What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Andy Horton #13
Lethal Waves
Two apparently unrelated deaths draw DI Andy Horton into the dangerous current of a complex and disturbing case.
DI Andy Horton s meal with his old friend, Inspector John Guilbert of the States of Guernsey Police, is cut short when a smartly dressed, affluent woman is found dead in her cabin on the ferry from Portsmouth to Guernsey. There doesn t appear to be any suspicious circumstances.
As soon as he returns to Portsmouth, however, he is called to the scene where a vagrant s body has been found lying partially covered under one of the rotting houseboats close to Horton s boat in the marina. This time, it s clearly murder.
Troubled by the many unanswered questions surrounding both deaths, Horton must call upon all his skills and intuition to solve a complex case, uncovering dark secrets that have led to such lethal waves of destruction."
DI Andy Horton s meal with his old friend, Inspector John Guilbert of the States of Guernsey Police, is cut short when a smartly dressed, affluent woman is found dead in her cabin on the ferry from Portsmouth to Guernsey. There doesn t appear to be any suspicious circumstances.
As soon as he returns to Portsmouth, however, he is called to the scene where a vagrant s body has been found lying partially covered under one of the rotting houseboats close to Horton s boat in the marina. This time, it s clearly murder.
Troubled by the many unanswered questions surrounding both deaths, Horton must call upon all his skills and intuition to solve a complex case, uncovering dark secrets that have led to such lethal waves of destruction."
Hardcover
First published June 1, 2017
393 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Pauline Rowson
61 books153 followersPauline Rowson is the author of thirty- one crime novels - nineteen featuring DI Andy Horton in the Solent Murder Mystery series; five in Art Marvik mystery thrillers series, six in the 1950s set historical mysteries with Scotland Yard's Inspector Ryga, who is sent out to solve baffling coastal crimes and two standalone thrillers. All her crime novels are set against the backdrop of the ever changing sea.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 28, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy of Lethal Waves, the thirteenth novel to feature DI Andy Horton of Portsmouth CID.
Andy has taken some leave to go to Guernsey in pursuit of more information about his mother's death years ago. He doesn't get much information and he is asked by his friend in the Guernsey police to look at the suspicious death of a Portsmouth woman, Evelyn Lyster, on the ferry. On his return to Portsmouth he is called out to another dead body, a well tended tramp has been shot but with no identification no one knows who he is.
I am new to this series and while it mostly works as a standalone I feel I would have benefited from more of the back story on Andy's mother as much of it meant nothing to me. The main plot, the modern day murders, is absorbing and intricately plotted. It has a linear narrative with each piece of information leading to another and revised hypotheses. It is clever in the way it slots together but I must admit that my eyes began to glaze and I started skim reading the endless speculation towards the end of the novel as it is fairly pointless and adds little to the plot.
I like Andy Horton as, apart from his apparent need to fit what he knows into a dodgy theory, he is smart, dedicated and fairly normal. He obviously thinks long and hard about his investigations and brings a practicality to them which seems to elude his colleagues. I also like the writing style which draws you in and holds your attention and is particularly good in its descriptions of the sea where I could feel the cold and wet.
Lethal Waves is a good read with a clever plot but it sags a bit in the middle with the pointless speculation.
Andy has taken some leave to go to Guernsey in pursuit of more information about his mother's death years ago. He doesn't get much information and he is asked by his friend in the Guernsey police to look at the suspicious death of a Portsmouth woman, Evelyn Lyster, on the ferry. On his return to Portsmouth he is called out to another dead body, a well tended tramp has been shot but with no identification no one knows who he is.
I am new to this series and while it mostly works as a standalone I feel I would have benefited from more of the back story on Andy's mother as much of it meant nothing to me. The main plot, the modern day murders, is absorbing and intricately plotted. It has a linear narrative with each piece of information leading to another and revised hypotheses. It is clever in the way it slots together but I must admit that my eyes began to glaze and I started skim reading the endless speculation towards the end of the novel as it is fairly pointless and adds little to the plot.
I like Andy Horton as, apart from his apparent need to fit what he knows into a dodgy theory, he is smart, dedicated and fairly normal. He obviously thinks long and hard about his investigations and brings a practicality to them which seems to elude his colleagues. I also like the writing style which draws you in and holds your attention and is particularly good in its descriptions of the sea where I could feel the cold and wet.
Lethal Waves is a good read with a clever plot but it sags a bit in the middle with the pointless speculation.
June 30, 2017
“There were so many loose ends and it didn’t look as though they were ever going to tie them up”.
The apparent suicide on the ferry to Guernsey of a Portsmouth woman and the murder of a tramp whose body is found under a rotting houseboat start off this book, another novel in the DI Andy Horton series.
Ms Rowson paints highly probable characters in her book and the plot flows well. Unfortunately, this is not a standalone and too many times we were treated to references to Horton’s mother and his childhood which, for me, had nothing to do with the story and added nothing to it.
In addition, there were long passages of continuous questions regarding the various cases in the novel, which I found a little tedious. Hence the tag line. One other point that slightly irked me was the use of ‘comprised of’ and comprising of’. Whilst this formation may not necessarily be grammatically incorrect, whenever I read it, it jars slightly.
However, the overall story is sound, and living in the south, it was pleasant reading about Portsmouth and its environs.
Sméagol
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
The apparent suicide on the ferry to Guernsey of a Portsmouth woman and the murder of a tramp whose body is found under a rotting houseboat start off this book, another novel in the DI Andy Horton series.
Ms Rowson paints highly probable characters in her book and the plot flows well. Unfortunately, this is not a standalone and too many times we were treated to references to Horton’s mother and his childhood which, for me, had nothing to do with the story and added nothing to it.
In addition, there were long passages of continuous questions regarding the various cases in the novel, which I found a little tedious. Hence the tag line. One other point that slightly irked me was the use of ‘comprised of’ and comprising of’. Whilst this formation may not necessarily be grammatically incorrect, whenever I read it, it jars slightly.
However, the overall story is sound, and living in the south, it was pleasant reading about Portsmouth and its environs.
Sméagol
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
March 7, 2017
3 Stars
It’s a busy evening in Portsmouth. A woman is found dead on a ferry, possibly a suicide. A very clean vagrant is found near a houseboat dead of a gunshot wound. Several antique guns are stolen from a home while the owners are away.
As Horton, Cantelli and the rest of the team investigate these three cases, they follow clues, interview possible suspects and family members. The way the story tied in together and the name of the murderer turned out to be a surprise.
Some of the typos in the book are pretty irritating: “That really stuck in your father’s claw…” Oh really? I would have thought that this far into the series, the book would have a better editor.
Due to the number of typos, I gave the writing in the book a “C.” It was okay, but not a book I would stay up at night to read.
I want to thank Netgalley and Severn House/Severn House Publishers for forwarding me a copy of this book to read.
It’s a busy evening in Portsmouth. A woman is found dead on a ferry, possibly a suicide. A very clean vagrant is found near a houseboat dead of a gunshot wound. Several antique guns are stolen from a home while the owners are away.
As Horton, Cantelli and the rest of the team investigate these three cases, they follow clues, interview possible suspects and family members. The way the story tied in together and the name of the murderer turned out to be a surprise.
Some of the typos in the book are pretty irritating: “That really stuck in your father’s claw…” Oh really? I would have thought that this far into the series, the book would have a better editor.
Due to the number of typos, I gave the writing in the book a “C.” It was okay, but not a book I would stay up at night to read.
I want to thank Netgalley and Severn House/Severn House Publishers for forwarding me a copy of this book to read.
September 13, 2022
Worth More Than 5 Stars
I have read the whole series and enjoyed all of them, but for me this is the best book so far. When a woman is found dead on a ferry going to Guernsey, DI Horton becomes involved and it is not long before there are more bodies which somehow seem connected but Andy is not sure how. In his spare time Andy Horton is also looking into the disappearance of him mother when he was ten, but this investigation has to go on the back burner for a while. My only slight irritation is that since his divorce, he does not see much of his daughter, but he never seems to do much about it despite complaining about it, surely there is more he could do? Nevertheless, I would still give the book more than 5 stars if I could. Looking forward to the next in the series!
I have read the whole series and enjoyed all of them, but for me this is the best book so far. When a woman is found dead on a ferry going to Guernsey, DI Horton becomes involved and it is not long before there are more bodies which somehow seem connected but Andy is not sure how. In his spare time Andy Horton is also looking into the disappearance of him mother when he was ten, but this investigation has to go on the back burner for a while. My only slight irritation is that since his divorce, he does not see much of his daughter, but he never seems to do much about it despite complaining about it, surely there is more he could do? Nevertheless, I would still give the book more than 5 stars if I could. Looking forward to the next in the series!
September 11, 2023
The previous Andy Horton books I have given 3 stars but this one 4 stars umh! I suspect it was because it was a very well thought out plot. Pauline's books generally have good plots it is the irritating characters and constant page by page speculation that spoils the books. As I have said before having 4 more senior officers who are only interested in promotion, gossip, adultery and meeting budgets (and probably many more negative things) spoils the books for me and as all 4 have survived #13 I won't be reading anymore. Tip! They will survive #14.
I have just read 3 more UK crime books with the usual star DI and you guessed it, there are senior officers who are corrupt (this time some seriously corrupt), adulterers, budget watchers and doing their best to destroy the good guys. Why do UK crime writers think that is what readers want. Of course they leave the end hanging so that the readers will buy the next one in the hope that this time the bad cops go down. They won't! The books are ok written, the plots are fine but bad cops lose me as a reader. I will stick with joy Ellis, Elly Griffiths and Judy Daykin. Obviously the Fenlands and North Norfolk only have the good cops.
I have just read 3 more UK crime books with the usual star DI and you guessed it, there are senior officers who are corrupt (this time some seriously corrupt), adulterers, budget watchers and doing their best to destroy the good guys. Why do UK crime writers think that is what readers want. Of course they leave the end hanging so that the readers will buy the next one in the hope that this time the bad cops go down. They won't! The books are ok written, the plots are fine but bad cops lose me as a reader. I will stick with joy Ellis, Elly Griffiths and Judy Daykin. Obviously the Fenlands and North Norfolk only have the good cops.
July 29, 2024
Best One In the Series
This was a brilliant and intricate plot and the storytelling did not bog it down. I really enjoyed the great detail and attention paid to the entire backdrop of this series - the Solent and sailing. Beautifully painted descriptions make me almost taste and smell salty breezes. I highly recommend this series. It is best to read these in order. Mainly to keep track of Andy's personal ghosts.
This was a brilliant and intricate plot and the storytelling did not bog it down. I really enjoyed the great detail and attention paid to the entire backdrop of this series - the Solent and sailing. Beautifully painted descriptions make me almost taste and smell salty breezes. I highly recommend this series. It is best to read these in order. Mainly to keep track of Andy's personal ghosts.
November 11, 2025
This one has a better, but still convoluted, storyline and there's much less about Horton's mother's disappearance, which is a pleasant change. But, the author still hasn't mastered commas, hyphens and that neither precedes nor. There are also a few instances where the wrong word for the context is used. I know that it's being pedantic, but these things affect my enjoyment of a book.
Anyway, stars for the story.
Anyway, stars for the story.
June 13, 2023
The Guernsey.Ferry Murders: (Solent Murder Mystery Book 13)
Another thrilling book written very well by Pauline Rowson. It is so extraordinary in every way, so many twists and people with changed names and murders. But with Horton on the case he works through the victims and witnesses to bring the criminals to justice. One series of books I would recommend you to read.
Another thrilling book written very well by Pauline Rowson. It is so extraordinary in every way, so many twists and people with changed names and murders. But with Horton on the case he works through the victims and witnesses to bring the criminals to justice. One series of books I would recommend you to read.
September 13, 2022
Pretty decent.
A complicated tale, quite well told.
I like this series a lot, but lord the author would be doing us all a favour by getting a fact checker and a proof reader who read English !
A complicated tale, quite well told.
I like this series a lot, but lord the author would be doing us all a favour by getting a fact checker and a proof reader who read English !
September 23, 2022
Confused
The authors technical knowledge is excellent but I wasn't clear how some of the characters fitted into the plot of even who actually died or for that matter who survived!!!!
The authors technical knowledge is excellent but I wasn't clear how some of the characters fitted into the plot of even who actually died or for that matter who survived!!!!
October 18, 2022
Great story telling
I really enjoyed reading this book with many twists and turns along the way.
Great descriptions of the area around Portsmouth and the I of Wight.
Looking forward to reading more of Pauline Rowsons' books.😀
I really enjoyed reading this book with many twists and turns along the way.
Great descriptions of the area around Portsmouth and the I of Wight.
Looking forward to reading more of Pauline Rowsons' books.😀
June 23, 2018
I have other books to read - thank goodness - as number 14 will not be released until later this year!
Not much progress in finding Jennifer in this one
Not much progress in finding Jennifer in this one
Read
April 2, 2020Categories
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A DI Andy Horton Mystery
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A DI Andy Horton Mystery
September 10, 2022
Good crime series
The thread of what happened to Hortons mum that pulls the series together is good but needs to move on a bit more now
The thread of what happened to Hortons mum that pulls the series together is good but needs to move on a bit more now
September 11, 2022
Great read!
I have now read all 13 and can't wait for the next one!
Each book has been a real pleasure to read. Number 14 soon please.
I have now read all 13 and can't wait for the next one!
Each book has been a real pleasure to read. Number 14 soon please.
September 14, 2022
Another great thriller
Love these books. Twists and turns. Are we getting closer finding out what happened to Jennifer. Can't wait for the next book.
Love these books. Twists and turns. Are we getting closer finding out what happened to Jennifer. Can't wait for the next book.
September 15, 2022
Too many murders and it got quite confusing at times. Added to that, Horton kept reflecting on his late mother, which was distracting
October 13, 2022
always a good read
you get sucked in, I had to finish it! I never work out the solution but have enjoyed the whole series, so far.
you get sucked in, I had to finish it! I never work out the solution but have enjoyed the whole series, so far.
December 18, 2022
Another twisting case for Andy
Andy and his team solve another twisting case. He’s coming a little closer to solving his own troubled past. Great read as normal.
Andy and his team solve another twisting case. He’s coming a little closer to solving his own troubled past. Great read as normal.
January 11, 2023
Good one
I like this series a lot but sometimes I get tired of the 'lost mother' angle and wish it was just the current cases... this one was good.
I like this series a lot but sometimes I get tired of the 'lost mother' angle and wish it was just the current cases... this one was good.
February 26, 2023
Why does it say an Art Marvin book on the cover when that fictional writer just gets a name check in the text?
October 2, 2023
Brilliant
Another terrific read,marvellous characters first-class plot believable,keeping you turning the pages until the very end thoroughly enjoyed reading this book
Another terrific read,marvellous characters first-class plot believable,keeping you turning the pages until the very end thoroughly enjoyed reading this book
April 2, 2024
Only ok. Won't bother to get any more by her
June 6, 2024
Co-plots rather than subplots
The various, increasingly complicated, subplots are beginning to take over the books. Catching murders seems to be the least of his problems.
The various, increasingly complicated, subplots are beginning to take over the books. Catching murders seems to be the least of his problems.
July 12, 2025
I'm enjoying this series very much. Reading one book after the other.
August 18, 2024
2017. While on Guernsey Di Horton received a call concerning a body found in the ferry. But this will not be the only suspicious death. Are any of them connected.
An enjoyable modern mystery
An enjoyable modern mystery
October 9, 2018
Once Upon a Crime reading group.
I liked it but a few things seemed a bit far fetched. I'd be willing to read another book by this author.
I liked it but a few things seemed a bit far fetched. I'd be willing to read another book by this author.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews