The Drowned Voice

by Solomon Carter

A body in the water. A mole in the ranks. A conspiracy that won’t stay buried.
When a young man’s corpse surfaces off Leigh-on-Sea, Acting DI Sue Palmer knows it’s staged. The injuries don’t match a drowning. The redevelopment deals don’t match the truth. And the warning she received—“Look to Leigh, look to Rayleigh”—wasn’t just ominous. It was a map.

Inside the station, the scent of a familiar cologne confirms her worst the mole who sabotaged her last case is still close. Watching. Undetected.

As Palmer’s team fractures under pressure, DC Ecrin Kaplan and DS Mark Simmons clash—professionally and personally. Surveillance goes off-book. Evidence vanishes. And every lead points to one a council planner with political protection and blood on his hands.

Then the threats turn personal. A scaffolding collapse nearly kills Palmer. Kaplan is targeted. And the mole moves in the shadows, manipulating every step of the investigation.

Palmer must lead a dangerous raid, confront armed enforcers, and decide who she can trust—before another body hits the tide.

"Taut, atmospheric, and impossible to second-guess."

Book 2 in the Palmer series is a gripping British crime thriller with forensic precision, emotional depth, and a conspiracy that cuts deeper than ever. No gangs. No gimmicks. Just a detective who won’t back down—and a mole who won’t let go.

Continue the series today and uncover the next unputdownable case.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 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

[Mrs Linda A Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

Just enjoyed another great book by Solomon Carter. This second book in the series was really good and I can't wait for the next one.

[Craig Smedley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complex story following on from THE DROWNED GIRL with twists and turns involving the developer that was behind the death of the young female where the story commenced. When the body of a worker at one of the developments turns up, further corruption is identified behind the renewal developments going on along the Southend foreshore. DI Sue Palmer has her work cut out for her in a world of profit focused lies and duplicity, as the story unfolds. She is faced with leaking information, and the turbulent interactions between DS Mark Simmons and DC Ecrin Kaplan. But with DCI Melford away brown nosing over the appointment of a new Chief Inspector at Southend, Sue is the senior officer on deck and makes numerous decisions that cause ructions when Melford hears of them, causing him concerns about political implications.
With plenty of action, risking their own safety, the complex investigations identify suspects leading to a number of arrests and the twists and turns continue.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this Secrets of Redemption series from the start and been captivated. Books 1-3 must be read in order, but books 4-5 are like a prologue to the first 3. They were all edge of my seat, couldn't put them down suspense - great reading. But - this is the first one in the series I've felt I couldn't give five stars. It almost seems as though it's a kind of place holder - reminding the reader that the mysterious disappearance of all the adults in Redemption in 1888 and the problems the children went on to have is still impacting their remaining descendants. I think the next book in the series, The Room at the Top of the Stairs will resume the psychological suspense that the rest of the books have had.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the first series where DI Palmer is in charge. Another day, another murder. This time it’s the body of a young man, found in Old Leigh. It quickly becomes apparent that the man was placed in the water and held under. The team begin an investigation but meantime, Palmer is plagued by a specific smell she first came across when someone tried to kibosh her investigation into corrupt dealings with the marina complex. So, when she smells the same scent within the station, she becomes convinced someone within is the mole she’s searching for. But how to set a trap to ensnare them without tipping her hat…..

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second story in the trilogy and sees Sue and her team chasing villains of all kinds while trying to solve more than one murder...is everything connected?

There were plenty of risks taken and none knowing who to trust.

I enjoyed the action and relationships, all believable, if sometimes disturbing. There was a good sense of place as well was filled with tension and suspense.

Well-written and engaging.

Recommended.

[Sebastian Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow on from the first book in the trilogy. Another death with connections to the dead girl in the first book. The connection being the corruption ride in the council and the enforcers.
Palmer and the team are under so much pressure to be able to get convictions and are thwarted at every move. The mole is still there but who is he?
Loved it and now to the finale.

[Miss Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

book 2

Loved this book and can’t wait to follow Palmer on her next journey . I’m getting to really like her