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Sukey Reynolds #10
Death on Clevedon Beach
This book was previously published as A Fool There Was.
A seaside town, scrumptious ice cream… mysterious murder?
Sukey Reynolds is back from holiday, feeling happy and relaxed. She and a friend have been touring the French coast, enjoying the wine and cheese, and soaking up the sun in Brittany. She has barely unpacked her bags when she is sent back to the seaside but, this time, not for fun…
Sukey arrives at the charming coastal town of Clevedon, where a woman’s body has been washed up on the sandy beach. Her identity is a mystery, but Sukey is determined to find out how she ended up there and who exactly she is.
The police are at their wits’ end, and with no leads or suspects, Sukey decides to leaf through old cases. She is shocked to realise this woman is not the first to turn up on the shore and even finds a link between the cold cases: several of the murder suspects had the same decorative tattoo inked on their skin. After some further investigating, she realises the distinctive symbol means ‘death’.
Her superiors scoff at her theory, so it’s up to Sukey to prove them wrong and find the devious killer herself. From tattoo parlours to the music halls, she has no shortage of places to investigate. But can she uncover the true culprit, and the identity of the mystery woman, before they strike again?
An absolutely gripping murder mystery from the queen of cozy crime, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, P.D. James or Faith Martin.
A seaside town, scrumptious ice cream… mysterious murder?
Sukey Reynolds is back from holiday, feeling happy and relaxed. She and a friend have been touring the French coast, enjoying the wine and cheese, and soaking up the sun in Brittany. She has barely unpacked her bags when she is sent back to the seaside but, this time, not for fun…
Sukey arrives at the charming coastal town of Clevedon, where a woman’s body has been washed up on the sandy beach. Her identity is a mystery, but Sukey is determined to find out how she ended up there and who exactly she is.
The police are at their wits’ end, and with no leads or suspects, Sukey decides to leaf through old cases. She is shocked to realise this woman is not the first to turn up on the shore and even finds a link between the cold cases: several of the murder suspects had the same decorative tattoo inked on their skin. After some further investigating, she realises the distinctive symbol means ‘death’.
Her superiors scoff at her theory, so it’s up to Sukey to prove them wrong and find the devious killer herself. From tattoo parlours to the music halls, she has no shortage of places to investigate. But can she uncover the true culprit, and the identity of the mystery woman, before they strike again?
An absolutely gripping murder mystery from the queen of cozy crime, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, P.D. James or Faith Martin.
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
219 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Betty Rowlands
47 books143 followersBetty Rowlands is an member of the Crime Writers' Association and appears on panels at writers' conferences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 21, 2019
This is the tenth book in the Sukey Reynolds police procedurals by Betty Rowlands and my first read of the series. It is easy to become acquainted with the characters and understand their relationships to one another as the book concentrates more on the case at hand than secondary storylines. The characters are well developed and, while there may be on-going relationship developments, not having read the first books in the series does not interfere with the enjoyment of this novel.
In this book, Sukey and her partner witness a strange encounter on their way back from a vacation while stopped at a motor area restway. After reporting it to the local police, they continue home and the issue seems to be resolved.
Once back at work in their precinct, Sukey and Vicki, her partner, are called to a crime scene on the beach. The severed head of a corpse has washed up on the shore. The investigation begins and work begins on trying to identify the murder victim. Soon all of her body parts are found and Sukey and Vicki receive their orders from DS Rathbone, their immediate supervisor and his boss, Leach.
The strange occurrence they witnessed on the motorway ends in the death of the man they saw in a car crash and Sukey becomes convinced the two instances are related somehow. She has a history of hunches and, according to the superintendent of the unit, going off on her own, and this case includes some of that behavior.
There is a strong police procedural aspect to this novel. Sukey often goes back to her sergeant, DS Rathbone for instructions and follows his requirements. There is a potential threat to a possible witness and conclusions reached by a reporter who has gathered some information on the crime which help round out the tasks Sukey pursues. These stories all build to a somewhat predictable conclusion at a steady pace.
The writing is good and the characters are developed enough to be somewhat unique, although there is room for further development to give them added depth. Some of the solution is reached through good police work, although there is some reliance on “convenient happenings” to help Sukey and her team reach the correct solution.
This is a good book for fans of police procedurals to consider. It should be noted that there is not a great deal of action such as chasing and apprehending criminals, so if that is the primary preference of the reader, they may find this series a little tame for their liking. Thank you to Bookoutour and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, Sukey and her partner witness a strange encounter on their way back from a vacation while stopped at a motor area restway. After reporting it to the local police, they continue home and the issue seems to be resolved.
Once back at work in their precinct, Sukey and Vicki, her partner, are called to a crime scene on the beach. The severed head of a corpse has washed up on the shore. The investigation begins and work begins on trying to identify the murder victim. Soon all of her body parts are found and Sukey and Vicki receive their orders from DS Rathbone, their immediate supervisor and his boss, Leach.
The strange occurrence they witnessed on the motorway ends in the death of the man they saw in a car crash and Sukey becomes convinced the two instances are related somehow. She has a history of hunches and, according to the superintendent of the unit, going off on her own, and this case includes some of that behavior.
There is a strong police procedural aspect to this novel. Sukey often goes back to her sergeant, DS Rathbone for instructions and follows his requirements. There is a potential threat to a possible witness and conclusions reached by a reporter who has gathered some information on the crime which help round out the tasks Sukey pursues. These stories all build to a somewhat predictable conclusion at a steady pace.
The writing is good and the characters are developed enough to be somewhat unique, although there is room for further development to give them added depth. Some of the solution is reached through good police work, although there is some reliance on “convenient happenings” to help Sukey and her team reach the correct solution.
This is a good book for fans of police procedurals to consider. It should be noted that there is not a great deal of action such as chasing and apprehending criminals, so if that is the primary preference of the reader, they may find this series a little tame for their liking. Thank you to Bookoutour and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2019
Death on Clevedon Beach by Betty Rowlands may be the 10th book in the series; but it can easily be read as a "stand alone". Ms. Rowlands is a "new to me" author but I'm excited to have found this series.
I would describe this book as more of a cozy police procedural as the main character is a member of law enforcement and the plot revolves around the procedures that law enforcement use when solving a case. The plot moved swiftly with several twists and turns but very few suspects to investigate. I liked Sukey and admire her determination to follow procedures but to integrate her intuitive hunches into the facts as they are revealed. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
I would describe this book as more of a cozy police procedural as the main character is a member of law enforcement and the plot revolves around the procedures that law enforcement use when solving a case. The plot moved swiftly with several twists and turns but very few suspects to investigate. I liked Sukey and admire her determination to follow procedures but to integrate her intuitive hunches into the facts as they are revealed. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
September 17, 2019
Short and sweet, the latest Sukey Reynolds mystery focuses on the CID team investigation after a dismembered woman's body washes up on Clevedon Beach. The case is complicated by a drugs connection and reports of a special tattoo, a single Chinese character that means "Death" found on a couple of their suspects. Are they part of a larger organization and who is the mastermind behind it? No one is talking and Sukey, along with her cohort in Bristol, are looking for the murderer. NO SPOILERS.
As always, I enjoyed this installment in the series that I have read, in order, from the beginning. I've seen Sukey grow both personally and professionally as she's made the transition from SOCO to detective. She's living alone now since her son, Fergus, is away at University and she has broken off her long-term relationship with a former colleague. Is there a new romance in her future? I like her as a character and also find her workmates on the CID team to develop more fully as the series continues. The writing is good and the pace is very effective to advance the story until the case is solved -- usually because of some hunch that Sukey has. Of course she's a bit of a loose cannon and has to be reeled in at times, but hey, she's almost always right!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read and review. I'm looking forward to reading #11 soon.
As always, I enjoyed this installment in the series that I have read, in order, from the beginning. I've seen Sukey grow both personally and professionally as she's made the transition from SOCO to detective. She's living alone now since her son, Fergus, is away at University and she has broken off her long-term relationship with a former colleague. Is there a new romance in her future? I like her as a character and also find her workmates on the CID team to develop more fully as the series continues. The writing is good and the pace is very effective to advance the story until the case is solved -- usually because of some hunch that Sukey has. Of course she's a bit of a loose cannon and has to be reeled in at times, but hey, she's almost always right!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read and review. I'm looking forward to reading #11 soon.
September 14, 2019
4.5 Stars
Sukey Reynolds is back from holiday, feeling happy and relaxed. She and Vicky have been touring the French coast, enjoying the wine and cheese, and soaking up the sun in Brittany. On their way home they stop at a motorway services & see a man acting suspiciously, they later drive passed a motorway accident & the man’s car has been involved. Back at work Sukey is sent to the charming coastal town of Clevedon, where a woman’s body has been washed up on the sandy beach. Her identity is a mystery. The police are at their wits’ end, and with no leads or suspects, Sukey decides to leaf through old cases. She is shocked to realise this woman is not the first to turn up on the shore and even finds a link between the cold cases: several of the murder suspects had the same decorative tattoo inked on their skin. After some further investigating, she realises the distinctive symbol means ‘death’. Her superiors scoff at her theory, so it’s up to Sukey to prove them wrong and find the devious killer herself.
Another page turning, engrossing read, I love Sukey & how she thinks outside of the box, it seems that there could be a new love interest for her & he also thinks outside of the box too. Sukey as usual ends up with tongue lashings from Rathbone & Leach, oh how I love it when she’s proven right! My only quibble was that I felt the ending was a bit rushed. This is the tenth book in the series but whilst it could be read on its own it is a brilliant series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Sukey Reynolds is back from holiday, feeling happy and relaxed. She and Vicky have been touring the French coast, enjoying the wine and cheese, and soaking up the sun in Brittany. On their way home they stop at a motorway services & see a man acting suspiciously, they later drive passed a motorway accident & the man’s car has been involved. Back at work Sukey is sent to the charming coastal town of Clevedon, where a woman’s body has been washed up on the sandy beach. Her identity is a mystery. The police are at their wits’ end, and with no leads or suspects, Sukey decides to leaf through old cases. She is shocked to realise this woman is not the first to turn up on the shore and even finds a link between the cold cases: several of the murder suspects had the same decorative tattoo inked on their skin. After some further investigating, she realises the distinctive symbol means ‘death’. Her superiors scoff at her theory, so it’s up to Sukey to prove them wrong and find the devious killer herself.
Another page turning, engrossing read, I love Sukey & how she thinks outside of the box, it seems that there could be a new love interest for her & he also thinks outside of the box too. Sukey as usual ends up with tongue lashings from Rathbone & Leach, oh how I love it when she’s proven right! My only quibble was that I felt the ending was a bit rushed. This is the tenth book in the series but whilst it could be read on its own it is a brilliant series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 28, 2019
It’s the 10th book in the Sukey Reynolds’ saga and it’s an unputdownable whodunnit that will make you think as a detective since you will find yourself trying to help Sukey solve the case.
As in her previous books, you will be presented with great descriptions, fast paced narrative and characters that make you feel part of the setting. Looking forward to next in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and review.
As in her previous books, you will be presented with great descriptions, fast paced narrative and characters that make you feel part of the setting. Looking forward to next in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and review.
December 28, 2022
As I said in my review about the previous boo,k; I felt like I lost the light-heartedness of the series. Yes, a police procedural can be light-hearted, because this series is catalogued as a coy mystery one.
I am happy to say, I saw a change. It was more like the books of the beginning of the series. I always have liked Sukey. That has not changed, but I feel like she cannot be herself anymore. In the beginning she was a SOCO, trying to solve the murders and not staying between the lines. She did what she felt was best and not really thinking about or taking in consideration what it could mean for her job or her career.
Now I feel like she has to put her foot or even her feet on the brake, because she is a DC now. She cannot follow her hunches anymore. She can share them, but often is a bit afraid to talk about them because she fears the reactions of her superiors or colleagues.
She seems happy with her career and the move, but I think she misses her former life even if she does not talk about it.
So yes, the atmosphere was better again, but in my opinion the revelations were a bit far fetched and it felt like they were written in order to find an end to the story and not because it was the normal flow.
I will miss Sukey and Fergus, but maybe it's time to say goodbye?
If I leave these feelings out, I still can say the author, overall, wrote a great book. 4 stars
Thank you
I am happy to say, I saw a change. It was more like the books of the beginning of the series. I always have liked Sukey. That has not changed, but I feel like she cannot be herself anymore. In the beginning she was a SOCO, trying to solve the murders and not staying between the lines. She did what she felt was best and not really thinking about or taking in consideration what it could mean for her job or her career.
Now I feel like she has to put her foot or even her feet on the brake, because she is a DC now. She cannot follow her hunches anymore. She can share them, but often is a bit afraid to talk about them because she fears the reactions of her superiors or colleagues.
She seems happy with her career and the move, but I think she misses her former life even if she does not talk about it.
So yes, the atmosphere was better again, but in my opinion the revelations were a bit far fetched and it felt like they were written in order to find an end to the story and not because it was the normal flow.
I will miss Sukey and Fergus, but maybe it's time to say goodbye?
If I leave these feelings out, I still can say the author, overall, wrote a great book. 4 stars
Thank you
January 1, 2021
Barely 2 stars, I didn't really like it and only finished because I committed to the series. The series started off well for me but is getting worser and worser with each book lately. I don't think I'll be able to continue with it.
December 13, 2023
Addictive
Very addictive read. There is a head washed up on the beach. Now to find the rest of the body. Lots of action including drugs and murder. As always Very well written and great characters.
Very addictive read. There is a head washed up on the beach. Now to find the rest of the body. Lots of action including drugs and murder. As always Very well written and great characters.
April 24, 2020
Brilliant read feel like your with them all through till the end of the book enjoyed it immensely
September 17, 2019
4.5 stars. Another gripping “cozy mystery” in the Sukey series. I admit that I haven’t been reading the books in perfect order but this book could easily be a stand alone (readers of the previous books would probably enjoy it that little bit more though). I found this book slightly more gruesome compared to the previous few I’ve read but it wasn’t too bad. I’m liking Sukey more as a character as the series progresses and it’s always fascinating watching her come up with insightful ways to work out who the killer is. The ending wrapped up a little quickly but apart from that it was a very engaging read.
Thanks kindly to Netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks kindly to Netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2019
I read this book as 'Death on Clevedon Beach'
Sukey on a Murderous Trail
This is an excellent addition to the series of mostly cozy police procedural mysteries. The crime portion of the story is excellent with an absolute maze of disjointed evidence and crimes. I love how the characters change and grow through the series. Yet, each book stands alone very well. Now I am ready for the next episode! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
Sukey on a Murderous Trail
This is an excellent addition to the series of mostly cozy police procedural mysteries. The crime portion of the story is excellent with an absolute maze of disjointed evidence and crimes. I love how the characters change and grow through the series. Yet, each book stands alone very well. Now I am ready for the next episode! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
September 14, 2019
Ten books into the Sukey Reynolds series and we've seen quite a few changes. I mentioned in my review of the last couple of books that they marked a change of direction for the amateur detective, as she finally managed to join the ranks of the CID and become a 'real' detective. This book was in many ways, much more like the first few with Sukey now firmly established with a reliable and returning cast of supporting characters. From that point of view, I enjoyed it much more than her first couple of mysteries as a member of the police.
This time we see Sukey involved in the investigation of a suspicious car crash and a body that has been chopped to pieces and washed up on a local beach. At first glance, there seems to be no connection between the two crimes, but as Sukey looks into them further, there are a couple of things that suggest that there might be a link.
Although the story does revolve around a fairly gruesome discovery, the book still has a level of lightness which means that it isn't particularly hard to read. It doesn't rely upon the horror of the crime or focus upon the stomach-churning aspects of the murder.
On the whole, I enjoyed the mystery, as I always do with this series. I will say that this one did seem slightly looser than the previous stories. There were a couple of leaps that I felt pushed it even for a detective book. There were also a couple of things that didn't quite make sense. A friend of a character in the night club appearing from nowhere for no apparent reason and I'm sure that Sukey's son Fergus was attending a different university in previous books. These are just small niggles and as I've read so many of the books in the series already and so feel Sukey to be an old friend I'm happy to let them go. There aren't many more of these books to come, I'll be sad when I get to the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This time we see Sukey involved in the investigation of a suspicious car crash and a body that has been chopped to pieces and washed up on a local beach. At first glance, there seems to be no connection between the two crimes, but as Sukey looks into them further, there are a couple of things that suggest that there might be a link.
Although the story does revolve around a fairly gruesome discovery, the book still has a level of lightness which means that it isn't particularly hard to read. It doesn't rely upon the horror of the crime or focus upon the stomach-churning aspects of the murder.
On the whole, I enjoyed the mystery, as I always do with this series. I will say that this one did seem slightly looser than the previous stories. There were a couple of leaps that I felt pushed it even for a detective book. There were also a couple of things that didn't quite make sense. A friend of a character in the night club appearing from nowhere for no apparent reason and I'm sure that Sukey's son Fergus was attending a different university in previous books. These are just small niggles and as I've read so many of the books in the series already and so feel Sukey to be an old friend I'm happy to let them go. There aren't many more of these books to come, I'll be sad when I get to the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 23, 2019
When returning from holiday you don't expect to witness an argument which results in a major investigation that you become an integral part of. That is what happens to Sukey Reynolds and her friend and colleague Vicky Armstrong on their way home from France.
The man Sukey and Vicky saw becomes a major part of one case but a second distressing investigation means all members of the CID are stretched to the max. Gradually the two confusing cases become a little clearer and closer to each other and with the help of a local reporter Sukey and her team begin to discover the intricacies of what happened and why.
The end was a little disappointing, not the actual whodunnit which was inventive and very well done, but there was a couple of chapters which began with a precis of quite a lot of information which I haven't seen from this author before and seemed to instantly lessen the tension of solving the two cases. I really like the Sukey Reynolds series and this book didn't disappoint but I hope the use of precis in this way doesn't become a regular occurrence as Ms Rowlands is too good a writer to use this easy way out.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read which is part of an entertaining murder mystery series.
The man Sukey and Vicky saw becomes a major part of one case but a second distressing investigation means all members of the CID are stretched to the max. Gradually the two confusing cases become a little clearer and closer to each other and with the help of a local reporter Sukey and her team begin to discover the intricacies of what happened and why.
The end was a little disappointing, not the actual whodunnit which was inventive and very well done, but there was a couple of chapters which began with a precis of quite a lot of information which I haven't seen from this author before and seemed to instantly lessen the tension of solving the two cases. I really like the Sukey Reynolds series and this book didn't disappoint but I hope the use of precis in this way doesn't become a regular occurrence as Ms Rowlands is too good a writer to use this easy way out.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read which is part of an entertaining murder mystery series.
September 12, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Once again Betty Rowlands has written a thrilling story with Sukey Reynolds. In my opinion this was one of the most engrossing stories in the Sukey Reynolds series. While she is still acting on her famous "hunches", she is really settling in and growing as a detective with the Bristol Constabulary. Though her superiors still don't appear to want to listen to her ideas, that doesn't stop Sukey from being consistent and getting them to listen to her.
In Death At The Library (A Sukey Reynolds Mystery Book 9) Sukey and her colleague Vicky were talking about going on holiday. At the start of this book they are returning from the France and at a car stop after grabbing a hot drink they notice a suspicious character in the parking lot. This brings them into their latest case(s). There are bodies turning up, men with tattoos inked on their wrists, a cast of dodgy characters and incredible helpful neighbours.
This time around her son Fergus gets to play a huge part in helping Sukey solve a puzzling case that has many loose ends. As always Sukey ends up in trouble but this time it's not entirely her fault. Will help once again arrive in time to bail her out and just how much of a dressing-down will she get from her superiors.
An absolutely brilliant read, worthy of more than the 5 allotted stars.
Once again Betty Rowlands has written a thrilling story with Sukey Reynolds. In my opinion this was one of the most engrossing stories in the Sukey Reynolds series. While she is still acting on her famous "hunches", she is really settling in and growing as a detective with the Bristol Constabulary. Though her superiors still don't appear to want to listen to her ideas, that doesn't stop Sukey from being consistent and getting them to listen to her.
In Death At The Library (A Sukey Reynolds Mystery Book 9) Sukey and her colleague Vicky were talking about going on holiday. At the start of this book they are returning from the France and at a car stop after grabbing a hot drink they notice a suspicious character in the parking lot. This brings them into their latest case(s). There are bodies turning up, men with tattoos inked on their wrists, a cast of dodgy characters and incredible helpful neighbours.
This time around her son Fergus gets to play a huge part in helping Sukey solve a puzzling case that has many loose ends. As always Sukey ends up in trouble but this time it's not entirely her fault. Will help once again arrive in time to bail her out and just how much of a dressing-down will she get from her superiors.
An absolutely brilliant read, worthy of more than the 5 allotted stars.
September 17, 2019
This is book 10 in the wonderful "Sukey Reynolds Mystery Series". I have read the previous 9 in the series and enjoyed every book . I highly recommend this series for your reading enjoyment.. This is the perfect series for all that enjoy a English village setting, smart protagonist and great mysteries. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this next in series. My review opinions are my own..
In this next in series our Detective Sukey is settled into her new job as a official detective and loves where she lives. She is making her way within the department with a reputation for being a savvy investigator. She faces a new set of challenges when a dismembered women's body washes up on shore in their village. The body has mysterious tattoos that may be a clue to her background. Soon Sukey and team are investigating if this may be a gang that has infiltrated their little village. Sukey has the help of her team and is on the right track to solve this mysterious death.
A very well crafted mystery with enjoyable charcters and a lovely setting. The perfect British police mystery as are all in the series. I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.
In this next in series our Detective Sukey is settled into her new job as a official detective and loves where she lives. She is making her way within the department with a reputation for being a savvy investigator. She faces a new set of challenges when a dismembered women's body washes up on shore in their village. The body has mysterious tattoos that may be a clue to her background. Soon Sukey and team are investigating if this may be a gang that has infiltrated their little village. Sukey has the help of her team and is on the right track to solve this mysterious death.
A very well crafted mystery with enjoyable charcters and a lovely setting. The perfect British police mystery as are all in the series. I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.
August 21, 2019
DC Sukey Reynolds is freshly back from vacation and is quickly on not one, but two cases involving deaths. One is a woman who was cut up and her body parts disposed of and found over the course of time. The second a former military member who died in a car accident. Call her crazy, but Sukey believe they might be connected, though her superiors don’t seem to think so.
If you know Sukey, you know that her hunches often have merit and she will likely be proven correct in time. But the question is whether Sukey has enough time to help solve the murders before her time runs out. Betty Rowlands is one of the mistresses of British mysteries and I adore her strong female characters. The writing is superb, as are her whodunits. You can’t go wrong with any of the books in this or the Melissa Craig series.
If you know Sukey, you know that her hunches often have merit and she will likely be proven correct in time. But the question is whether Sukey has enough time to help solve the murders before her time runs out. Betty Rowlands is one of the mistresses of British mysteries and I adore her strong female characters. The writing is superb, as are her whodunits. You can’t go wrong with any of the books in this or the Melissa Craig series.
August 31, 2019
England, law enforcement, murder investigation, egoist, suspense, crime thriller, procedural,
The first incident seems like a nonstarter but turns into a complex investigation with ties to the drug trade. In the course of due diligence Sukey meets some interesting folks as well as some rather wispy clues. Then there are the tattoos. The other case is that of a dismembered corpse found here and there on the beach with no indication of identity or when she was murdered. The clues in this case are found serendipitously and the first questions are at least partially answered by investigating a gruesome clue found by another innocent. Personal danger seems to follow Sukey even as she takes leaps of disconnected logic to come too close to the truth.
I loved this book and this addictive series!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!
The first incident seems like a nonstarter but turns into a complex investigation with ties to the drug trade. In the course of due diligence Sukey meets some interesting folks as well as some rather wispy clues. Then there are the tattoos. The other case is that of a dismembered corpse found here and there on the beach with no indication of identity or when she was murdered. The clues in this case are found serendipitously and the first questions are at least partially answered by investigating a gruesome clue found by another innocent. Personal danger seems to follow Sukey even as she takes leaps of disconnected logic to come too close to the truth.
I loved this book and this addictive series!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!
September 15, 2019
👮Sukey's hunches turn out trumps!👍
😍 I love this series; DC Sukey Reynolds never lets her superior officers pull her away from a good hunch. Even when she is off duty, Sukey seems to stumble into sticky situations that end up in major enforcement operations and personal danger. In this story two simultaneous death investigations and some too curious civilians, including the journalist son of her neighbor, keep Sukey and her colleagues hopping. The more of this series I read, the more I enjoy the characters, the plots and author Betty Rowland's crisp, easy to read writing style. This is British murder mystery/police procedural at its most enjoyable!😊
Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
😍 I love this series; DC Sukey Reynolds never lets her superior officers pull her away from a good hunch. Even when she is off duty, Sukey seems to stumble into sticky situations that end up in major enforcement operations and personal danger. In this story two simultaneous death investigations and some too curious civilians, including the journalist son of her neighbor, keep Sukey and her colleagues hopping. The more of this series I read, the more I enjoy the characters, the plots and author Betty Rowland's crisp, easy to read writing style. This is British murder mystery/police procedural at its most enjoyable!😊
Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 9, 2018
Meh. There were enough interesting plot developments to keep me reading (dismembered bodies, anyone?), but the dialog seemed stilted (would modern-day police officers refer to a suspect as a "villain"? Shades of Gothic literature....), the characters stereotypical, and the allusions to "oriental" elements very retro, though this book was published in 2009.
September 18, 2019
I like this new Sukey! More independent and still as feisty as can be! I am so happy to see where her character is going. She has her own friends and has even taken a vacation! (Only took 10 books!) Once again she goes farther than her job description and once again this is what solves the case. Seems like she gets more support from the new team and I like that she is able to bring her SOCO training forward to help. Sukey is finally developing on her own more as an individual and I like it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
January 4, 2020
This is book 10 in the Sukey Reynolds series and it's another great addition to one of my favorite series. Sukey is just back from her Paris vacation when she is sent to Clevedon Beach to investigate a body washed up on shore. No one can identify the body and the only lead is a tattoo that Sukey finds on several other unsolved murders. Great police procedural set in England. Can be read as a stand alone but you'll want to enjoy the entire series. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 14, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book need a teensy bit less than #9 but i can't really put my finger on why.
Sukey and Vicky see a suspicious man passing off an envelope and then he dies in a car crash that seems very suspicious.
A head found on the beach is connected and our friends s and V are on the case .
I don't know, this one just seemed a lot more slow going for me.
I like it a lot, though!
I liked this book need a teensy bit less than #9 but i can't really put my finger on why.
Sukey and Vicky see a suspicious man passing off an envelope and then he dies in a car crash that seems very suspicious.
A head found on the beach is connected and our friends s and V are on the case .
I don't know, this one just seemed a lot more slow going for me.
I like it a lot, though!
September 14, 2019
Sukey on a Murderous Trail
This is an excellent addition to the series of mostly cozy police procedural mysteries. The crime portion of the story is excellent with an absolute maze of disjointed evidence and crimes. I love how the characters change and grow through the series. Yet, each book stands alone very well. Now I am ready for the next episode! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
This is an excellent addition to the series of mostly cozy police procedural mysteries. The crime portion of the story is excellent with an absolute maze of disjointed evidence and crimes. I love how the characters change and grow through the series. Yet, each book stands alone very well. Now I am ready for the next episode! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
September 18, 2019
Death on Clevedon Beach by Betty Rowlands is the tenth book in the Sukey Reynolds Mystery series. All of these books in this wonderful series are a cosy police mystery, They are all well written and with a great plot. I just these books. All the characters are likeable and they alway have a good part in these books.
I have just loved them.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.
I have just loved them.
Big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.
October 25, 2009
Policewomen Sukey and Vicky see a suspicious transaction at a highway rest stop, and report it. Then one of the people involved dies in an accident on their turf, and the women, especially Sukey, become involved in the case. Sukey's instinct tells her that the accident is connected to the recent, gruesome murder of a woman, but it takes her bosses a while to come around to her point of view.
October 13, 2019
Another great story
The Sukey Reynolds series just keeps getting better and better. Great characters, great story lines and plenty of action with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing right up to the end.
The Sukey Reynolds series just keeps getting better and better. Great characters, great story lines and plenty of action with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing right up to the end.
August 12, 2013
Really liked this book.
The story was interesting but not too complex.
The characters were well written and easy to like.
I will be looking for more in this series.
The story was interesting but not too complex.
The characters were well written and easy to like.
I will be looking for more in this series.
August 13, 2019
The best so far
October 1, 2019
Another Betty Rowlands success
Betty has bought us another interesting story . I found difficult
To put down right through to the last page. Worth 5 stars in my opinion.
Betty has bought us another interesting story . I found difficult
To put down right through to the last page. Worth 5 stars in my opinion.
December 17, 2019
A very enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing
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