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The Thin Line: A Gripping DI Hogarth Detective Mystery
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2026
About the author
Solomon Carter
193 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 9, 2026
Once again a great novel about an old favourite character of mine, Hogarth, flawed, fallible and utterly compelling to follow once you start to read. I read this book in just two days and found I could not put it down.
Every new Hogarth novel takes you into a new, dangerous and complicated area where there are always plenty of challenges and moral dilemmas to cope with. Hogarth will always manage to shoot himself in the foot in some way usually as a result of his choice of female companions but he never loses sight of the real target of his attention which is the victim(s) of crime, the perpetrators of crime and always with a strong moral compass to guide him. The description of the Senior Leadership Team as personified by Melford is accurate, they are more preoccupied by politics, image and sound bites than anything else.
This novel takes you off in a completely new area to the other books. A compelling scary world where the odds seem stacked against the old team of Hogarth, Palmer and Kaplan with new member Finch. The pace of the new story is relentless and carries the reader along at breakneck speed. I have already begun the second book in the series.
Yet another great read, thank you Solomon. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read and appreciates a great crime thriller where you are a part of the journey of discovery.
Paul Bradley.
Every new Hogarth novel takes you into a new, dangerous and complicated area where there are always plenty of challenges and moral dilemmas to cope with. Hogarth will always manage to shoot himself in the foot in some way usually as a result of his choice of female companions but he never loses sight of the real target of his attention which is the victim(s) of crime, the perpetrators of crime and always with a strong moral compass to guide him. The description of the Senior Leadership Team as personified by Melford is accurate, they are more preoccupied by politics, image and sound bites than anything else.
This novel takes you off in a completely new area to the other books. A compelling scary world where the odds seem stacked against the old team of Hogarth, Palmer and Kaplan with new member Finch. The pace of the new story is relentless and carries the reader along at breakneck speed. I have already begun the second book in the series.
Yet another great read, thank you Solomon. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read and appreciates a great crime thriller where you are a part of the journey of discovery.
Paul Bradley.
February 23, 2026
Joe Hogarth is back and finds things very different at the Southend nick. Sue Palmer, is now DCI Palmer and Melford has moved up to Chief Inspector. DS Ollie Finch from Colchester, joins the team, somewhat to the chagrin of DC Ecrin Kaplin, passed over for promotion. These changes make for different interactions between the team members. Melford is on the back of Palmer who is on the back of Hogarth and the case that arises creates a good deal of frustration between all the characters.
Joe witnesses an accident and this leads into an investigation of a form of trafficking that is very difficult to prove and obtain evidence of, as the instigator is invisible and things done at arm’s length. In his inimitable way, despite Palmer wanting I’s dotted and t’s crossed, Joe and the others reporting to him pursue the case, even when Melford wants the team to withdraw. Joe gets a couple of breaks and whilst a killer is apprehended, the people behind the continuing operation remain jumps ahead of the law, which leads into the next in the trilogy.
A great read with twists and turns aplenty and great examples of the loss of direction of people in senior positions, who put their interests above those of the public they are there to serve!
Joe witnesses an accident and this leads into an investigation of a form of trafficking that is very difficult to prove and obtain evidence of, as the instigator is invisible and things done at arm’s length. In his inimitable way, despite Palmer wanting I’s dotted and t’s crossed, Joe and the others reporting to him pursue the case, even when Melford wants the team to withdraw. Joe gets a couple of breaks and whilst a killer is apprehended, the people behind the continuing operation remain jumps ahead of the law, which leads into the next in the trilogy.
A great read with twists and turns aplenty and great examples of the loss of direction of people in senior positions, who put their interests above those of the public they are there to serve!
March 1, 2026
SPOILERS
The first book in the new DI Hogarth series.
Fresh back to Southend, but a Southend where changes have been rung. With Rollins demise, Milford has moved up the greasy pole, Sue Palmer is now DCI and there’s a new Sergeant in town Finch. Transferred in from Colchester.
Hogarth witnesses an incident where a young woman, restrained, falls from a van. Isolated incident or part of a bigger problem? As the team start to investigate, it becomes apparent that it is indeed a bigger problem, one spreading over multiple counties. Palmer wants a cross force investigation - the brass want to keep the purse strings closed, who will win the battle of wills. Can Palmer flex her muscles or will she fall on her sword? It all comes down to her team’s abilities - but will Hogarth toe the line - or will he flout the rules in a way that has become synonymous with his character…..
The first book in the new DI Hogarth series.
Fresh back to Southend, but a Southend where changes have been rung. With Rollins demise, Milford has moved up the greasy pole, Sue Palmer is now DCI and there’s a new Sergeant in town Finch. Transferred in from Colchester.
Hogarth witnesses an incident where a young woman, restrained, falls from a van. Isolated incident or part of a bigger problem? As the team start to investigate, it becomes apparent that it is indeed a bigger problem, one spreading over multiple counties. Palmer wants a cross force investigation - the brass want to keep the purse strings closed, who will win the battle of wills. Can Palmer flex her muscles or will she fall on her sword? It all comes down to her team’s abilities - but will Hogarth toe the line - or will he flout the rules in a way that has become synonymous with his character…..
March 29, 2026
The first in this new trilogy sees Hogarth investigate the disappearances of women...
Palmer is now DCI, Hogarth's boss, whose hands seem to be continually tied by the upper chiefs; their only concern is how they look. This, I found annoying because politics came before solving crimes and saving lives.
The plot is twisty in some ways, straightforward in others. I liked the team, including newcomer Finch.
A sad and disturbing story with plenty of action, though left on a cliffhanger.
Engaging.
Palmer is now DCI, Hogarth's boss, whose hands seem to be continually tied by the upper chiefs; their only concern is how they look. This, I found annoying because politics came before solving crimes and saving lives.
The plot is twisty in some ways, straightforward in others. I liked the team, including newcomer Finch.
A sad and disturbing story with plenty of action, though left on a cliffhanger.
Engaging.
March 3, 2026
Solomon Carter has upped his game for this trilogy! This only book one and the suspense is extremely high. A clever broker luring young women into a trap in such a sophisticated "service" it's possibly the biggest challenge Hogarth and the team have faced yet. With Sue Palmer now DCI and the higher ups trying to tie her hands - Hogarth and his newly reinvented team working on their own time - this is suspense thriller writing at its best! I can't wait to read episode two!
March 25, 2026
As expected.
Another totally solid novel with Hogarth and his usual ways of operating. But, so far they have been curtailed by his boss DCI Palmer. Yes, this makes for an interesting scenario with Kaplan and new boy Finch.
Hogarth is in the right place at the right time to start an investigation which he will never complete. There is someone out there who is holding all the cards in a female trafficking racket. But it is done in such a way that Hogarth and the team are really going to have their work cut out to wrap up this case.
You know you are going to be in for a great trilogy, and what a start!!
Another totally solid novel with Hogarth and his usual ways of operating. But, so far they have been curtailed by his boss DCI Palmer. Yes, this makes for an interesting scenario with Kaplan and new boy Finch.
Hogarth is in the right place at the right time to start an investigation which he will never complete. There is someone out there who is holding all the cards in a female trafficking racket. But it is done in such a way that Hogarth and the team are really going to have their work cut out to wrap up this case.
You know you are going to be in for a great trilogy, and what a start!!
Read
May 5, 2026As soon as I started reading this book and was absolutely hooked. I was waking during night and couldn’t wait to read more chapters.. intriguing I needed to keep going till the end .. outstanding..great story line … now onto the next one ..
February 19, 2026
A great first book in the series.
February 23, 2026
gritty
Can’t but the books down once started . Hogarth is a man on a mission,can’t wait for the next instalment .
Can’t but the books down once started . Hogarth is a man on a mission,can’t wait for the next instalment .
March 4, 2026
love Hogarth
Another gripping Hogarth book, brilliant as always. Have already got the next one ready to read, cannot wait to start it.
Another gripping Hogarth book, brilliant as always. Have already got the next one ready to read, cannot wait to start it.
April 1, 2026
I just can’t get enough of Hogarth he is amazing and can’t wait for the next 2 in the series
April 18, 2026
Waste of time
Badly written rubbish.story with no substance not believable.character didn't fit .it went all over the place from start to ,well it didn't finish.
Badly written rubbish.story with no substance not believable.character didn't fit .it went all over the place from start to ,well it didn't finish.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews