The Wave Maker: A Gripping Detective Mystery

by Solomon Carter

A body on the beach. A detective out of his depth.

When the tide washes a teenager’s body onto Clacton’s shore, DI Joe Hogarth wants to keep his head down. Southend kicked him out, and this quiet seaside town was meant to be his exile.

But the case drags him back into the darkness he thought he’d escaped — where dirty money flows, secrets rot, and a disgraced MP hides the truth behind a perfect smile. And at the heart of it all is a name Hogarth hoped he’d never hear again…

A ruthless gangster.
A ghost from his past.
A reckoning that could destroy him.

Now Hogarth must decide how far he’s willing to go for justice — because in these waters, even a good detective can drown.

Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Mark Billingham, and Peter James, The Wave Maker is a gripping British crime thriller packed with twists, atmosphere, and a detective who won’t quit — no matter the cost.

Readers are
“Loved it!”
“A great start to the trilogy!”

Start reading now — and get hooked on DI Hogarth.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2025

About the author

Hello folks,
My name is Solomon Carter, and I am the author of the Roberts and Bradley PI crime thriller series, The Last Line international thriller series, the DI Hogarth Darkest series and more. I write mysteries, crime and thriller novels and more besides.

I was born in Southend, Essex and lived there for most of my life apart from eventful student days in South London. But my life in Southend was even more eventful still. I ended up working in a string of jobs including as a jobcentre clerk, a book seller, tutor for youth with low skills and low self esteem, mortgage broker, and latterly manager of a food bank which dealt with all kinds of interesting people facing all kinds of eye-opening, jaw dropping problems. Because of these ear-to-the-ground jobs the majority of my novels are set in Southend. In 2016 I moved to North Cornwall because I liked the idea of never-ending holidays - but I also write almost every single day. My aim is to write action-packed thrillers and page-turning mysteries that readers love and my hope is to get better at what I do with every book across each and every year.

I like to give away lots of free books as part of what I do. If you would like to receive some of these and get the exclusives on offer, than you're invited to join my free readers group at SolomonCarter.net. I won't spam you, just send the occassional email with news on the latest books and forthcoming freebies.

And if you want to see the memes, personal shares and other oddball stuff I do, then you can join me at Facebook via www.facebook.com/solomoncarterwrites and join the fun there too.

What I am good at: telling stories
What I am bad at: dancing, being patient.
What I love: nature, the seaside, adventures
Writers I heartily recommend: Lee Child, Ian Rankin, Henning Mankell, Val McDermid, Harlan Coben, Robert Crais.
Writers I need to read more of: Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly and others.
Other things I do beside writing: at present I like to keep my running going to balance out the sitting behind a laptop (a habit inspired by Haruki Murakami's 'What I talk about when I talk about running' - a great book).
-I am currently doing surf lessons. When in Rome, as they say...
-Getting out into nature as the weather allows.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Until then I'll keep on writing. Or running. Or surfing. Or chasing my children around the house.

All the very best,
Solomon :)

PS
if you have enjoyed any of my books, I'd be honoured if you could post a review. Those reviews really do help!

Reviews

[Craig Smedley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining read with Hogarth now based in Clacton, the Southend CI Oona Rollins having managed to move him on. His new DCI Helen Crample at Clacton, is maybe a cut off the old block and both opiniated and a political animal, with his new DS Roy Blagdon a cynical member of Joe’s new team. But Sue Palmer is still faithful to Joe and as acting DI at Southend sees things happening that seem to lead to Clacton and more mischief by some old suspects.
When a young lad is found dead on the Clacton foreshore, the local force tend to wish the case closed early as the lad has history, but Joe observes things that suggest that the locals who think of suicide or a drug overdose are wrong. Joe identifies a suspicious presence from Southend in Clacton connected with suspicious activities in the late night hourst. When another drug addicted local is seemingly fitted up with the murder of the youngster, Hogarth is determined to get to the bottom of the case. With assistance from Sue Palmer, the story opens up and leads to a likely past criminal boss from Southend coming in to the frame requiring the story to continue in the second book of this trilogy.
Bring it on Solomon!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following the career - and extra curricular activities of Joe Hogarth since book 1. I like the way Solomon Carter writes his stories in trilogies - it gives him the ability to write individual stories and a "long game" story at the same time. This trilogy sees Hogarth having been shunted to Clacton, the chief in Sounthend being a political woman who cannot stand Hogarth's manner of investigation, like a dog with a bond who won't give up till he gets his man (or woman) no matter how many political toes he steps on. The Chief in charge at Clacton is even worse. Than her Southend counterpart. However, Hogarth, his ex colleague, She Palmer and another unexpected source see something much bigger and horrifying than their blind bosses, who only want a clean life, can imagine. This aspect does give local police communities a very bad image, but the books are absolutely unput downable!

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one in the Wave Maker trilogy. Hogarth is now at Clacton, his tenure at Southend having come to an abrupt end. Just three weeks in the post and they are called to the body of a teenager in Jaywick. His number two DS Blagdon is lazy, but with a bit of a kick up the backside, he eventually starts to take on board Hogarth’s contention that dodgy dealing that started out in Southend may just be heading in their direction. However, he doesn’t quite seem to buy into it - so is he sitting on the fence or siding with those who want an easy life?

Meanwhile, following meetings with people in Southend, it transpires a face from way way back who everyone thought was out of the game, could in fact be bank rolling this entire new venture.

[Sebastian Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant start to a new series with DI Hogarth. After being forced out from his previous post Hogarth gets confronted with the death of a young boy found on the beach. Whilst digging into this case, it appears that there is more to this simple looking murder.
Hogarth has a fight on his hands from his senior officer as well as his colleagues but his usual gritty determination will help him through to expose the truth.
Now into part two of this brilliant read.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a rather solemn crime drama where the body of a young boy is found on a beach in Clacton.

Hogarth has been forced to leave Southend to join the station in Clacton...an awful boss is just one part of his misery.

Justice does not seem important to this new crew and villains appear to be growing strength. Despite Joe's warnings, nobody will listen. It was good that Sue Palmer was reachable.

A disturbing but realistic beginning to this new trilogy.

Engaging.

[Mrs C E Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and felt sorry for Hogarth as he was a newbie in Clacton. Was getting all excited near the end when if finished. Can’t wait for the continuation of the story in the next book.

[Pauline Horsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Scene for Hogarth

Thoroughly enjoyed the Wave Maker set in a different location. Eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

Will Hogarth return to Southend?

[Graham Chesman · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book

Took a while to get into miss the gang at Southend will will read the next and hope he goes back to Southend

[Teen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book continuing the DI Hogarth journey. Are books 2&3 available, or are we held in suspense? !

[K J PARROTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tight well written adventure for DI Hogarth.
Even more interesting as know most of the area n which this story is based.

[Andy Monaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treading Water

Is Hogarth out of his depth without any allies in this episode, apart from Palmer who has her own wory to fulfil, well worth a read.

[Cidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this! A good start to a new Joe Hogarth series, he's now been moved to Clacton from Southend his usual hunting ground and Sue Palmer is now in his old CI job, but they are communicating. It looks like the gang warlords are moving across to Clacton to grab new punters and start up new dodgy lethal businesses. The only trouble is that his new DCI is an awful woman who just wants any old verdict for a crime in order to just write it off in the books, and his new sidekick Sergeant Roy Blagdon doesn't really want to work and skims over any jobs he has to do. Then one morning the body of a young teenage boy is found laid out on the beach under the pier and in the distance Hogarth can spot a man in a black coat and hat keeping an eye on him and the boy. He recognises him as one of the top drug dealers from Southend, but why is he taking an interest in Hogarth and how he is looking after the body on the beach?

Back at Clacton police station his DCI Oona something says that the kid overdosed and is not a problem any more. Hogarth is incensed that she and Blagdon cannot see it for what it is, a dead boy laid out in a certain way on the beach I mean even his shoes were together and perfectly facing upright. Overdose? He arranged his own body in that way on the beach? The DCI is in someone's pocket then. The story progresses deeper and Hogarth is forced to join forces with Sue to find out who he was and why he was killed. And then the plot deepens....