The Drowned Truth: The Third DI Sue Palmer Mystery, from the DI Hogarth Mysteries, Gripping Adventures Every Time

by Solomon Carter

A mole exposed. A conspiracy collapsing. A final reckoning on the shoreline.

Detective Inspector Sue Palmer knows the shoreline conspiracy runs deeper than anyone imagined.

But when her team begins to fracture and her access to case files is blocked, she realises the threat isn’t just political—it’s personal.

Because the mole isn’t gone. He’s closer than ever.

Once trusted, a close colleague is now unleashed—driven by betrayal, rage, and a secret alliance with Galloway Construction. He’s sabotaging investigations, framing Palmer as a traitor, and stalking Kaplan with deadly intent. And everywhere Palmer turns, the same synthetic aftershave haunts her—a breadcrumb trail of betrayal she can no longer ignore.

As whistleblowers vanish and corruption tightens its grip, Palmer, Kaplan, and Simmons must fight back before Jordan destroys them all. Their hunt leads to the Horizon site, a storm-lashed bunker hiding Galloway’s darkest crimes.
There, beneath flooding tunnels and collapsing walls, Palmer confronts the mole at last.
The scent of betrayal fills the air.
The truth will finally be confessed.
And not everyone will survive.

“Unputdownable—this finale blew me away!”
“Dark, gripping, and explosive.”

The Drowned Girl Trilogy concludes with a storm-soaked showdown of betrayal, conspiracy, and heart-pounding suspense.
Perfect for fans of Broadchurch, Line of Duty, and gritty British crime thrillers.

Don’t miss the finale—grab Book 3 today and discover the truth on the shoreline.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2025

About the author

Hello folks,
My name is Solomon Carter, and I am the author of the Roberts and Bradley PI crime thriller series, The Last Line international thriller series, the DI Hogarth Darkest series and more. I write mysteries, crime and thriller novels and more besides.

I was born in Southend, Essex and lived there for most of my life apart from eventful student days in South London. But my life in Southend was even more eventful still. I ended up working in a string of jobs including as a jobcentre clerk, a book seller, tutor for youth with low skills and low self esteem, mortgage broker, and latterly manager of a food bank which dealt with all kinds of interesting people facing all kinds of eye-opening, jaw dropping problems. Because of these ear-to-the-ground jobs the majority of my novels are set in Southend. In 2016 I moved to North Cornwall because I liked the idea of never-ending holidays - but I also write almost every single day. My aim is to write action-packed thrillers and page-turning mysteries that readers love and my hope is to get better at what I do with every book across each and every year.

I like to give away lots of free books as part of what I do. If you would like to receive some of these and get the exclusives on offer, than you're invited to join my free readers group at SolomonCarter.net. I won't spam you, just send the occassional email with news on the latest books and forthcoming freebies.

And if you want to see the memes, personal shares and other oddball stuff I do, then you can join me at Facebook via www.facebook.com/solomoncarterwrites and join the fun there too.

What I am good at: telling stories
What I am bad at: dancing, being patient.
What I love: nature, the seaside, adventures
Writers I heartily recommend: Lee Child, Ian Rankin, Henning Mankell, Val McDermid, Harlan Coben, Robert Crais.
Writers I need to read more of: Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly and others.
Other things I do beside writing: at present I like to keep my running going to balance out the sitting behind a laptop (a habit inspired by Haruki Murakami's 'What I talk about when I talk about running' - a great book).
-I am currently doing surf lessons. When in Rome, as they say...
-Getting out into nature as the weather allows.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Until then I'll keep on writing. Or running. Or surfing. Or chasing my children around the house.

All the very best,
Solomon :)

PS
if you have enjoyed any of my books, I'd be honoured if you could post a review. Those reviews really do help!

Reviews

[Craig Smedley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another innocent’s life is ended when he sees something he shouldn’t when out bird watching! The conspiracy continues as the local property developer and his legal representatives plot and scheme to thwart Acting DI Sue Palmer’s determination to bring the corruption to a halt and the perpetrators to justice. Her activities, plans, and evidence are corrupted even as Professional Standards officers move in and the team struggle with the pressure of the cases, and the clash of personalities involved due to attitude changes by Kaplan, Simmons and PC Jordan.
The twists and turns continue throughout the story and after a life-threatening escape of the team, the mole is finally unmasked, Then, Detective Chief Inspector Melford drops a bombshell on Palmer that we await the details of further down the track. An intriguing conclusion to this trilogy.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 of the Drowning trilogy, in which Acting DI Sue Palmer, in the absence of DI Hogarth, is in charge of a particularly difficult and dangerous situation, against very dangerous men. Typically for Solomon Carter's trilogies, between books I & 2 the wait is extremely suspenseful but fortunately not too long. Waiting for this book was like being cut off between chapters. I read it starting in an evening and finishing the next morning. The lead up to the finale was suspense thriller at its finest, but then turned into a prolonged scene that I couldn't put down for anything! Solomon Carter is a master of his craft and gets better with each trilogy. Even the end isn't an end, with the DCI giving Palmer some news that we will have to wait until the next trilogy to discover!

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third and final book in the first series where DI Palmer is in charge.

Whilst out watching birds in the estuary, the man’s binoculars settle upon the silhouette of a man - then a second - they appear to be dumping waste on the coastline. But before he can move the tables are turned and it is he who is being watched - and chased.

Meanwhile back at the station Palmers investigation is disrupted which Professional Standards make an appearance. She must find a way of continuing to track the remaining culprits whilst still looking out for “the mole” .

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the last of the Sue Palmer trilogy and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the team chasing corruption while determined to find the killer.

There were plenty of twists and turns in this well-written British crime novel. The characters suited the plot, if not all likeable.

A great debut for a great character, it will be interesting to see her future endeavours.

Entertaining, engaging and enjoyable.

Recommended.

[Sebastian Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely blinding end to this trilogy. Just kept me on reading until the end!
Another suspicious death really starts to bring everything together to end this outright corruption. From councillors to solicitors to a bent copper, the reign had to end. She Palmer with Kaplan and Simmons are really up against every dirty trick in the book. But justice will prevail but what a tortuous route it took.
I am sure there will be another trilogy with Palmer and team very soon. I do hope so!

[Elaine cropper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great finale

Couldn’t wait for this last one and wasn’t disappointed. Gripping from start to finish. The mix of loyalty and justice was brilliantly written. Ending on another cliffhanger …

[Mrs C E Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOW. What a result for Sue and her team. Some sadness along the way. No spoilers. Definitely a good 3 book series.

[Miss Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and great to see Palmer getting good without Hogarth. It is a must read for everyone. Kept me on tenterhooks

[Carole McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab book

I couldn't stop turning the pages. I was hooked and books 1 to 3 read in days. Unputdownable, thrilling and page turning. What's not to like