Meet Inspector Ryga in these gripping 1950s set mysteries

It's the 1950s and Britain is struggling to come to terms with peace, in the grip of austerity and rationing. Scotland Yard has a Murder Squad and its officers are often sent out with only a moment's notice to assist in investigations around the country. One of them is Detective Inspector Alun Ryga, his specialism is assisting in coastal based crime.

Ryga is ex Merchant Navy and a former German prisoner-of-war. His ship was seized by a German Raider in 1941 as a result of which he was incarcerated for the rest of the war in MILAG, (Marine Internierten Lager). Here he had to learn how to cope with the uncertainty, fear and deprivations of forced incarceration with no option but to wait, hope and pray that the war would soon be over and the Nazis would be defeated.

His experience has made him observant, analytical and reflective. It has also given him insights into his fellow man. He’s witnessed compassion, cruelty, cowardice and heroism, mental breakdown and despair. He’s made a promise to himself that whatever happens after the war he’ll keep an open mind and never judge.

The war also unexpectedly resulted in opening up a new career for Ryga. Encouraged by a fellow prisoner, George Simmonds, to study, Ryga with the help of his mentor, is able to make the transition from the Merchant Navy to the Thames River Police. Before DEATH IN THE COVE (no. 1 in the series) opens Ryga has been involved in two highly successful criminal investigations at the Port of London and as a result has been catapulted into the Metropolitan Police and then into CID in Scotland Yard.

His experience at sea, and as a prisoner-of-war, have made him unique in his approach to solving coastal based crimes.

I hope you enjoy sharing his investigations with him.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Pure detection mixed with a bit of history. Love these characters and the setting is great.” Goodreads