The Watermen

In the dark and slimy streets of Wapping a prostitute is beaten half to death, a not uncommon fate in late 18th century London.

So begins this gripping tale set in 1798 in the Port of London: a cruel villain holds sway over the underworld. His name is Boylin. His face is scarred by lime and his back by the two hundred lashes he received following a naval court martial. He holds Captain Tom Pascoe responsible for his suffering. They meet again when Pascoe becomes River Surveyor for the newly formed marine police. They've had orders to investigate a sudden fall in government revenue that is affecting the nation's ability to fight the war against Napoleon and stem the rising tide of Irish rebellion. Pascoe knows that Boylin is behind it, but he can't prove anything, yet.

THE WATERMEN follows these two adversaries across London as they try to outwit one another. Working alongside Pascoe is Sam Hart, a Jewish immigrant with his own agenda, Pascoe throws the rule-book out the window, scouring East London and the docklands in search of information. But fate takes a cruel twist when the two men find themselves involved with the same woman - there's much more at stake than the fate of the nation.

“'Wonderfully atmospheric. The reek of tar and the creak of timbers rises up from every page. Carries you along on a floodtide of excitement' Rory Clements.”

'Patrick Easter is a find. A first-rate historical thriller' Andrew Taylor. Andrew Taylor
'Compelling debut is overflowing with atmosphere' Daily Mail. Daily Mail
'Great on period detail, Easter conjures up a satisfyingly creepy atmosphere of fear and menace in the filthy, overcrowded streets by the docks' Guardian. Guardian
Rory Clements

Patrick Easter was a police officer in the Met for thirty years and for part of that time served on the Marine Police force. On retirement, he became a successful journalist writing both for technical journals and the national press. His stint with the Marine Police coupled with a love of 18th Century history make him the perfect author for this subject. He lives in East Sussex.

It is 1798 in the Port of London: a cruel villain holds sway over the underworld. His face is savaged by lime, his back scarred by two hundred lashes - Boylin is not a man to be crossed. Yet there is one person he loathes and fears - his captain and shipmate, Tom Pascoe, the man he blames for his court martial and the terrible punishment that followed. They meet again when Pascoe becomes River Surveyor for the newly formed Marine Police. Pascoe knows that Boylin is behind most of the criminal activity that flourishes in the Port, but he can't prove anything - yet. And when both men become involved with the same woman, things get personal.

In the dark and slimy streets of Wapping a prostitute is beaten half to death, a not uncommon fate in late 18th century London. So begins this gripping tale set in 1798 in the Port of London: a cruel villain holds sway over the underworld. His name is Boylin. His face is scarred by lime and his back by the two hundred lashes he received following a naval court martial. He holds Captain Tom Pascoe responsible for his suffering. They meet again when Pascoe becomes River Surveyor for the newly formed marine police. They've had orders to investigate a sudden fall in government revenue that is affecting the nation's ability to fight the war against Napoleon and stem the rising tide of Irish rebellion. Pascoe knows that Boylin is behind it, but he can't prove anything, yet. THE WATERMEN follows these two adversaries across London as they try to outwit one another. Working alongside Pascoe is Sam Hart, a Jewish immigrant with his own agenda, Pascoe throws the rule-book out the window, scouring East London and the docklands in search of information. But fate takes a cruel twist when the two men find themselves involved with the same woman - there's much more at stake than the fate of the nation.

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