October and DI Horton has The Boathouse Murders to solve

It's October.  It's Portsmouth on the South Coast of England. Detective Inspector Andy Horton of Portsmouth CID is assigned the case of a missing person: Jasper Kenton, a private investigator. Initially, Horton believes Kenton has gone off with a woman, or has stolen cash from a client account and taken off but when Kenton’s naked body is discovered on a stretch of private beach on the Isle of Wight, wrapped in sailcloth things take a very different turn.

What's more the stretch of shore backs on to Lord Richard Ames' property, one of many dotted around the UK and abroad.  Horton knows that Ames is involved in the disappearance of his mother, Jennifer Horton, who vanished when Horton was a child, leaving him to the mercies of social care. Horton has been slowly gathering the evidence that will lead him to the truth.  And it was on this very same shore, a day before Kenton's body is found, that Horton has met a tramp like stranger who claims to know something damaging about Richard Ames but he disappears before Horton can learn more.

When Kenton's body is found, Horton keeps silent about his encounter with the stranger, not wanting anyone to know about his personal and private investigations. But witholding information could cost him his job.

Kenton was on the trail of ophthalmic consultant, Brett Veerman, whose wife, Thelma, thought he was having an affair. 
The autopsy reveals Kenton was shot with a crossbow at close range.

Horton is embroiled in an investigation that has major personal ramifications.  As he struggles to crack the case, he knows it’s only a matter of time before someone discovers he’s kept silent. And if that’s revealed, it will end his career.

(Please note this was previously published as Shroud of Evil).


"Excellent story line, great characters."

"Yet again brilliant storyline, great setting and well written, love the underlying story to, can't wait to read the next one in the series."

"Love these books full of suspense and interesting characters . Great background setting with the location and sailing themes. Look forward to the next one."

THE BOATHOUSE MURDERS is available on Amazon Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and paperback.  And will be released as an audio book in 2026.