Crime comes to the Women's Institute



The Women's Institute and crime are not usually words mentioned in the same breath except when I descended on the ladies of Castle View WI on Monday 20 November.  I entertained members with tales of my crime busting heroes, the rugged and flawed sailing Portsmouth  detective, Inspector Andy Horton, and undercover investigator, former Royal Marine Commando, Art Marvik.

Spellbound audience as Pauline Rowson talks about her crime novels


I explained how my crime novels are all set against the backdrop of the sea and how I draw my inspiration from locations around the coast. I spoke about how the idea for the Inspector Andy Horton crime novel, Undercurrent, came from a visit to Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard when I spied a piece of tarpaulin covering something in the deep dock where an historic ship the M33 Monitor is located. It just had to be a body (fictional of course).



Naval historian Dr Douglas Spalding is found dead in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard. It looks like suicide but Horton goes out on a limb to prove otherwise. Soon he's embroiled in a cover up at the highest level.

'Rowson offers up a thorny, multifaceted plot; a profusion of unusual twists; a likable yet complex hero; and plenty of fast-paced, knuckle-biting action.' Booklist USA



Published in paperback, as an ebook, on Amazon Kindle and Kobo and as an unabridged audio book narrated by Gordon Griffin



 
I also spoke about how the Condor ferry that sails from Portsmouth to the Channel islands gave mer the inspiration for another DI Andy Horton crime novel, Lethal Waves, when a woman's body is found in one of the cabins when the ferry docks in Guernsey and Andy Horton, who is there following up a lead into the disappearance of his mother, Jennifer, over thirty years ago, is called in to help.


"This heart-breaking story of ambition, greed, jealousy, and revenge makes a good choice for fans of no-nonsense British procedurals." Booklist



"Nothing in this police procedural is as it first appears. The Harley Davidson–riding, houseboat-dwelling Horton is a fascinating man to get to know, and his thoughtful approach to detection is a pleasure to read." Publishers Weekly

Published by Severn House in hardcover and as an ebook, on Amazon Kindle and Kobo.

Published in paperback 28 February 2018



Then there is my  undercover investigator, Art Marvik, who embarks on missions for the UK's National Intelligence Marine Squad on his powerful motor cruiser which takes him on investigations along the south coast to Southampton in Silent Running,  Dorset in the west in Dangerous Cargo, and Beachy Head and the Severn Sisters cliffs in the east in Lost Voyage.


  Adrift after leaving the Royal Marines, Marvik finds himself being used as bait to catch a ruthless killer whose slaying spree spans the decades.It's a mission that will put all his skills and training to the test- a dangerous assignment that could cost him his life.

 "Fans of Rowson’s DI Andy Horton books will be delighted with her new series featuring former marine commando Art Marvik.A tense, terrifying thrill ride that twists and turns with dizzying speed, combined with a likable, smart, tough, but all too human hero, make this a cracking-good new series—action fans need Marvik on their radar." Booklist (USA)

 Published in hardcover, paperback as an ebook, on Aamzon Kindle and Kobo also as an unabridged audio book narrated by Peter Noble.



I went on to demonstrate how I develop my story-lines and plot outlines from my ideas by asking the six 'open' questions of who, what, why, when, where, and how and that when I begin writing a crime novel, I have no idea what happens in the middle or the end or in fact who did it and why. My talk was followed by  a lively question and answer session and a book signing.



Crime author Pauline Rowson talking about how she writes her crime novels

 

Castle View WI Pauline Rowson signing her crime novels

It was great fun talking to members of Castle View Women's Institute. It was also lovely to meet some fans of DI Andy Horton and Art Marvik.


Castle View WI Pauline Rowson talking about her crime novels and her characters



Where to buy

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


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