A Deadly Wake

DI Andy Horton #15

by Pauline Rowson

Inspector Andy Horton returns to his desk in Portsmouth CID after a tedious computer course in London to find there has been a series of highway robberies in his absence and an arson attack at the sailing club where the Chief Constable keeps his boat. What’s more the Chief’s boat is one of three that have been set alight and he’s demanding action. But when the fingerprint bureau phone Horton to tell him the prints of an unknown man found dead in a log cabin in a secluded bay on the Isle of Wight match those of someone he met six months previously, Horton’s priorities are clear. He travels to the island to identify the body but what greets him is totally unexpected. As he follows the trail of the dead man, he uncovers some startling revelations into his own mother’s past and the truth behind her disappearance over thirty years ago.

Genres: Crime

Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2012

About the author

Pauline 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.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last - we find out what happened!

[Mike Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another reasonable, but not great, story. As per previous books in this series, it's marred (for me), by the occasional use of the wrong word, misuse of 'neither' and the absence of commas and hyphens in a number of places. Perhaps I just expect professional writers to be able to write... professionally?
Anyway, we finally get to find out the fate of Horton's mother, so perhaps he'll stop going on about it now. I found the final stages of the book to be very confusing, as both the case being investigated and Horton's family quest become intertwined. Too many people with too many aliases, for me.
I'm going to take a break before finishing the series.

[Pauline]

Just wanted to leave a review as the author. Readers have long been desperate to know the truth behind the disappearance of Andy's mother when he was a child of ten and I'm not spoiling it by saying that here at last all is revealed. DI Andy Horton’s investigations into the disappearance of his mother, Jennifer, over thirty years ago, has been touched upon in many of the Horton novels, in which he has unearthed some startling revelations. In this, the fifteenth in the Horton series, there are more surprises to come. For those who have not read the other novels, to help the reader quickly catch up on the mystery of Jennifer’s disappearance, and to accompany Horton on his final journey in his quest to get to the truth, I have included a prologue. I have also included a cast of characters who are connected, in some way, with the Jennifer Horton mystery. I hope my readers enjoy the new Andy Horton.

[Amy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a born and bred Pompey girl, I loved reading a book set in my city (and my favourite local Island)! I also find it inspirational that a local author is such a great writer.

My husband bought me this book for my birthday, and he didn't realise it was a series. So I unfortunately struggled a bit to understand the history of the plot and all its characters, particularly at the end. Not knowing the characters of past books, I lost interest at the revelations in the last couple of chapters.

Having said that, I still enjoyed the story up until that point! Pauline Rowson clearly knows her crime and policing - or at least comes across that way.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Read

DI Andy Horton is once again in the middle of a investigating a suspicious death when he comes across another body. At the same time he is still trying to work out what happened to his mother after she disappeared years ago, leaving him home alone. As he edges ever closer to the truth will it help or make everything ten times worse? It looks as if we are nearing the end of Andy's quest for the truth but how will he cope and how will we the reader cope when there is no more DI Andy Horton books? I for one am not ready to say goodbye.

[Jane Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

What A Story!!

I certainly hope this isn’t the last of Andy and Barney! I loved all of the characters (well except Catherine). And one day I hope Gaye and Andy get together. Truly, one must pay very good attention from beginning to last to keep up!! Pauline Rowson is a great writer!!

[Kim Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll miss this series

So Andy Horton finally has the answers he's been searching for. I'd love it if there were more cases for him to solve and maybe to see DCI Bliss get her comeuppance, but then people like her very rarely do. So yes, I will miss this series. It's been a really enjoyable journey.

[Anthony Malivanek · Rating 5 out of 5]

At Last - All the answers!

This book15 of the Andy Horton series is an absolute cracker and a fitting way to end a long running mystery. The scope and plots of Paulines story telling is truly amazing ( l cant stress this enough) and is evident in all her books. A pleasure to read and very hard to put a book down for the day.

[Lindalutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there will be more

We finally found out what happened to Andy's mom but there are way to many loose ends. We need more about his future. I love happy endings. He needs someone to care about and time with his daughter. Please keep writing.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It got way to confusing for me near the end, but good to have some closure on what happened to Jennifer Horton and who is Andy Horton's father!

[John R. Rieben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope this is the end of Horton's search for his mother and all of the many persons and twists in this complicated and boring backstory. Good grief. My head hurts.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 the first body is found in a beach hut in Luccombe Bay, but who was he. But two more bodies will be found. Again who are they really. Will Horton finally find out the truth about his mother.
An enjoyable modern mystery

[Louise Ridout · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Luccombe Bay Murders, which is book 15 in the Solent Murders series.
I held out so much hope for this series as the premise is one I usually enjoy and engage with, and I have persevered with it to this point as there is an underlying story through then all which I wanted to know the outcome of. The series sadly lacks finesse of similar themed series, and I have found a common factor in them all to be they have too many characters and try a bit too hard to be complex, that I just lose track of what is happening or who everyone is. The plot resolution I was waiting for was waiting for was just ok - nothing majorly surprising or exciting, and frankly a little confusing as to how it all comes together as so many characters, all with real and assumed names it’s hard to remember who is who! Unsure if I’ll continue with the series now this plot line is concluded - maybe I’ll come back to it in future but too many others on my TBR list that sound more exciting

[Jill Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the mystery is resolved. No spoilers here. A very satisfactory and unsatisfactory resolution. These are are such great books. The characters are so well drawn and attractive. The setting is amazing-Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and their environs, boats and sailing as well as complicated interwoven plots make this a great series.
I am glad that Andy finally knows the truth about his mother.

[Lord · Rating 3 out of 5]

At last the Andy Horton mystery solved, well written, was intrigued by the mystery as all fans are. But too complicated by far and even as fan, I'll accept it, but I have a headache and found the explanations poor but acceptable, just. Pauline Rowson is a very good writer and I will read her next novel, I just suspect she is receiving bad advice on the path she should follow.

[MR A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a cracking read. Like the other 14 book in the series, this was just as a fast paced cracking read. Loads of detail of Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and surrounding areas. Strongly recommend reading all the books in sequence. One of the best climaxes in a series I have read to date. Pauline Rowson, bring out more

[Aldyth Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Answers at last!

Another good book in the series with the answers the previous books have been building up to. If you're like me I suggest to make a note of all the people and their aliases because I had little idea of who did what in the end. It did spoil the ending somewhat.

[Eva Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully executed series. Highly recommended.

Well defined characters keep the reader wanting to follow the story to the very end. Individual stories wrap around the ongoing storyline.

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After waiting for so many stories, it is good to have the facts about Jennifer Horton at last. Somehow, I feel there will be some consequences for Andy in the next book or two, which I can't wait to read. Next one is already on my kindle.
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire

[David Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic.

This is the most mind stretching plot for a book I have ever read. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be challenged mentally.

[Eva N. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book please don't let be the last one please let him get to see his daughter more and find a good woman who will love him no matter what please don't let be the last one

[Carole Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

A very good series and one I have certainly enjoyed. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who enjoys crime series

[John Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I endorse the comments of Antony Malivanec . Very very good. The solution tested me to remember the names of the murderous group and keep up . A real page turner! Great!

[Sarah Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gripping story. Finally the pieces of the jigsaw are in place. What's next?

[Peggy J. Chambley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can not wait until the next book. Really great seties.

[Linda Dalton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed and confused

Intriguing to start with but too confusing, too many name changes, in plot
better for the sharper brained than me.

[Mrs Maureen A Folarin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pauline Rowson

A bit of a convoluted tale, with just about every character going under an alias or two so a touch confusing

[John Oppenheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad to have read the book. I’m sad that it I the end of the series. So well written

[Lynn Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some truths for Andy

Another twisting and turning tale but at least Andy finds out the truth about his mother and her life. Very interesting tale.

[Robert F. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise!

Perhaps too many minor characters in this one. Too much tooing-frowing. Too many available women. Turn down the heat a little