Fatal Catch: A DI Andy Horton Mystery

The discovery of a severed hand in the waters off Portsmouth by fishermen Lesley Nugent and Clive Westerbrook kicks off British author Rowson’s knotty 12th Det. Insp. Andy Horton mystery (after 2014’s Shroud of Evil). Dept. Supt. Steve Uckfield speculates that it may be the hand of frequent offender Alfie Wright, who recently failed to appear at a court date. However, fingerprints identify the hand as that of petty thief Graham Langham. Meanwhile, Westerbrook also disappears. While Horton and other detectives are trying to sort that out, Detective Chief Superintendent Adams of the National Crime Agency informs them that he’s taking over the investigation into Langham’s presumed death. Horton uses Westerbrook’s disappearance as a way to make an end run around Adams to continue his own investigation in a case with plenty of red herrings and a surprising culprit. Series fans will appreciate additional clues about the unsolved murder of Horton’s mother, Jennifer, more than 30 years earlier. (Jan.)