Pauline Rowson entertaining members of the women's Institute

I was delighted to talk to members of Westbourne Women's Institute on Monday 16 September about the inspiration behind my mystery crime novels set on the South Coast of England.  I talked about how I research and plot them and the inspiration behind my latest and the first in a new 1950s set mystery series, DEATH IN THE COVE, introducing Scotland Yard detective, Inspector Alun Ryga and published on 26 September 2019.

Westbourne WI Pauline Rowson talking about her crime novels

I also spoke about my crime busting fictional heroes, the flawed and rugged Portsmouth copper DI Andy Horton, (14) my undercover investigator, Art Marvik a former Royal Marine Commando (3) and my two standalone thrillers IN COLD DAYLIGHT and IN FOR THE KILL.

Westbourne WI Pauline Rowson showing her plotlines

I explained how I develop plot lines by creating a storyboard and using spidergrams and how I research the police procedure and the forensic aspects of my multi-layered crime novels.

Pauline Rowson book signing at Westbourne WI

 Following my talk there was a lively question and answer session and a book signing.

DEAD PASSAGE is an Inspector Andy Horton mystery, number 14 in the series. Available in paperback, as an ebook, on Amazon Kindle and Kobo


Dead Passage an Inspector Andy Horton crime novel 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

DEATH IN THE COVE, is set in 1950 England, a country still struggling after six years of war in the grip of austerity and rationing.  It introduces Inspector Alun Ryga, recently promoted at Scotland Yard, a former Merchant Navy seaman and German prisoner-of-war  who is sent to the Island of Portland in Dorset to solve an unusual and baffling case.

DEATH IN THE COVE is published in paperback, e book, on Kindle and Kobo and as an audio book on 26 September 2019.

When the body of a man dressed in a pinstriped suit is discovered by war photographer, Eva Paisley, in a secluded bay on Portland Island, Dorset, Inspector Alun Ryga of Scotland Yard is sent to investigate.  Recently promoted, the thoughtful, observant Ryga, is on his first solo investigation outside of London, and is keen to prove his worth. 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 observations 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 pinstriped suit to his death.