The Suffocating Sea

May 1, 2008
Detective Inspector Andy Horton is back in another hard-hitting police case. When a charred body is found on a boat in the local marina after a three-alarm fire, Andys instincts tell him the fire was no accident. An autopsy proves him rightthe victim was clearly murdered. Horton and his sergeant, Barney Cantelli, find themselves running in circles until Andy uncovers a shocking secret. His mother, who deserted him when he was 10, may be connected with the burned corpse. When two more suspects in the case die in horrific circumstances, Andy begins to fear for his own life and realizes that coming to terms with his pain-filled past will be crucial to finding the killer. The story moves along at a fast clip and offers plenty of unexpected twists, and Rowson paints a realistic-seeming picture of modern-day British coppers. Unfortunately, after setting up a gripping, suspense-filled murder case, she finishes the story in a way that seems rushed and somewhat confusing. Even so, this is an entertaining read in an engaging series for British procedural fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)