Forgotten Souls is a wonderfully rich read that simultaneously meanders through the lives of its weathered, skilful, interesting characters and brews suspense, tension and intrigue at every mysterious and deadly turn.

Author David T. Procter expertly navigates his readers through a realistic storm of voices, people and plots, whose independent dilemmas and discoveries build towards a ending that is both dramatic and unshakeably frightening for the reader.

The novel is constructed on a progressive understanding of the policemen, medical workers and sea-captains that populate this story. But what completes it is also the setting: Kent – its land, its villages, its coastlines, its waters and the dangers that – to this day – lies beneath the surface.

This read will appeal to the adventure lover and the romantic reader in equal measure; it is as much a terrifying crime novel as it is a gentle, revealing story about age, death and memory. The damaged DS Jim Carter embodies both halves of this blend and translates his feelings of dread, excitement and world-weary resignation to the reader honestly and without fuss.

The visual arena that Procter creates is masterly created – his action sequences are just as realistic and gripping as his softer, more dramatic moments and we can’t help but believe totally in the gritty reality of his characters.

From the array of incredible and frighteningly possible crimes that drive the story, we can see that within Procter lies a wicked imagination – put to exquisitely good use.