Ruin Beach by Kate Rhodes

Ruin Beach
By Kate Rhodes
Published by Simon & Schuster (February 2019)

Publisher's description

THE ISLAND OF TRESCO HOLDS A DARK SECRET SOMEONE WILL KILL TO PROTECT.

Ben Kitto is the Scilly Isles' Deputy Chief of Police, but as the island's lazy summer takes hold, he finds himself missing the excitement of the murder squad in London - until the body of a diver is discovered, anchored to the rocks of a nearby cave.

At first it appears that the young woman's death was a tragic accident, but when evidence is found that suggests otherwise, the islanders close ranks. With even those closest to the victim refusing to talk, Ben questions whether more than one resident might have had reason to harm her . . .

Everyone is a suspect. No one is safe.

My verdict
Ruin Beach is yet another suspense-filled crime novel from Kate Rhodes, with a fabulous sense of place.

I loved the first book in the series - Hell Bay - and couldn't wait to 'meet' Ben Kitto again. This is the perfect blend of mystery, history and thriller, set in a small isolated community. I loved all of the little  details - from the dangers of the diving, the wonders of shipwrecks and the beauty of the islands - providing the perfect background to murder.

Every time I read a Kate Rhodes book, I have the same thought and go through the same reading experience. The author has poetic writing that's begging to be read out loud (I urge you to try it). Her descriptions of the Scilly Isles - landscape, fauna and flora - paint pictures in the mind.

I highly recommend this series - and the author's other series too.

Author in the Spotlight - Kate Rhodes

It's been over two years since my last Author in the Spotlight feature. Today, I am delighted that KATE RHODES is taking part (and apologies to Kate for what became known as 'Vicki's Killer Question'). Ruin Beach is published in paperback by Simon & Schuster today (21 February 2019). 

Your Alice Quentin series is set in London. What prompted the switch to the Isles of Scilly for your new Ben Kitto series? 

London is my home town, so it was ideal territory for my first crime stories. I loved writing about such a huge, complex city, but felt tempted to try something different for my new series. I still wanted to set my books in a place I knew intimately and the Isles of Scilly were a logical choice. I’ve loved visiting them since my childhood. They seemed like the ideal place for a series of ‘closed room’ mysteries. The five inhabited islands lie in the Atlantic, west of Land’s End and haven’t featured in a crime series before. Bryher, St Agnes, Tresco and St Martin’s all have less than 200 permanent inhabitants, making them great terrain for crime stories that would rip a close community apart.

Community dynamic within a remote setting is very important in this new series - how did you make it feel so authentic? Experience or research, or both?

That’s a lovely compliment, thank you! Yearly holidays on the islands throughout my childhood helped a lot with authenticity. The islanders are also very friendly and inclusive towards visitors. I spent a month on the islands during 2012 and asked lots of questions, which people seemed happy to answer. I feel like I have committed the islands’ geography to memory after such a long stay, which was a bonus when plotting each book.

You began your writing life as a poet, which is why your novels are so beautifully written and also why your writing has lyrical rhythm. Why did you choose to write crime fiction?

I could be cynical and say that I wanted to pay my mortgage, because so few people buy poetry these days, but the truth is more complex. I loved reading crime from the age of twelve upwards, starting with Agatha Christie and then moving on to American noir. I think that great crime novels have all the style and precision of poetry, and it always thrills me when readers say they enjoy the flow of my prose.

Do you plot out the whole book before you start or just start writing and see where it leads you?

I write a one or two page synopsis and numerous character outlines before embarking, but sometimes things change radically. Characters can push themselves into the foreground unexpectedly, or I suddenly see a better twist and everything has to change. I can get bored if I nail everything down too tightly. A loose plan works best for me. So long as I know the beginning, the crisis, and the ending when I set off, everything usually works out fine.

Describe your writing style in 10 words or less? 

Clear and simple, with occasional outbreaks of poetry.

Do you have any strange writing habits? 

Too many to mention! I rarely start writing until the afternoon. My brain takes a long time to warm up, so I’ll procrastinate for as long as possible by doing the laundry, going to the supermarket, or taking a walk. I usually begin writing straight after lunch, then work solidly for five or six hours.

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be? 

(AKA 'Vicki's Killer Question')

A Life of Crime and Lucky Breaks by a South London Girl.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Have more confidence. I think that 90% of writing is having the nerve to tell your tale. I waited until I was 38 before giving serious writing a try, too terrified to take the plunge.  

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Try to carve out a few regular time slots each week, so you get space to write. If you can join a writing group, or go on a course, that will help you develop your ideas. Also, don’t be afraid to take a few risks. It will help you enormously if you can make your book just a little bit different from what’s already available.

And lastly, why should people read Ruin Beach (and Hell Bay)?

If you enjoy crime novels set on tiny, remote islands, these books are for you. They’re also going to appeal to anyone who loves Cornwall’s dramatic scenery. The series has been optioned for TV, so if you read them now, you’ll be able to see how the production outfit that brought us The Fall and The Line of Duty interpret them on the small screen.

About Kate Rhodes

Kate Rhodes grew up in Greenwich, in South London.  Her first job was as an usherette at a London theatre, where she dreamed of becoming an actor and had the luxury of watching hundreds of plays without having to pay for a ticket. She studied in the UK and in Texas, completing a PhD then becoming an English teacher. Before her career as a crime writer began, Kate wrote two award-winning collections of poetry. Kate's favourite hobby is travelling with her husband Dave, an artist and short story writer. She lives in Cambridge, where she enjoys a view from her office of cows roaming across Stourbridge Common, and enjoys regular visits from her three grown-up step-sons. Kate is one of the original members of the influential crime writing group, Killer Women. She visited the Scillies frequently as a child and continues to return there.

Find Kate Rhodes on her website and Facebook page and follow Kate on Twitter - @K_RhodesWriter

Ruin Beach
Published by Simon & Schuster (21 February 2019

Publisher's description: 

The island of Tresco holds a dark secret someone will kill to protect.

Ben Kitto has become Deputy Commander in the Isles of Scilly Police. As the islands’ lazy summer takes hold, he finds himself missing the excitement of the murder squad in London. But when the body of professional diver Jude Trellon is discovered, anchored to the rocks of a nearby cave, his investigative skills are once again needed.

At first it appears that the young woman’s death was a tragic accident, but when evidence suggests otherwise, the islanders close ranks. With even those closest to the victim refusing to talk, it seems that plenty of islanders had reason to harm her. As the community remains guarded, Ben Kitto discovers that terrible secrets lie beneath the waters around Tresco, and the killer may soon strike again.

Everyone is a suspect.

Nobody is safe.

Hell Bay by Kate Rhodes

Hell Bay
By Kate Rhodes
Published by Simon & Schuster (Ebook and Hardback - out now; Paperback - 12 July 2018)
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher

Publisher's description

DI Ben Kitto needs a second chance. After ten years working for the murder squad in London, a traumatic event has left him grief-stricken. He’s tried to resign from his job, but his boss has persuaded him to take three months to reconsider.

Ben plans to work in his uncle Ray’s boatyard, on the tiny Scilly island of Bryher where he was born, hoping to mend his shattered nerves. His plans go awry when the body of sixteen year old Laura Trescothick is found on the beach at Hell Bay. Her attacker must still be on the island because no ferries have sailed during a two-day storm. 

Everyone on the island is under suspicion. Dark secrets are about to resurface. And the murderer could strike again at any time. 

My verdict
Hell Bay was a first class read for me - no review notes written, as yet again I just didn't have the time. I was so engrossed in the plot and immersed in the claustrophobic Shetlands setting. So really I should just say 'I loved this book, go buy it' and leave it there!

This is the story of DI Ben Kitto, who has returned to his childhood home of Bryher, a tiny Scilly island, after some tragic events back in London. While he's there, the body of a teenage girl is discovered on the beach. The stormy weather has meant that no one has been able to reach the island for days, and no one has been able to leave. So the killer is still there and possibly one of the locals - but they're all very reluctant to talk.

I love Kate Rhodes' poetic writing (she's an award-winning poet as well as a crime fiction author). It's written to be read out loud, with its gentle rhythm and pace, as she highlights the beauty and dangers of this remote island setting. I was totally absorbed within the pages, thanks to the stunning prose, intriguing characters, atmospheric descriptions and gripping fast-paced plot.

This is a 'locked room' scenario, with a smallish cast of characters and a close-knit community - many have a possible motive and something to hide. This makes it much harder for Ben Kitto to search for the truth, having to investigate people he's known his whole life and being unable to scratch any of them off his suspect list. While most of the chapters are from Ben's point of view, there are also some chapters focusing on a woman called Rose who is searching for her son Sam.

Hell Bay is filled with tension and surprises, as Ben Kitto untangles a complex web of secrets and lies. The book definitely kept me guessing until the end. And I was very excited to discover that there's another Ben Kitto novel on its way (published in 2019) - can't wait!

BEST OF CRIME with Kate Rhodes

Welcome to my latest BEST OF CRIME feature, looking at crime writers' top picks, from their favourite author and fictional detective to their best writing tip. 

Today I'm delighted to welcome 

KATE RHODES

to share her BEST OF CRIME ...

... AUTHORS

I think that one of the very best crime authors right now is Erin Kelly. Erin was a journalist before becoming a crime novelist and her experience of conveying complex information from multiple perspectives really enriches her writing. I love the way her beautifully layered plots flick easily between different characters’ viewpoints and time zones. There’s a tremendous black wit in her novels such as The Poison Tree too. Her latest crime novel, He Said, She Said, is a brilliant statement about how much damage our flawed memories can do, and explores some of the darkest areas of sexual politics. I was absolutely thrilled that Erin wrote a kind review of my first novel, because I’m a huge fan of her writing and always pre-order her books. 

... FILMS/MOVIES

Psycho. Even though more than fifty years have passed since Hitchcock directed this crime classic, it still sends shivers down my spine. There’s something particularly appalling about the way Antony Perkins switches so easily from naïve, fresh-faced sweetness to the apotheosis of evil. The shower scene with its screaming violin still has the power to induce nightmares, despite all the parodies and spoofs that followed. 

... TV DRAMAS

Hinterland is one of my favourite crime drama series, and I’m thrilled to see that it has been optioned for another series. It draws on some of the darkest aspects of Scandinavian thriller series like Wallander, which translate perfectly to the beautiful but bleak Welsh countryside. I really like the way the characters switch between languages, reminding me of the beauty of the Welsh language. Stunning plots and performances form the entire cast lift Hinterland to a higher level than most recent crime drama for me. 

... FICTIONAL KILLERS

Hannibal Lecter is my favourite villain. I adore Thomas Harris’s writing, and his cannibalistic killer in Silence of the Lambs is far more subtle on the page than the big screen. The literary version of Lecter interests me far more than the bloodthirsty celluloid one, because he is capable of love, remorse, and ultimately of redemption. 

... FICTIONAL DETECTIVES 

John Rebus is my favourite literary detective. I’m a huge Ian Rankin fan, and I’ve been loyal to his great crime series from book one. I love reading (and writing) crime series, because the fictional characters become as familiar as relatives. I can imagine John Rebus arriving at my house for Christmas dinner, drunk, and in a bad mood from his latest attempts to solve a crime. When Rankin finally lays him to rest, I will go into mourning. 

... MURDER WEAPONS

I’m a big fan of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta novels which provide some of the most intriguing murder weapons ever. In Unnatural Exposure, Scarpetta has to go up against a killer who uses deadly diseases to kill his victims, rather than standard weapons. There’s something particularly horrifying about a killer who’s prepared to use a smallpox vaccine to kill his victim, putting the whole population at risk. 

    

... DEATH SCENES

The most memorable death scene is by one of my great heroes, Graham Greene. 

Spoiler alert! If you haven’t read his most famous novel, Brighton Rock, look away now… 

The book ends with seventeen year-old gang leader Pinkie Brown getting his face splashed with vitriol, then plummeting to his death from a clifftop. Pinkie is such a malevolent character, that despite his youth, his death comes as a relief, and Greene portrays his agonies as a just retribution for all the lives he’s taken with great panache. 

  

... BLOGS/WEBSITES

The internet site I’ve been looking at most recently is actually a web cam, sited at Ruin Beach on the Scilly island of Tresco. http://www.camsecure.co.uk/Ruin_Beach_Cafe.html My new HELL BAY crime series is set on the Scillies, and it’s a ten hour journey from my home in Cambridge to reach the islands. But when I need to remember exactly what the landscape looks like, it feels like I’m standing on the shore again, watching the Atlantic tide roll in. 

... WRITING TIPS

My most important writing tip is never give up! I attended several brilliant writing courses run by the Arvon Foundation when I was dreaming of writing my first novel, and one the best lessons I learned was the need for persistence. Many people complete that all-important first draft, but give up when it comes to editing and polishing their work. Stick with it, and remind yourself you have a great story to tell. 

... WRITING SNACKS

Nuts are my nibble of choice. I keep a big bowl of them on my desk, so when hunger strikes, I’ll snack on almonds, pecans and cashews. I used to eat truckloads of chocolate biscuits, so my new snack feels quite virtuous. And I suppose it’s a fitting snack for an author, really. Most writers would agree that you don’t have to be nuts to do the job, but it certainly helps! 

About KATE RHODES

KATE RHODES is a full-time crime writer, living in Cambridge with her husband, a writer and film maker. Kate used to be an English teacher and has published two award winning collections of poetry. In 2015 she won the Ruth Rendell short story prize. Kate is the author of the acclaimed ALICE QUENTIN series, with the fifth book, BLOOD SYMMETRY published in 2016. In January 2018 Kate will publish the first novel in a new series, HELL BAY, a crime novel set on the remote Cornish island of Bryher, featuring DI Ben Kitto.

Find Kate Rhodes on her website, on her Facebook page and on Twitter - @K_RhodesWriter

About HELL BAY

Publisher's description

DI Ben Kitto needs a second chance. After ten years working for the murder squad in London, a traumatic event has left him grief-stricken. He’s tried to resign from his job, but his boss has persuaded him to take three months to reconsider.

Ben plans to work in his uncle Ray’s boatyard, on the tiny Scilly island of Bryher where he was born, hoping to mend his shattered nerves. His plans go awry when the body of sixteen year old Laura Trescothick is found on the beach at Hell Bay. Her attacker must still be on the island because no ferries have sailed during a two-day storm. 

Everyone on the island is under suspicion. Dark secrets are about to resurface. And the murderer could strike again at any time.  

Hell Bay is being published by Simon & Schuster on 25 January 2018.

Look out for more BEST OF CRIME features coming soon.

Click here to read more BEST OF CRIME features.

Blood Symmetry by Kate Rhodes

Blood Symmetry
By Kate Rhodes
Published by Mulholland Books (14 July 2016)
ISBN: 978-1444785616

Publisher's description

Clare Riordan and her son Mikey are abducted from Clapham Common early one morning. Hours later, the boy is found wandering disorientated. Soon after, a pack of Clare's blood is left on a doorstep in the heart of the City of London.

Alice Quentin is brought in to help the traumatised child uncover his memories - which might lead them to his mother's captors. But she swiftly realises Clare is not the first victim... nor will she be the last.

The killers are driven by a desire for revenge... and in the end, it will all come down to blood.

My verdict
Kate Rhodes' Alice Quentin series gets better and better. And reading Blood Symmetry felt like coming back to an old friend, comforting and familiar, as I've read most of this series - the only one I haven't read is the very first book, simply because I discovered this series at a later date.

Blood Symmetry is intriguing and fascinating. It's based on fact - the author's own family experiences - and this certainly shows in the compassionate writing, as well as the well-researched background to the plot. As I've written in reviews about this series in the past, I love the familiar London setting too.

The plot is dark and chilled me to the bone. What seemed initially to be a one-off kidnapping turned out to be one of a series of abductions and killings, all linked by blood and revenge. As a health journalist, I love medical thrillers, and this certainly was a brilliant page turner. I couldn't put it down!

I received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

River of Souls by Kate Rhodes - BLOG TOUR

I am delighted to be today's stop on the BLOG TOUR for Kate Rhodes' River of Souls, which was published on 18 June 2015 by Mulholland Books.

River of Souls
By Kate Rhodes
Published by Mulholland Books (18 June 2015)
ISBN: 978-1444785562

Publisher's description
Jude Shelley, daughter of a prominent cabinet minister, had her whole life ahead of her until she was attacked and left to drown in the Thames. Miraculously, she survived. A year later, her family ask psychologist Alice Quentin to re-examine the case.

But then an elderly priest is attacked in Battersea, his body washed up at Westminster Pier. An ancient glass bead is tied to his wrist.

The river has always demanded sacrifices, and now it seems a killer believes it's calling out for more.

Alice is certain that Jude and her family are hiding something, but unless she can persuade them to share what they know, more victims will drown...

My verdict
Yet again Kate Rhodes has written an excellent atmospheric crime thriller. I loved her last Alice Quentin book - The Winter Foundlings - and couldn't wait to read this one too. Although River of Souls is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone, as it includes enough background information about the characters so that you don't get lost but no spoilers about previous books.

River of Souls incorporates a chilling plot filled with suspense, tragedy, grief and family secrets. The crimes are savage ones, involving horrific mutilations, and psychologist Alice Quentin is called in to assist the investigation. I love that this series is set in London, around the Thames in this case, as I could relate to many of the settings and landmarks. The underlying historical theme was fascinating too.

All of the characters are very 'real'. Alice Quentin, in particular, is a brilliant and very likeable protagonist. She's a tough and independent psychologist, but also warm and devoted to helping people as part of her job. Although she has family issues to deal with (her mother's physical health and brother's mental health), she doesn't let these impinge on her working life.

This is a well-researched page-turner, a real 'can't put it down' book - and I suggest you read it to find out how brilliant it is!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through Bookbridgr in exchange for an honest review.

Follow the Blog Tour:

The Winter Foundlings by Kate Rhodes

The Winter Foundlings
By Kate Rhodes
Published by Mulholland Books (14 January 2015)
ISBN: 978-1-444-73884-1

Publisher's description
Ella Williams is ten years old. She loves her granddad and her sister and her shiny new red shoes.

She's just been abducted by a killer - someone who kidnaps young girls, holds them for a few weeks, then returns their bodies clothed in white foundling dresses.

The crimes are clearly linked to notorious child murderer Louis Kinsella, locked away in a high-security hospital. Is it a copycat? Or is he giving someone direct orders from behind bars?

To save Ella's life, psychologist Alice Quentin must form a relationship with Kinsella. But he is slow to give up his secrets, and all the while, time is running out ...

My verdict
The Winter Foundlings is the third book in the Alice Quentin series. I haven't read the first two books (which has shocked me, as this book was so good). But this didn't spoil my enjoyment at all and anyone could read this as a standalone.

This excellent thriller is creepy and filled with nail-biting suspense. It's brilliantly written and well constructed. I could tell that the author had researched her subject well. The story flows along at a steady pace and keeps you guessing until the end. The little twists and turns keep up the momentum and try (successfully in my case) to steer you in the wrong direction.

I love Alice's character - she's feisty and determined and has a complex past, yet remains realistic and very likeable. The short chapters from young Ella's point of view are sad, chilling and disturbing in places, so may not appeal to the faint hearted.

I recommend The Winter Foundlings to any crime fiction fan who likes their book to have interesting characters and an in-depth well-researched story.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through Bookbridgr in exchange for an honest review.