December DI Andy Horton is called out to a gruesome catch

It's December and Detective Inspector Andy Horton has a gruesome murder case to solve.

THE THORNEY ISLAND MURDERS is number twelve in the DI Andy Horton Solent Murder Mystery series of currently 17. This book opens on 12 December with DI Horton being called away from his Christmas shopping to examine a gruesome catch by two fishermen: a human hand.  Is it that of missing violent criminal Alfie Wright – or is he the killer? And where is the rest of the corpse?

Horton's investigations take him to Thorney Island, which is just over the border of Hampshire in West Sussex.  You can see a Google map of where all the DI Andy Horton Solent Murder Mysteries are set.

Thorney Island was first used by the Royal Air Force in 1935 and was a fighter station and base for Coastal Command during the Second World War. In 1984, it was taken over by the army who retain the base today. It's unspolt by housing and industrial developments and is a haven for many birds.  It also has a wonderful footpath around it, which I regularly walk.  This is accessed via an army security intercom and you must strictly adhere to the footpath otherwise you might find yourself in the Guard House! The path on the eastern side of the island leads to St Nicholas church which is featured in THE THORNEY ISLAND MURDERS. Other localtions include DI Andy Horton's patch of Portsmouth.

Soon, in THE THORNEY ISLAND MURDERS, Horton finds himself immersed in a complex case where everyone has a reason to lie and no one is who they seem.

Assailed by doubts both in his personal and professional life, Horton desperately tries to keep his emotional feelings under control and his focus on his work. His instincts tell him to trust no one and believe nothing; he’s not sure though whether this time he’ll succeed …

If you haven't read this book, perhaps give it a try and I hope you enjoy it.  Here is what some readers say about this book and others in the series.

"Horton is my new favourite detective-life continually kicks him in the teeth but he always gets up again until he finds the murderer(s)!" Yvonne Amazon

"This whole series has me gripped from start to finish. Stories are superb and there's always that underlying thread of Andy Horton's search for his mother. Can't wait to read the next exciting book."

"Yet another brilliant installment in a thoroughly enjoyable, original crime series by a talented British author. Full of twists and turns, colourful characters and hints of disharmony and mistrust between colleagues in the police force." Amazon

(Please note this was previously published as Fatal Catch.)