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DI Andy Horton #8
The Farlington Marsh Murders
When ex-con Daryl Woodley is found dead on the marshes bordering Langstone Harbour, the Intelligence Directorate believe his murder is linked to big-time crook Marty Stapleton, currently serving time in prison. Detective Inspector Horton is not so sure, and is thrown into a complex and frustrating investigation when a body is found on a rotting boat being salvaged in Portsmouth Harbour. As the pressure to solve the case increases, Horton receives a chilling personal message; time, it seems, is also running out for him . . .
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2012
425 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Pauline Rowson
61 books153 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.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 4, 2024
Too Many Characters
I found the number for players in the plot created confusion and took away from the story. It was hard to follow who was who. Disappointing.
I found the number for players in the plot created confusion and took away from the story. It was hard to follow who was who. Disappointing.
August 8, 2025
Book 8 of a series which has, in my view, steadily got worse, or at least less good. There are a number of typographical and grammatical errors, some of which have persisted through several of the books (e.g. writing 'Neither' at the start of a sentence and/or not succeeded by 'nor') and thee have got more irritating as the series has gone on. But, in this book, the author manages to get the name of one of the main characters wrong (Woodall instead of Woodley), which is unforgivable. There is writing straight out of a Mills & Boon book ('Ames shone like a beacon in a dark night') and some odd phrasing. The constant rhetorical questions that Hirton asks - often the same ones rephrased and repeated - really get tiresome.
I've bought the rest of the series on Kindle, so I'll flog on, but this gets one star for the general plot and one star for varying the formula of the series, in that, for the first time, Horton doesn't get beaten up! How and why people can give this 4 or five stars is beyond me.
I've bought the rest of the series on Kindle, so I'll flog on, but this gets one star for the general plot and one star for varying the formula of the series, in that, for the first time, Horton doesn't get beaten up! How and why people can give this 4 or five stars is beyond me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2022
Once again DI Andy Horton is in the middle of a murder enquiry with more bodies and suspects than seems possible. My review has dropped a star because although I enjoyed it I got confused with all the characters. I will have to read it again sometime I think. Is this the end, or is there another book to come? I do hope there is because I still want to know what happened to his mother. Centred around the Portsmouth area I like reading about the area and fingers crossed we haven't finished with Andy yet.
June 11, 2022
A policeman’s lot is challenging
The characters are so vivid that you develop a liking for them as you read more from Pauline Rowson. I so want Inspector Andy Horton’s personal life to straighten out. He seems a person who deserves a better situation. It is surely hard to be the wife of a driven policeman, but there must be some successful marriages.
The characters are so vivid that you develop a liking for them as you read more from Pauline Rowson. I so want Inspector Andy Horton’s personal life to straighten out. He seems a person who deserves a better situation. It is surely hard to be the wife of a driven policeman, but there must be some successful marriages.
July 3, 2022
Another excellent book!
I always enjoy Pauline Rowson's books and Look forward to following the on going works she creates with Horton at its centre. I was a bit disconcerted by the name change from Eames to Ames.
I always enjoy Pauline Rowson's books and Look forward to following the on going works she creates with Horton at its centre. I was a bit disconcerted by the name change from Eames to Ames.
October 9, 2022
My first Row son novel. Not my last.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The plot is great, the characters ckmpelling, the pacing perfect, and the story line absorbing. Once you start you can't put it down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The plot is great, the characters ckmpelling, the pacing perfect, and the story line absorbing. Once you start you can't put it down.
September 19, 2023
Brilliant
A really good read,unfolds slowly drawing you in keeping you guessing and turning the pages marvellous characters first-class plot.I really enjoy this series of books now for book 9
A really good read,unfolds slowly drawing you in keeping you guessing and turning the pages marvellous characters first-class plot.I really enjoy this series of books now for book 9
October 22, 2023
Another good story in this compelling series. If I have knocked one star off it's only becuase the end of the book seemed to be rather extreme and contrived. Looking forward to the next book.
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
July 4, 2024
Ex-convict Daryl Woodley is discovered in dead in Farlington Marshes, but who is the unknown female at his funeral, or is she. Events lead to another body and the discovery of bones more than 10 years old.
An entertaining mystery
An entertaining mystery
May 22, 2022
Absorbing
A brilliant book with more twists and turns than a corkscrew. A wide range of believable characters and an ending which means book 9 will have to be written.
A brilliant book with more twists and turns than a corkscrew. A wide range of believable characters and an ending which means book 9 will have to be written.
May 30, 2022
What a great series of books so many twists and turns well worth reading hopefully there will be more books to follow
June 4, 2022
A real page turner
Another excellent story from Pauline Rowson. And one that again kept me turning the pages long after I should have put out the light!
Another excellent story from Pauline Rowson. And one that again kept me turning the pages long after I should have put out the light!
June 6, 2022
Great yarn
Can't wait for the next books. Will Andy Horton find out what happened to his mother. Will Eames stay or go?
Can't wait for the next books. Will Andy Horton find out what happened to his mother. Will Eames stay or go?
June 7, 2022
Couldn't put this book down
Loved the back story of Hortons early life, it had fun through all 8 books. Hope there is more to come.
Loved the back story of Hortons early life, it had fun through all 8 books. Hope there is more to come.
June 22, 2022
Good
I like this/these ! Amusing,and on ground I know a little. Style is simple, so are the stories. Plain ok.
I like this/these ! Amusing,and on ground I know a little. Style is simple, so are the stories. Plain ok.
July 2, 2022
Plenty of twists and turns.
Again a well thought out plot.
Believable characters.
Like the others in the series, once you start to read you can't stop.
Again a well thought out plot.
Believable characters.
Like the others in the series, once you start to read you can't stop.
July 23, 2022
Excellent
An enjoyable book and I will definitely recommend this author to my friends and members of my book club. I look forward to reading more of her work .
An enjoyable book and I will definitely recommend this author to my friends and members of my book club. I look forward to reading more of her work .
August 4, 2022
Andy at his best
Another great story, with many twists and turns, but at least Andy doesn’t get injured this time! Well worth a read.
Another great story, with many twists and turns, but at least Andy doesn’t get injured this time! Well worth a read.
February 21, 2023
Another great case that leaves you guessing. The ending though, he is getting closer to find out what happened to his mom.
August 25, 2023
Love this series of books & cannot wait to start the next instalment. All areas are local to me so makes it more appealing.
July 2, 2024
Great Thriller
So many twists and turns in this book!
Excellent read, a real page turner, plus another possible clue to Andy Horton's past
So many twists and turns in this book!
Excellent read, a real page turner, plus another possible clue to Andy Horton's past
August 31, 2012
‘Death Lies Beneath’ by Pauline Rowson
Published by Severn House, July 2012. ISBN: 978-0-7278-8202-8
Having no luck in finding the killer of ex-con Daryl Woodley, both Detective Superintendent Uckfield and Detective Inspector Andy Horton attend Woodley’s funeral in the hope of picking up a lead to further the investigation. But their attendance at the funeral leads them in an unexpected direction.
Then a body found on an old boat in Tipner Boatyard further complicates an already perplexing mystery. To add to Andy’s confusion Chief Superintendent Sawyer thinks the case is connected to a European criminal gang and assigns Agent Eames from Europol to assist him. Agent Eames is cool, blonde and gorgeous.
There are many twists as the investigation progresses. It seems that everyone that they put in the frame for the murders they find is already serving time. Probing deeper into the lives of those connected with the victims the team uncover secrets in the past that lead them to another unsolved murder.
As the story progressed it was clear that there is an unsolved mystery in Andy Horton’s past and one that until recently he has not attempted to solve but one he has now started to wonder about, and contact with a dying man has set him to do some private investigating. But maybe danger lurks in seeking out the truth of his past.
This is a fast paced excellent mystery, with an interesting diverse set of characters, and an intriguing hook at the end that has me eagerly awaiting the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
Published by Severn House, July 2012. ISBN: 978-0-7278-8202-8
Having no luck in finding the killer of ex-con Daryl Woodley, both Detective Superintendent Uckfield and Detective Inspector Andy Horton attend Woodley’s funeral in the hope of picking up a lead to further the investigation. But their attendance at the funeral leads them in an unexpected direction.
Then a body found on an old boat in Tipner Boatyard further complicates an already perplexing mystery. To add to Andy’s confusion Chief Superintendent Sawyer thinks the case is connected to a European criminal gang and assigns Agent Eames from Europol to assist him. Agent Eames is cool, blonde and gorgeous.
There are many twists as the investigation progresses. It seems that everyone that they put in the frame for the murders they find is already serving time. Probing deeper into the lives of those connected with the victims the team uncover secrets in the past that lead them to another unsolved murder.
As the story progressed it was clear that there is an unsolved mystery in Andy Horton’s past and one that until recently he has not attempted to solve but one he has now started to wonder about, and contact with a dying man has set him to do some private investigating. But maybe danger lurks in seeking out the truth of his past.
This is a fast paced excellent mystery, with an interesting diverse set of characters, and an intriguing hook at the end that has me eagerly awaiting the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
February 15, 2015
This was my second Detective Andy Horton book. I enjoyed it more than the Killing Coast.
I am waiting for the next book in the series to come available from my library.
I am waiting for the next book in the series to come available from my library.
May 13, 2018
Getting towards the answers!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews