Photo fun at the launch of Art Marvik marine crime novel, Dangerous Cargo, second in the series

I had great fun on the photo shoot for the launch of Dangerous Cargo, the second in the marine crime novel series featuring Art Marvik. And what better place to launch a new crime novel with the title Dangerous Cargo than in front of  a cargo ship at Portsmouth International Port, although the cargo in the second in the Art Marvik  series is of a far more deadly nature than bananas transported on the Geest Line's MV Benguela Stream, a purpose-built Dutch-registered 150m vessel for the ocean transport of perishable cargo.


Pauline Rowson with Dangerous Cargo, picture Malcolm Wells. Geest Line's MV Benguela Stream at Portsmouth International Port


Dangerous Cargo, an Art Marvik marine mystery by Pauline Rowson

Dangerous Cargo, is published by Severn House in the UK (31 May 2016).  It is the second in the series featuring former Royal Marine Commando, turned marine investigator, Art Marvik.  The first Silent Running was published in the UK and the USA in 2015 and  has been hailed as  'A tense, terrifying thrill ride that twists and turns with  dizzying speed.'

For his second mission with the UK's National Intelligence Marine  Squad (NIMS) Marvik is detailed to unravel a fifty year old mystery and in so doing uncovers a trail of deceit, corruption and  murder and a killer  who will stop at nothing to make sure that the sins of the past stay in the  past.

Pauline Rowson, Fatal Catch, Portsmouth International Port - Picture Malcolm Wells

The Portsmouth International Port, features in my DI Andy Horton crime novels often referred to by its previous names, the Continental Ferry Port or the Commercial Ferry Port.  Now re branded, the   International Port, owned and operated by Portsmouth City Council has grown extensively since its formation in 1976 when initially it offered just one route to France from a small section of reclaimed harbour front. Now it is known as Britain’s Best Connected Port with more destinations than any other UK Port. The Port is also a key destination for fresh fruit and vegetables from all over the world. 70% of all the bananas eaten in the UK arrive at Portsmouth International Port before heading to supermarket shelves across the country.

Pauline Rowson with Dangerous Cargo, picture Malcolm Wells.


Those bananas are brought in by the Geest Shipping Line. In her 100 plus round trips for Geest the 9,300-tonne MV Bengeula Stream has transported 2.3 billion bananas and travelled more than a million miles – equal to more than 400 times around the world. Geest Line has been the premier cargo shipping company linking Europe and the Caribbean for more than 60 years. And no, I didn't get any free bananas!  The Geest line also carries personal effects and furniture on pallets even race horses.  She has four temperature-controlled holds, a highest speed of 21 knots and only needs to refuel in Portsmouth.

MMD (Shipping Services) Limited based at the Portsmouth International Port provide cargo shippers such as Geest and others with a fully-integrated turnkey service, including stevedoring, ship and customs agency, handling, storage and onward distribution.

Dangerous Cargo was a thrill to write and I hope readers enjoy Art Marvik's second mission for NIMS.

My thanks to Portsmouth International Port, to Geest Shipping Line to MMD in Portsmouth and to the photographer, Malcolm Wells for helping me to launch my latest crime novel.  It was tremendous fun.

Dangerous Cargo is now available in hardcover from all good bookshops, on line and can be loaned from public libraries.

It will be published in the USA on 1 September 2016 when it will also be released as an e book.



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