New 1950 set crime novel by Pauline Rowson to be published in 2019

I'm delighted to announce that Death in the Cove, a 1950 set crime novel is to be published in 2019. The historical crime novel, the first in the series, is a departure for me and my readers will be more familiar with my rugged and flawed detective, DI Andy Horton (14) and my undercover investigator, former Royal Marine, Art Marvik (3). I've also written and two standalone crime novels.

Death in the Cove features a Scotland Yard detective, Inspector Alun Ryga who is called out to investigate coastal crimes. The sea is as my readers know my trademark or brand if you prefer. All my crime novels are set against the backdrop of the ever changing sea primarily along the south coast of England. In the first of the series Inspector Ryga meets war photographer, Eva Paisley, and they strike up a partnership that will run through the series.

Death in the Cove is set in a nation still gripped by austerity and rationing after the Second World War.  As the country tries to come to terms with peace many are disillusioned and suffering the deprivations of homelessness, hardship, poverty and loss. Recently promoted to Inspector in the Criminal Investigations Department of Scotland Yard, Ryga is on his first solo investigation outside of London and he is keen to prove his worth.  Years working at sea in the Merchant Navy and then four years spent as a German prisoner-of-war have made him watchful and thoughtful, and given him insights into his fellow man, along with a promise to himself to keep an open mind.

Set on the Island of Portland in Dorset, the body of an unidentified man dressed in a pin-striped suit is found in the secluded Church Ope Cove and Ryga is sent to investigate.  There he meets war photographer, Eva Paisley, who reported the body.  The discovery of the body is far from harrowing for her.  She’s seen and photographed much worse.  Her observations of the dead man, seen through the lens of her camera though are summarily dismissed by the local police.   Ignoring the warnings of the local police inspector, and the Dorset Chief Constable that his trust in Eva Paisley is misjudged, Ryga quickly realises that her insights could provide the breakthrough he needs in a complex murder investigation and the answer to the haunting circumstances that have sent the man in the pin-striped suit to his death.

I thoroughly enjoyed writing this crime novel. It was fascinating to research policing and life in 1950 Britain. It was also challenging writing something where police officers can't just hop in a car and dash about and where there are no mobile phones or Internet. The world has changed so much since 1950 and my aim in writing this novel  is not only provide an intriguing crime but to reflect the times, the fashions the attitudes and a much slower pace of life before Britain headed for the more racy 1960s.

Death in the Cove is to be published in paperback, as an ebook on Amazon Kindle and as an audio book in 2019.

Where to buy

Pauline Rowson's books at The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)

Pauline Rowson's books USA

Pauline Rowson's books UK

From your local bookshop

Also available as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and for loan from UK, USA, Irish and Commonwealth libraries

A whole host of Pauline Rowson crime novels published in 2018

Wow, what a busy year 2018 has been. I've pulled together a video of all my crime novels published in their various formats during the year.

In 2018 there have been two audio books released, a large print edition published and paperback editions of a DI Andy Horton crime novel and an Art Marvik mystery thriller. And last but by no means least in October, the publication of a brand new Inspector Andy Horton crime novel, number fourteen in the series DEAD PASSAGE published in paperback, as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle. Looking forward to what 2019 will bring... more about that in the New Year. Meanwhile here is a video of all my crime novels published in 2018.

Happy watching  and Happy Christmas.

The inspiration behind the crime novel IN COLD DAYLIGHT by Pauline Rowson

The idea for my standalone crime novel IN COLD DAYLIGHT came not this time from a location, which is usually where I get my ideas from, but from an overheard conversation.  This particular conversation took place at the fire station where my husband, a fire fighter worked. He was at the time on Red Watch at Southsea in Portsmouth (now he is retired). It was after the shift had ended.

An award winning thriller about one man's quest to discover the truth behind the deaths of fire fighters

The watch were discussing the unusually high number of their colleagues who had sadly contracted cancer.  Many believed the cancer was caused through exposure to hazardous chemicals in the line of duty but couldn't say which particular incident or series of incidents had triggered it. The cancers were mainly those of the throat, esophagus and ears, all areas left unprotected at that time by their headgear.  In fact, my husband used to say  that the only way he knew just hot the fire was, and therefore how it was progressing, was if his ears started to feel as if they were burning!

The link between cancer related deaths and fire fighters has still not been fully investigated or acknowledged in Britain but it has been researched and acknowledged elsewhere for example in the USA Canada and Australia.

I decided to blend what I had overheard into a dramatic fictional plot, and thereby create a powerful novel, unaware at the time that a major International disaster on a massive scale would be the catalyst to spark studies in the USA into this controversial area.

Since writing IN COLD DAYLIGHT, after a three year study prompted by 9/11, research from the University of Cincinnati was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in 2006.  The research analyzed information on 110,000 fire fighters from 32 previous studies. It found that rates of testicular cancer were a hundred per cent higher and prostate cancer twenty-eight percent higher among fire-fighters.  In addition, the researchers also discovered a fifty percent increase in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma. After analyzing statistics on 20 different kinds of cancer, University of Cincinnati researchers revealed that fire-fighters developed 10 of those deadly diseases more frequently than any other type of worker.

Researchers say fire-fighters are exposed to many compounds designated as carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents including benzene, chloroform, soot, styrene and formaldehyde. These can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin at the scene of a fire.

In the crime novel IN COLD DAYLIGHT instead of featuring a brave fire-fighter hero I chose to tell the story through the eyes of a man who is the opposite. This is marine artist, Adam Greene's journey through overcoming depression, a nervous breakdown and leaning on the prop of his strong-willed, ambitious wife as much as discovering why his best friend, fire-fighter, Jack Bartholomew, was killed in the line of duty before he can reveal the cause of his own – and his colleagues’ cancer.

In a cryptic message orchestrated before his untimely death, Jack has left a trail of clues that will lead Adam into a labyrinth of lies, secrets and government conspiracy exposing an environmental scandal that has resulted in the deaths of fire fighters.

The evidence is clear that fire-fighters suffer from certain cancers at a higher rate than others.  Fire-fighters spend a career facing toxic dangers in the name of protecting the public. It is an occupational risk and should be recognised.  When a fire-fighter dies from a cancer identified as occupational, their families need and deserve appropriate compensation.

Although IN COLD DAYLIGHT is fiction there is a strong central message in the novel and readers might like to ask can this really be happening?  If IN COLD DAYLIGHT opens the debate then that’s all to the good.

I am pleased to say IN COLD DAYLIGHT was shortlisted for the World Book Day Prize 2008.  It is available in paperback, as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle.

Fire fighters who were on Red Watch, Southsea when the novel was published with crime author Pauline Rowson

Where to buy

Pauline Rowson's books at The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)

Pauline Rowson's books USA

Pauline Rowson's books UK

From your local bookshop

Also available as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and for loan from UK, USA, Irish and Commonwealth libraries

In Cold Daylight a mystery thriller by Pauline Rowson - one man's quest to discover the truth behind the deaths of fire fighters

IN COLD DAYLIGHT a mystery thriller set in December inspired by an overheard conversation in a Portsmouth fire station.

Before fire-fighter Jack Bartholomew can reveal the cause of his own and his colleagues’ cancer he is murdered and silenced forever. In a cryptic message he orchestrated before his untimely death, he has left a trail of clues that will lead his friend, Marine Artist, Adam Greene, into a labyrinth of lies, secrets and government conspiracy.

Dedicated to fire-fighters everywhere.

The Suffocating Sea the third Inspector Andy Horton crime novel

DI Horton is called to investigate a suspicious fire on board a boat, but as soon as he arrives at the marina he experiences a premonition so strong that it’s almost audible. As he views the charred remains of the dead man he knows instinctively that this investigation will be like no other. Soon Horton is forced to confront the past, not just the victim’s, but the mystery surrounding his mother’s disappearance over thirty years ago.

Where to buy

Pauline Rowson's books at The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)

Pauline Rowson's books USA

Pauline Rowson's books UK

From your local bookshop

Also available as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and for loan from UK,
USA, Irish and Commonwealth libraries

Fascinating Forensic Facts - what every crime writer needs to know about blood pattern analysts

Being a crime writer involves researching some very gruesome things but also some very interesting forensic aspects of crime.

For my crime novels I’ve researched gunshot wounds, death by crossbow, poisons (a favourite of Agatha Christie’s), blunt force trauma, suffocation, fire and more. I am incredibly grateful to all the forensic scientists, Hampshire police officers and the Hampshire Fingerprint Bureau and crime scene investigators who have assisted me.

I thought I would share some information on blood pattern analysis I gleaned for both my Detective Inspector Andy Horton crime novels set in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight (14) and for my Art Marvik mystery thriller series (3) set along the South Coast of England.

What do Blood Pattern Analysts do?

Analysts examine the size, shape, distribution and location of the bloodstains to form opinions about what happened at the scene of the crime. They assist investigators in answering questions such as:

• Where did the blood come from?
• What caused the wounds?
• What type of instrument was used?
• From what direction was the victim wounded?
• Was the victim moving about, standing, sitting, or lying on the floor?
• How were the victim(s) and perpetrator(s) positioned?
• What movements were made after the bloodshed?
• How many potential perpetrators were present?
• Does the bloodstain evidence support or refute witness statements?

Trained bloodstain pattern analysts can examine the blood evidence left at the crime scene and draw conclusions as to how the blood may have been shed. They can use photographs and diagrams to provide additional information about the crime scene. From what may appear to be a random distribution of bloodstains at a crime scene, analysts can categorize those stains by gathering information from spatter patterns that assist investigators in reconstructing the crime, corroborating statements from witnesses, and including or excluding potential perpetrators from the investigation.

A fascinating if not gruesome subject and some interesting background information for crime authors like me.

Dead Passage an Inspector Andy Horton crime novel (14)

Available in paperback, as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle.

A mysterious telephone call sends Horton on a complex and twisted investigation into the death of a local politician twelve years ago and uncovers a trail of lies, secrets and revenge with roots deep in the past.

"A detective novel in the tradition of Rankin and Harvey." Mystery People Magazine

"Pauline Rowson is one of the most talented crime and thriller writers in the UK. By choosing locations and plot lines that are unique to her 'marine mysteries' she has set herself apart from the tried and tested formulae within the genre." Book Depository

Where to buy

Pauline Rowson's books at The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)

Pauline Rowson's books USA

Pauline Rowson's books UK

From your local bookshop

Also available as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and for loan from UK, USA, Irish and Commonwealth libraries

What's on in December for crime author Pauline Rowson

December, the run up to Christmas and often the winding down of work. And while, for me, December is a quiet month in terms of talks it is still a busy month for writing. In fact the holiday period is a good time for me to write and usually highly productive.

Portland Island, DEATH IN THE COVE

This month I am busy working on the first draft of the second in my 1950 set crime novel featuring a Scotland Yard detective called Inspector Alun Ryga who is sent down to the coast to investigate murder cases. The first in the series DEATH IN THE COVE is to be published in 2019 and is set on the Island of Portland in Dorset with the second - the one I am currently writing- being set in Newhaven, East Sussex. By the New Year my aim is to have completed that first draft.




If you want to get in the mood for Christmas with a crime novel or thriller then there are plenty to choose from including fourteen in the DI Andy Horton series, three Art Marvik mystery thrillers and my two standalone crime novels. And as three of my crime novels are set in December I'll be focusing on them - as well as the latest DI Andy Horton mystery DEAD PASSAGE - this month. I'll also be taking the opportunity to look back over 2018.

In forthcoming blogs I'll be featuring the story behind each of the December set crime novels, some videos and extracts of two Inspector Andy Horton crime novels THE SUFFOCATING SEA and FATAL CATCH and my crime thriller novel IN COLD DAYLIGHT.





Firstly to kick off here's a summary of each.

DI Andy Horton (3) The Suffocating Sea

The Suffocating Sea - DI Andy Horton 3 by Pauline RowsonA body on a burning boat leads Horton into an investigation that has startling personal consequences. As Horton is forced to confront his past he's faced with a dangerous adversary who will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from coming out...

Selected as the "Best of British Crime Fiction" by The Book Depository

"A gripping, suspense-filled murder case...an entertaining read in an engaging series." Booklist

DI Andy Horton (12) Fatal Catch


Fatal Catch a DI Andy Horton crime novel by Pauline RowsonFisherman haul a gruesome catch: a severed human hand and Horton finds himself immersed in a complex case where everyone has a reason to lie and no one is who they seem.

'Plenty of red herrings and a surprising culprit. Series fans will appreciate additional clues about the unsolved murder of Horton’s mother, Jennifer, more than 30 years earlier.' Publishers Weekly

 

In Cold Daylight
In Cold Daylight a crime novel by Pauline RowsonBefore fire-fighter Jack Bartholomew can reveal the cause of his own and his colleagues’ cancer he is murdered and silenced forever. But in a cryptic message he orchestrated before his untimely death, he has left a trail of clues that will lead his friend, Marine Artist, Adam Greene, into a labyrinth of lies, secrets and government conspiracy

"Pauline Rowson's novels are packed with twists and turns. This is an enjoyable crime novel. Great Stuff.' Caroline Mileham, Books Buyer, Play.com


 More to come in December.

Where to buy

Pauline Rowson's books at The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)

Pauline Rowson's books USA

Pauline Rowson's books UK

From your local bookshop

Also available as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and for loan from UK, USA, Irish and Commonwealth libraries

Subscribe to crime author Pauline Rowson's newsletter for all the latest book news, talks, writing tips and more

Want to get the latest up-to-date news of Detective Inspector Andy Horton as he battles to solve complex crimes on the south coast of England while wrestling with his own personal problems, and the search for the truth behind his mother's disappearance over thirty years ago?

"A detective novel in the tradition of Rankin and Harvey." Mystery People Magazine

A mysterious telephone call sends Horton on a complex and twisted investigation into the death of a local politician twelve years ago and uncovers a trail of lies, secrets and revenge with roots deep in the past. 

Or perhaps you'd like to know when former Royal Marine Commando, Art Marvik is on a new mission to solve a mystery for the National Intelligence Marine Squad.

'Plenty of action, I didn't want to put the book down. A good read for mystery/ thriller fans.' Net Galley

Marvik faces a desperate battle to save others from a ruthless assassin who will stop at nothing in order to protect the secret of the Mary Jo’s last voyage from ever being exposed.

Then there's news about my brand new forthcoming crime novel set in a Britain in 1950 featuring a Scotland Yard detective sent to investigate complex murder cases on the south coast of England. (Death in the Cove to be published in 2019).

Plus information on my forthcoming talks, photographs, writes ups of my previous talks, interviews and articles on writing and the life and times of an author....

Subscribe to my regular e newsletter.

Where to buy

Pauline Rowson's books at The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)

Pauline Rowson's books USA

Pauline Rowson's books UK

From your local bookshop

Also available as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and for loan from UK, USA, Irish and Commonwealth libraries

Murder at the Pelican Club by Pauline Rowson a smash hit with audience

I'm delighted that my 1940 set murder mystery play, MURDER AT THE PELICAN CLUB performed by the Winterbourne Players, Bristol, on 22, 23 and 24 November 2018 proved to be a big hit with audiences. 

Cast and crew of MURDER AT THE PELICAN CLUB Winterbourne Players

Written with a touch of humour in the vein of the classic crime thrillers of the 20th century, an Agatha Christie style detective drama, it has the audience playing sleuth. They were invited to guess ‘who done it’ between the acts which revolved around a wartime themed supper of corned beef hash and vegetable hash (for the vegetarians) followed by tin peaches and evaporated milk.  There were prizes for the team who came up with the culprit and the motive and although over the three nights performances some got close to guessing nobody actually did.  There was also a prize for the best 1940 costume.

Inspector Doyle in action in MURDER AT THE PELICAN CLUB – Winterbourne Players

The Winterbourne Players, an amateur dramatics group, based in Winterbourne, Bristol, present two productions a year, one in May and a second in November at the Winterbourne Community Centre.  I joined the audience on the last night and presented the prizes. 

Pauline Rowson, on stage in 1940s costume after the performance of her play MURDER AT THE PELICAN CLUB

Yes, that's me wearing the turban and trousers and a genuine 1940 knitted waistcoat, hand knitted by my mother when she was in the ATS.

The Winterbourne Players put on a great show.  The audience sang along, ohhed and ahhed and laughed in the right places, all credit to the performers and director, Michele English. It was thoroughly enjoyable and well done Winterbourne Players. Now they want to stage my next murder mystery play - so I'd better hurry up and finish writing it.

About Murder At The Pelican Club

It's November 1940 and the blitz has been raging in London since 7 September 1940. Men up to the age of 27 have been called up, which means that gruff Inspector Doyle is still on the job because he's too old. Maisie Duncan and Tillie Trotman have volunteered to do their bit for the war effort. Maisie because she was stuck in a boring office job and wanted excitement, and Tillie because she thought she’d look fetching in a uniform and be sent where lots of men would idolize her. Instead they both get sent to the munitions works.

Before the play opens a lunch time talent concert has been organised in the munitions factory where Maisie and Tillie work. Tillie wins it and she’s immediately signed up by agent and impresario, Maxine Hunter. Catapulted to fame by radio appearances and concerts, Tillie is now a forces sweetheart. This is her last performance at the popular Pelican Club and Restaurant before travelling overseas to entertain the troops. Someone, though is intent on stopping her.

Where to buy

Pauline Rowson's books at The Book Depository (free worldwide delivery)

Pauline Rowson's books USA

Pauline Rowson's books UK

From your local bookshop

Also available as an ebook and on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and for loan from UK, USA, Irish and Commonwealth libraries