INTRUDERS HERE ARE BOUND TO DIE . . .
As the sun sets on a cold November evening, the tiny community of St Agnes prepares for their annual Fifth-of-November festivities. Moments before the fireworks are scheduled to commence, an islander discovers a charred body left on the bonfire, and quickly it becomes clear that a killer is at large.
Ben Kitto is the Deputy Chief of Police for the Scilly Isles, and with a killer on the loose, he has no choice but to forbid all residents from leaving the island. With a population of just eighty people, everyone is a suspect and no one is safe.
When threats start appearing, written in the old Cornish language, Ben suspects that the killer’s motive is to rid the island of the newcomers who threaten their traditions. With time running out, Ben hurries to discover the secrets of the island’s peculiar residents, but he knows it’s only a matter of time before another fire is started . . .
No place to run.
No place to hide.
My thoughts: return to the dark side of the Scilly Isles, where this time the killer is someone who hates newcomers to their island and is determined to get rid of them. But with a population of only 80 residents, this should be an easy solve, right.
Even though Ben is from the Isles, the residents of St Agnes aren’t keen to open up and share their secrets and suspicions so he has to race against time to prevent more deaths by finding the killer. But even with so few suspects, it’s not easy. People are protective of their families and friends but happy to point the finger at those who stand out. Like the Birdman, who doesn’t speak and has taken to hiding in the woods around the island. He’s afraid of the killer but also of Ben. But he might be able to help, if only they can find him.
Another sinister and brilliant case, set in a tiny community and full of secrets and a few red herrings, with everyone under suspicion.
WITH A KILLER ON THE LOOSE
As the scorching summer sun beats down on St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, DI Ben Kitto and his team are training for the annual Swimathon, until they discover a body hanging from Pulpit Rock, dressed in a bridal gown.
ON A TINY ISLAND
An obsessive killer is hunting for female victims. Kitto has no choice but to stop anyone leaving St Mary’s, but soon another woman is attacked.
EVERYONE IS A SUSPECT
The killer must be a trusted member of the community. Kitto’s investigation is being watched closely, the killer always one step ahead, as the next victim is chosen . . .
NO ONE IS SAFE
My thoughts: Ben doesn’t exactly make friends easily, having to lockdown islands every time another crazy killer emerges. What is in the water that makes the Scillies so full of serial killers? This time the murderer is dressing their victims up as brides, marrying them to the island or to the sea perhaps? But whoever they are, Ben will find them. The first victim is a friend, a fellow trainee for the Swimathon.
As he tries to find out who is involved and why they’re leaving old charms, possibly stolen from the island’s museum, on the bodies. What are they trying to say? Once again, in the face of police interest, the community goes silent. Someone knows who the killer is, someone is keeping secrets, but Ben and his team will find them.
I like the use of Cornish traditions in these books – the charms are ones sailors’ wives would give them to bring them home safely. But it does turn them into macabre symbols when a killer uses them. The Scillies are beautiful, but this series delves into the darkness within and the wounds people are walking around with, twisting their minds and driving them to murder.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 