What do you think?
Rate this book
Inspector Ryga Mysteries #6
Death on the Pier
Meet Inspector Alun Ryga of Scotland Yard’s Murder Squad. Having survived WW2 in a prisoner of war camp, he’s vowed to get justice for those who need it.
1951, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
One scorching summer evening, Commander Clive Cottinglea is returning home from the yacht club when he stumbles across a body at the bottom of the cliff lift.
By the time he fetches the beat constable, not only has the corpse vanished — but there’s no trace it was ever there. No blood. No broken twigs. No trampled flowers.
The local Southend police are baffled. How can they investigate a murder without evidence or a body?
The worried chief constable calls in a favour from Detective Superintendent Street at Scotland Yard — who knows just the man for the job.
Inspector Alun Ryga is dispatched undercover to the Essex coast to conduct a discreet investigation. He soon discovers unsettling contradictions in the retired commander’s story.
But the peculiar case then takes a deadly turn when another body is discovered on a deckchair on the pier . . .
Fans of Elly Griffiths, Laura Wilson, Anthony Horowitz, Robert Harris, Philip Kerr, Frederick Forsyth and Keith Finney will devour this series of enthralling historical crime mysteries set in 1950s England — a time of rationing and recovery from the struggles of the Second World War.
1951, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
One scorching summer evening, Commander Clive Cottinglea is returning home from the yacht club when he stumbles across a body at the bottom of the cliff lift.
By the time he fetches the beat constable, not only has the corpse vanished — but there’s no trace it was ever there. No blood. No broken twigs. No trampled flowers.
The local Southend police are baffled. How can they investigate a murder without evidence or a body?
The worried chief constable calls in a favour from Detective Superintendent Street at Scotland Yard — who knows just the man for the job.
Inspector Alun Ryga is dispatched undercover to the Essex coast to conduct a discreet investigation. He soon discovers unsettling contradictions in the retired commander’s story.
But the peculiar case then takes a deadly turn when another body is discovered on a deckchair on the pier . . .
Fans of Elly Griffiths, Laura Wilson, Anthony Horowitz, Robert Harris, Philip Kerr, Frederick Forsyth and Keith Finney will devour this series of enthralling historical crime mysteries set in 1950s England — a time of rationing and recovery from the struggles of the Second World War.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2026
About the author
Pauline Rowson
65 books170 followersPauline Rowson is the author of thirty- one crime novels - nineteen featuring DI Andy Horton in the Solent Murder Mystery series; five in Art Marvik mystery thrillers series, six in the 1950s set historical mysteries with Scotland Yard's Inspector Ryga, who is sent out to solve baffling coastal crimes and two standalone thrillers. All her crime novels are set against the backdrop of the ever changing sea.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 30, 2026
Here’s my review for Death On The Pier by Pauline Rowson
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this gripping, historical murder mystery, set in 1951, where Inspector Ryga from the Murder Squad at Scotland Yard is sent to Southend-on-sea in Essex to discreetly carry out an undercover investigation into Commander Clive Cottinglea's story. He told Southend Police that, Monday night, he was on his way home from the yacht club when he found a body, covered in blood in the bushes at the bottom of the cliff lift. He hurried off to find a beat constable but by the time they returned, the corpse had vanished plus there was no trace anything had been there! They even double checked the next morning but there was still nothing showing. Commander Cottinglea pushes for a proper investigation which is a bit tricky with no evidence or body. The chief constable calls in a favour with Detective Superintendent Street and he sends his best man for the role. DI Ryga manages to book into the same lodgings as Commander Cottinglea and bump into him on his first evening there. The Commander took him to the yacht club for a drink then took him to where he found the body. Ryga showed some interest and asked questions then they moved on before quickly parting company. Something doesn't sit well with Ryga but the case takes a strange turn when he and Eva find a body in a deckchair on the pier.
The further I got into this intriguing story, the more hooked I became. It was a brilliantly written, superbly plotted and extremely well thought out story that was excellently full of twists and turns. The author was great at setting the scene for post-war Southend in 1951. There was great attention to detail. The story was very descriptive and everything was described in great detail. The characters were intriguing, well described and one or two very devious. I believe the author must have done some extensive research before writing this story as the information contained within the novel confirms this and makes for a more interesting read. I like DI Ryga and his methods as he seems to think things out really well and stand his ground. This is the first book in the series that I have read but I can't wait to read the next one.
Synopsis :
DISCOVER A SERIES OF CAPTIVATING HISTORICAL MYSTERIES FILLED WITH TWISTS FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR PAULINE ROWSON.
Meet Inspector Alun Ryga of Scotland Yard’s Murder Squad. Having survived WW2 in a prisoner of war camp, he’s vowed to get justice for those who need it.
1951, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
One scorching summer evening, Commander Clive Cottinglea is returning home from the yacht club when he stumbles across a body at the bottom of the cliff lift.
By the time he fetches the beat constable, not only has the corpse vanished — but there’s no trace it was ever there. No blood. No broken twigs. No trampled flowers.
The local Southend police are baffled. How can they investigate a murder without evidence or a body?
The worried chief constable calls in a favour from Detective Superintendent Street at Scotland Yard — who knows just the man for the job.
Inspector Alun Ryga is dispatched undercover to the Essex coast to conduct a discreet investigation. He soon discovers unsettling contradictions in the retired commander’s story.
But the peculiar case then takes a deadly turn when another body is discovered on a deckchair on the pier . . .
Fans of Elly Griffiths, Laura Wilson, Anthony Horowitz, Robert Harris, Philip Kerr, Frederick Forsyth and Keith Finney will devour this series of enthralling historical crime mysteries set in 1950s England — a time of rationing and recovery from the struggles of the Second World War.
MEET INSPECTOR ALUN RYGA
Alun Ryga is ex-Merchant Navy and a former prisoner of war. His experience has made him observant, analytical and reflective. It has also given him insights into his fellow man. He’s witnessed compassion, cruelty, cowardice, heroism, mental breakdown and despair. He’s made a promise to himself that whatever happens after the war he’ll keep an open mind and never judge. His experiences have made him unique in his approach to solving coastal-based crimes — of which there are many!
THE SETTING
The south coast of England has over 400 miles of stunning coastline. From chalky white cliffs and sandy beaches to shingle bays and national parks, the beauty is endless. But there’s a darker side to post-war Britain. Housing shortages and rationed goods mean many people are still living rough, and some turn to crime to survive . . .
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this gripping, historical murder mystery, set in 1951, where Inspector Ryga from the Murder Squad at Scotland Yard is sent to Southend-on-sea in Essex to discreetly carry out an undercover investigation into Commander Clive Cottinglea's story. He told Southend Police that, Monday night, he was on his way home from the yacht club when he found a body, covered in blood in the bushes at the bottom of the cliff lift. He hurried off to find a beat constable but by the time they returned, the corpse had vanished plus there was no trace anything had been there! They even double checked the next morning but there was still nothing showing. Commander Cottinglea pushes for a proper investigation which is a bit tricky with no evidence or body. The chief constable calls in a favour with Detective Superintendent Street and he sends his best man for the role. DI Ryga manages to book into the same lodgings as Commander Cottinglea and bump into him on his first evening there. The Commander took him to the yacht club for a drink then took him to where he found the body. Ryga showed some interest and asked questions then they moved on before quickly parting company. Something doesn't sit well with Ryga but the case takes a strange turn when he and Eva find a body in a deckchair on the pier.
The further I got into this intriguing story, the more hooked I became. It was a brilliantly written, superbly plotted and extremely well thought out story that was excellently full of twists and turns. The author was great at setting the scene for post-war Southend in 1951. There was great attention to detail. The story was very descriptive and everything was described in great detail. The characters were intriguing, well described and one or two very devious. I believe the author must have done some extensive research before writing this story as the information contained within the novel confirms this and makes for a more interesting read. I like DI Ryga and his methods as he seems to think things out really well and stand his ground. This is the first book in the series that I have read but I can't wait to read the next one.
Synopsis :
DISCOVER A SERIES OF CAPTIVATING HISTORICAL MYSTERIES FILLED WITH TWISTS FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR PAULINE ROWSON.
Meet Inspector Alun Ryga of Scotland Yard’s Murder Squad. Having survived WW2 in a prisoner of war camp, he’s vowed to get justice for those who need it.
1951, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
One scorching summer evening, Commander Clive Cottinglea is returning home from the yacht club when he stumbles across a body at the bottom of the cliff lift.
By the time he fetches the beat constable, not only has the corpse vanished — but there’s no trace it was ever there. No blood. No broken twigs. No trampled flowers.
The local Southend police are baffled. How can they investigate a murder without evidence or a body?
The worried chief constable calls in a favour from Detective Superintendent Street at Scotland Yard — who knows just the man for the job.
Inspector Alun Ryga is dispatched undercover to the Essex coast to conduct a discreet investigation. He soon discovers unsettling contradictions in the retired commander’s story.
But the peculiar case then takes a deadly turn when another body is discovered on a deckchair on the pier . . .
Fans of Elly Griffiths, Laura Wilson, Anthony Horowitz, Robert Harris, Philip Kerr, Frederick Forsyth and Keith Finney will devour this series of enthralling historical crime mysteries set in 1950s England — a time of rationing and recovery from the struggles of the Second World War.
MEET INSPECTOR ALUN RYGA
Alun Ryga is ex-Merchant Navy and a former prisoner of war. His experience has made him observant, analytical and reflective. It has also given him insights into his fellow man. He’s witnessed compassion, cruelty, cowardice, heroism, mental breakdown and despair. He’s made a promise to himself that whatever happens after the war he’ll keep an open mind and never judge. His experiences have made him unique in his approach to solving coastal-based crimes — of which there are many!
THE SETTING
The south coast of England has over 400 miles of stunning coastline. From chalky white cliffs and sandy beaches to shingle bays and national parks, the beauty is endless. But there’s a darker side to post-war Britain. Housing shortages and rationed goods mean many people are still living rough, and some turn to crime to survive . . .
September 1, 2026
I hadn’t read a Pauline Rowson novel for years, but remembered that she is well known for her love of mysteries set in coastal locations. Here, in Death on the Pier, we are in a 1951 England with a recent war won, but with most ordinary people still struggling to support the costly yoke imposed by being, at least nominally, victors. Everyone, including the Metropolitan Police’s Detective Inspector Alun Ryga, still carries ration books. He is sent on an undercover mission to what was then ‘East End on Sea’, the brash resort of Southend.
A retired naval officer has found a bloodstained corpse in a municipal shrubbery. He goes to seek help and returns with a police constable, but there is no body, nor any sign that one was ever there. Is Clive Cottinglea a fraud, deluded, or part of some wider conspiracy? Posing as a tourist, Ryga befriends Cottinglea and senses that many things are not adding up. When Cottinglea is found dead in his deckchair on Southend’s celebrated pier, to quote our most celebrated crime writer, “the game is afoot.”
The dead man was clearly short of money, and his claims of being a veteran of the Battle of Jutland and skipper of one of Dunkirk’s heroic small boats have not convinced people at the local yacht club. When Ryga, literally over Cottinglea’s dead body, is forced to reveal that he is a London copper, Pauline Rowson has set the stage for a fascinating mystery.
The plot becomes deliciously complex. As Ryga waits for the post mortem to reveal just how Cottinglea died, the truth about the man’s real life is laid bare. As for being a Commander, the only people he ever commanded were a few housemaids and cooks. Cottinglea was a butler at a nearby stately home, and had been for some years. When, just months earlier, the Lady of The Manor had finally given up the struggle of maintaining Tyide Hall and recreating its 1920s halcyon days, Cottinglea had been paid off and given a decent reference, while the noble Lady sold the house and grounds to developers and flew off to America with the proceeds.
Cottinglea had enjoyed a brief but uncomfortable few days as a guest member of the local yacht club, but why had he been signed in by senior member Admiral Burnham? And why is Burnham now missing?
On one level, this is a standard murder mystery, albeit a very good one, but there is much more. Through the perceptive gaze of Ryga, Pauline Rowson gives us moving and compassionate portraits of ordinary people fighting an uneven battle against life’s vicissitudes.There is Miss Bard, the seemingly severe landlady of The Marigolds guest house. Once a bright and attractive woman, she is now an ageing spinster, saddled with debt but maintaining a brave face. Her carpets and furnishings are shabby, but scrupulously clean, and all that remains to her of a former better life are good manners and a sense of decency. Then there is Mrs Burnham, terminally Ill and virtually deserted by her husband who lacks the moral courage to cope with her illness face to face. Again, she remembers better times, but faces what is left of her future with quiet dignity.
We are also allowed to be observers of a very different England from the place we inhabit today. We meet men and women who, in one way or another, helped ‘win the war’. But what did they win? From individual workers, shopkeepers, pensioners and public servants right up to those who hold the government purse strings, there is a sense that, to quote Derek Raymond, the crust is on its uppers. I cannot claim to remember 1951, as I was just four years old then, but the legacy of those post-war years was a defining part of my later childhood.
Of course, Ryga gets to the bottom of the mystery, and we are presented with a very entertaining – if rather involved – solution. Above all, the book has a profound sense of social history and empathy with flawed but all-too-human characters, and this makes it memorable. Readers were introduced to Alun Ryga in Death In The Cove (2023) and this, the sixth in the series, will be published by Joffe Books on 26th August.
A retired naval officer has found a bloodstained corpse in a municipal shrubbery. He goes to seek help and returns with a police constable, but there is no body, nor any sign that one was ever there. Is Clive Cottinglea a fraud, deluded, or part of some wider conspiracy? Posing as a tourist, Ryga befriends Cottinglea and senses that many things are not adding up. When Cottinglea is found dead in his deckchair on Southend’s celebrated pier, to quote our most celebrated crime writer, “the game is afoot.”
The dead man was clearly short of money, and his claims of being a veteran of the Battle of Jutland and skipper of one of Dunkirk’s heroic small boats have not convinced people at the local yacht club. When Ryga, literally over Cottinglea’s dead body, is forced to reveal that he is a London copper, Pauline Rowson has set the stage for a fascinating mystery.
The plot becomes deliciously complex. As Ryga waits for the post mortem to reveal just how Cottinglea died, the truth about the man’s real life is laid bare. As for being a Commander, the only people he ever commanded were a few housemaids and cooks. Cottinglea was a butler at a nearby stately home, and had been for some years. When, just months earlier, the Lady of The Manor had finally given up the struggle of maintaining Tyide Hall and recreating its 1920s halcyon days, Cottinglea had been paid off and given a decent reference, while the noble Lady sold the house and grounds to developers and flew off to America with the proceeds.
Cottinglea had enjoyed a brief but uncomfortable few days as a guest member of the local yacht club, but why had he been signed in by senior member Admiral Burnham? And why is Burnham now missing?
On one level, this is a standard murder mystery, albeit a very good one, but there is much more. Through the perceptive gaze of Ryga, Pauline Rowson gives us moving and compassionate portraits of ordinary people fighting an uneven battle against life’s vicissitudes.There is Miss Bard, the seemingly severe landlady of The Marigolds guest house. Once a bright and attractive woman, she is now an ageing spinster, saddled with debt but maintaining a brave face. Her carpets and furnishings are shabby, but scrupulously clean, and all that remains to her of a former better life are good manners and a sense of decency. Then there is Mrs Burnham, terminally Ill and virtually deserted by her husband who lacks the moral courage to cope with her illness face to face. Again, she remembers better times, but faces what is left of her future with quiet dignity.
We are also allowed to be observers of a very different England from the place we inhabit today. We meet men and women who, in one way or another, helped ‘win the war’. But what did they win? From individual workers, shopkeepers, pensioners and public servants right up to those who hold the government purse strings, there is a sense that, to quote Derek Raymond, the crust is on its uppers. I cannot claim to remember 1951, as I was just four years old then, but the legacy of those post-war years was a defining part of my later childhood.
Of course, Ryga gets to the bottom of the mystery, and we are presented with a very entertaining – if rather involved – solution. Above all, the book has a profound sense of social history and empathy with flawed but all-too-human characters, and this makes it memorable. Readers were introduced to Alun Ryga in Death In The Cove (2023) and this, the sixth in the series, will be published by Joffe Books on 26th August.
September 5, 2026
I’m writing this having been rudely awakened by my cat, as she pressed her claws into my bare forearm. Thinking she might want feeding, I dragged myself out of bed and into the kitchen, where I discovered that the bowl of food I’d left down for her yesterday evening remained largely untouched. I then decided to make myself a cup of tea and start writing this review, but she wasn’t having that either. I’ve already pushed her off the keyboard for a second time, and that’s before reaching the end of this paragraph.
OK, now I’ve pushed her out of the room and closed the door. I’ll try and carry on.
These are by no means the only annoying habits the cat has. Actually, I could probably fill the rest of this post with other examples and still not reach the end of the list. But I will admit here and now that I don’t care. Despite the many irritations, there’s no getting away from the fact that I love the wretched animal.
This brings me to Death on the Pier by Pauline Rowson, which is another example of my having loved something – or at least, enjoyed it very much indeed – despite, or perhaps because of its foibles.
This isn’t a book that should be judged as a police procedural, that’s for sure. To accept that the presence of a detective from Scotland Yard in Southend-on-Sea, seemingly indefinitely, is justified despite there being no evidence that a crime has even been committed is something that doesn’t require the reader to suspend their disbelief so much as grab it by the scruff of its neck and hurl it off the highest cliff they can find. As does Detective Inspector Ryga’s civilian friend acting as a police photographer, seemingly at his beck and call.
Nor is it exactly a lesson in historical accuracy: the first Land Rover went on sale in the UK in 1948, so if the one featured in this book had become old and battered by 1951, its owner must have given it a heck of a hard life.
Thankfully, in this case, none of this really matters. Because what this book is is a wonderful portrait of life in the south-east of England as it slowly recovered from not only the Second, but also the First World Wars. Its effects on those left behind, which included physical, psychological, social and financial. The chances siezed by greedy opportunists. And a poignant reminder that, even though there is still room for improvements in attitudes towards homosexuality, they’ve come a long way in the right direction from what they used to be.
It also just happens to include a very well-plotted cosy murder mystery. There are no gruesome scenes or frenzied serial killers here, and nor do there need to be. Instead there are multiple changes of direction to the story, multiple shady characters and an ending that I didn’t see coming. Although – and this is in no way meant as a criticism – this was at least in part because I’d long since stopped trying to guess and was just enjoying the ride, in the same way that I’d enjoy a gentle stroll along a beach.
Summing this book up, then, is fairly simple. If you want something that’s a crime thriller, or a police procedural first and foremost, you’ll need to look elsewhere, and there are plenty of other authors out there to satisfy you. But if you’re happy to read a gentle and yet sometimes poignant historical portrayal, that also just happens to include some cosy crime, here’s a book and – potentially, given that I’ve yet to read anything else by this author – a series for you. Like I said earlier, I enjoyed it very much indeed.
My thanks to Joffe Books and Zooloo’s Book Tours for my inclusion on the blog tour for Death on the Pier, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly. My review is also published on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com, with links shared on my social media pages.
OK, now I’ve pushed her out of the room and closed the door. I’ll try and carry on.
These are by no means the only annoying habits the cat has. Actually, I could probably fill the rest of this post with other examples and still not reach the end of the list. But I will admit here and now that I don’t care. Despite the many irritations, there’s no getting away from the fact that I love the wretched animal.
This brings me to Death on the Pier by Pauline Rowson, which is another example of my having loved something – or at least, enjoyed it very much indeed – despite, or perhaps because of its foibles.
This isn’t a book that should be judged as a police procedural, that’s for sure. To accept that the presence of a detective from Scotland Yard in Southend-on-Sea, seemingly indefinitely, is justified despite there being no evidence that a crime has even been committed is something that doesn’t require the reader to suspend their disbelief so much as grab it by the scruff of its neck and hurl it off the highest cliff they can find. As does Detective Inspector Ryga’s civilian friend acting as a police photographer, seemingly at his beck and call.
Nor is it exactly a lesson in historical accuracy: the first Land Rover went on sale in the UK in 1948, so if the one featured in this book had become old and battered by 1951, its owner must have given it a heck of a hard life.
Thankfully, in this case, none of this really matters. Because what this book is is a wonderful portrait of life in the south-east of England as it slowly recovered from not only the Second, but also the First World Wars. Its effects on those left behind, which included physical, psychological, social and financial. The chances siezed by greedy opportunists. And a poignant reminder that, even though there is still room for improvements in attitudes towards homosexuality, they’ve come a long way in the right direction from what they used to be.
It also just happens to include a very well-plotted cosy murder mystery. There are no gruesome scenes or frenzied serial killers here, and nor do there need to be. Instead there are multiple changes of direction to the story, multiple shady characters and an ending that I didn’t see coming. Although – and this is in no way meant as a criticism – this was at least in part because I’d long since stopped trying to guess and was just enjoying the ride, in the same way that I’d enjoy a gentle stroll along a beach.
Summing this book up, then, is fairly simple. If you want something that’s a crime thriller, or a police procedural first and foremost, you’ll need to look elsewhere, and there are plenty of other authors out there to satisfy you. But if you’re happy to read a gentle and yet sometimes poignant historical portrayal, that also just happens to include some cosy crime, here’s a book and – potentially, given that I’ve yet to read anything else by this author – a series for you. Like I said earlier, I enjoyed it very much indeed.
My thanks to Joffe Books and Zooloo’s Book Tours for my inclusion on the blog tour for Death on the Pier, which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly. My review is also published on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com, with links shared on my social media pages.
August 27, 2026
Inspector Ryga from Scotland Yard goes undercover in this clever post war murder mystery.
Part 6 of the Inspector Ryga series it is a great standalone tale of old fashioned policing. No DNA and no criminal profiling available yet, this is 1950s Post war austerity Britain. Forensics is limited to fingerprints and eye witness statements. Sheer doggedness and determined sleuthing is what gets results to solve the diabolical.
A retired Royal Navy Commander discovers a body at the foot of the cliffs at Southend-on-Sea. He runs to inform the nearest Copper on his beat. When they reach the site the body has gone and no evidence of that there ever was one, no blood no flattened ground, no footprints. The Commander is humoured but his story is put down to drink or a vivid imagination. Commander Cottinglea is not satisfied and it seems he has friends in high places and hints at heads rolling if he’s not taken seriously.
Inspector Ryga from Scotland Yards murder squad is sent incognito to determine primarily if there has been a crime committed. He soon comes to the conclusion that Cottinglea is not who he seems but the whole thing is suspicious. He reveals himself as a police officer when Cottinglea himself is found dead. Ryga now has more problems, not only two deaths but the local police are not playing ball!
Good old policing and with the assistance of his good friend Eva the crime slowly reveals more and more twisty intrigues. The body count increases until the final twist and Ryga gets his man.
Great characters with slowly revealing back stories makes this series come to life. Very well written and researched.
Part 6 of the Inspector Ryga series it is a great standalone tale of old fashioned policing. No DNA and no criminal profiling available yet, this is 1950s Post war austerity Britain. Forensics is limited to fingerprints and eye witness statements. Sheer doggedness and determined sleuthing is what gets results to solve the diabolical.
A retired Royal Navy Commander discovers a body at the foot of the cliffs at Southend-on-Sea. He runs to inform the nearest Copper on his beat. When they reach the site the body has gone and no evidence of that there ever was one, no blood no flattened ground, no footprints. The Commander is humoured but his story is put down to drink or a vivid imagination. Commander Cottinglea is not satisfied and it seems he has friends in high places and hints at heads rolling if he’s not taken seriously.
Inspector Ryga from Scotland Yards murder squad is sent incognito to determine primarily if there has been a crime committed. He soon comes to the conclusion that Cottinglea is not who he seems but the whole thing is suspicious. He reveals himself as a police officer when Cottinglea himself is found dead. Ryga now has more problems, not only two deaths but the local police are not playing ball!
Good old policing and with the assistance of his good friend Eva the crime slowly reveals more and more twisty intrigues. The body count increases until the final twist and Ryga gets his man.
Great characters with slowly revealing back stories makes this series come to life. Very well written and researched.
August 31, 2026
This is the sixth instalment in the Inspector Ryga Historical Mysteries series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone.
Set in 1951, Inspector Alun Ryga of Scotland Yard is called to Southend-on-Sea to assist with a reported murder where the body has vanished without a trace. With no corpse and no evidence, how can anyone prove a crime has even taken place?
One of the book's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Pauline Rowson vividly recreates post-war Britain, and I felt I'd been transported to the Essex coast with richly detailed descriptions of the seaside setting and the era itself. The social commentary woven throughout the story is equally engaging, offering insight into life in the years following World War II and the lasting impact the conflict had on those who lived through it.
Inspector Ryga is a particularly fascinating character. Rather than relying on force or bravado, he is patient, thoughtful, observant, and quietly persistent. His empathy and understanding of human nature, shaped in part by his experiences as a prisoner of war, make him a distinctive and compelling investigator.
The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, with plenty of intrigue along the way, and I particularly enjoyed the historical backdrop and character work. A solid and enjoyable historical crime novel that will appeal to fans of classic detective fiction.
A strong 4-star read.
Set in 1951, Inspector Alun Ryga of Scotland Yard is called to Southend-on-Sea to assist with a reported murder where the body has vanished without a trace. With no corpse and no evidence, how can anyone prove a crime has even taken place?
One of the book's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Pauline Rowson vividly recreates post-war Britain, and I felt I'd been transported to the Essex coast with richly detailed descriptions of the seaside setting and the era itself. The social commentary woven throughout the story is equally engaging, offering insight into life in the years following World War II and the lasting impact the conflict had on those who lived through it.
Inspector Ryga is a particularly fascinating character. Rather than relying on force or bravado, he is patient, thoughtful, observant, and quietly persistent. His empathy and understanding of human nature, shaped in part by his experiences as a prisoner of war, make him a distinctive and compelling investigator.
The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, with plenty of intrigue along the way, and I particularly enjoyed the historical backdrop and character work. A solid and enjoyable historical crime novel that will appeal to fans of classic detective fiction.
A strong 4-star read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Its 1951 and DCI Ryga is sent to Southend-on-Sea to investigate the strange case of a disappearing body. Commander Cottinglea was walking back to his boarding house from the Southend Yacht Club when he saw a bloodied body close to the cliffs. He ran to find the nearest policeman, but when they returned only a few minutes later the body was gone and there was no evidence of any kind of disturbance. The local police are inclined to believe that the Commander was drunk (on one whisky and soda) or otherwise hallucinating, but the Commander is kicking up a stink and harassing the local police so Ryga is dispatched to do a bit of digging into the Commander and determine whether he was indeed imagining things.
When Ryga arrives in Southend, in a hot summer very similar to the one we are currently experiencing in the UK, he quickly determines that Cottinglea is a cadger and starts to suspect some of his 'history' is sheer fabrication, the steward at the Yacht Club suggested the Commander's war record was a fiction and intimated that he didn't believe the Commander had ever sailed. Just as Ryga is close to dismissing the Commander's allegations, the unthinkable happens, the Commander dies suddenly while sitting on a deckchair - practically in full view of Ryga. As Ryga digs deeper, his friend Eva arrives and together they discover a tangled web where nothing is as it seems.
I am enjoying this series set in post-WWII England where rationing is still in place and the country is trying to rebuild after the devastation. Ryga is a sensitive detective, a bit prone to wild speculations, many of which turn out to be wrong, but I like that he is testing theories and happy to discard them when they don't fit.
Available on Kindle Unlimited.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release.
When Ryga arrives in Southend, in a hot summer very similar to the one we are currently experiencing in the UK, he quickly determines that Cottinglea is a cadger and starts to suspect some of his 'history' is sheer fabrication, the steward at the Yacht Club suggested the Commander's war record was a fiction and intimated that he didn't believe the Commander had ever sailed. Just as Ryga is close to dismissing the Commander's allegations, the unthinkable happens, the Commander dies suddenly while sitting on a deckchair - practically in full view of Ryga. As Ryga digs deeper, his friend Eva arrives and together they discover a tangled web where nothing is as it seems.
I am enjoying this series set in post-WWII England where rationing is still in place and the country is trying to rebuild after the devastation. Ryga is a sensitive detective, a bit prone to wild speculations, many of which turn out to be wrong, but I like that he is testing theories and happy to discard them when they don't fit.
Available on Kindle Unlimited.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance reader copy of Death on the Pier. All opinions and comments are my own.
People are not always what they appear to be. And when you’re playing a complicated game, sometimes you win, and sometimes, you lose. Inspector Alun Ryga thinks he’s indulging someone’s crazy fantasies when’s he asked to look (unofficially) into a case of “where’s the body,” but what he uncovers is a complicated mix of impersonators, shifty conmen, and double-crossing liars. Which may or may not include “who’s the murderer?” It will take all the detective skills the seasoned policeman has experienced, to solve this one.
While Ryga is crisscrossing the beach town of Southend-on-the-Sea, searching for answers, author Pauline Rowson is reminding us of an England still caught in the aftermath of post-war Britain, especially its people, as exemplified in the landlady that Ryga encounters. Ms. Rowson has a talent for bringing the characters and places in her stories alive. Read Death on the Pier for an author (and her fictional detective) at the top of their game.
People are not always what they appear to be. And when you’re playing a complicated game, sometimes you win, and sometimes, you lose. Inspector Alun Ryga thinks he’s indulging someone’s crazy fantasies when’s he asked to look (unofficially) into a case of “where’s the body,” but what he uncovers is a complicated mix of impersonators, shifty conmen, and double-crossing liars. Which may or may not include “who’s the murderer?” It will take all the detective skills the seasoned policeman has experienced, to solve this one.
While Ryga is crisscrossing the beach town of Southend-on-the-Sea, searching for answers, author Pauline Rowson is reminding us of an England still caught in the aftermath of post-war Britain, especially its people, as exemplified in the landlady that Ryga encounters. Ms. Rowson has a talent for bringing the characters and places in her stories alive. Read Death on the Pier for an author (and her fictional detective) at the top of their game.
September 8, 2026
July 1951. The people of Britain are still recovering from their experiences in WWII so places like Southend fill a great need. But dead bodies that then vanish add nothing to the jollity. Alun Ryga of the Yard is sent to investigate. When the key person of the event dies in a lounger during a thunderstorm and the local police want to call it natural causes, Ryga continues to probe with the help of Eve, the photographer for whom he has feelings. Her photos and her astute eye see things others miss and there is a lot to see, under the surface. But even she will be shocked by some of the muck that gets dredged up before the case is solved and the villain is revealed.
The book is a good historical mystery that delves into some of the social and cultural conditions at the time. It is filled with wearing masks to hide what is behind and with blackmail that often follows when the truth is revealed. At the heart of much of it is social standing and class, even with Ryga and Eve. Lots of colourful characters are woven through the tale. Four purrs and two paws up.
The book is a good historical mystery that delves into some of the social and cultural conditions at the time. It is filled with wearing masks to hide what is behind and with blackmail that often follows when the truth is revealed. At the heart of much of it is social standing and class, even with Ryga and Eve. Lots of colourful characters are woven through the tale. Four purrs and two paws up.
August 27, 2026
"He thought of the fragile woman with her pain-filled, sorrowful eyes and his heart twisted."
I adore Inspector Ryga. He reminds me, again, of Louise Penny's Armand Gamache - soulful, thoughtful and dangerous to underestimate. Ms. Rowson's mysteries are more about the people vs. the whodunit, but there is still plenty of intrigue. This time, Ryga is asked by Detective Superintendent Street from Scotland Yard to poke around in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Seems one Commander Clive Cottinglea is attacking strangely, and claims to have seen a dead body.
And thus we begin to fall down the rabbit hole, and what a hole it is. Ryga must tread carefully so as not to call attention to himself, and not upset the local police, who resent his presence. His colleague Eva comes to town and acts as Watson to his Sherlock, helping him unravel the many threads of this case.
I loved the peeling back the many layers of this case. Highly recommend.
P.S. Thanks to @joffebooks for another winner!
I adore Inspector Ryga. He reminds me, again, of Louise Penny's Armand Gamache - soulful, thoughtful and dangerous to underestimate. Ms. Rowson's mysteries are more about the people vs. the whodunit, but there is still plenty of intrigue. This time, Ryga is asked by Detective Superintendent Street from Scotland Yard to poke around in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Seems one Commander Clive Cottinglea is attacking strangely, and claims to have seen a dead body.
And thus we begin to fall down the rabbit hole, and what a hole it is. Ryga must tread carefully so as not to call attention to himself, and not upset the local police, who resent his presence. His colleague Eva comes to town and acts as Watson to his Sherlock, helping him unravel the many threads of this case.
I loved the peeling back the many layers of this case. Highly recommend.
P.S. Thanks to @joffebooks for another winner!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I absolutely loved this. Ryga is sent to Southend to investigate after an ex naval commander reports a body which has then promptly disappeared when he returns with the police. The man in question appears to not be quite as he seems but Ryga is convinced he is not lying about the discovery despite no body eing found.
I really enjoy this series and the setting in post-war Britain. Ryga is a character easily warmed to and I enjoy how he and eventually Eve manage to discover past secrets among several characters. The death of the naval commander was done really well with a murder seemingly committed in plain sight yet he looks to have died from natural causes. There's plenty of disturbing revelations to come to light with a shocking reveal at the end. I found it riveting from start to finish.
I really enjoy this series and the setting in post-war Britain. Ryga is a character easily warmed to and I enjoy how he and eventually Eve manage to discover past secrets among several characters. The death of the naval commander was done really well with a murder seemingly committed in plain sight yet he looks to have died from natural causes. There's plenty of disturbing revelations to come to light with a shocking reveal at the end. I found it riveting from start to finish.
September 13, 2026
Detective Alun Ryga is an introspective, quiet man. He has survived a gruelling time in a WWII camp and now serves Scotland Yard. A peculiar case of a missing corpse sees Ryga sent to the small coastal town of
South End On Sea in Essex. A small town atmosphere where everyone seems to know everyone 1951 England is still recovering from the brutality of the War.
The man who calls himself a Commander who discovered the body is shifty, and it is not easy to befriend him. Unraveling the puzzle of the missing body is an even bigger mystery and with Ryga working undercover, it is not possible to have access to navy records or the local police, until the Commander himself is found murdered and then Ryga is forced to divulge his identity.
A slower paced detective story, reminiscent of the times and people and lifestyle of the age, it made for very pleasant reading.
South End On Sea in Essex. A small town atmosphere where everyone seems to know everyone 1951 England is still recovering from the brutality of the War.
The man who calls himself a Commander who discovered the body is shifty, and it is not easy to befriend him. Unraveling the puzzle of the missing body is an even bigger mystery and with Ryga working undercover, it is not possible to have access to navy records or the local police, until the Commander himself is found murdered and then Ryga is forced to divulge his identity.
A slower paced detective story, reminiscent of the times and people and lifestyle of the age, it made for very pleasant reading.
August 27, 2026
A body was found at the bottom of the cliff lift in Southend by Commander Clive Cottingly as he is leaving the sailing club, but when the police are summoned it has disappeared. The local police think he is lying, or perhaps having hallucinations, but he makes such a fuss that Inspector Ryga is asked to surreptitiously investigate. What eventuates is an enthralling tale with a twist that you might not see coming!
I have read many of Pauline Rowson’s other series, but , though this is number six in the Inspector Ryga mysteries, it is the first I have read. It is a great read and works well as a standalone. It is beautifully written and invokes postwar Britain really well. I recommend this book to any lovers of murder mysteries, especially historical murder mysteries.
I have read many of Pauline Rowson’s other series, but , though this is number six in the Inspector Ryga mysteries, it is the first I have read. It is a great read and works well as a standalone. It is beautifully written and invokes postwar Britain really well. I recommend this book to any lovers of murder mysteries, especially historical murder mysteries.
August 27, 2026
A body is found at the bottom of a cliff by someone returning from an evening at the yacht club…but it has disappeared by the time he fetches a constable. From there the mysteries pile up and it is clear that someone is manipulating the police investigation and the perceptions of the locals. Enter Inspector Ryga who, if you haven’t met him before is gentle, calm, und desperately trying to be inoffensive , despite being an elite investigator. He loves a puzzle and is prone to wild speculations as to whodunnit and why. We happily go along with him too , safe in the knowledge that he will eventually solve the case. Well written and intriguing, this book is fun to read.
August 27, 2026
This is a brilliant addition to a wonderful series by Pauline Rowson. Set in an era where there was no use of DNA evidence, computers to search and review records, being able to hop on a plane to chase witnesses, Inspector Ryga has to use his intuition, wit and smarts to solve a puzzling murder. I loved the descriptions of the scenery, characters and even the weather conditions which I could easily envision. The pace of the book is perfect. While this is the sixth book in the series, the reader could easily pick up this book and start reading without feeling lost. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
August 27, 2026
This enjoyable book is the sixth in the Inspector Ryga Mysteries series, but it reads very well on a stand alone basis.
It is an enthralling story of a man who claims to have found a body at the seaside, but initial checks do not find any trace of one, and Inspector Ryga is despatched by his superior from Scotland Yard to carry out more detailed investigations in Southend on Sea.
The plot has twists and turns and is complex, with red herrings and several side issues, and makes for close attention by the reader.
The world’s longest pleasure pier also has a starring role.
Strongly recommended.
It is an enthralling story of a man who claims to have found a body at the seaside, but initial checks do not find any trace of one, and Inspector Ryga is despatched by his superior from Scotland Yard to carry out more detailed investigations in Southend on Sea.
The plot has twists and turns and is complex, with red herrings and several side issues, and makes for close attention by the reader.
The world’s longest pleasure pier also has a starring role.
Strongly recommended.
August 31, 2026
As a member of the Joffe ARC readers group I managed to get to rean an early copy of this.
I have never read any of Pauline's books before, this being the first and also it is 6th in a series.
I found the book to be a very refreshing read and was not troubled by the fact I hadn't read any of this series before. The plots and the characters worked well for me and I have enjoyed it so much that I am planning to read the earlier ones in the series as some of them are available as ebooks from my local library.
Also if this is her style of writing then I will also attempt to read some of her other series.
Great book
I have never read any of Pauline's books before, this being the first and also it is 6th in a series.
I found the book to be a very refreshing read and was not troubled by the fact I hadn't read any of this series before. The plots and the characters worked well for me and I have enjoyed it so much that I am planning to read the earlier ones in the series as some of them are available as ebooks from my local library.
Also if this is her style of writing then I will also attempt to read some of her other series.
Great book
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
1951, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Inspector Alun Ryga is sent undercover to investigate the case of the disappearing body discovered by Commander Clive Cottinglea as the local police have dismissed it.
But then a body is discovered dead. Contrary to local police opinion Ryga is convinced it murder.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main character. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
But then a body is discovered dead. Contrary to local police opinion Ryga is convinced it murder.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main character. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Detective Inspector Ryga of Scotland Yard is told to take a few days holiday at Southend, whilst there he is tasked with some undercover work. A holiday maker reported finding a body near the lift on his way back from the Yacht Club, but by the time he had fetched a constable the body was gone. The police were convinced it was a hoax, but the chief constable has requested some help.
Well written and evoking the 1950 post war era, Inspector Ryga doggedly follows the clues. I have read the previous books in the series but this is fine as a standalone read.
Well written and evoking the 1950 post war era, Inspector Ryga doggedly follows the clues. I have read the previous books in the series but this is fine as a standalone read.
August 27, 2026
This is not your usual romance! Yes, there is a romance in it but only a subsidiary to the crime. The crimes are really unusual and I loved how the author put in so many strands, I could not guess the end till just about there! The whole book was well written and held me throughout. I stayed awake several evenings as I wanted to learn more. No spoilers so I will leave you to enjoy this great story.
I received a copy of this as an advance copy in exchange for an honest review which this is.
I received a copy of this as an advance copy in exchange for an honest review which this is.
September 1, 2026
Although this is book six in the Inspector Ryga Historical Mysteries, it could easily be read as a standalone.
It's a well written, captivating, gripping storyline and plot, with strong characters you can relate too.
It had me captured from the very start and guessing all the way through.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Historical Mystery from start to finish and look forward to reading more of this series.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased review of the book.
It's a well written, captivating, gripping storyline and plot, with strong characters you can relate too.
It had me captured from the very start and guessing all the way through.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Historical Mystery from start to finish and look forward to reading more of this series.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased review of the book.
October 6, 2026
An Inspector Ryga story in which the Inspector is sent to Southend-on-Sea to verify if a Commodore has been telling the truth or if he imagined what had happened. This is a lovely cosy type mystery set in 1951. It has a grntle pace with just a hint of feminism in it. It evokes a true sense of the time when English seaside holidays were very popular and the quintessential English weather. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Perfect for lovers of gentle mysteries.
With thanks to the author and Joffee Books for the opportunity to read this book.
With thanks to the author and Joffee Books for the opportunity to read this book.
August 27, 2026
A Good Read
Inspector Alun Ryga is sent from Scotland Yard to Southend-on-Sea where a body was found but had disappeared before the police could get there. As the investigation progresses, Alun is not sure that Commander Clive Cottinglea (who reported the body) is telling the truth, but then another body is found. The book is set in 1951, before the age of mobile phones, when life was very different. I enjoyed the book but I wonder what younger people will make of it.
Inspector Alun Ryga is sent from Scotland Yard to Southend-on-Sea where a body was found but had disappeared before the police could get there. As the investigation progresses, Alun is not sure that Commander Clive Cottinglea (who reported the body) is telling the truth, but then another body is found. The book is set in 1951, before the age of mobile phones, when life was very different. I enjoyed the book but I wonder what younger people will make of it.
August 27, 2026
Set during the Summer of 1951, Detective Ryga from Scotland Yard is sent undercover to Southend on Sea to investigate the case of a missing body . Sounds a straightforward case . The gentleman who spotted the body was probably drunk and imagined it as no body was found but as Ryga delves further into the case he comes across a web of lies and then another body is found . This was a great whodunit as Ryga attempts to solve the puzzles with twists and red herrings along the way
September 1, 2026
Recommend.
Death on the Pier by Pauline Rowson.
Inspector Ryga mysteries book 6.
I really did enjoy this book. Although I haven't read any of the first five books I was able to listen to this book. I got into it straight away. I loved Ryga and Eva. They were my favourite characters. I thought I knew who the killer was but I was wrong. I loved the writing style and the story. Definitely recommend.
Death on the Pier by Pauline Rowson.
Inspector Ryga mysteries book 6.
I really did enjoy this book. Although I haven't read any of the first five books I was able to listen to this book. I got into it straight away. I loved Ryga and Eva. They were my favourite characters. I thought I knew who the killer was but I was wrong. I loved the writing style and the story. Definitely recommend.
September 9, 2026
I was gripped by this story, the post WWII setting was a great backdrop plus add in Ryga’s character and you’ve got a really good historical crime fiction read.
This is book 6 in the series and i want to read them all, I’ve read other books by this author and they were also good there are quite a few other series i need to delve into.
A well thought out plot with loads of twists and content plus add in those post war troubles and hardships and this was a cracker of a read.
This is book 6 in the series and i want to read them all, I’ve read other books by this author and they were also good there are quite a few other series i need to delve into.
A well thought out plot with loads of twists and content plus add in those post war troubles and hardships and this was a cracker of a read.
September 6, 2026
Very, very good
I sat up all night reading this; I could not stop reading it. I originally thought the murderer was one particular person, until another body was found then I knew who it was. But not the reasons behind it all. I know spiders can weave some good webs, but not as complicated as we humans can.
I sat up all night reading this; I could not stop reading it. I originally thought the murderer was one particular person, until another body was found then I knew who it was. But not the reasons behind it all. I know spiders can weave some good webs, but not as complicated as we humans can.
August 27, 2026
Intriguing mystery with British police procedural from the 50s. Inspector Ryga brought down to Southend to investigate a death. Complicated by missing body. Still death ensues and it's a classic whodunit.
Brings in some interesting characters, not least the inspector.
Brings in some interesting characters, not least the inspector.
August 27, 2026
Death on the Pier. Inspector Ryga is posted to Southend to investigate a report that dead body had disappeared. He soon finds out that things are not as they seem. A well crafted, intriguing novel with enough twists and turns leading to a shocking conclusion.
September 1, 2026
Good
I liked this story, in fact all three series seem pretty good to me. This author seems to me considerably underrated, if you look at the astonishing amount of rubbish we are surrounded by !
I liked this story, in fact all three series seem pretty good to me. This author seems to me considerably underrated, if you look at the astonishing amount of rubbish we are surrounded by !
September 23, 2026
Excellent
I always enjoy Pauline Rowson’s historical mysteries, being an ex seaman I guess it’s easy to understand why. I loved the plot and if course the main characters and can’t wait for the next instalment.
I always enjoy Pauline Rowson’s historical mysteries, being an ex seaman I guess it’s easy to understand why. I loved the plot and if course the main characters and can’t wait for the next instalment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews