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The Drowned Girl: The First DI Sue Palmer Mystery, from the DI Hogarth Mysteries, Gripping Adventures Every Time
A teenage girl. A storm-lashed coast. A secret worth killing for.
When a young girl’s body washes up on the Southend shoreline, DI Sue Palmer knows it’s no accident. The injuries don’t match the tide. The chemical traces don’t belong. And the developer driving the new waterfront project? He’s not just building—he’s burying.
As the pressure mounts, Palmer’s team starts to fracture. DC Ecrin Kaplan is sharp but reckless. DS Mark Simmons returns with unfinished business. And the deeper they dig, the more “accidents” they uncover—each tied to one powerful name.
Soon, Kaplan is missing. Surveillance goes off-book. And Palmer must decide how far she’s willing to go before the killer strikes again.
"Gripping. Cinematic. Impossible to put down."
The Drowned Girl is a razor-sharp British crime thriller with forensic bite, emotional depth, and a twist that hits hard. No gangs. No gimmicks. Just a detective who won’t look away—and a case that cuts deep.
Fans of Val McDermid, Robert Bryndza, and Ann Cleeves will be hooked.
Start the series today and discover your next unputdownable thriller.
When a young girl’s body washes up on the Southend shoreline, DI Sue Palmer knows it’s no accident. The injuries don’t match the tide. The chemical traces don’t belong. And the developer driving the new waterfront project? He’s not just building—he’s burying.
As the pressure mounts, Palmer’s team starts to fracture. DC Ecrin Kaplan is sharp but reckless. DS Mark Simmons returns with unfinished business. And the deeper they dig, the more “accidents” they uncover—each tied to one powerful name.
Soon, Kaplan is missing. Surveillance goes off-book. And Palmer must decide how far she’s willing to go before the killer strikes again.
"Gripping. Cinematic. Impossible to put down."
The Drowned Girl is a razor-sharp British crime thriller with forensic bite, emotional depth, and a twist that hits hard. No gangs. No gimmicks. Just a detective who won’t look away—and a case that cuts deep.
Fans of Val McDermid, Robert Bryndza, and Ann Cleeves will be hooked.
Start the series today and discover your next unputdownable thriller.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2025
109 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Solomon Carter
184 books99 followersHello 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!
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!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 11, 2025
This was quite fast paced, Hogarth is on leave, feeling worn down to the bone from his last case and was given some time by Melford his boss, to recuperate, which leaves Sue Palmer in charge. Except Melford has brought in Ecrin Kaplan's last partner, Mark Simmons, to help Palmer. She's furious as she doesn't trust him and he had hurt Ecrin so he was the last man she wanted to have around.
A lone angler is out night fishing and catches something on the tide, it's the body of a young girl who is face down in the silt and sand, he calls 999 and lots of police officers arrive, Palmer and her team. Palmer takes a long look at the young girl and begins to draw the scene (she's an artist), whilst Kaplan is photographing it. Something is wrong and not just the young dead girl, but the sand and silt itself. Later she discovers that there are chemicals and debris from the building industry dumped and mixed in with the sand, and these are dangerous. Then discovers 3 local building companies have been using these chemicals and they seem to be the culprits but are all owned by the same councillor and he's the dodgiest man on the scene.
The plot moves along fast where all the team are being targetted and having to watch their backs when they leave work and soon they are embroiled into doing some illegal police work but all of them want justice for the drown girl and to get the main man brought behind bars. But their lives are intense with danger coming at them from all angles. This was a very tense book virtually all the way through but with a satisfactory ending! I was glad about that as I was awake all night reading it!!
A lone angler is out night fishing and catches something on the tide, it's the body of a young girl who is face down in the silt and sand, he calls 999 and lots of police officers arrive, Palmer and her team. Palmer takes a long look at the young girl and begins to draw the scene (she's an artist), whilst Kaplan is photographing it. Something is wrong and not just the young dead girl, but the sand and silt itself. Later she discovers that there are chemicals and debris from the building industry dumped and mixed in with the sand, and these are dangerous. Then discovers 3 local building companies have been using these chemicals and they seem to be the culprits but are all owned by the same councillor and he's the dodgiest man on the scene.
The plot moves along fast where all the team are being targetted and having to watch their backs when they leave work and soon they are embroiled into doing some illegal police work but all of them want justice for the drown girl and to get the main man brought behind bars. But their lives are intense with danger coming at them from all angles. This was a very tense book virtually all the way through but with a satisfactory ending! I was glad about that as I was awake all night reading it!!
December 16, 2025
Wow! A cracking read and superb start to another trilogy, but with Sue Palmer leading. Hogarth is away on a long sabbatical so Sue has taken over the team. Then the addition of Mark Simmons to the team creates a bit of friction with Kaplan. All this happens during the investigation of a young girl found dead in the beach.
A case that involves local councillors and fixers out to discredit the team with corruption of the highest order. A great deal is at stake here and Sue must get it right. Even Melford has his doubts!
Just when you think it is all over, it is not! Now onto book two.
A case that involves local councillors and fixers out to discredit the team with corruption of the highest order. A great deal is at stake here and Sue must get it right. Even Melford has his doubts!
Just when you think it is all over, it is not! Now onto book two.
December 9, 2025
The first book in the first series where DI Palmer is in charge.
Hogarth has returned but has immediately asked for leave.
A fisherman finds the body of a young girl floating in the water. Palmer & Kaplan set out to investigate.
But things are not all they seem and before long Palmer and her team - currently including a name from the past who is not quite welcome, are embroiled in a murky world of bribery & corruption.
Hogarth has returned but has immediately asked for leave.
A fisherman finds the body of a young girl floating in the water. Palmer & Kaplan set out to investigate.
But things are not all they seem and before long Palmer and her team - currently including a name from the past who is not quite welcome, are embroiled in a murky world of bribery & corruption.
December 12, 2025
This was the first book in the new trilogy which focuses on Sue Palmer as Acting Detective Inspector while Hogarth is taking leave.
A young woman is found dead on a beach...Sue suspect murder.
Nothing is straightforward in the case where outside forces interfere. Mark Simmons is back, while Kaplan has her own problems. I liked the interaction between the characters and the constant threats build tension and suspense.
Well-written and engaging.
Recommended.
A young woman is found dead on a beach...Sue suspect murder.
Nothing is straightforward in the case where outside forces interfere. Mark Simmons is back, while Kaplan has her own problems. I liked the interaction between the characters and the constant threats build tension and suspense.
Well-written and engaging.
Recommended.
November 9, 2025
What an exciting 2nd book. Lots going on. Roll on book 3.
November 13, 2025
One of those, just another chapter books. Throughly enjoyed it
November 13, 2025
Ohhhhhhh gripping
Brilliant
Great plot and fantastic , can't wait for the third
Enough to keep you hooked
And the office politics
Brilliant
Great plot and fantastic , can't wait for the third
Enough to keep you hooked
And the office politics
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews