On research with Inspector Andy Horton in LETHAL WAVES now published in paperback and ebook

LETHAL WAVES now published in paperback as well as an ebook and in hardcover opens in Guernsey when Inspector Andy Horton’s meal with his old friend, Inspector John Guilbert of the States of Guernsey Police, is cut short when a woman is found dead in her cabin on the ferry from Portsmouth to Guernsey. When the idea for this crime novel came to me I contacted Condor Ferries and asked if they would mind me using one of their ferries as one of the settings. I am delighted to say they gave permission and went further than that in offering to open up the ship for my research and for the launch of LETHAL WAVES some eighteen months later.

On Monday 26 October 2015 courtesy of Condor Ferries I paid a research visit to the Condor Commodore Clipper. My visit was to check out my facts and I am extremely grateful to the Condor team who were incredibly helpful and generous with their time, and for their patience in allowing me to badger them with questions. It was also fantastic to see over one of my favourite ships, which I watch regularly sailing in and out of Portsmouth - DI Andy Horton's patch.

Read on as I walk you through my research on board the Condor Commodore Clipper

Here are some photographs taken from my research visit to Portsmouth International Port where the Condor Commodore Clipper ferry sails from to the Channel Islands.

Arriving at Portsmouth International Port Early morning, January, a woman arrives at the Portsmouth International Port

She buys a single ticket, with cash, to Guernsey at the Condor Ferries desk. She is travelling as a foot passenger and has hand luggage only, a handbag.

On board she asks the Cabin Management team for a double superior en suite cabin. Again she pays by cash. She goes straight to her cabin and locks the door.

Superior ensuite cabin Commodore Clipper ferry to Channel Islands from Portsmouth

When the ferry docks in Guernsey just after four p.m. there is no sign of her. She hasn't shown up to board the minibus to take her to the terminal, what's more her cabin is still locked. The deputy cabin manager enters it using a pass key and finds, lying between the cabin beds, the body of Evelyn Lyster. (We didn't go as far as to enact this you'll be pleased to know!)

On the Bridge of the Commodore Clipper from Portsmouth to Guernsey  The Captain is informed and the States of Guernsey Police are called in. Inspector John Guilbert, along with DI Andy Horton, board the Commodore Clipper.

About Condor Ferries

Condor Ferries was founded in 1964 and initially operated a passenger service between France and the Channel Islands. In 1987 the first service linking the Channel Islands with the UK was launched and since then Condor Ferries has operated a year-round service connecting the UK, Guernsey and Jersey and the ports of St Malo and Cherbourg in France.

In March 2015, Condor Ferries introduced a new addition to its fleet - Condor Liberation which serves Guernsey and Jersey from its UK base of Poole. Each year Condor Ferries carries more than 1 million passengers and 200,000 passenger vehicles. Condor Ferries Commodore Goodwill, freight only vessel carries 100,000 freight vehicles into the Channel Islands each year as well as exporting tonnes of local produce.

I would like to express my sincere and warm thanks to Condor Ferries for allowing me to feature them in my crime novel and for all their help. It was a superb visit.

DI Andy Horton’s meal with his old friend, Inspector John Guilbert of the States of Guernsey Police, is cut short when a woman is found dead in her cabin on the ferry from Portsmouth to Guernsey. There doesn’t appear to be any suspicious circumstances. It's not Horton's case. But as soon as Horton returns to Portsmouth he's called in to investigate the death of a vagrant found lying partially covered under a rotting houseboat. This time, it’s clearly murder.

Troubled by the many unanswered questions surrounding both deaths, Horton must call upon all his skills and intuition to solve a complex case, uncovering dark secrets that have led to such lethal waves of destruction.

The Inspector Andy Horton crime novels in order

Where to buy

Pauline Rowson's books USA

Pauline Rowson's books UK

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