The Abersoch Killings

DI Ruth Hunter #21

by Simon McCleave

DI Ruth Hunter and the Llancastell CID team investigate a murder in Abersoch.

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2025

Reviews

[Barbara Parry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found characters popping up ocassionally that had no bearing on the story. Georgie being pregnant was something else that was not necessary, and did not need the drama of the birth. Fail to see why Amelia would take her own life when she knew she was innocent.
Why would the Russian tail and bump police officers, then follow Ruth home. It gained them nothing other than brought attention to them. I could have seen the Russian following Charlie and Sofia because they would have access to Jack and his money.
This was not one of my favourite stories.

[Marlan Glock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Abersoch Killings Review

What just happened? Georgie has her baby and Boom! Book ends! I feel this book did not resolve what happened to the actual killer. The story line was solid, twists and turns held interest and characters were well established but what did I miss?

[Lucille]

I’ve now read the entire DI Ruth Hunter series and I’ve quite enjoyed them. However, whoever proofreads for the author is doing him dirty! The errors, for me, spoil the enjoyment of a good yarn. This book has an unforgivable error and that is changing the name of one of the main characters daughter! At the start of the book, it’s the name that has been used throughout the series then suddenly changes over the course of a page. At first, I thought it was a one off error but no. The ‘new’ name is then used to the end. Dreadful.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Ruth and company have their work cut out for them with the murder of a particularly unpleasant man. There are plenty of people with motive but none of the suspects really seem quite right. In the meantime, Georgie is very pregnant and expecting her baby at any minute. The biggest complaint I have about this book is that it ends rather abruptly. After so many twists and turns I felt there was very little wrap up. I literally turned the last page back and forth several times thinking I must have missed something.

[S Nicholls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the main storyline, but the Jim Garrow / Lucy story plot is a bit beyond and is just making the character a bit of an idiot and really does not add anything to the books

On that note, the "copy and paste" reminders of character background is tedious and reduces each book in size which is a shame to the good plot lines.
Also you need a new proof reader or if doing it yourself then get one, halfway through this book Nicks daughter changes in one sentance from the adorable Megan into Caitlin 🤦‍♀️ and its not just a momentary slip but she remains Caitlin for the remainder of the book......

[Vareen O’Keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally enjoy Ruth Hunter books. This one was disappointing. I felt that the story was lacking the substance and complexity that the previous ones had.

[Aksel Reitevold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Syns denne var helt greie egentlig. Var ikke sååå spennende slutt da. Og jeg syns det var litt for mye ting som skjedde rundt historien som ikke hadde trengtes å nevne.

[Hannah Horrocks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The end was a let down

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this until the end when for me it just stopped. Too many unanswered questions..I'm hoping they will be resolved in the next book, but a shame this ended so abruptly.

[Becc · Rating 2 out of 5]

The very worst in an otherwise outstanding series. 100% a bridging book that contains the origins of, presumably, future story arcs.

[Catherine Shaer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story but a bit spoiled by errors

Enjoyable story but some poor editing – typos and inconsistencies – rather spoiled it and made it seem as if it were rushed and written on autopilot.

Pity because it’s a good plot with lots of twists. The ending was also rather sudden and incomplete.

[Elva Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Abersoch Killings: (A DI RuthHunter Crime Triller Book 21). Simon McCleave

Why do I read so quickly, this book was over in one day!! I so enjoyed the different perspectives of the storyline. The characters were outstanding and the ending, one I would never have guessed. It was everything I could expect from a Simon McCleave book and more. All the characters were so different even from the same family. Lovely to see Georgie’s bay girl Sylvie born in the last pages. Keep on writing about Ruth Hunter Simon, I couldn’t last too long without another of your books. I will probably do what I always do, read it again and still find new things to enjoy. Thank you for your talents. xx

[Julian Tremayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story featuring Ruth Hunter and her team. Once again, Simon McCleave brings the personal lives of the team into the picture giving us a good understanding of the characters. Some unusual twists in the story make for a truly surprising ending. Looking forward to no. 22.
Julian Tremayne, Cromer, Norfolk

[Graham Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read

Waited for it got it and read it in 2 days! This is one of the best of a brilliant series. The storyline was excellent and believable. Ruth and her team were led from pillar to post but found a way to complete their assignment with a very good ending. Just preordered the next installment.

[Richard JF Gallick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring story

Another excellent and gripping book from Simon McCleave. When you think the worst it's not what you think. The book is inspiring read. Looking forward to the next read.from Simon McCleave.

[Carla Alcorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good one but again with the typos!

I was happy to learn more about the regular/recurring characters. I thought the murder mystery itself was pretty good. But the typos, missing or extra words, and the editing glitches are there AGAIN. As in previous books they were kind of distracting and annoying. A few times I had to go back and re-read to figure out what was supposed to be happening. Referring to Nick's daughter as "Caitlin" when the previous books established that her name was Megan, after Nick's sister. Stating that Ruth and Georgie were interviewing a suspect when it was actually Ruth and Nick. Yes, I've read all the books in the series so far and I'll probably read the rest, because if nothing else I enjoy the characters and how they interact with each other. Maybe the typos and mistakes occurred when transferring the printed pages to Kindle, but you'd think that by the 21st book in the series they'd have figured out how to fix that. Gave four stars; was going to only give three because of all the mistakes but changed my mind.

[J Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good police procedural with more about the personal lives of the team.
Wow! The 21st Ruth Hunter book and the high standard continues. A rich filandering bully of a film producer is discovered dead after a family wedding. it turns out to be a murder. and Ruth and her team investigate with some unexpected results.
What I particularly like about Simon McCleave's books is that each chapter is like a scene from a screenplay. This is no surprise given his past record of work on TV and films, and it really works here again.He has other series of books that are also very good and well received, but he keeps coming back to the Ruth Hunter series with its compelling regular cast. I'm looking forward to the upcoming TV series.

[Louise Ridout · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 21 in the DI Ruth Hunter books, so a fair way into them, and it’s a comfortable easy read, with familiar characters and storylines. The series is starting to become a little repetitive after so long, but as a quick easy read, they’re still worth it.

The actual narrative in this one was fairly decent, though the twist was fairly obvious from about mid way through. The main characters have continuing storylines running through the series, and some of these are a little silly and unbelievable. The ending to this was a bit of a let down, felt very rushed and very much happily ever after after setting up a potentially dramatic theme.

[Mrs. Dianna Wojda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read once again. I look forward to each and every one as they’re jam packed with a great storyline, characters and descriptions of the area. Only problem is it’s difficult to put the story aside and it’s over so quickly and you’re itching for the next book!

One error in this one was where an interview was introduced as being carried out by Ruth and Georgie but it was actually Ruth and Nick. Didn’t spoil the story for me really but left wondering why editors didn’t pick it up tbh.

[Susan M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was ok but I felt like I knew the killer early on. My one question is who is Caitlin? Have I missed something cos I thought Nicks daughter was called Megan. I have read all the books very quickly and wondering if I have forgotten a massive part of the story. Did him an Amanda have another daughter called Caitlin?

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Exciting Plot

This one was a page turner that twisted you around every which way. Several false endings just to mix it up a bit more. The author waxed poetic in many scene descriptions of the landscape. Beautiful…but not the victim’s family who were definitely weird. Good stuff!

[Ms W Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor continuity of plot

Nick's daughter has had a name change mid way they the book.
Time to keep track of your characters Simon, and even though you are British, try and familiarise yourself with bank holidays.
Did Jack for on Saturday night/Sunday morning or Sunday night? What legal firm is going to be open on a bank holiday Monday?
It's the little can let you down.

[Yvonne Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the best!

This book was so good! Love the characters and how they’ve developed whilst the twists and turns continued to the very end! Simon - you have excelled yourself when I didn’t think that was possible!

[julie young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling read

Another breathtakingly intense case for Ruth and her team. A wedding where celebrations.are brought to a shocking conclusion by a sudden death. Full of drama, problematic relationships, revenge and violence. Just brilliant.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A page turner and plot that burnt dinner!!

Simon McCleave has surpassed himself in The Abersoch Killings! Dinner was on the stove and I couldn’t put down the book!! Dinner was trashed but pizza delivery saved the night. And I was able to finish a super novel!!!

[Eileen Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given 5 starts but there were so many typographical errors!

Ruth and Nick are back and as smart as ever. There's a murder, lots of suspects and a super twist at the end that I was not expecting at all.
Simon McCleave is at the top of his game.

[Helen Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

I love this series of books, but I have to say this is one of the best….. an excellent plot with lots of twists & turns, and an unexpected ending! Can’t wait for the next one 😁

[Anthony Lovegrove · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read all these books, and just starting to get a bit irritated by unnecessary words. For example, after someone has said something he’ll write “she explained” or “he stated”. A lot of the time it’s totally unnecessary. Having said that I’ll probably read the next book!

[Helen Yates · Rating 2 out of 5]

The weakest of the series so far. A character's daughter's name changes for no reason. There are conversations between characters that are just inane and then the ending!!! What hospital lets your birthing partner wheel you about the hospital and put you to bed when you've just had a c-section???

[Peter AvillEng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent novel

This is the first book written by this author that I have read I look forward to reading more of his work. I shall be recommending this author to my friends and members of my book club.