Hell Bay by Kate Rhodes
I am starting a new project where I am going to be reading all the books in the Scilly Isles series by Kate Rhodes in conjunction with Simon and Schuster and Tracy Fenton of Compulsive Reads! This was a series I wasn't actually aware of and I can't wait to read them all.
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'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 a sixteen-year-old girl is found on the beach at Hell Bay. Her attacker must still be on the island because no ferries have sailed during the 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 . . .
About the author
Kate Rhodes is a bestselling British crime writer. Her latest books are the acclaimed ISLES OF SCILLY MYSTERIES, which have been optioned for TV. Kate has been passionate about the islands since holidaying there as a child, and still returns regularly to research her books. Kate's books have been nominated for the Crime Novel of the Year award, and the Library Dagger award.
Kate was born in south London, but now lives in Cambridge with her husband. She did a wide range of jobs including working in bars, being a theatre usherette, and teaching at a liberal arts college in Florida, before focusing on her writing. She works part-time as a Creative Writing Fellow at Cambridge University.
Review
‘Hell Bay’ is a dark and menacing thriller that introduces us to DI Ben Kitto and to life in the Scilly Isles. I fell for this book hook link and sinker and it was its unique location that reeled me in. I think this is the only police procedural set there and I am ashamed to say that I wasn't aware of it before reading this novel. But I think I will be racing through the rest of the series asap.
The book is mainly set on the small island of Bryher which is DI Kitto’s family home. He has been working undercover for the London Met but when his partner Clare dies he finds himself distraught and unable to do the job. He tries to resign but his boss makes him take three months off instead, so he heads home to recuperate and heal. It is a tiny island with less than a hundred full time residents and its a place where everyone knows what the others are up to. When a young girl, Laura Threscothick goes missing the island jumps to help search for her. Unfortunately, her body is found and Ben believes it is his duty to step in and run the investigation. Will he be able to figure out what happened and will he be mentally up to the task?
I must admit I did a lot of Googling as I had no prior knowledge at all about the Isles of Scilly. I didn't realise it was so beautiful. But the author does a brilliant job of making the islands come to life. She has also got it spot on when it comes to small communities like these. Even if you live there for decades you are still the outsider. But she also captures the jealousy, the dynamics in the economy and the pull of a more modern world for the young folk.
DI Ben Kitto is an engaging character that begins to relax as the book progresses. At the start, he is suffering from the loss of his partner Clare and the inability to understand what happened and his guilt over it. The fact that he is a local both helps and hinders him in the investigation and he manages to walk a tight line between the two. He starts to question those he has known for a lifetime. I really enjoyed being introduced to him and I'm looking forward to reading more about him. Plus, he has a sidekick dog. What more could you want!
Roll on book two! Let me know if you pick this one up.
