The Inspector Andy Horton Crime Novels - cleverly plotted, gripping, multi-layered
Pauline Rowson's Portsmouth marine-set mystery plots are inventive,
exciting, gripping and full of thrilling twists and turns. "Deserves mention in the same breath as works in the upper echelon of American procedurals (those by Ed McBain or Joseph Wambaugh for example) and their British counterparts, including the work of Peter Robinson and John Harvey. " Booklist
Inspector Andy Horton - a man defined by a tormented past, but with hopes for his future.
The setting for the Andy Horton Crime Novels
Set against the visually strong, unique, vibrant, diverse and atmospheric backdrop of the sea in the Solent area of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight on the South Coast of England. Horton's investigations take him across the Solent and into the harbours of
Langstone and Chichester and its surrounding coastal towns. Pauline Rowson's Detective Andy Horton police procedural crime series has been hailed as "exemplary," "multi-layered" "cleverly plotted" with an "especially good series hero, a likeable fellow with plenty of street smarts and the requisite personal baggage"
About Andy Horton
Andy Horton is instinctive, tough and resilient, but deeply empathetic. A dry sense of humour is the key to Horton’s investigative approach. It’s how he keeps people at arm’s length and stays detached from the crimes he investigates. His greatest strength is his ability to put himself in a victim’s shoes, to imagine events from their perspective (even the moments up to their death), making leaps of deduction few would be able to. And he’s most often right. He's especially tough on bullies, or people who abuse their power or position, as they remind him of the people in the children’s homes in which he’s been raised. When this happens, when his guard slips, he’s like a raw nerve. He fears his emotions will betray him.He feels a duty of care to the victims of the crimes he investigates and often feels like he’s the only person looking out for them; the only one who can bring the guilty to justice so that the dead can rest. No one cared about him when he was a child; he won’t let that happen to anyone else.
Living on board his small yacht in Southsea Marina since his estrangement from his wife following a gross misconduct charge, the sailing detective is a man rarely at peace, unless he is on the sea or fighting crime. Raised in children's homes after his mother abandoned him as a child he has a desperate need to belong and yet is always on the outside. Being alone is his greatest fear, yet he is alone.
The DI Andy Horton crime novels in order
The DI Andy Horton series of crime novels has everything: compelling crimes, complex past history, a tough work environment, romantic entanglements and political intrigue played out against the dramatic and powerfully evocative British marine landscape of Portsmouth and the Solent.
DI Andy Horton (14) Dead Passage
Published in paperback, as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle 18 October 2018
A mysterious telephone call sends Horton on a complex and twisted
investigation into the death of a local politician twelve years ago and
uncovers a trail of lies, secrets and revenge with roots deep in the
past.
"Pauline Rowson is one of the most talented crime and thriller writers
in the UK. By choosing locations and plot lines that are unique to her
'marine mysteries' she has set herself apart from the tried and tested
formulae within the genre." The Book Depository
DI Andy Horton (13) Lethal Waves
On his return from Guernsey, Horton is called out to investigate the death of a vagrant whose
body is found under a rotting houseboat on the shores of Portsmouth.
'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
"This heart-breaking story of ambition, greed, jealousy, and revenge
makes a good choice for fans of no-nonsense British procedurals."
Booklist
DI Andy Horton (12) Fatal Catch
Fisherman haul a gruesome catch: a severed human hand and Horton finds himself immersed in a complex case where everyone has a reason to lie and no one is who they seem.DI Andy Horton (11) Shroud of Evil
How far would you go to protect a secret? For DI Andy Horton there
is no choice, withholding information in a murder investigation could
cost him his job.
"A great read for mystery lovers with plenty to keep you guessing until the last moment." Crime Book Club
"A compelling protagonist and mounting suspense make the book hard to put down." Publishers Weekly
DI Andy Horton (10) Death Surge
A telephone call from a frantic Sergeant Cantelli to say that his
nephew is missing cuts short DI
Horton’s sailing trip to France. What
began as the hunt for a missing man becomes the search for a ruthless
killer..."A crisply written, cleverly plotted procedural with a nice twist," Booklist.
"The fast-paced narrative with its multiple theories, will draw readers along.” Publishers Weekly
"A high quality puzzle… a devious plot. Death Surge is a taut and exciting investigation into a disappearance which turns into a murder hunt….all very enjoyable." David Marshall
DI Andy Horton (9) Undercurrent
Naval historian Dr Douglas Spalding is found dead in Portsmouth’s Historic
Dockyard. It looks like suicide but Horton goes out on a limb to prove
otherwise. Soon he's embroiled in a cover up at the highest level."Rowson successfully pilots the complex
storyline, filled with wild speculations and a slew of suspects, to a fitting
conclusion." Publishers Weekly
"Another solid procedural from Rowson, with a little kick of spy stuff for the adventurous." Kirkus.
DI Andy Horton (8) Death Lies Beneath
A body found on a rotting boat being salvaged in Portsmouth Harbour
throws Horton into a complex and frustrating investigation. As the
tension mounts to solve the case, Horton receives a chilling message;
time, it seems, is also running out for him personally… "A treat for fans of the puzzle-box mystery." Kirkus Reviews
"Convincing characters and a coherent plot bolster a crafty solution to the crimes." Publishers Weekly
"A fast paced excellent mystery, with an interesting diverse set of characters, and an intriguing hook at the end that has me eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series." Mystery People
DI Andy Horton (7) A Killing Coast
An
investigation into a body found floating in the sea off Portsmouth
harbour throws DI Andy Horton's capabilities into question. Not only does he need to find a brutal killer, but he also has to prove he's still up to the job."'Multilayered, twisted, and complex...a surprising conclusion and a
satisfying read." Booklist
"Deserves mention in the same breath as works in the upper echelon of American procedurals (those by Ed McBain or Joseph Wambaugh for example) and their British counterparts, including the work of Peter Robinson and John Harvey. " Booklist
DI Andy Horton (6) Footsteps on the Shore
Friday
the thirteenth, a decomposed corpse in Portsmouth Harbour, a woman
brutally murdered, a missing prisoner out on licence. Horton is under pressure to get results, but things are about to get much worse for the beleaguered detective … "A detective novel in the tradition of Ian Rankin and John Harvey. Like Rebus, Rowson’s DI Andy Horton is a detective who does not always work within the rules. The ending is dramatic and deeply menacing. If you are a fan of traditional detective fiction in a vivid setting that makes you believe that you are there, you will love this one." Mystery People Magazine
DI Andy Horton (5) Blood on the Sand
A cold grey January morning, a woman with a gun in her hand - a corpse on an abandoned golf course. Is she a killer? Horton doesn't think so. Soon he's uncovering a web of intrigue that
ripples down the years and which someone is determined should never be
revealed"Another solid entry in a consistently well written series,"' Booklist
"Like Ed McBain, Rowson works many subtle variations on the procedural formula (including very interesting relationships between Andy and a couple of his superiors). A definite winner in the crowded field of British procedurals." Booklist
DI Andy Horton (4) Dead Man's Wharf
TV diving personality Nicholas Farnsworth's life is threatened...A deranged elderly lady in a nursing home claims she's been attacked by an intruder...A mother's conviction that her son's death on Christmas Eve was no
accident...are the incidents related? Horton believes not but soon he's
caught up in a complex investigation with far-reaching international
implications.DI Andy Horton (3) The Suffocating Sea
A
body on a burning boat leads Horton into an investigation that has
startling personal consequences. As Horton is forced to confront his
past he's faced with a dangerous adversary who
will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from coming out..."A gripping, suspense-filled murder case...an entertaining read in an engaging series." Booklist
DI Andy Horton (2) Deadly Waters
A woman found
brutally murdered on the Mulberry in Langstone Harbour. A note on the body "Have you forgotten ME?" Horton has only a week to find a killer...
"Rowson adds an appealing hero to the British Police Procedural ranks." Kirkus Reviews (USA)
DI Andy Horton (1) Tide of Death
A naked body of a man found on the beach. Horton’s second day back in Portsmouth CID following his suspension. He has a case to solve and a point to prove - he's still a good cop.
Chosen by Amazon as the Best of Crime Fiction 2006
'A strong plot and some nice characterisation and dialogue, which makes this a notch above the average fare out there. Rowson is clearly a crime writer to watch.' Amazon Where to buy Pauline Rowson's Books
Pauline Rowson's DI Andy Horton crime novels and her standalone thrillers are available in a number of formats including, hardcover, paperback, large print, unabridged audio book and ebook format from all major retailers, independent bookshops and on line.Also available on Kindle and Kobo and on loan from libraries within the UK, USA and Commonwealth.
