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.

The Bone Keeper by Luca Veste

The Bone Keeper
By Luca Veste
Published by Simon & Schuster (8 March 2018)
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher

Publisher's description

What if the figure that haunted your nightmares as child, the myth of the man in the woods, was real?

He'll slice your flesh. 

Your bones he'll keep.

Twenty years ago, four teenagers went exploring in the local woods, trying to find to the supposed home of The Bone Keeper. Only three returned. 

Now, a woman is found wandering the streets of Liverpool, horrifically injured, claiming to have fled the Bone Keeper.  Investigating officer DC Louise Henderson must convince sceptical colleagues that this urban myth might be flesh and blood.  But when a body is unearthed in the woodland the woman has fled from, the case takes on a much darker tone. 

The disappeared have been found. And their killer is watching every move the police make.

My verdict
It's been a long time since I read a Luca Veste book (well before my reviewing days) and I really do need to catch up on his Murphy and Rossi series. So I was excited to learn that he had a new standalone - The Bone Keeper. 

The Bone Keeper is the perfect blend of horror and crime thriller - two genres that I love. It begins with a chilling prologue - four teenagers exploring the woods, with only three of them returning. This then leads into the present day, when a traumatised, injured woman is found wandering the streets of Liverpool. Once DC Louise Henderson takes on the case, exploring several disappearances over the years, the pile of bodies begins to stack up. The Bone Keeper is a local urban myth, but could this mysterious 'being' actually be real or is there a serial killer on the loose?

The Bone Keeper is gruesome in some places, creepy in others and overall a fantastic unsettling read. Its unpredictability kept me on my toes, with plenty of surprises in store, and an amazing sense of place leapt from the pages, providing the chilling atmospheric setting. DC Henderson is a mysterious character, and I would love to see more of her in the future, so hope this is the start of a series.

This is definitely a book where it's hard to write a review without giving anything away, as the revelations kept on coming. So all I can say is that if you too love a dark, twisty mixture of horror and crime, pick up The Bone Keeper!

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!

Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan

Anatomy of a Scandal
By Sarah Vaughan
Published by Simon & Schuster (11 January 2018)
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher.

Publisher's description

A high-profile marriage thrust into the spotlight. A wife, determined to keep her family safe, must face a prosecutor who believes justice has been a long time coming. A scandal that will rock Westminster. And the women caught at the heart of it. 

Anatomy of a Scandal centres on a high-profile marriage that begins to unravel when the husband is accused of a terrible crime. Sophie is sure her husband, James, is innocent and desperately hopes to protect her precious family from the lies which might ruin them. Kate is the barrister who will prosecute the case – she is equally certain that James is guilty and determined he will pay for his crimes.

My verdict
When I finished reading Anatomy of a Scandal, I was suffering from flu. I didn't have the brain power to write a full review, so I created a Twitter banner instead.

This Twitter banner really does summarise my thoughts:
'Anatomy of a Scandal is twisty, gripping, thought-provoking, multi-layered, heart-stopping and breath-holding brilliance. Very much a novel of modern times. The writing is sublime. Wow!'

And now I'm attempting to put my thoughts into something longer and more coherent. But I'm still struggling as there's so much I want to say and I don't feel I can do this book justice. I'm not mentioning anything about the plot (so no spoilers) and I'm not mentioning specific characters either - but I am mentioning the themes.

Anatomy of a Scandal is a courtroom drama combined with psychological thriller. It's a believable and gripping dissection of an affair and a marriage, a window into the lives of politicians and barristers and a thought-provoking insight into class divide. There's the topical 'Me Too' theme, about the strength of women and issues surrounding consent. This multi-layered plot is filled with moral dilemmas and themes of revenge, truth, lies and privilege.

For me, my enjoyment of the book wasn't about the twists, shocks and surprises - that doesn't mean there aren't any, but I did guess certain things. Instead, I appreciated how much this book got right under my skin, right until the end. And how it raised so many questions.

I read Anatomy of a Scandal with another reader, stopping after a few chapters and discussing our thoughts. I'm so glad that I read it in this way, as this book needs to be discussed and dissected,. Anatomy of a Scandal is a perfect choice for a reading group/book club, and the type of book that I would read again and again.

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.

BEST OF CRIME with Lisa Cutts

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 

LISA CUTTS

to share her BEST OF CRIME ...

... AUTHORS  

Agatha Christie is my favourite author. Long before I joined the police, I loved to read her books, now I appreciate them so much more. It’s fantastic to leave behind the world of DNA, CCTV, smartphones and technology to read about people and Christie’s wonderful perspective on what motivates people to murder each other. 

... FILMS/MOVIES

Murder on the Orient Express. Probably a little predictable that I love this film. I’m eagerly awaiting this year’s release and one of the few films I would make a point of seeing at the cinema. 

... TV DRAMAS

Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes were genius TV dramas. I must admit, it took me some time to catch on as I very rarely watch crime dramas, but I’m so glad I did. I loved everything about them.

... FICTIONAL KILLERS

Sorry, I don’t have one. It’s probably the job I do but I’ll never have a favourite murderer, even a fictional one. It goes against the grain. 

... FICTIONAL DETECTIVES 

Briggs and Louis from The Detectives. Jasper Carrott and Robert Powell portrayed the most realistic detectives I’ve ever seen on television, and managed to make me laugh at pretty much anything they said and did. I think part of the reason I like them so much is because they were normal, and very daft. 

... MURDER WEAPONS

An icicle would make a genius murder weapon. Stab your victim, then one quick thaw and it’s gone.  Of course, to get an icicle of such size and durability, you would probably need to take your intended victim to somewhere much colder than Kent. 

    

... DEATH SCENES

Years ago I read several Dick Francis books in fast succession. One of the characters was killed off by wrapping paper mache around his head and leaving him to suffocate. I can’t recall the title of the book as I read six or seven within a month but the image has stayed with me for the last fifteen years. 

  

  

... BLOGS/WEBSITES

Police Oracle is very useful for keeping up to date with some areas of policing I’m a little out of touch with. There are always some funny stories on there too that sometimes come in useful. 

... WRITING TIPS

Sit down and do it. There are days when I really don’t want to, just like any other job, yet I find that those can be the most productive. If the words later on need a rewrite, so be it.  

... WRITING SNACKS

This usually comes in the form of a liquid snack. It’s when I think I do my best work. This blog feature was brought to you with the assistance of a g & t. 

About LISA CUTTS

Lisa Cutts is the author of four police procedural novels, based on her twenty-one years of policing experience. She works as a detective constable for Kent Police and has spent over twelve years in the Serious Crime Directorate dealing mostly with murders and other serious investigations.

An extract from her first novel, Never Forget, won the Writer’s Retreat competition in 2012 and was published by Myriad Editions in 2013. The second in the DC Nina Foster series, Remember, Remember, was published in 2014 and her third book, Mercy Killing, the first in a new series, was published by Simon and Schuster on 20^th October 2016. The second in the series, Buried Secrets is out in ebook now and the paperback is to be published on 2^nd November 2017.

Her debut novel, Never Forget, won the 2014 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for best thriller.

She is also very proud to be the patron of the Rochester Literary Festival and writes a monthly column in Writing Magazine. She has also appeared on ITV’s This Morning in her capacity as both a crime writer and a murder detective. 

Find Lisa Cutts on her website, on her Facebook page and on Twitter - @LisaCuttsAuthor

About BURIED SECRETS 

Publisher's description

To most people, Detective Inspector Milton Bowman appears to have an ideal life. But some secrets aren’t buried deep enough. And Milton’s Monday morning will not follow routine as he is caught in a major car accident on the way to East Rise incident room. His friend and colleague DI Harry Powell is given the unenviable task of delivering the message to Bowman's wife, Linda. Except she’s been murdered.

The team, including DC Hazel Hamilton, begin to examine every aspect of their colleague’s life as suspicion and disbelief take hold of those embroiled in the investigation. A web of deceit that fooled them all for years means no one is to be trusted – the Bowman family, friends, colleagues, even Harry Powell is under suspicion. Nothing is as it appears and nobody seems to be telling the truth. 

Buried Secrets was published by Simon & Schuster on 2 November 2017.

Look out for more BEST OF CRIME features coming soon.

Click here to read more BEST OF CRIME features.