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- Title: Portsmouth Murders
- Author: Pauline Rowson
- Narrator: Colin Mace
- Length: 06:00:16
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 19/01/2023
- Publisher: SAGA Egmont
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Suspense, Police Stories
- ISBN13: 9.79E+12
As a travel writer who’s spent countless hours soaking in the stories of harbors and hidden coves, I was instantly drawn to Pauline Rowson’s ‘Portsmouth Murders,’ a suspense-laden police story set against the vibrant, ever-shifting backdrop of Portsmouth Harbour. The audiobook experience, narrated by the talented Colin Mace, unfolds like a stormy sea journey – full of unexpected turns and undercurrents that pull you deeper with every chapter. This isn’t just another mystery; it’s a dive into the gritty, personal struggles of Detective Inspector Andy Horton, a man as complex and restless as the tides themselves.
My initial impression of this thriller was shaped by the setting – a bustling port city with a historic dockyard and the Royal Navy’s heartbeat pulsing through it. It reminds me of a time when I was exploring the coastal towns of northern Spain, listening to local fishermen spin tales of smuggling and betrayal under the salty air. Portsmouth, as Rowson paints it, feels just as alive, a character in its own right, with secrets hidden beneath its waves. The Solent area, described as a detective’s nightmare due to the tide’s knack for erasing clues, gripped me from the start. You can almost feel the damp chill of the waterfront seeping through your headphones during this listening experience.
What struck a personal chord with me was Horton’s backstory – abandoned as a child, growing up in a children’s home, always on the outside looking in. It echoed memories of evenings spent with a family in Oaxaca, where their grandmother would weave stories of loss and resilience with a voice that trembled with lived pain. Her storytelling, much like Rowson’s narrative, used silence as powerfully as words, a quality I found mirrored in this audiobook. Horton’s desperate need to belong, juxtaposed with his instinctive, risk-taking nature as a copper, made me root for him even as he stumbled through personal and professional wreckage following an eight-month suspension.
Diving into the key themes of ‘Portsmouth Murders,’ Rowson crafts a cat-and-mouse game that’s as much about internal demons as external killers. The story begins with Horton discovering a brutally bludgeoned corpse, setting off a chain of events that feels like peeling back layers of a dark, forgotten history. The suspense builds with chilling similarities between murders, raising the stakes as Horton wonders if he’s the next target. This police story thrives on its atmospheric tension, a hallmark of the mystery and thriller genre, reminiscent of works by Ann Cleeves or Joy Ellis. Rowson’s ability to weave personal stakes into a broader criminal investigation kept me hooked – Horton’s tarnished reputation and fractured personal life add a raw, human edge to the procedural elements.
Now, let’s talk about the audiobook experience itself, because Colin Mace’s narration elevates this tale to another level. His voice carries the gravelly weight of Horton’s burdens, shifting seamlessly from the detective’s internal musings to the sharp, urgent exchanges with colleagues who’d rather see him off the case. Mace captures the essence of a man who’s both self-contained and teetering on the edge, his tone rough yet vulnerable. The audio quality is crisp, with subtle inflections that paint the multicultural vibrancy of Portsmouth – you can almost hear the creak of ships and the distant cry of gulls. His pacing mirrors the story’s rhythm, slow and brooding during reflective moments, then taut and relentless as the body count rises. It’s the kind of narration that reminds me of that magical realism audiobook I listened to while driving through Chile’s Atacama Desert, where the narrator’s voice turned words into a living landscape.
That said, while the strengths of ‘Portsmouth Murders’ are many – its vivid setting, complex protagonist, and gripping suspense – there are moments where the pacing feels uneven. Some secondary characters lack the depth I craved, serving more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. I found myself wishing for a bit more exploration of Horton’s past beyond the immediate context of his suspension, though perhaps that’s a thread Rowson picks up in later books of the Solent Murder Mystery series. On the audio front, while Mace’s performance is stellar, there were a few instances where background characters’ voices felt too similar, momentarily pulling me out of the story.
For fans of mystery, thriller, and horror, especially police stories, this audiobook stands shoulder to shoulder with works by Rachel McLean, where personal stakes collide with professional duty. If you’ve enjoyed the slow-burn tension of Ann Cleeves’ Vera series, you’ll find a similar atmospheric pull here, though Rowson’s focus on maritime settings offers a unique flavor. I’d recommend this listening experience to anyone who loves a detective story where the environment is as much a foe as the killer, or to those who, like me, are drawn to tales of outsiders seeking justice against all odds.
Reflecting on this audiobook, I’m struck by how it mirrors the journeys I’ve taken – both literal and emotional. There’s something about Horton’s solitary life aboard his yacht in Southsea Marina, his Harley-Davidson rides, and his refusal to conform, that resonates with my own wanderlust and need to uncover hidden stories. Listening to ‘Portsmouth Murders’ felt like sitting on a weathered dock at dusk, the world quiet except for the lap of water and the weight of untold truths. It’s a reminder that the best mysteries aren’t just about solving a crime – they’re about solving the puzzle of the human heart.
Until our paths cross again on another storytelling road, this is Marcus Rivera signing off. Keep your ears open for the whispers of the world, and if you’ve got thoughts on ‘Portsmouth Murders’ or a mystery audiobook that’s captured your soul, drop me a line. Safe travels, amigos, through stories and beyond.
