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Mersey Murder Mysteries #9
The Mersey Ferry Murders
A new serial killer is at large in Liverpool. The victims appear to have no connection to each other, and Detective Inspector Andy Ross and the Merseyside Police Force Specialist Murder Investigation Team are brought in to investigate.
The victims are all middle-aged and the police are initially baffled, until a tenuous link suggests the victims were involved in a rape/murder trial fifteen years previously. Ross and his team of detectives soon realize that the killer has a 'murder list' and that unless he or she can be stopped, the city's streets will soon be awash with the blood of the innocents.
The Mersey Ferry Murders is a tale of rage, revenge and retribution, as Ross's team race against time to prevent the killer from carrying out a plan of heinous proportions.
The victims are all middle-aged and the police are initially baffled, until a tenuous link suggests the victims were involved in a rape/murder trial fifteen years previously. Ross and his team of detectives soon realize that the killer has a 'murder list' and that unless he or she can be stopped, the city's streets will soon be awash with the blood of the innocents.
The Mersey Ferry Murders is a tale of rage, revenge and retribution, as Ross's team race against time to prevent the killer from carrying out a plan of heinous proportions.
- GenresMystery
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2021
About the author
Brian L. Porter
70 books72 followersFormerly a member of the Royal Air Force, Brian L Porter is an award-winning author, and a dedicated dog rescuer, with the distinction of having more than twenty Amazon #1 bestsellers to his name. He has written under three pseudonyms, with bestsellers coming under each of his writing guises. The majority of those have come under his Brian L Porter name with four coming under his Harry Porter and Juan Pablo Jalisco names.
Nowadays, he divides his time between writing his popular Mersey Murder Mystery series of books, and his immensely successful true-life Family of Rescue Dogs series, all featuring the dogs that form part of his own family, and all having been Amazon #1 bestsellers.
Nowadays, he divides his time between writing his popular Mersey Murder Mystery series of books, and his immensely successful true-life Family of Rescue Dogs series, all featuring the dogs that form part of his own family, and all having been Amazon #1 bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 5, 2025
The Mersey Ferry Murders is the 9th book of a well-crafted mystery series written by Brian L. Porter. I've read the previous eight installments and was keen to devour this one when it was released last year. The collection follows a fictional police squad set in England whose attention is usually focused on the strange and horrific murders that hit the town's surrounding vicinity. In this one, the only connection between the first few deaths seems to be related to a ferry that crosses the river several times each day, but in truth, it lies much deeper.
The POV in this book expertly shifts to allow readers to understand what's happening with each of the victims and the various members of the special team investigating the crimes. We vividly watch as each person is horribly killed and abused in their final moments. All seem like kind, gentle souls who did nothing wrong. What could have happened to them in the past? How are they connected? Slowly, the plot unfolds, and Porter brilliantly shares the reason why each of the people are made to suffer. They did have something to do with one another, even if they hardly remembered it. And the killer is superbly angry about this past event.
Porter easily made this a page-turning suspense novel for me. I love how he alternates between the investigation to the in-the-moment deaths, plus reveals all the side stories for the supporting cast. I care deeply about what happens to our main detectives, Ross and Izzy. Their team members each have a strong personality, and readers root for them in their personal lives, whether it's marriages, babies, or promotions. The book is well balanced and offers a variety of points where readers can sit back and push themselves to guess the underlying plot and ultimate killer's true plans.
When we meet the various family members of the event that connects so many of these people together, there are moments of shock and confusion. All deny wanting revenge. Most have alibis or reasons why they couldn't be responsible for these brutal murders. Especially given the terrible abuse each suffers moments before their ultimate death. Why? What could possibly have happened years ago?
The exciting conclusion comes together in a vicious final murder on the ferry... throwing readers into disbelief. You see... we thought we understood the whole story, and of course, we did not. Porter drops one last bombshell and brings us to the brink of our seats as we discern the bigger picture. One of the best in the series. Highly recommended.
The POV in this book expertly shifts to allow readers to understand what's happening with each of the victims and the various members of the special team investigating the crimes. We vividly watch as each person is horribly killed and abused in their final moments. All seem like kind, gentle souls who did nothing wrong. What could have happened to them in the past? How are they connected? Slowly, the plot unfolds, and Porter brilliantly shares the reason why each of the people are made to suffer. They did have something to do with one another, even if they hardly remembered it. And the killer is superbly angry about this past event.
Porter easily made this a page-turning suspense novel for me. I love how he alternates between the investigation to the in-the-moment deaths, plus reveals all the side stories for the supporting cast. I care deeply about what happens to our main detectives, Ross and Izzy. Their team members each have a strong personality, and readers root for them in their personal lives, whether it's marriages, babies, or promotions. The book is well balanced and offers a variety of points where readers can sit back and push themselves to guess the underlying plot and ultimate killer's true plans.
When we meet the various family members of the event that connects so many of these people together, there are moments of shock and confusion. All deny wanting revenge. Most have alibis or reasons why they couldn't be responsible for these brutal murders. Especially given the terrible abuse each suffers moments before their ultimate death. Why? What could possibly have happened years ago?
The exciting conclusion comes together in a vicious final murder on the ferry... throwing readers into disbelief. You see... we thought we understood the whole story, and of course, we did not. Porter drops one last bombshell and brings us to the brink of our seats as we discern the bigger picture. One of the best in the series. Highly recommended.
October 24, 2021
An Unlikely Setting for Murder
Catching up on my reading list and other responsibilities, I jumped into the next of Brian L. Porter’s stories, The Mersey Ferry Murders. I have read all of Porter’s Mersey stories to this point. Once again, I followed Detective Inspector Andy Ross as he and his group of hotshot cops known as The Merseyside Police, Specialist Murder Investigation Team, solves another stupefying murder mystery; the type of heinous and difficult to solve crime that ends up in Ross’s police unit.
Porter has a way of exposing his story akin to peeling back an onion, replete with stinging eyes and tears. There are clues that must be investigated, each leading to the next. Then there are roadblocks and dead ends, leaving the team searching for new directions to take. Porter must surely have in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of the UK Police because details in these stories ring true; how an investigation is carried out, right down to each officers’ personalities and status within the unit, and how they mesh together as a team. Each officer at any level has specific duties and each provides pieces of the puzzle that allows the team to solve these horrific murders.
These stories, conjured by the fertile mind of Brian L. Porter are easy and fast to read. We get an in-depth view of crime solving in the UK. If these procedures aren’t quite true to life, I wouldn’t know it. When the reader climbs into the story and can’t tell fiction from truth, that’s the reward of a polished and professional fiction author.
Catching up on my reading list and other responsibilities, I jumped into the next of Brian L. Porter’s stories, The Mersey Ferry Murders. I have read all of Porter’s Mersey stories to this point. Once again, I followed Detective Inspector Andy Ross as he and his group of hotshot cops known as The Merseyside Police, Specialist Murder Investigation Team, solves another stupefying murder mystery; the type of heinous and difficult to solve crime that ends up in Ross’s police unit.
Porter has a way of exposing his story akin to peeling back an onion, replete with stinging eyes and tears. There are clues that must be investigated, each leading to the next. Then there are roadblocks and dead ends, leaving the team searching for new directions to take. Porter must surely have in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of the UK Police because details in these stories ring true; how an investigation is carried out, right down to each officers’ personalities and status within the unit, and how they mesh together as a team. Each officer at any level has specific duties and each provides pieces of the puzzle that allows the team to solve these horrific murders.
These stories, conjured by the fertile mind of Brian L. Porter are easy and fast to read. We get an in-depth view of crime solving in the UK. If these procedures aren’t quite true to life, I wouldn’t know it. When the reader climbs into the story and can’t tell fiction from truth, that’s the reward of a polished and professional fiction author.
January 13, 2022
Another murder mystery wrapped in enigmas and twists. Bodies surface which have been stabbed to death after horrid sexual mutilation. Over time a suspect is identified, taken into custody, and escapes. An insistent gut feeling fuels further investigation, leading to another suspect. Then both the suspects turn up dead. Who Done It? I won't tell. It would spoil your read. As has been true with the other Mersey murder tales, this proceeds with twists and turns, recurved moments, suspicions leading to more suspicions, but leading to nothing. It is well written in the extreme, what one expects from Porter, with an education in Brit cuss words, or strings of cuss words for the average American, along with the woven fabric of the story. It is mystery in the old style of Conan Doyle, an enjoyable moment into fantasy that in today's world of sophistication, might well be true. Five stars easy.
August 13, 2021
All aboard for another Mersey mystery! This is the ninth in the series and I’ve read them all. Brian Porter’s descriptions are so good that I feel as if I’ve lived in Liverpool. This ninth book is, like the others, plotted very intricately. Just when you think DI Ross is on the point of a breakthrough up crops another problem! Grisly murders of middle-aged victims of both sexes give the special Murder Investigative Team a real conundrum. All that seems to link the victims of a sadistic serial killer is that they commuted on the Mersey ferries. The reader assists in the organic growth of the familiar team, who work so well together to solve the most baffling crimes as two new members are drafted in. Ross and his best sergeant Izzie will be promoted for Book Ten because of the increasing importance of the team that in the end manage to bring the perpetrators of this horrendous series of crimes to justice. Yet another 5-star offering from Mr Porter. Roll on Book Ten!
August 2, 2021
Latest in the Mersey Mystery series sees DI Andy Ross and his team involved in a series of grisly murders of middle aged victims, seemingly with nothing in common. When a connection is made Ross must look into the past, and to the trial of a serial killer/rapist fifteen years ago.
The suspect list grows but when the chief suspect is found murdered and thrown from the Mersey ferry, Ross has to rethink the entire case.
The Mersey Ferry Murders is a gripping tale of rage and revenge, with plenty of red herrings thrown in to keep the reader confused. Excellent!
The suspect list grows but when the chief suspect is found murdered and thrown from the Mersey ferry, Ross has to rethink the entire case.
The Mersey Ferry Murders is a gripping tale of rage and revenge, with plenty of red herrings thrown in to keep the reader confused. Excellent!
August 10, 2021
The Mersey Ferry Murders by Brian L Porter is the latest installment of the author's Mersey Mystery series. Once again Detective Inspector Andy Ross teams with Detective Sergeant Clarissa Drake as they try to establish a relation between recent murders that seem eerily similar yet just as disparate. The Murder Investigation Team finds that the victims were involved in the trial and conviction of Howard Blake over decades past. Yet the gender of the suspect, along with the sexual nature of the killings, take them on a grueling investigation that will leave readers second-guessing every chapter.
The author deftly weaves a complex tapestry that detective mystery fans will find fascinating. Ross and Drake pick up the trail of Angela Ryan, taking them along the Merseyside as they collaborate with teammates and local characters alike in compiling leads and investigating reports. Clive Evans soon appears on the horizon as a possible suspect, but they find it impossible to determine whether they are being led further from the truth. Porter masterfully leads us through a complex maze that will leave his faithful fans and new readers waiting for the next installment.
The author deftly weaves a complex tapestry that detective mystery fans will find fascinating. Ross and Drake pick up the trail of Angela Ryan, taking them along the Merseyside as they collaborate with teammates and local characters alike in compiling leads and investigating reports. Clive Evans soon appears on the horizon as a possible suspect, but they find it impossible to determine whether they are being led further from the truth. Porter masterfully leads us through a complex maze that will leave his faithful fans and new readers waiting for the next installment.
May 3, 2026
Well I've just finished one Brian L Porter book about murders in Merseyside that I thought I would read another! And this is it! Think it was shorter than the other book I read but not sure now.
Anyway Andy Ross and his team are now heading up the Merseyside Police Force Specialist Murder Investigation Team, am not sure what year this is? Am not about to go back in the book to search for it, I'm about to make dinner.
DI Andy Ross and DS Izzie Drake are about to be plunged into a series of sadistic murders of members of a jury who found a certain murderer guilty. However someone believes he was innocent and now they seem to being picked off the Merseyside Ferries one by one and are being subjected to the most appalling injuries possible. Every other day it seemed it was another one of the 12 jurors being brutally murdered, am not about to describe the injuries here but they were of a sexual nature (both males and females). This was a very good story and the book just gathered speed quickly, at one point I felt I had information overload and stopped reading for an hour before I dared to pick it up again and discover who else had been savaged and killed. The ending was certainly tense and was actually glad the book had come to an end! Very good story though and well plotted too.
Anyway Andy Ross and his team are now heading up the Merseyside Police Force Specialist Murder Investigation Team, am not sure what year this is? Am not about to go back in the book to search for it, I'm about to make dinner.
DI Andy Ross and DS Izzie Drake are about to be plunged into a series of sadistic murders of members of a jury who found a certain murderer guilty. However someone believes he was innocent and now they seem to being picked off the Merseyside Ferries one by one and are being subjected to the most appalling injuries possible. Every other day it seemed it was another one of the 12 jurors being brutally murdered, am not about to describe the injuries here but they were of a sexual nature (both males and females). This was a very good story and the book just gathered speed quickly, at one point I felt I had information overload and stopped reading for an hour before I dared to pick it up again and discover who else had been savaged and killed. The ending was certainly tense and was actually glad the book had come to an end! Very good story though and well plotted too.
May 13, 2026
I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but this is a solid standalone novel thanks to the clarifications in Porter’s Introduction. Here we learn the characters and the location details that set the scene for a tantalizing murder mystery.
Several brutal and graphic killings have occurred in the city of Liverpool and it is incumbent upon the Merseyside Police’s Specialist Murder Investigative Team to track down the killer before he or she strikes again. The case leaves the detectives in a continual tail spin as they try to deduce a motive, who might the culprit be, and why such a gruesome way to defile the victims. No sooner do they hone in on a suspect they are diverted to another, then another, and back to their original assumption. But even that assumption has a “missing link” that they cannot seem to connect.
The twists and turns keep readers guessing right along with the determined detectives the who and why of these gruesome crimes. The ending is a revelation but it’s the detailed detective work that gives weight and substance to the story, and Porter is a master of details. It’s no wonder this prolific writer is popular worldwide, with the ability to write across genres with equal skill.
Several brutal and graphic killings have occurred in the city of Liverpool and it is incumbent upon the Merseyside Police’s Specialist Murder Investigative Team to track down the killer before he or she strikes again. The case leaves the detectives in a continual tail spin as they try to deduce a motive, who might the culprit be, and why such a gruesome way to defile the victims. No sooner do they hone in on a suspect they are diverted to another, then another, and back to their original assumption. But even that assumption has a “missing link” that they cannot seem to connect.
The twists and turns keep readers guessing right along with the determined detectives the who and why of these gruesome crimes. The ending is a revelation but it’s the detailed detective work that gives weight and substance to the story, and Porter is a master of details. It’s no wonder this prolific writer is popular worldwide, with the ability to write across genres with equal skill.
September 11, 2021
Oh what tale Porter weaves – brilliant.
I have read all of this series and loved them. I have enjoyed following the growth of the Mersey Police, Specialist Murder Investigation Team. I have lived with their ups and downs and engaged thoroughly as they have solved mystery after mystery. I have laughed and cried with them, worried for them, all the time knowing I am in the hands of an accomplished novelist.
I enjoyed the complexity of this story, as the team tracks down what appears to be revenge murders, revenge that is 20 years old. A brutal serial killer, but what links the murders and who could possibly acting out this historic revenge?
No more spoilers as Porter masterfully weaves clues and red herrings to create yet another fantastic book, and the good news, there is a 10th due out and the team is being expanded with more wonderfully drawn characters; Huzzah. 5 stars.
I have read all of this series and loved them. I have enjoyed following the growth of the Mersey Police, Specialist Murder Investigation Team. I have lived with their ups and downs and engaged thoroughly as they have solved mystery after mystery. I have laughed and cried with them, worried for them, all the time knowing I am in the hands of an accomplished novelist.
I enjoyed the complexity of this story, as the team tracks down what appears to be revenge murders, revenge that is 20 years old. A brutal serial killer, but what links the murders and who could possibly acting out this historic revenge?
No more spoilers as Porter masterfully weaves clues and red herrings to create yet another fantastic book, and the good news, there is a 10th due out and the team is being expanded with more wonderfully drawn characters; Huzzah. 5 stars.
June 18, 2026
The ninth book in the Mersey Mystery Series could easily be read as a standalone novel. This book sees DI Ross and his Specialist Murder Investigation Team facing dead bodies which have been stabbed and sexually mutilated. The killer appears to be a sadistic serial killer.
As the victims are from all walks of life and seem to have nothing in common, it is up to the team to sift through their information to find the hidden link. There appears to be a connection to the Mersey Ferry, which the detectives and we readers have to work out.
The story is full of twists and turns, red herrings and frustration for the team. This keeps the reader guessing.
I enjoyed this book. It’s well worth a read. A worthy five stars from me.
As the victims are from all walks of life and seem to have nothing in common, it is up to the team to sift through their information to find the hidden link. There appears to be a connection to the Mersey Ferry, which the detectives and we readers have to work out.
The story is full of twists and turns, red herrings and frustration for the team. This keeps the reader guessing.
I enjoyed this book. It’s well worth a read. A worthy five stars from me.
August 8, 2022
I didn't finish reading this book, about 60% but couldn't conyinue.
The author went on over items which had already been covered in earlier chapters repeating descriptions of characters and events.
A lot of 'padding' which does not let the story move forward.
Too many spelling and grammar errors making reading frustrating!
The author went on over items which had already been covered in earlier chapters repeating descriptions of characters and events.
A lot of 'padding' which does not let the story move forward.
Too many spelling and grammar errors making reading frustrating!
August 15, 2021
Another story, you just cant put down.
I've read all of the Mersey Murder series and yet again I couldnt put this book down.
The twists of who done it keeps you wanting to read on.
I've read all of the Mersey Murder series and yet again I couldnt put this book down.
The twists of who done it keeps you wanting to read on.
March 8, 2022
Another compelling read from Brian L Porter. The twists and turns of the storyline are very cleverly constructed and it is an exciting tale. Highly recommended!
February 24, 2024
lots of twists and turns
The story is good with lots of interesting characters and plot twists and turns were excellent. From arrest to confession was too easy.
The story is good with lots of interesting characters and plot twists and turns were excellent. From arrest to confession was too easy.
March 24, 2025
excellent
Great series, worth reading in order. I find his detail quite believable and can’t wait for more in the series.
Great series, worth reading in order. I find his detail quite believable and can’t wait for more in the series.
May 3, 2026
I enjoyed this book, especially the characters. Looking forward to more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews