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DI Andy Horton #5
Blood on the Sand
Inspector Andy Horton's holiday peace is shattered when, stepping out across an abandoned golf course on the Isle of Wight on a cold, grey January morning, he finds himself facing a distraught young woman with a gun in her hand, leaning over a corpse. When she professes to be the dead man's psychic, Horton's old adversary, DCI Birch, is convinced she is a mentally disturbed killer, but Horton is not so sure . . .
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
472 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Pauline Rowson
61 books154 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 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 26, 2022
Love the book. An aside what has covid done for me, sadly too many have died, but because of the isolation, I've discovered reading again, it has been a personal joy and kept me fairly sane. And as we have returned to some normality, I've have kept the personal joy. I am so grateful there are so many talented authors out there (not all famous and household names) that provide the entertainment and knowledge for so many, thank you all. Back to the book and series, once I started can't put it down, I don't write enough reviews, basically I'm too selfish to stop and just want to move on to the next book.
March 29, 2024
A great audio book.
This has kept me company on a number of walks recently. The narrator did a great job.
A good detective story that will keep you entertained.
a good solid read/listen
I hadn't realised at the time that this is the 5th book in a series. I don't believe not reading the previous books took anything away from the enjoyment of this one. But..... Just to check I will at some point go back to read the other books. All in a all a win as i have a new author to follow.
This has kept me company on a number of walks recently. The narrator did a great job.
A good detective story that will keep you entertained.
a good solid read/listen
I hadn't realised at the time that this is the 5th book in a series. I don't believe not reading the previous books took anything away from the enjoyment of this one. But..... Just to check I will at some point go back to read the other books. All in a all a win as i have a new author to follow.
May 27, 2024
On holiday in Cowes, Isle of Wight a few weeks ago and visited the local Medina independent bookshop to ask if there were any books by local authors with tales of mystery taking place on the Island. This is one of those recommended and it was a fantastic read. Crime fiction at its best, a good detective mystery novel by Pauline Rowson. I now know that I should have read about the main character, DI Andy Horton, in the four previous novels but that fact didn't take away anything from this mystery.Well put together murder mystery which had me guessing up until the last but one chapter. Great characters and having spent much time on the Island made it more interesting visualising where events took place and gave me a deeper feeling for the story.
Recommended Author and will not hesitate to read more of her books.
Recommended Author and will not hesitate to read more of her books.
September 10, 2025
DI Horton is on leave and sailing about the Isle of Wight when he puts into Bembridge. Walking on an old golf course, he stumbles across a man's body and a woman with a gun. Despite his holiday, he soon becomes involved with Cantelli and Superintendent Uckfield, overruling the local DCI Birch, who has had a previous run-in with Horton. The story leads to several local deaths and a ruthless killer.
DI Horton is his usual overzealous self, as he will rush in without some prior preparation, often being saved by Sergeant Cantelli. There is the continuing saga of his divorce and access arrangements, and the fate of his mother. Another good spoken performance from Colin Mace. 3stars.
DI Horton is his usual overzealous self, as he will rush in without some prior preparation, often being saved by Sergeant Cantelli. There is the continuing saga of his divorce and access arrangements, and the fate of his mother. Another good spoken performance from Colin Mace. 3stars.
August 16, 2015
A disappointment. Not up to the standard I expected from a book published by a well-known publishing house - Seven House.
The writing style is jerky and for her 8th published novel more like that of a first-time writer with no editing help. DI Horton is not a character with whom I could empathise. Too much self-pity and internalising. I was sufficiently interested to read to the end to find out what happened but not enough to waste money or time in reading another.
The writing style is jerky and for her 8th published novel more like that of a first-time writer with no editing help. DI Horton is not a character with whom I could empathise. Too much self-pity and internalising. I was sufficiently interested to read to the end to find out what happened but not enough to waste money or time in reading another.
January 27, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Isle Of Wight Murders is the 5th modern procedural mystery featuring DI Andy Horton written by Pauline Rowson. Originally released in 2010, this reformat and re-release from Joffe books is 302 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.
This is a well written procedural thriller featuring an intelligent and flawed police detective inspector. Although it's the 5th book in the series, and although there's an ensemble cast, the author manages to insert enough background that readers won't find themselves frustrated with the good context provided.
It's well written and fast paced and remains engaging and well written throughout.
With 17 books extant in the series, it would be a superlative choice for a very long binge/buddy read or a long term mystery book club project. It does work well enough as a standalone, and the books can be read in any order.
The unabridged audiobook version from Saga Egmont has a run time of 8 hours 17 minutes and is beautifully narrated by Colin Mace. He has a gravellynatural baritone voice and does a really remarkable job narrating a large cast of characters of both sexes and across a range of accents.
Four stars for the book, five for Mr. Mace's virtuoso narration.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Isle Of Wight Murders is the 5th modern procedural mystery featuring DI Andy Horton written by Pauline Rowson. Originally released in 2010, this reformat and re-release from Joffe books is 302 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU.
This is a well written procedural thriller featuring an intelligent and flawed police detective inspector. Although it's the 5th book in the series, and although there's an ensemble cast, the author manages to insert enough background that readers won't find themselves frustrated with the good context provided.
It's well written and fast paced and remains engaging and well written throughout.
With 17 books extant in the series, it would be a superlative choice for a very long binge/buddy read or a long term mystery book club project. It does work well enough as a standalone, and the books can be read in any order.
The unabridged audiobook version from Saga Egmont has a run time of 8 hours 17 minutes and is beautifully narrated by Colin Mace. He has a gravellynatural baritone voice and does a really remarkable job narrating a large cast of characters of both sexes and across a range of accents.
Four stars for the book, five for Mr. Mace's virtuoso narration.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
May 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for the free audio book in exchange for an honest review. This was narrated by Colin Mace who did a fantastic job of immersing me into the story and not wanting to leave!
I am new to this series but love a good british detective story. Inspector Andy Horton goes on a vacation to the Isle of Wright hoping to prove to the courts that he can provide a stable life for his young daughter, go on vacation like everyone else, and not be a workaholic. However, he stumbles onto a young woman in shock, holding a gun over the dead body of her brother. Andy begins to look around while local law enforcement starts working the case but Andy soon finds himself in charge once again.
This is an interesting series with plenty of police procedure and realistic characters. Despite this being book #5, I had no issue reading this as a stand alone. I liked the characters, the way Andy and team moved through the investigation and there was enough conflict to keep it interesting.
I believe I have found a new series to read!
I am new to this series but love a good british detective story. Inspector Andy Horton goes on a vacation to the Isle of Wright hoping to prove to the courts that he can provide a stable life for his young daughter, go on vacation like everyone else, and not be a workaholic. However, he stumbles onto a young woman in shock, holding a gun over the dead body of her brother. Andy begins to look around while local law enforcement starts working the case but Andy soon finds himself in charge once again.
This is an interesting series with plenty of police procedure and realistic characters. Despite this being book #5, I had no issue reading this as a stand alone. I liked the characters, the way Andy and team moved through the investigation and there was enough conflict to keep it interesting.
I believe I have found a new series to read!
March 11, 2023
Horton is in vacation where he stumbles upon a body.
Horton's lawyer tells him he needs to prove the custody people he can withstand a steady life. He tries to prove it by taking leave instead of constant work. He needs a place to live as well instead of a boat.
Instead, he finds a body one morning. There is already law enforcement on the Isle of Wight, the in investigation is soon transferred to Horton's more experienced unit. He is to go undercover.
They find the dead man is possibly connected to yet another death and even 2 fatalities years and years ago. Through research, interviews and determination his team tries to figure things out while even more bodies are found.
Horton's lawyer tells him he needs to prove the custody people he can withstand a steady life. He tries to prove it by taking leave instead of constant work. He needs a place to live as well instead of a boat.
Instead, he finds a body one morning. There is already law enforcement on the Isle of Wight, the in investigation is soon transferred to Horton's more experienced unit. He is to go undercover.
They find the dead man is possibly connected to yet another death and even 2 fatalities years and years ago. Through research, interviews and determination his team tries to figure things out while even more bodies are found.
June 21, 2025
It was already clear, but by Book 5, there's definitely a pattern to these stories:
1. Someone gets killed.
2. Andy Horton is somehow involved or interested in the murder.
3. He asks himself a bunch of questions.
4. He comes up with a handful of possible scenarios.
5. Repeat 3.
6. Someone else gets killed.
7. Repeat 3.
8. Repeat 4.
9. Repeat 4.
10. Repeat 6.
11. Repeat 4.
12. Repeat 3.
13. He suddenly solved the murder.
14. He gets beaten up.
15. He gets rescued.
It's not that the books are bad; far from it, they're good, if unbelievable (although there is some slack writing in this one and an implausible resolution). They're just really formulaic, although, to be fair, in this one, he gets duffed up early on.
1. Someone gets killed.
2. Andy Horton is somehow involved or interested in the murder.
3. He asks himself a bunch of questions.
4. He comes up with a handful of possible scenarios.
5. Repeat 3.
6. Someone else gets killed.
7. Repeat 3.
8. Repeat 4.
9. Repeat 4.
10. Repeat 6.
11. Repeat 4.
12. Repeat 3.
13. He suddenly solved the murder.
14. He gets beaten up.
15. He gets rescued.
It's not that the books are bad; far from it, they're good, if unbelievable (although there is some slack writing in this one and an implausible resolution). They're just really formulaic, although, to be fair, in this one, he gets duffed up early on.
May 21, 2023
DNF the audiobook @ 60%.
The writing was fine. The characters were fine. There were too many characters and none of them seemed to be on the up-and-up with each other, nor did any of them seem to want to do anything with urgency, despite the bodies piling up. None of it made me excited to pick up the book to see what happened next.
When I read the summary (after I decided to stop reading), I was shocked to learn that Owen's body was found on a golf course. I had been listening to the audio version, and the narrator's accent was so thick that I was convinced the body had been found on the ocean's edge in a cove surrounded by vacation cottages. I normally listen to books at 200% or higher speed, and this one, I slowed down to 150% and STILL had problems understanding what the narrator was saying.
This is likely a case of "the book is better than the audio," and I will likely try the book at some point in the future. The narrator is not one I'd choose to listen to again.
The writing was fine. The characters were fine. There were too many characters and none of them seemed to be on the up-and-up with each other, nor did any of them seem to want to do anything with urgency, despite the bodies piling up. None of it made me excited to pick up the book to see what happened next.
When I read the summary (after I decided to stop reading), I was shocked to learn that Owen's body was found on a golf course. I had been listening to the audio version, and the narrator's accent was so thick that I was convinced the body had been found on the ocean's edge in a cove surrounded by vacation cottages. I normally listen to books at 200% or higher speed, and this one, I slowed down to 150% and STILL had problems understanding what the narrator was saying.
This is likely a case of "the book is better than the audio," and I will likely try the book at some point in the future. The narrator is not one I'd choose to listen to again.
May 19, 2023
DI Andy Horton is taking a break on the Isle of Wight, which turns out to be more of a busman’s holiday when he discovers a young women in a disused bunker, holding a gun, standing over the corpse of a young man. It turns out, the man is her brother. Horton, much to the disgust of local police, becomes enwrapped in the investigation and the body count starts to rise.
A new series to me, I found Horton a bit of a loner and down on his luck in his personal life but a good detective. The pace of the story was a bit erratic in places, where lots happen followed by a long lull. Still an enjoyable read overall.
A new series to me, I found Horton a bit of a loner and down on his luck in his personal life but a good detective. The pace of the story was a bit erratic in places, where lots happen followed by a long lull. Still an enjoyable read overall.
Read
May 26, 2022DI Andy Horton is on holiday on the lovely Isle of Wight but it is not long before the job takes over again when he discovers a woman holding a gun and a dead body near by. It appears the body is the woman's brother and everyone is happy to believe she killed him except Andy, but he will need to find out the truth and quickly. Soon there are more bodies and his bosses are keen for a result, sooner rather than later. I am enjoying this series and have already started the next one.
October 6, 2022
I’m really enjoying this series, and am impressed by how the author keeps all the differing scenarios, pictured by the detectives, in her head, whilst writing the endings.
The character build has been good and all characters are immediately credible and realistic. I’m not so keen on the ‘mother’ thread running throughout the books thus far, I don’t think it’s necessary, the books stand without this mystery.
The character build has been good and all characters are immediately credible and realistic. I’m not so keen on the ‘mother’ thread running throughout the books thus far, I don’t think it’s necessary, the books stand without this mystery.
December 24, 2021
This author is not to my liking ,this the third book i tried to read and the formula stays the same, boring character(horton). I have more rowson books to read and shall not be wasting my time on rowson,s books anymore there are a lot better crime writers than her to read , bye ,bye pauline rowson.
July 24, 2022
Hit and miss
I've read all the books in this series and have enjoyed them,this one wasn't as good. Too much back and forward which made it too confusing. I've felt sympathy with the character regarding his mum and daughter,but that storyline is getting too dragged out now,and he seems to not care enough to do anything about it.
I've read all the books in this series and have enjoyed them,this one wasn't as good. Too much back and forward which made it too confusing. I've felt sympathy with the character regarding his mum and daughter,but that storyline is getting too dragged out now,and he seems to not care enough to do anything about it.
June 1, 2023
I would definitely recommend this book. I love crime fiction and this did not disappoint.
It gave me an insight into the area, and provided me with a protagonist I could connect with. The writing is atmospheric and very easy to get lost in.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
It gave me an insight into the area, and provided me with a protagonist I could connect with. The writing is atmospheric and very easy to get lost in.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
March 19, 2024
Very good story
I just picked up thus series again. I forgot how much I enjoyed the writing. Great plot with a very interesting twist. The protagonist is a likeable detective who wears his flaws and wounds with an equal measure of pride and humikity. Nifty trick and it's balanced so effortlessly by the talented author. I recommend thus series, if British crime is your thing.
I just picked up thus series again. I forgot how much I enjoyed the writing. Great plot with a very interesting twist. The protagonist is a likeable detective who wears his flaws and wounds with an equal measure of pride and humikity. Nifty trick and it's balanced so effortlessly by the talented author. I recommend thus series, if British crime is your thing.
April 10, 2022
Great reads, enjoyed the whole series.
Came across these books by accident, but thoroughly enjoyed them, couldn't wait to get to the end of each story. Hopefully there will be more. I would definitely recommend.
Came across these books by accident, but thoroughly enjoyed them, couldn't wait to get to the end of each story. Hopefully there will be more. I would definitely recommend.
May 10, 2022
I'm enjoying this series, this one was full of twist and turns whilst following the lives of Horton and team . A great read and I can visualize the areas in the book with fond memories as I have for many years lived here in Auckland New Zealand.
May 24, 2022
Multiple twists and turns
Author is a good writer. Storyline lacks all but minimal grasp of police procedural. Writing verges to purple often. Probably will not pursue the series
Author is a good writer. Storyline lacks all but minimal grasp of police procedural. Writing verges to purple often. Probably will not pursue the series
June 1, 2022
Twists and turns a plenty.
So many characters and so many plot twists that reading it felt like trying to safe through thick porridge. Most of it was unbelievable and it was difficult to finish.
So many characters and so many plot twists that reading it felt like trying to safe through thick porridge. Most of it was unbelievable and it was difficult to finish.
September 21, 2022
These books keep getting better
An exciting and dramatic story. Even on holiday, Horton, has a knack for finding trouble. A thriller, one murder seems to attract more of them. Characters were complicated and intriguing, with a labyrinth like trail of clues.
An exciting and dramatic story. Even on holiday, Horton, has a knack for finding trouble. A thriller, one murder seems to attract more of them. Characters were complicated and intriguing, with a labyrinth like trail of clues.
January 2, 2023
I enjoyed reading this, felt like I was back on the Isle of Wight with all the places I knew, the way it was written really made me feel that.
It had so many twists to it that you would decide one thing then a few pages on be thinking something else.
Would recommend
It had so many twists to it that you would decide one thing then a few pages on be thinking something else.
Would recommend
May 31, 2024
Good Crime Thriller
I am really enjoying this series.
Each book is different, but the main characters keep returning.
The author keeps you guessing until the end whilst, alongside gradually revealing more of Andy Norton's story.
I am really enjoying this series.
Each book is different, but the main characters keep returning.
The author keeps you guessing until the end whilst, alongside gradually revealing more of Andy Norton's story.
September 16, 2024
Great storytelling
Loved the book, Andy Horton strikes again. Love the facts that come from real places. Born and grown up in Portsmouth, family holidays on the island, even my honeymoon was on the Isle of Wight. Brilliant.
Loved the book, Andy Horton strikes again. Love the facts that come from real places. Born and grown up in Portsmouth, family holidays on the island, even my honeymoon was on the Isle of Wight. Brilliant.
July 16, 2025
Another exciting book
The Isle of Wight Murders is another exciting Solent murder mystery. Rowson concocted an interesting set of suspects with lots of twists and turns along the way. She keeps the reader guessing right to the end. A great read.
The Isle of Wight Murders is another exciting Solent murder mystery. Rowson concocted an interesting set of suspects with lots of twists and turns along the way. She keeps the reader guessing right to the end. A great read.
December 8, 2025
A well-written procedural though not a series I will be following. I started with this entry, #5 - the back story was easy enough to fill in so worked fine as a stand-alone. More suited to those who enjoy hard-boiled mysteries.
May 18, 2022
Great read. Love this series. Looking forward to the next one.
July 23, 2022
Andy at his best!
Another intriguing tale, with many twists and turns but Andy gets to the truth in the end. Very good read.
Another intriguing tale, with many twists and turns but Andy gets to the truth in the end. Very good read.
July 24, 2022
Twisted plot
I sort of liked the book but it did seem to go on with.tje.twists far too.many times. And in the end it wound back to what had seemed obvious from the beginning.
I sort of liked the book but it did seem to go on with.tje.twists far too.many times. And in the end it wound back to what had seemed obvious from the beginning.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews