About Detective Inspector Ryga

Ryga is ex Merchant Navy and a former German prisoner-of-war.   There he learned how to cope with the uncertainty, fear and deprivations of forced incarceration with no option but to wait, hope and pray that the war would soon be over and the Nazis would be defeated.

His experience has made him observant, analytical and reflective. It has also given him insights into his fellow man. He’s witnessed compassion, cruelty, cowardice and heroism, mental breakdown and despair. He’s made a promise to himself that whatever happens after the war he’ll keep an open mind and never judge. His experience at sea, and as a prisoner-of-war, have made him unique in his approach to solving coastal based crimes.

Inspector Ryga is part of Scotland Yard's Murder Squad, a specialist in solving baffling coastal crimes. His background as an ex Merchant Navy seaman means he understands the sea, and those who work, live and play around and on it. His sidekick, Sergeant Jacobs of the Yard, stays in London while Ryga teams up with, and works with other police officers in the towns, ports and bays around Britain where his investigations take him.

DEATH IN THE COVE (1) takes Ryga to the Royal Island of Portland, Dorset

DEATH IN THE HARBOUR (2) takes Ryga to  the port of Newhaven, East Sussex

DEATH IN THE NETS (3) takes Ryga to the smal fishing harbour of Brixham, Devon

DEATH IN THE DUNES (4) takes Ryga to Dungeness, Kent.

DEATH ON BOARD (5) takes Ryga to Penzance, Cornwall.

Where next I wonder?

And will Ryga settle down with photographer, Eva Paisley, or will he find Sonia Shepherd and her son Steven, who have left Portland, and Sonia's errant husband, and make a  life with her?

I'm working on ideas and plotlines for Inspector Ryga number six, more to be revealed in time to come...

What readers say about Inspector Ryga

"Ryga is a very likeable character. His experiences during the war have shaped him and I really like his easygoing manner while also being quite astute and perceptive."

"Inspector Ryga reminded me of so many conflicted sleuths, with his compassion, brilliance and melancholy."

"DEATH ON BOARD is a powerful and emotional account of survival, injustice, grief and how hard life can sometimes be, - and yet life must be lived. I wanted to hug some of them, well not the ones….and I wanted to hug Ryga too. I do hope he finds piece of mind and a wonderful partner to share his life with. I’d love to see him happy again. Quite an emotionally overwhelming read."