Hell Bay cover art

Hell Bay

The Isles of Scilly Mysteries, Book 1

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Hell Bay

By: Kate Rhodes
Narrated by: Stephen Perring
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About this listen

 THE ISLES OF SCILLY MYSTERIES #1

‘Gripping, clever and impossible to put down. I’ve been a Kate Rhodes fan for years and in Ben Kitto she has created a detective who is just as complex and compelling as Kate’s elegant plotting and stunning prose. The claustrophobia and paranoia of the island are so brilliant evoked, I could almost feel the tide encroaching as time ran out to find the killer' Erin Kelly, author of He Said, She Said

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.

Praise for Kate Rhodes:
‘A vividly realised protagonist whose complex and harrowing history rivals the central crime storyline’ Sophie Hannah, Daily Express
‘A pacy psychological thriller’ Laura Wilson, Guardian
‘Both the plot and the writing keep one thoroughly engaged throughout’ Daily Mail
‘One of the most absorbing books I've read in a long time - perfectly thrilling’ Mel Sherratt
‘An enjoyably scary chiller’ Sunday Mirror
‘The pace never slackens from the first page to the last’ Rachel Abbott, author of Only the Innocent
‘Fast paced and harrowing, this gripping novel will leave you guessing until the end’ Bella
‘Great twists, turns and surprises’ Sun©2018 Kate Rhodes. All rights reserved (P)2018 Oakhill Publishing. All Rights Reserved. Suspense Thriller & Suspense Crime Murder Fiction Mystery

Critic Reviews

‘Gripping, clever and impossible to put down. I’ve been a Kate Rhodes fan for years and in Ben Kitto she has created a detective who is just as complex and compelling as Kate’s elegant plotting and stunning prose. The claustrophobia and paranoia of the island are so brilliant evoked, I could almost feel the tide encroaching as time ran out to find the killer' Erin Kelly, author of He Said, She Said
All stars
Most relevant  
Smart, sensitive, sexy and well-loved detective runs in circles around small island while people get killed. Smart, sensitive, sexy and traumatised woman just happens to be on same island. Passable book to pass the time.

Not quite hell but at times it was purgatory.

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This crime novel was so easy to get into. A remote setting with the interesting perspective of the protagonist returning with own personal baggage and soon forced to examine the baggage of the island's new and old inhabitants. I'll be following up on this author and listenable author.

Loved it!

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I didnt really find this book overly suspenseful or exciting. Definitely a slow burn kinda story. Was enjoyable enough to listen to, but something was missing for me.

Was enjoyable enough

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If Ben tells us how ‘beautiful’ the long legged bouncy, haired smooth voiced violinist is again I will scream. I wouldn’t read any more of this author. Shame she had to make it so blokie.

Average .....such a shame

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Great opening of a teenage murder on the island where Kitto was born & has returned to seek peace for a while. Alas, it’s not to be as suspense & romance filter through.
A few slack moments but overall it kept up my interest. The narrator is a familiar voice -he certainly added to it!
Kitto, of course, is offered a job after solving the crimes (with a twist) & that is the end of the first book in this author’s collection on DI Ben Kitto.

The development and suspense of the plot, events, characters etc & in particular the environment of the Island.

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Hell Bay is a satisfying crime novel with a very likeable protagonist and his (ultimately) faithful hound, Shadow. Set on the Isles of Scilly, 28 miles SW of Land’s End, it is a ‘gentle’ crime story—meaning there is a refreshing lack of psychopaths and blood and gore with every turn of the page. Admittedly, I do enjoy those sorts of crime novels, but occasionally, less is more, if the mood strikes.

The setting of Scilly is a surprise, and though I had heard of the Isles of Scilly, it was only a vague knowledge, but I have since Googled the place and if I had the money and Covid19 wasn’t lurking around, I would go there in s shot.

Kate Rhodes has written a very refreshing novel and Stephen Perring’s narration hits the right spot.

Give it a go.

Murders in Scilly Paradise.

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Nothing earth shattering but just a good murder mystery that flowed along. Just bought the second book. Good narration, some reviews said the narrator was boring. I listen to a LOT of RC Bray books who is the opposite of boring but I found this narrator was good.

Really enjoyed

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as above, it was good light read, great descriptions without being boring and unnecessary.
Recommend this, for a lazy Sunday escape.

enjoyable couple of hours

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A nice sold book to enjoy. Interesting story and sound narration. I will try more of Kate Rhodes books.

Good all rounder

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enjoyed this book Thank you Kate
& Thank you Stephen Perring for reading to me much appreciated. 💜💜💜

Hell Bay by Kate Rhodes

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