The Thin Ice: A Gripping DI Hogarth Detective Mystery

by Solomon Carter

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2026

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

[Paul Dodd · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant

It’s like a good whiskey it keeps getting better and better this is one of the best anthers out there

[Mrs C E Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 and I have to say that it was a fantastic read. It finished off the story brilliantly, although I wish Hogarth would find himself a woman to share his life with. I had hoped him and Palmer would get together.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thin Line Trilogy.

Another great case for Holgarth's team. With Palmer leading the way and the arrival of D's Finch has brought a freshness to continuing Holgarth saga.
Another complex and fast moving case, a really enjoyable read.

[Craig Smedley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a conclusion this is to the story that started with a female falling from a moving vehicle in front of Joe Hogarth who just happened to have been there when the accident happened. The investigations that followed have been stymied by protection of officials and budgetary implications, but Joe and his new boss DCI Sue Palmer work quietly behind the scenes to obtain evidence sufficient to make a case and arrest the prime movers behind the racket being carried out. There are surprises all round and eventually the team scoop up all the miscreants and justice is served.
The author has weaved an intriguing and exciting story with twists and turns and conspiracies woven in to the fabric of the trilogy, coming to a satisfactory conclusion when this reader was able to say “whew” when the end was reached!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for the trilogy - the thin line, The Thin Edge and The Thin Ice.
It all started with a woman falling from a van door on a wet Saturday night on Southend sea front. Wrists bound, she hit her head on the ground before Hogarth could stop it and said three words. And so started an investigation like no other. This is, perhaps the most horrible, insidious crime I've read about so far. Through the three books Joe Hogarth, the newly promoted DCI Sue Palmer and their team, with help from an outside source and against internal obstacles, this is one methodical, well thought out and excellently written story of the kind long time fans have come to expect of Solomon Carter

[Sebastian Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific conclusion to what has been yet another incredible trilogy. Hogarth, Palmer, Kaplan and Finch have worked ceaselessly to bring justice to those women who had been either placed into prostitution or imprisoned for other reasons. The odds were stacked against them with politics and budgets blocking them every which way.
A truly enjoyable read and cannot wait for Hogarth and the team to get their next case.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in The Thin Line DI Hogarth trilogy.

The team continue their “off the books” investigation. Finch discovers the identity of the person who flagged the death of the unknown female that set the whole ball rolling. Little by little, thread by thread, everything unravels, but no one could have expected the curve ball that’s thrown in the latter stages of this investigation.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conclusion of the trilogy sees the team searching for enough evidence to bring criminals to heal and justice for the victims.

There's plenty of action and some secrets revealed as well as highlighting the lengths humans will go to cover their evil deeds.

Well-written, though repetitious at times. Great characters that suited a twisty and sad plot.

Engaging.

[Hilary Mauchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't stop reading!

Incredible!
Not being a good sleeper, I spend a lot of time partnered with my kindle. This story broke my reading record, night turned into late morning until I'd finished it!
What a story!!

[Derek Hodgetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

On e again a fabulous story from a great author

These last two books have had me reading until well into the night. As they are very addictive. I recommend them to all people who live crime well done fiction.
Well done Solomon Carter

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

good as usual

Another great book from Solomon and the end of the three trilogy. A good ending and great characters. Can’t wait for more of Hogarth.

[Elaine cropper · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story telling as always

A great end to this particular Hogarth trilogy. Gripping till the end. Cannot wait for more of the same. Brilliant

[K L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant

Can't put a Hogarth book down.
Absolutely input down able
If you've never read Hogarth amend that straightaway, you are missing a treat

[Miss Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have now read all 3 and each one just got better and better. Hogarth just gets better every time

[Julia gaukroger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow till the end . Massive explosion.. what a awesome ending.. I could go back read all 3 books in this story line again.. just kept me totally hooked … amazing author..

[Magdalena Gorrell Guimaraens · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting, extremely well-written trilogy, gripping tale. My only comment is that I find that the author's occasional "summing up" of events from one chapter to another tends to be somewhat repetitive and distracting. I found that when I came across this, I just skipped that part and continued onwards - easily said as I usually read these books on my kindle. Nevertheless, I am hooked and fully intend to read the other trilogies, especially the DI Hogarth ones!