he had vent his own fury (vented). The plot and characters were mildly interesting but certainly not gripping or a thriller to me.
16 people found this helpful
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amorgazon
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story, lots of anger
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2022
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A very good, realistic tale. The characters are real but filled with a lot of anger that normally would have been managed better by their age in life.
3 people found this helpful
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Linda
5.0 out of 5 stars twists and turns
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2023
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I thoroughly enjoy books with twists and turns that keep you guessing. This was one of them! Very well done!
One person found this helpful
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Peg
5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2022
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Fast moving and enjoyable read. Great characters to get to know. I will enjoy reading the next book of the series.
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Kindle Custome
4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2022
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Again good story with likable characters and perfect for the beginning of successful series. Will be back for more in the future
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars More Twists and Turns for DI Andy Horton
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
DI Andy Horton is trying to clear his name and work on cases at the same time. He hast to be very careful because although his superior used to be his friend is finding out that this might not be true anymore. A great read, page turner and thankfully I’m getting to these late so there’s many more to read ahead of me. I’m so happy about that.
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Peter Ffrench
5.0 out of 5 stars Well thought through
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2023
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Andy Horton comes back from suspension for an alleged rape, into a multiple murder case in which he may be a suspect and is trying to clear himself and get back to see his daughter and wife who wants no more to do with him. The story is well contrived with a local criminal kingpin type and a jealous psycho twin plus a high up local official and his own superior officer all against him, nice quick read.
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John de Biker
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to put down
Reviewed in Australia on June 22, 2022
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I really enjoyed this book, being an ex expatriate "POM" living in Australia and I always purchase books based on somewhere I have visited on my travels and the twenty eight years I was domiciled in the UK and this book lived up to my expectation being a well written and constructed story issue based on Portsmouth.
2 people found this helpful
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patricia mahoney
4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Read !
Reviewed in Canada on March 10, 2022
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An exceptional book of multiple intrigues !
If you enjoy a riveting tale of multiple twists and turns,this is your book.
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Robert Crouch
4.0 out of 5 stars Intense and twisting crime thriller
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a gritty, intense and complex story about DI Andy Horton, a man who has lost almost everything, following allegations of misconduct that remain unresolved. When he returns to duty, there’s no escaping the suspicion and rumours among his colleagues. At home, he’s lost his wife and daughter, with little prospect of winning them back.

You’d think finding a body on the beach at Portsmouth on the day of his return to duty is the last thing he needs. His colleagues aren’t sure he’s the person to investigate, especially when he uncovers links to a local businessman, who may be involved in events that led to Andy’s suspension from duty.

But as he digs deeper, the body count rises. He’s knocked off his motorcycle. Someone enters his house. And his life is threatened. Aware that he may not live to find the links that will solve the case, he needs to strike out on his own to confront an enemy that wants him dead.

It’s a complex puzzle, filled with suspects and false leads. Andy’s own problems and anger hamper his investigation as he struggles to make sense of what is happening. With plenty of twists, the story builds to a tense and surprising climax that kept me turning the pages.

While many of the story elements, character flaws and personal demons are standard in today’s crime fiction, they are carefully woven into the fabric of the story and the characters, making them more believable and natural.
One person found this helpful
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