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For THE RAT ISLAND MURDERS - DI Andy Horton Solent Murder Mystery 14 - I feature a couple of interesting locations, one is Rat Island in Portsmouth Harbour, the other is one of the Solent Forts, No Man's Fort, which is, yes, you've guessed it in the Solent between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
Skeletal remains are discovered on the small uninhabited island in Portsmouth Harbour between the town of Gosport and the city of Portsmouth. The island's proper name is Burrow Island but it is known to locals as Rat Island owing to the fact that it was used as a burial ground for French prisoners from the prison hulk, HMS York, between 1819 and 1854.
Some prisoners were transported to Australia, they were probably the lucky ones. The ones that remained were put to hard labour, working on building the fortifications around Gosport and Portsmouth. At night they were chained to their bunks to prevent them escaping ashore. Many died of typhoid and cholera. They were buried on Burrow Island. As the island is owned by the Ministry of Defence, landing on it is forbidden. Occasionally, archeologists are permitted on site and remains of those long ago prisoners can still be unearthed. I was very fortunate to be taken there by the Hampshire Police Marine Unit on their launch, although we did not land on the island.
THE RAT ISLAND MURDERS also features No Man's Fort, which was converted into a luxury hotel by the company Amazing Venues. It has recently been on the market for sale, so by now perhaps a multi-billlionaire owns it or another hotel chain but getting to it can prove a challange unless you happen to own a helicopter or a boat. I was taken out to it by boat and was very grateful to Amazing Venues who assisted me with my research.
It was originally equipped with forty nine guns and was the first Fort in England, possibly Europe, to use hydraulic power to raise the ammunition from the sea bunkers (basement) to the firing positions. It was also the first to be lighted throughout by electricity. No Man’s Fort was completely renovated and opened as a luxury and unique venue in 2015. It boasts a wonderful lighthouse giving spectacular views over the Solent, across to the Isle of Wight and to Portsmouth, including right into the harbour entrance.
No Man's Fort is three times the size of Spitbank Fort, also owned by Amazing Venues and at the time of my research offered twenty-two huge bedroom suites, its own lazer battle, sea golf, a hot house with firepit, a large rooftop firepit, sauna, hot tub, a cabaret bar and restaurant, as well as retaining the unique sea bunker tunnels, a must visit for any history fanatic and especially those keen on military history. The tunnels are extremely atmospheric.
My thanks to the Solent Forts team and especially to my guide, Craig, who took me around the fort and gave me so much useful information. I came away with lots of inspiration for the DI Andy Horton Solent Murder Mysteries, not to mention a good place to put a body!
Please note this was orginally published as Dead Passage
Pauline Rowson lives on the South Coast of England and is the best selling author of many crime novels, published by Joffe Books. Her popular crime novels include the DI Andy Horton Solent Murder Mystery series, the Art Marvik mystery thrillers and the 1950s set Inspector Ryga mysteries. Subscribe to her newsletter for all the latest books news.
