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Kurt Hunter Mysteries #1
Backwater Bay
How much would it take for you to kill someone close?
From Bestselling Author Steven Becker comes a new mystery series:
When a body is found floating in the mangroves of Biscayne National Park, Special Agent Kurt Hunter has his first real case. He’s not looking for the spotlight or notoriety—he’s had both with disastrous results. But that seems unavoidable as the trail leads him to South Beach and his introduction to the culture there is anything but comfortable.
In the National Parks Service’s version of the witness protection program, Kurt quickly finds out that the pristine waters surrounding Miami are very different from the National Forest he transferred from. Follow Kurt through this new world as he unearths a crooked families greed to solve the case.
From Bestselling Author Steven Becker comes a new mystery series:
When a body is found floating in the mangroves of Biscayne National Park, Special Agent Kurt Hunter has his first real case. He’s not looking for the spotlight or notoriety—he’s had both with disastrous results. But that seems unavoidable as the trail leads him to South Beach and his introduction to the culture there is anything but comfortable.
In the National Parks Service’s version of the witness protection program, Kurt quickly finds out that the pristine waters surrounding Miami are very different from the National Forest he transferred from. Follow Kurt through this new world as he unearths a crooked families greed to solve the case.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
May 1, 2019
Middling mystery with no clean ending
A decomposing body in a wetsuit surfaces after ten days underwater. A competent ME rules accidental death, but Kurt Hunter—a new National Parks Service (NPS) agent—insists on investigating to prove it’s murder. Why? Because “something is bugging him.”
A month ago Hunter was a U.S. Forest Service agent until NPS’s witness protection program removed him from Northern California. He was relocated to a very different geographic region—the islands/keys of Biscayne Bay in hot and humid south-Florida.
Hunter has no law enforcement background, and he learned forensics by binge-watching every episode of “CSI: Miami.” During working hours, he fishes from his NPS patrol boat; he also disobeys his superior’s orders; hides from bonafide police detectives, is insecure and often changes his mind; has no investigative strategy, so he randomly decides what he’ll do next. I prefer mysteries with competent and knowledgable investigators instead of amateurs or wanna-be-detectives who know little about law enforcement.
This is Book #1, but there are important backstories mentioned with zero attempts made to enlighten the reader. Adding to a slower-paced story are zzzzz-inspiring walls of information about boats and boating; fishes and fishing; and scuba diving.
When I read a mystery, I expect a clean ending with no major threads left dangling. At this point, I don’t care enough about the characters to read the next book.
A decomposing body in a wetsuit surfaces after ten days underwater. A competent ME rules accidental death, but Kurt Hunter—a new National Parks Service (NPS) agent—insists on investigating to prove it’s murder. Why? Because “something is bugging him.”
A month ago Hunter was a U.S. Forest Service agent until NPS’s witness protection program removed him from Northern California. He was relocated to a very different geographic region—the islands/keys of Biscayne Bay in hot and humid south-Florida.
Hunter has no law enforcement background, and he learned forensics by binge-watching every episode of “CSI: Miami.” During working hours, he fishes from his NPS patrol boat; he also disobeys his superior’s orders; hides from bonafide police detectives, is insecure and often changes his mind; has no investigative strategy, so he randomly decides what he’ll do next. I prefer mysteries with competent and knowledgable investigators instead of amateurs or wanna-be-detectives who know little about law enforcement.
This is Book #1, but there are important backstories mentioned with zero attempts made to enlighten the reader. Adding to a slower-paced story are zzzzz-inspiring walls of information about boats and boating; fishes and fishing; and scuba diving.
When I read a mystery, I expect a clean ending with no major threads left dangling. At this point, I don’t care enough about the characters to read the next book.
September 16, 2019
This is a new series. However, it always referenced to events as if you were supposed to know them, so I think it might be a spin-off. The story takes place in Miami and the Keys. Hunter is like a park ranger on water. During one of his patrols, he finds the decomposing body of a female diver. Because of the state of the body, the coroner can't rule out accidental death. But Kurt has a feeling that this was a murder and starts investigating.
This feeling that you start in the middle of a series and missed the first book was a little irritating to me. Kurt is an amateur sleuth. While he solved a crime before, he himself said that it was more luck than skill. The author describes very well how Kurt investigates and gets better as he progresses through the case.
Unfortunately, the author also seems more interested in the Keys than in the case. He even provides you with a link, where you can follow the events on Google Maps (a nice idea). While I learned a lot about boating and fly fishing, the case was mediocre. Especially the ending. While it is clear who the killer was and why he did it. There is sort of a battle royal at the end, where every suspect enters the stage once again. It was convoluted and not sufficiently well thought-out.
Since I didn't lose interest until the last third of the book, I might read another one at a time of leisure.
This feeling that you start in the middle of a series and missed the first book was a little irritating to me. Kurt is an amateur sleuth. While he solved a crime before, he himself said that it was more luck than skill. The author describes very well how Kurt investigates and gets better as he progresses through the case.
Unfortunately, the author also seems more interested in the Keys than in the case. He even provides you with a link, where you can follow the events on Google Maps (a nice idea). While I learned a lot about boating and fly fishing, the case was mediocre. Especially the ending. While it is clear who the killer was and why he did it. There is sort of a battle royal at the end, where every suspect enters the stage once again. It was convoluted and not sufficiently well thought-out.
Since I didn't lose interest until the last third of the book, I might read another one at a time of leisure.
April 18, 2019
Intriguing and well developed.
Love the story and characters. The characters quirky and interesting. I couldn’t put it down and want more by this author.
Love the story and characters. The characters quirky and interesting. I couldn’t put it down and want more by this author.
January 9, 2018
I was given an Advanced Reader’s copy of thi book in exchange for a honest review:
As we learned in Steven Becker’s first book featuring Kurt Hunter, Kurt is in the US Parks Service’s version of witness protection having unwittingly uncovered a major marijuana grow on federal parks service lands. Because of this discovery, Kurt’s home was destroyed, causing his wife to file for divorce, taking custody of their children, and Kurt was transferred to the Biscayne National Park.
While trying to determine why a rather large trawler was heading into a thick area of mangrove trees, Kurt, who had decided to appear to be innocently fishing, discovers the body of a female diver in a badly torn wetsuit. This arouses Kurt’s deep curiosity, much to the chagrin of his Park Service manager, and sets him on the path to find justice for the young female diver.
This is a book well worth reading that will keep you turning the pages to discover what happens next!
As we learned in Steven Becker’s first book featuring Kurt Hunter, Kurt is in the US Parks Service’s version of witness protection having unwittingly uncovered a major marijuana grow on federal parks service lands. Because of this discovery, Kurt’s home was destroyed, causing his wife to file for divorce, taking custody of their children, and Kurt was transferred to the Biscayne National Park.
While trying to determine why a rather large trawler was heading into a thick area of mangrove trees, Kurt, who had decided to appear to be innocently fishing, discovers the body of a female diver in a badly torn wetsuit. This arouses Kurt’s deep curiosity, much to the chagrin of his Park Service manager, and sets him on the path to find justice for the young female diver.
This is a book well worth reading that will keep you turning the pages to discover what happens next!
May 1, 2019
Great author!
I don't understand how people can pan his work. Makes zero sense to me. I feel sorry for them, when other critics say they will not read anymore of his books. They are really missing out on an incredible author. What a ride! My new favorite author, hands down!!
I don't understand how people can pan his work. Makes zero sense to me. I feel sorry for them, when other critics say they will not read anymore of his books. They are really missing out on an incredible author. What a ride! My new favorite author, hands down!!
September 17, 2018
Kurt Hunter is a park ranger in the keys, newly arrived. He works in Mac Travis' playground so maybe you have heard of him. Lucky for him. he wastes no time hooking up with Justine from the police forensics lab. A body is found that has been in the water quite awhile and has no identification. The coroner is satisfied that is was an accidental death, but things just don't add up for Hunter. The race is on to find evidence of foul play before the body is released. Naturally there are those that do not want him to id the body and try hard to hinder the investigation. Add to that a supervisor who thinks he should be doing park ranger things. If you like Mac Travis, you will definitely like Kurt Hunter.
February 13, 2020
This is the start to a new series but a spinoff of the Mac Travis stories and an excellent followup to Kurt Hunter's introduction in "Wood's Betrayal." A good, solid adventure story with lots of action, a little romance, and an interesting finale.
UPDATE: Reread, or rather listened to the audio, delightfully narrated by Paul J. McSorley, and found myself enjoying it even more the second time around. Author Steven Becker writes a terrific adventure story!
UPDATE: Reread, or rather listened to the audio, delightfully narrated by Paul J. McSorley, and found myself enjoying it even more the second time around. Author Steven Becker writes a terrific adventure story!
November 5, 2023
Enjoyed!!!
Loved reading about Kurt and would love reading future books about him, Justine, Susan and Martinez! Also found reading about South Florida interesting and living on an island with only one neighbor!
Loved reading about Kurt and would love reading future books about him, Justine, Susan and Martinez! Also found reading about South Florida interesting and living on an island with only one neighbor!
February 11, 2024
A Good Start
This is a basic mystery, and a solid start to a series. It suffers a little from unclear descriptions of time passing (is it day or night?), and the ending was too quick and tidy. But I’m moving on to book 2.
This is a basic mystery, and a solid start to a series. It suffers a little from unclear descriptions of time passing (is it day or night?), and the ending was too quick and tidy. But I’m moving on to book 2.
March 27, 2025
A good read, a bit too long !
I started sailing at about age 11, was a Senior instructor by age 15 and a Mercury factory trained engine Mechanic in my early 20s.
I have never heard of a "leaning post" near the helm of either on a sailing ship or a motor vessle
I started sailing at about age 11, was a Senior instructor by age 15 and a Mercury factory trained engine Mechanic in my early 20s.
I have never heard of a "leaning post" near the helm of either on a sailing ship or a motor vessle
January 26, 2018
A socially awkward protagonist stumbles and bumbles through a murder investigation, office politics, and a relationship.
June 3, 2018
What an exciting, thrilling plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see who did it or even if a murder was commented. The author gives you delightful twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end and what an ending, total excitement from start to finish that holds your attention giving you an audio you won’t be able to put down.
Mr. Becker is a wonderful narrator that has no trouble pulling you in taking you a way in a wonderful adventure that the author gives. His normal voice is just a wonderful as his character, he has a wonderful reach with his tones and emotions. His male voices are wonderful, and he has improved with his female ones. I always know who is talking and what they are feeling. He really bought this story life for me, giving the danger just enough power to make my heart beat faster pulling in with the excitement, danger and the unknown as well as the chase and how it all played out. He gives enough pauses to let it sink in and really feel what the characters are feeling. There were no background noises, no volume changes and if any breaks were taken I could not tell. The audio is very clean and clear giving you hours of enjoyment that holds your attention why keeping you guessing and on the edge. I am really looking forward to listening to more of his work.
The author goes a wonderful job holding your attention with mystery, danger, and excitement with thrilling action. You are kept guessing as to who the body is that was found, and how it all fits in with a boat she was cleaning. I really enjoyed the twists and turns as the plot thickens with a great ending that gets your heart pounding as life and death are kept on a thin balance. The characters are great as they work together to find the answers why the author puts them in danger with a touch of romance that is exciting and thrilling. I love the mean lady who keeps your eyes on Kurt making his life very unpleasant at times. The humor is a great addition, I chuckled a few times and even laughed a couple. I found this book to be thrilling, exciting and well worth my time. The narrator really brings so much to this story bring it alive with pictures you can see as you listen to a wonderful story that I was unable to put down. I can’t wait for the next one in this series.
Mr. Becker is a wonderful narrator that has no trouble pulling you in taking you a way in a wonderful adventure that the author gives. His normal voice is just a wonderful as his character, he has a wonderful reach with his tones and emotions. His male voices are wonderful, and he has improved with his female ones. I always know who is talking and what they are feeling. He really bought this story life for me, giving the danger just enough power to make my heart beat faster pulling in with the excitement, danger and the unknown as well as the chase and how it all played out. He gives enough pauses to let it sink in and really feel what the characters are feeling. There were no background noises, no volume changes and if any breaks were taken I could not tell. The audio is very clean and clear giving you hours of enjoyment that holds your attention why keeping you guessing and on the edge. I am really looking forward to listening to more of his work.
The author goes a wonderful job holding your attention with mystery, danger, and excitement with thrilling action. You are kept guessing as to who the body is that was found, and how it all fits in with a boat she was cleaning. I really enjoyed the twists and turns as the plot thickens with a great ending that gets your heart pounding as life and death are kept on a thin balance. The characters are great as they work together to find the answers why the author puts them in danger with a touch of romance that is exciting and thrilling. I love the mean lady who keeps your eyes on Kurt making his life very unpleasant at times. The humor is a great addition, I chuckled a few times and even laughed a couple. I found this book to be thrilling, exciting and well worth my time. The narrator really brings so much to this story bring it alive with pictures you can see as you listen to a wonderful story that I was unable to put down. I can’t wait for the next one in this series.
February 23, 2018
Kurt is a park ranger, who patrols the FL Everglades...he's also in the WITSEC program, a small detail that needs to be explored...maybe in the next book?? Anyhoo, Kurt's minding his own business, doing a little fishing while on patrol, when he pulls up a body. Due to the state of the body, being in the water for a while, it is unrecognizable. Kurt's boss, a frumpy, lazy guy, is always on Kurt's back...and he orders Kurt to let Miami-Dade PD handle the case. Kurt is not deterred though, and starts his own investigation to ID the vic, and determine if her death was an accident or homicide. There is a budding romance between Kurt and a MDPD crime scene tech that's sweet and adds a bit of spice to the story. Kurt can't seem to stay out of trouble with his boss, which leads to some hilarious moments, but he perseveres in solving the case. While the ending seems a bit rushed, I still enjoyed the story and now need the next book to find out what Kurt's colleague is up to...bad feeling about her, even if she saved Kurt's life...
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2021
If the reader is an avid boat enthusiast this may be a great book for them. I am not an avid boater, nor even wanting to be a novice boater.
This book is marketed as a mystery but had more step-by-step details about docking a boat, reading currents, using the terminology and focusing on boating equipment and ocean markers and being a virtual map to the Keys.
Oh, there was a small plot of a murder mystery tossed in there between the boating details too. A small mystery that could easily have been a short story if not for the nautical fillers. It fell together at the end like a television show that needs to wrap it up in the last 5 minutes with unanswered questions, perhaps to be answered in later books of the series. I won't be reading those books though, there's only so much I can take listening to someone ramble on about how many horsepower this boat engine has or the layout of the console of that boat. But again, if you are a boat enthusiast this may be a really good book for you.
40 pages of mystery + 150 pages of boating.
This book is marketed as a mystery but had more step-by-step details about docking a boat, reading currents, using the terminology and focusing on boating equipment and ocean markers and being a virtual map to the Keys.
Oh, there was a small plot of a murder mystery tossed in there between the boating details too. A small mystery that could easily have been a short story if not for the nautical fillers. It fell together at the end like a television show that needs to wrap it up in the last 5 minutes with unanswered questions, perhaps to be answered in later books of the series. I won't be reading those books though, there's only so much I can take listening to someone ramble on about how many horsepower this boat engine has or the layout of the console of that boat. But again, if you are a boat enthusiast this may be a really good book for you.
40 pages of mystery + 150 pages of boating.
June 27, 2018
Backwater Bay is the first book in the Kurt Hunter series of adventures, introducing us to a new type of law enforcement officer. Kurt works for the National Park Service, usually dealing with stranded boaters or poachers in Biscayne National Park. When Kurt discovers a dead body floating in a remote creek, he becomes involved in a tale of greed and revenge. .
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Steve Becker has created a loveable goofball of a character in Hunter, a man whose job involves driving a boat, yet still has trouble parking it. His main redeeming quality seems to be tenacity, like a dog with a bone. The surrounding cast appears to be an interesting mix, with the live interest, the insufferable boss and the coworker with questionable intentions. The storyline is solid, with a decent pace of action. This was a decent way to spend a few hours, and the remainder of the series sounds promising.
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My Rating: 3.75/5 stars
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Steve Becker has created a loveable goofball of a character in Hunter, a man whose job involves driving a boat, yet still has trouble parking it. His main redeeming quality seems to be tenacity, like a dog with a bone. The surrounding cast appears to be an interesting mix, with the live interest, the insufferable boss and the coworker with questionable intentions. The storyline is solid, with a decent pace of action. This was a decent way to spend a few hours, and the remainder of the series sounds promising.
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My Rating: 3.75/5 stars
January 30, 2021
My first Steven Becker book and a nice surprise it was, We follow Kurt Hunter a socially awkward law enforcement officer who works for the National Park Service around the Florida Keys when he discovers a dead body floating in the mangroves and so starts our story.
The writing is good and for such a short book just under 200 pages Becker weaves an interesting tale that kept me interested and invested in our protagonist, who is a very likable fella as he fumbles is way through to solve the mystery.
The book is written in a POV from the investigator and I would say this will keep any budding detective interested we get a little of everything romance, danger, action, greed and revenge packed into the pages.
This is a very easy read so don't expect any type of Bosch detective work here, I shall pick up the next in the series as I had a good time with Kurt.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash.
The writing is good and for such a short book just under 200 pages Becker weaves an interesting tale that kept me interested and invested in our protagonist, who is a very likable fella as he fumbles is way through to solve the mystery.
The book is written in a POV from the investigator and I would say this will keep any budding detective interested we get a little of everything romance, danger, action, greed and revenge packed into the pages.
This is a very easy read so don't expect any type of Bosch detective work here, I shall pick up the next in the series as I had a good time with Kurt.
Well worth your time and hard-earned cash.
September 15, 2021
I read Backwater Bay as a continuation of the Kurt Hunter series. The book went above and beyond my expectations. A personnel connection I could make with the book is how such nice-looking places can end up being notorious. A common theme that appears throughout the book is finger-pointing. A boat cleaning company whose employee was found dead in the mangrove points fingers at her family and when asked about the body they point fingers at another group of people. The characterization used throughout the book is that some people think they are more superior to others. The language used throughout the book is technical but also laid back as this takes place in a tropical environment. Recommendations are for people who like murder mysteries and tropical adventure. Not for people who don't like murder mysteries. Recommendations: Michael Reisig - Road to Key West Series. James W. Hall - Thorn Series. Mike Pettit - Jack Marsh Action Thrillers. Wayne Stinnett - Jesse McDermitt Series.
February 9, 2025
In Backwater Bay, Kurt Hunter has been placed in the Fish and Wildlife Service in The Florida Keys. It’s not a landscape nor a temperature he’s totally familiar with, but his home is in a wonderful backwater place where it’s unlikely the people who want to kill him for busting their drug ring in California will find him.
I thought this story started off slowly. It really seemed as if it was Book 2 instead of Book 1 because I was a little confused right at the beginning- like I needed to catch up. I continued to read and was rewarded with a new character that I really enjoyed. Kurt Hunter may have just seemed to be trying to learn his new job, but he’s smart and a little savvy and quite funny at times.
Backwater Bay is my first Steven Becker book. I was hoping against all hope that I liked it because there are 15 books in the series. I enjoyed it, I liked the setting, and I liked the characters. Yippee Kurt Hunter series, here I come.
I thought this story started off slowly. It really seemed as if it was Book 2 instead of Book 1 because I was a little confused right at the beginning- like I needed to catch up. I continued to read and was rewarded with a new character that I really enjoyed. Kurt Hunter may have just seemed to be trying to learn his new job, but he’s smart and a little savvy and quite funny at times.
Backwater Bay is my first Steven Becker book. I was hoping against all hope that I liked it because there are 15 books in the series. I enjoyed it, I liked the setting, and I liked the characters. Yippee Kurt Hunter series, here I come.
April 13, 2018
I loved this book! Great characters, good plot, and nice unraveling. Just enough 'early relationship tension' to make it feel real, Kurt's conflict with the lazy overbearing glory grabbing boss, and coworker rivalry with a polar opposite character. And Kurt Hunter, who is equal parts California laid back and good investigator. I'd love to have a beer with him, but there's no way he's ever borrowing my boat.
I originally got hooked on Steven Becker's Mac Travis titles, and glad that he has yet another great series in parallel with it. You can always depend on Becker to deliver a good read, just as you can depend on those heavy summer afternoon south Florida rainstorms that he describes so well. Now it's on to Backwater Channel for me because it's time for a little binge reading.
I originally got hooked on Steven Becker's Mac Travis titles, and glad that he has yet another great series in parallel with it. You can always depend on Becker to deliver a good read, just as you can depend on those heavy summer afternoon south Florida rainstorms that he describes so well. Now it's on to Backwater Channel for me because it's time for a little binge reading.
January 5, 2019
Good story with some holes.
First, I live here on the WEST coast. It was interesting to learn about the EAST coast, specifically Florida, that at least sounded authentic. Second, the main character is a likeable guy who seems intelligent though a little inept. The story line is pretty tight, has some fun twists and turns and is told from the interesting perspective of a park ranger. There are questions - holes. What crime did these folks actually commit? Yes, there was a dead body of the person who discovered the C-4, but that could have been called an accident by a good lawyer. Also, why were the other two Park Rangers monitoring him so closely yet felt violated when he monitored them? Oh well, a little flexibility let's these slide and enjoy the story.
First, I live here on the WEST coast. It was interesting to learn about the EAST coast, specifically Florida, that at least sounded authentic. Second, the main character is a likeable guy who seems intelligent though a little inept. The story line is pretty tight, has some fun twists and turns and is told from the interesting perspective of a park ranger. There are questions - holes. What crime did these folks actually commit? Yes, there was a dead body of the person who discovered the C-4, but that could have been called an accident by a good lawyer. Also, why were the other two Park Rangers monitoring him so closely yet felt violated when he monitored them? Oh well, a little flexibility let's these slide and enjoy the story.
May 20, 2020
Some discoveries can be lifechanging. For Kurt Hunter, a National Park Ranger discovering a multi-million dollar grow-op on his patch resulted in his home being fire-bombed and his wife leaving him.
Accordingly he moves from the high mountain ranges to Biscayne National Park billed as 95% water where he lives on a small island with two houses and takes up kayaking in those shallow waters and tries to learn how to boat amid strong currents, winds, and tides. His love of fishing leads to new discoveries, this time dead bodies.
Once again we have an agent with a paper pushing superior with an equally by the book henchwoman. Both will take all the glory if he succeeds and bury him if he fails.
Accordingly he moves from the high mountain ranges to Biscayne National Park billed as 95% water where he lives on a small island with two houses and takes up kayaking in those shallow waters and tries to learn how to boat amid strong currents, winds, and tides. His love of fishing leads to new discoveries, this time dead bodies.
Once again we have an agent with a paper pushing superior with an equally by the book henchwoman. Both will take all the glory if he succeeds and bury him if he fails.
June 17, 2019
Not bad! I liked the characters, and thought the mystery was well done. My problem is that this book is listed as the first of a series, and yet the author constantly refers to the Main Character solving a mystery and taking part in detailed events that take place prior to this book. It took a lot of detective work of my own to figure out that he was a side character in another book, in another series, by the same author, and the events in question took place in one of those books. I like to read things in order, so this was more than a little annoying. Now I have to go back and read 5 books in a different series to catch up to the first book of this series.
May 24, 2020
Sometimes the motive for murder is so deeply buried and so hard to find that after you dig deep it seems like it’s just your imagination and you just can’t figure it out. But things just don’t add up and even though it’s only a few anomalies Kurt just can’t let it go. Plus he’s very new to the job and, among other things, how to drive a boat. But he is learning, not just the boat but the waterways and the movements of the areas of bay, ocean and streams.
Mr. Becker Is a great storyteller and he’s woven a tale of imagination and misdirection that kept me sitting on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Mr. Becker Is a great storyteller and he’s woven a tale of imagination and misdirection that kept me sitting on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read the next book.
August 19, 2018
I read this story as part of The Murder Book which has 10 full length stories. None of the characters were very well developed; the most we learn about the main character is that he’s from California, accidentally made a big drug bust, divorced, went into witness protection in Florida, likes to blow off his job and fish, and is constantly second guessing himself – I’m surprised he can function at all. I did learn a lot more about boating than I cared to; lots of little details that dragged on and made me want to skip sections.
June 20, 2019
Engaging murder mystery
Written from the POV of the investigator this well plotted mystery would satisfy most armchair detectives, of which I am one. I thought the detail of Kurt's fishing and boating would pall, but surprisingly they didn't and added interest. I don't pretend to know anything about specific jurisdictional procedures for this setting, but I'm pretty sure many were ignored. In the end it didn't really matter to me, and justice was seen to be done quite satisfactorily. A good read
Written from the POV of the investigator this well plotted mystery would satisfy most armchair detectives, of which I am one. I thought the detail of Kurt's fishing and boating would pall, but surprisingly they didn't and added interest. I don't pretend to know anything about specific jurisdictional procedures for this setting, but I'm pretty sure many were ignored. In the end it didn't really matter to me, and justice was seen to be done quite satisfactorily. A good read
September 21, 2020
When I pick up a book like this, I want a light and easy read involving warm places, beaches and boats. I got most of that with this book, so no complaints there.
The plot seemed a little convoluted at time, and I didn't love the main character (he didn't think actions through much) which left the book wanting for me.
The bar is low for me for these types of mysteries. I'll most likely read the next book unless there are really bad ratings because of the setting. I do see possibilities that the characters can grow into something more interesting in future books.
The plot seemed a little convoluted at time, and I didn't love the main character (he didn't think actions through much) which left the book wanting for me.
The bar is low for me for these types of mysteries. I'll most likely read the next book unless there are really bad ratings because of the setting. I do see possibilities that the characters can grow into something more interesting in future books.
January 13, 2022
My expectations for reading Backwater Bay as the first book of the Kurt Hunter Mystery series were high but the book exceeded my expectations. A common theme used in the book is deception as one person of suspicion blames the other person of suspicion. The use of characterization and language used throughout the book is cunning behavior in ways of deception and greed and language used is technical because of the use of forensic vocabulary. This book is recommended for people who like a good murder mystery book in a warm hot climate such as Florida.
July 6, 2018
How much would it take for you to kill someone close?
From Bestselling Author Steven Becker comes a new mystery series:
When a body is found floating in the mangroves of Biscayne National Park, Special Agent Kurt Hunter has his first real case. He’s not looking for the spotlight or notoriety—he’s had both with disastrous results. But that seems unavoidable as the trail leads him to South Beach and his introduction to the culture there is anything but comfortable.
From Bestselling Author Steven Becker comes a new mystery series:
When a body is found floating in the mangroves of Biscayne National Park, Special Agent Kurt Hunter has his first real case. He’s not looking for the spotlight or notoriety—he’s had both with disastrous results. But that seems unavoidable as the trail leads him to South Beach and his introduction to the culture there is anything but comfortable.
January 29, 2021
Park Ranger turns detective when he finds a 'floater' in the backwaters of the Biscayne National Park.
Special Agent Kurt Hunter out on patrol in the backwater of Biscayne National Park discovers the badly damaged body of a diver floating among the mangroves. Was this an accidental death or was she murdered? Employed as a yacht bottom cleaner in a nearby mariner, was she hit by a passing boat or was she killed for something she found?
Special Agent Kurt Hunter out on patrol in the backwater of Biscayne National Park discovers the badly damaged body of a diver floating among the mangroves. Was this an accidental death or was she murdered? Employed as a yacht bottom cleaner in a nearby mariner, was she hit by a passing boat or was she killed for something she found?
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December 17, 2021A murder mystery in Florida
Kurt is a Park Service officer who has only transferred to Florida from northern California a month ago. He is finding life and work are a whole lot different in the sunshine state. A new girl friend, a demanding boss and a perplexing co-worker are just some of the issues he is dealing with while trying to do his job and prove a dead diver was murdered.
Kurt is a Park Service officer who has only transferred to Florida from northern California a month ago. He is finding life and work are a whole lot different in the sunshine state. A new girl friend, a demanding boss and a perplexing co-worker are just some of the issues he is dealing with while trying to do his job and prove a dead diver was murdered.
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