A former Customs and Police Officer, Andrew Hill’s first book in a crime series set in the New Forest, where he lived for 30 years, will be published in Spring 2022. An avid reader across the crime genre and regular at crime writing festivals, he now lives in West Sussex and works in property.
This is another outing for Pauline Rowson’s former Royal Marine Commando, Art Marvik and the U.K.’s National Intelligence Marine Unit. Rawson weaves a pleasing and fast-moving tale with an intriguing nautical backdrop.
Marvik gets an unexpected phone call from Helen Shannon requesting a meeting. He had helped her in his first mission, so he answers the summons promptly. A body is found in her flat and it’s apparent to Marvik that Helen is being framed for murder. A story of skulduggery, underhand deals and murder soon develops; leaving Marvik to try and figure out the connection between what is happening now, to the disappearance of a salvage tug. It appears that the vessel Mary Jo went missing with all hands in 2003. The investigation is of interest to Marvik’s boss, Det. Chief Supt. Crowder, putting Marvik centre-stage as he tries to piece the zigsaw puzzle together.
The author takes us from Southampton Water to Beachy Head, Seven Sisters, Eastbourne and Newhaven marinas. The narrative is complete with well-researched detail, which doesn’t affect the momentum of this fast-paced tale.
Marvik is essentially a ‘loner’. He has very few close friends other than his ‘oppo’ Strathen, a former Marine invalided-out from military service following the loss of a leg in Afghanistan.
Whilst Marvik is more than happy to use the skills he learnt from his time in the Marines, there’s also a vulnerability within that adds an intriguing layer to his character and motivation.
Lost Voyage is a solid read and I suspect that it won’t be long before we see Marvik again sailing over the horizon.
