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DI Ruth Hunter #2
The Harlech Beach Killings
A murdered millionaire. A violent drug operation. Can a detective with a haunted past stop the next assassination?
Detective Inspector Ruth Hunter is still struggling to deal with her stress. So when the body of a businessman washes up on a secluded North Wales shore, the former London cop is anxious to prove she can lead the local investigative team and nail the killer. But as she digs into the dead millionaire's business affairs, DI Hunter discovers a disturbing link to an infamous Liverpudlian drug lord...
Tracking down clues alongside a hot-headed partner, she worries his private vendetta could seriously jeopardize bringing the gangster to justice. And between botched raids, tight-lipped suspects, and a slew of cold case murders, she's sure the criminal mastermind must have corrupt players in his pocket...
Can Hunter take down the mobster before he orders a highly personal hit?
The Harlech Beach Killings is the second book in the suspenseful Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller series. If you like chilling police procedurals, true-to-life characters, and psychological twists, then you'll love Simon McCleave's page-turning thrill ride. A murdered millionaire. A violent drug operation. Can a detective with a haunted past stop the next assassination?
Detective Inspector Ruth Hunter is still struggling to deal with her stress. So when the body of a businessman washes up on a secluded North Wales shore, the former London cop is anxious to prove she can lead the local investigative team and nail the killer. But as she digs into the dead millionaire's business affairs, DI Hunter discovers a disturbing link to an infamous Liverpudlian drug lord...
Tracking down clues alongside a hot-headed partner, she worries his private vendetta could seriously jeopardize bringing the gangster to justice. And between botched raids, tight-lipped suspects, and a slew of cold case murders, she's sure the criminal mastermind must have corrupt players in his pocket...
Can Hunter take down the mobster before he orders a highly personal hit?
The Harlech Beach Killings is the second book in the suspenseful Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller series. If you like chilling police procedurals, true-to-life characters, and psychological twists, then you'll love Simon McCleave's page-turning thrill ride. A murdered millionaire. A violent drug operation. Can a detective with a haunted past stop the next assassination?
392 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
September 24, 2020
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Snowdonia Killings, which had an interesting historical connection to the crimes. This second book is a solid, if uninspired sequel with our two detectives, DI Ruth Hunter investigating the murder of a millionare businessman and DS Nick Evans involved in a sting operation to catch a local drug lord. Unfortunately, I had trouble becoming invested in either story line .
However, the longer term story lines might just pull me back for one more book. Ruth's personal life has become more complicated with the start of a relationship with a colleague, while the ten year old investigation into the disappearance of her missing partner, Sarah, has been re-opened. Poor old Nick, who has been sober for over ten months has unfortunately fallen off the wagon after attending a dying man and is once again trying to function as a police officer while drinking on the job. This is just such an awful and unnecessary cliche, that I hope his alcoholic yoyo-ing won't become a permanent theme in the series, as he is otherwise a very competent detective and likeable character and a good patrol partner for Ruth. 3.5★
However, the longer term story lines might just pull me back for one more book. Ruth's personal life has become more complicated with the start of a relationship with a colleague, while the ten year old investigation into the disappearance of her missing partner, Sarah, has been re-opened. Poor old Nick, who has been sober for over ten months has unfortunately fallen off the wagon after attending a dying man and is once again trying to function as a police officer while drinking on the job. This is just such an awful and unnecessary cliche, that I hope his alcoholic yoyo-ing won't become a permanent theme in the series, as he is otherwise a very competent detective and likeable character and a good patrol partner for Ruth. 3.5★
August 29, 2021
The beginning of the book was a little slow but midway the story really picked up. Another great police procedural with DI Ruth Hunter in the main role.
This was my 100th book and with it I finished my 2021 reading challenge.
This was my 100th book and with it I finished my 2021 reading challenge.
June 26, 2020
The Harlech Beach Killings is the second book in the DI Ruth Hunter series by British author, Simon McCleave. Some eighteen months after the murders at Ysgol Dinas Padog, the violent death of a young man sees DS Nick Evans once again resorting to the crutch of alcohol after ten months dry. Meanwhile, DI Ruth Hunter is getting heartily sick of her “phased” return to CID duties: community liaison may be important, but Ruth longs to get her teeth into some real policing.
Nick is frustrated by the apparent legal invulnerability of his long-time foe, Curtis Blake, now virtual king of Liverpool’s drug scene and looking to expand into Wales. Nick wants to see Blake imprisoned or dead. When the Superintendent sends Ruth out on a routine misper call, it’s only the fact that wealthy Owen Ankers in the ex-husband of Assistant Chief Constable, Beth Davenport that prevents Ruth from quitting altogether.
But when Ankers turns up dead, Ruth is pleased to be appointed SIO, heading the investigative team again. But progress in the case is slow, with witness accounts less than reliable, and hints that the victim’s organic food business may be mixed up with a drug courier scheme involving Curtis Blake. There is talk of an informant in the Police service, and Ruth is also distracted by possible developments in the case of her long-missing lover.
With Nick Evans, McCleave paints a very credible picture of an alcoholic, but having two protagonists with ongoing issues that ensure their daily performance is often below par, may begin to wear a bit thin. While there are more significant typographical errors than one would expect in a final published copy, the plot is engrossing and McCleave keeps the reader guessing right up to the final pages which, of course, draw attention to unresolved matters to entice the reader into the next volume, The Dee Valley Killings. Gripping Welsh crime fiction.
Nick is frustrated by the apparent legal invulnerability of his long-time foe, Curtis Blake, now virtual king of Liverpool’s drug scene and looking to expand into Wales. Nick wants to see Blake imprisoned or dead. When the Superintendent sends Ruth out on a routine misper call, it’s only the fact that wealthy Owen Ankers in the ex-husband of Assistant Chief Constable, Beth Davenport that prevents Ruth from quitting altogether.
But when Ankers turns up dead, Ruth is pleased to be appointed SIO, heading the investigative team again. But progress in the case is slow, with witness accounts less than reliable, and hints that the victim’s organic food business may be mixed up with a drug courier scheme involving Curtis Blake. There is talk of an informant in the Police service, and Ruth is also distracted by possible developments in the case of her long-missing lover.
With Nick Evans, McCleave paints a very credible picture of an alcoholic, but having two protagonists with ongoing issues that ensure their daily performance is often below par, may begin to wear a bit thin. While there are more significant typographical errors than one would expect in a final published copy, the plot is engrossing and McCleave keeps the reader guessing right up to the final pages which, of course, draw attention to unresolved matters to entice the reader into the next volume, The Dee Valley Killings. Gripping Welsh crime fiction.
March 16, 2020
Just as exciting as the first book. Can't wait to read book #3 when it comes out next month.
February 11, 2020
The Harlech Beach Killings serves us a murdered millionaire, a violent drug lord and oh so many suspects!
Ruth is still dealing with stress and searching for answers ... I won't elaborate and give anything away. Nick continues to drink himself into oblivion, has a private vendetta against the drug lord and could jeopardize the entire investigation. We meet some new characters in the second book of the series... some that look to be joining us in the third book.
That cliffhanger though ... COME ON! I need ANSWERS!
Overall I enjoyed The Harlech Beach Killings and am looking forward to the next in the series. Thank you to Simon for my review copy.
Ruth is still dealing with stress and searching for answers ... I won't elaborate and give anything away. Nick continues to drink himself into oblivion, has a private vendetta against the drug lord and could jeopardize the entire investigation. We meet some new characters in the second book of the series... some that look to be joining us in the third book.
That cliffhanger though ... COME ON! I need ANSWERS!
Overall I enjoyed The Harlech Beach Killings and am looking forward to the next in the series. Thank you to Simon for my review copy.
January 11, 2021
3.5 rounded up
I'm enjoying this series (2nd book of detective mystery with DI Ruth Hunter) and although it can be a bit gruesome and gritty I do find a measure of comfort in it; it follows all the detective tropes and I like the characters. The best thing about it is the setting.
It's not perfect (some realism issues) but I read fiction not non-fiction so I'm fine with that.
More please!
I'm enjoying this series (2nd book of detective mystery with DI Ruth Hunter) and although it can be a bit gruesome and gritty I do find a measure of comfort in it; it follows all the detective tropes and I like the characters. The best thing about it is the setting.
It's not perfect (some realism issues) but I read fiction not non-fiction so I'm fine with that.
More please!
August 4, 2022
could be so much better
Not terribly well written which I’d forgive for a really good story but not that in this either. So this is the last. I also appreciate the righting of the Welsh wrongs but it reads so unsophisticatedly in parts it’s frankly annoying
Not terribly well written which I’d forgive for a really good story but not that in this either. So this is the last. I also appreciate the righting of the Welsh wrongs but it reads so unsophisticatedly in parts it’s frankly annoying
September 19, 2021
I can’t believe that none of the reviews seem to have commented on the discrepancies in the text. I am enjoying these books for what they are - easy to read crime thrillers. BUT ... I also find myself annoyed by the sloppy writing and lack of proof reading and editing. There are instances of poorly constructed sentences, missing prepositions, the same adjective used more than once in a sentence, for example. There are also inconsistencies in the text and I found these really distracting because I had to go back each time to check that I hadn’t misread something. A main character is described early on as being unable to father children, but later on we learn that he does in fact have children - yet no explanation is given. The main action of the book begins in July 2018 and on p.87 we learn that Ruth’s partner Sarah went missing in November 2014. A few pages on we are told that the fifth anniversary of the disappearance is in November. Then on page 101 the date of the disappearance is given as November 2013. On page 228, the twins’ mother is named as Lynn Stephens, but less than 20 pages later (p. 244) her name is given as Kim Goodman. A fake Rolex watch which hasn’t worked for 15 years suddenly has a moving second hand only five pages on. This kind of sloppiness is annoying!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2020
Quite a good plot, with a few loose ends - are these for the next book? I do find the 'tortured cops with personal problems' a bit of a cliche and rather overdone here. The local details are a bit overdone too - I don't need to know how Rhyl got its name, it adds nothing to the book nor to an outsider's understanding of the area. It has the feeling of the writer having recently moved to the area and wanting to show off a bit. That apart, it's an entertaining read.
June 29, 2020
Actual rating 2.5*
The Harlech Beach Killings had all the elements of a good crime procedural but it missed the mark for me. Some of my issues are down to the writing, which I felt needed more editing (there was one sentence which read to the tune of "Davenport was approaching and Ruth looked up as she approached"). The dialogue too felt a little flat - I found Ruth and Sian's argument towards the end particularly unconvincing. Also, I know the setting is important and the author (I am guessing) clearly knows Snowdonia well, but the long passages describing everywhere Nick and Ruth went had me skimming (I'm sure others will love them, though).
Putting this aside and looking at the plot, I think the biggest reason I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped is it felt like a lot of the plot strands were disconnected.
We open with the Mark Ferguson death which has impact but then is dropped until it comes back right at the end.
There seems no purpose to David disappearing from hospital.
The long sections from Libby and Abi's past feel unnecessary and could just as easily be axed.
The revelation that felt as though it had no point other than shock value () And .
The murder victim being the ex-husband of a high-ranking officer came to nothing, as did hints that he was gay.
The possible link to the past murders lacked any depth and only tenuously connected to the main plot (I liked the idea that the police were forced to investigate a link when they were sure there wasn't one, but...).
And most of the book Ruth and Nick are investigating apart, which meant that I couldn't invest in their promising colleague dynamic.
I think the more I write, the more I realise that unfortunately I didn't find very much in the book convincing at all, though the actual police procedures were accurate and the author has clearly done very good and needed research there.
On the positive side, I did like Ruth, though I'm not sure I'll bother reading about her again, and I did also like Nick, though I could have done with less on his alcoholism (I'll let that pass, though, as I understand an addiction like that is in many ways repetitive). I think people who are perhaps less well read in this kind of book and know the setting will enjoy it a lot more than I did.
The Harlech Beach Killings had all the elements of a good crime procedural but it missed the mark for me. Some of my issues are down to the writing, which I felt needed more editing (there was one sentence which read to the tune of "Davenport was approaching and Ruth looked up as she approached"). The dialogue too felt a little flat - I found Ruth and Sian's argument towards the end particularly unconvincing. Also, I know the setting is important and the author (I am guessing) clearly knows Snowdonia well, but the long passages describing everywhere Nick and Ruth went had me skimming (I'm sure others will love them, though).
Putting this aside and looking at the plot, I think the biggest reason I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped is it felt like a lot of the plot strands were disconnected.
We open with the Mark Ferguson death which has impact but then is dropped until it comes back right at the end.
There seems no purpose to David disappearing from hospital.
The long sections from Libby and Abi's past feel unnecessary and could just as easily be axed.
The revelation that felt as though it had no point other than shock value () And .
The murder victim being the ex-husband of a high-ranking officer came to nothing, as did hints that he was gay.
The possible link to the past murders lacked any depth and only tenuously connected to the main plot (I liked the idea that the police were forced to investigate a link when they were sure there wasn't one, but...).
And most of the book Ruth and Nick are investigating apart, which meant that I couldn't invest in their promising colleague dynamic.
I think the more I write, the more I realise that unfortunately I didn't find very much in the book convincing at all, though the actual police procedures were accurate and the author has clearly done very good and needed research there.
On the positive side, I did like Ruth, though I'm not sure I'll bother reading about her again, and I did also like Nick, though I could have done with less on his alcoholism (I'll let that pass, though, as I understand an addiction like that is in many ways repetitive). I think people who are perhaps less well read in this kind of book and know the setting will enjoy it a lot more than I did.
November 9, 2020
It's like this series can't figure out what it wants to be - a police procedural or a personal tragedy. I would prefer the former (hence the low rating), and I would prefer a LOT less sex, especially of the explicit variety.
With respect to the police procedural side, it's good. The characters make mistakes (speaking of their police work here, not their personal lives) and pay for them. They have successful moments as well, and enjoy them. That part is really good. Their work doesn't immediately pan out - there are false leads, promising leads that turn out to be dead ends, and some really interesting twists and turns. That part is fine.
Their personal lives - continue to be a shambles. Which is probably realistic, but it is hard to believe that any one - especially a small, out of the way - office would have so many people whose lives are complete disasters.
With respect to the police procedural side, it's good. The characters make mistakes (speaking of their police work here, not their personal lives) and pay for them. They have successful moments as well, and enjoy them. That part is really good. Their work doesn't immediately pan out - there are false leads, promising leads that turn out to be dead ends, and some really interesting twists and turns. That part is fine.
Their personal lives - continue to be a shambles. Which is probably realistic, but it is hard to believe that any one - especially a small, out of the way - office would have so many people whose lives are complete disasters.
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December 2, 2021I’ve lost interest. Can’t focus. Gave up at 70% into the book. Too bad I liked the first book a lot.
February 27, 2025
3.5+ 2nd book I have read by the author.. I know the area and enjoying the characters.. I will look forward to book 3.
June 15, 2020
Too many lose ends.
February 20, 2025
A solid 2nd installment to this series.
An interesting story with multiple plot lines. Do they tie together or not? Multiple suspects. Whose the guilty party?
There is more character development in this book with the main people, which is done very well.
I am curious to follow both Ruth and Nick's journeys and see how their personal stories unfold. Will Ruth ever find out the truth about her significant other Sarah who went missing? Will Nick ever get his 'shit' together? Guess I'll find out as I continue the series.
I am now three books in to my introduction of this author, and I am enjoying the ride.
An interesting story with multiple plot lines. Do they tie together or not? Multiple suspects. Whose the guilty party?
There is more character development in this book with the main people, which is done very well.
I am curious to follow both Ruth and Nick's journeys and see how their personal stories unfold. Will Ruth ever find out the truth about her significant other Sarah who went missing? Will Nick ever get his 'shit' together? Guess I'll find out as I continue the series.
I am now three books in to my introduction of this author, and I am enjoying the ride.
May 17, 2022
I was curious to see if the series improved with the 2nd novel and although it was ok, it hasn’t encouraged me to read any more. It’s like reading Line of Duty but it’s a poor copy and some of the characters are a bit annoying. I gave it 3 stars as it was easy enough to read without using many brain cells!
July 26, 2025
Started slow and then picked up momentum midway through but ruined with an ending that seemed rushed with so many loose ends not even addressed.
September 9, 2022
3 stars
A bit of a long book with a few loose ends.
A bit of a long book with a few loose ends.
November 2, 2022
better and better
Second book in series and I was not disappointed a great book with a good storyline lots of twists and turns and a cliffhanger at the end can’t wait to read the next one
Second book in series and I was not disappointed a great book with a good storyline lots of twists and turns and a cliffhanger at the end can’t wait to read the next one
March 14, 2020
Great read
Have thoroughly enjoyed both of these DI Ruth Hunter books, talk about being left on a cliff hanger lol, can't wait for April when book 3 comes out.
Have thoroughly enjoyed both of these DI Ruth Hunter books, talk about being left on a cliff hanger lol, can't wait for April when book 3 comes out.
February 27, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I thought the criminal investigation was interesting and well-done. I had a few issues with the two main characters, though. They were likable enough and got the job done, but I felt they got bogged down by their personal demons. I understand that characters can’t exist in a vacuum, but their lives should fit naturally into the narrative, and I didn’t get that here. I do think if I had read the first book and had a little more background, it might have been a better read. I would still recommend it because there were some great twists. This review was based on a pre-release digital copy of the book.
March 31, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the DI Ruth Hunter series. In fact, i liked this one better than the first.
The story-line was interesting and kept me fully engrossed. The development of Ruths character is giving me a better understanding of who she is. Nick, her partner, still with his struggle with alcoholism has me hoping and wishing he comes right. The interaction between the two is great and the no-nonsense duo seem to have developed an interesting easy working relationship. I can't wait to see how they and the other characters develop.
I would recommend this well written "un-put-downable" book and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
The story-line was interesting and kept me fully engrossed. The development of Ruths character is giving me a better understanding of who she is. Nick, her partner, still with his struggle with alcoholism has me hoping and wishing he comes right. The interaction between the two is great and the no-nonsense duo seem to have developed an interesting easy working relationship. I can't wait to see how they and the other characters develop.
I would recommend this well written "un-put-downable" book and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
July 11, 2024
DI Ruth Hunter has a lot of baggage, and so does her Team!
A very compelling story, of a squad that are not really misfits, all good coppers, just alcoholics, depressed, and mentally damaged.
They catch the case of a millionaire that had Been murdered, a hit, possibly, by a drug kingpin. A young girl was seen with him, could she have done it or was she also possible target? How did the hit man know where he'd be? Well, A mole on the force had been feeding these dealers the info.
So Ruth and Nick (who has a serious drinking problem) need to find out the facts behind The Harlech Beach Killings!
Plot twist at the end, I think you'll enjoy this installment.
A very compelling story, of a squad that are not really misfits, all good coppers, just alcoholics, depressed, and mentally damaged.
They catch the case of a millionaire that had Been murdered, a hit, possibly, by a drug kingpin. A young girl was seen with him, could she have done it or was she also possible target? How did the hit man know where he'd be? Well, A mole on the force had been feeding these dealers the info.
So Ruth and Nick (who has a serious drinking problem) need to find out the facts behind The Harlech Beach Killings!
Plot twist at the end, I think you'll enjoy this installment.
February 7, 2020
DI Ruth Hunter is trying get damndest to get back to the hub of the force after her last case.
Nick is slowly killing him self with his alcoholism and trying to capture an infamous gangster who is blurring the county lines with drugs and violence.
When a body appears Ruth is back in charge along with the team to investigate.
After reading the first one, I looked forward to reading about these characters again and this didn’t disappoint. Definitely well established and Ruth was more human in this one. Thank you Simon for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Nick is slowly killing him self with his alcoholism and trying to capture an infamous gangster who is blurring the county lines with drugs and violence.
When a body appears Ruth is back in charge along with the team to investigate.
After reading the first one, I looked forward to reading about these characters again and this didn’t disappoint. Definitely well established and Ruth was more human in this one. Thank you Simon for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
February 9, 2023
I enjoyed this book more than the first one in the series but still have some questions about chronology and clues that are not followed up.
March 3, 2020
4 Stars from me
This was my first introduction to DI Ruth Hunter and I found her to be an easy to engage with lead character.
Having recently holidayed in Wales it was easy for me to conjure up images of the area and found this added to the atmosphere of the book.
I feel the need to go back and read book one to find out more about Hunter's need to re-integrate with the police and her team - there's clearly a great back story here.
Her partner Nick is an interesting character, classic alcoholism and a dangerous vendetta - what's not to love?
All in all a good read with the promise of more to come in the next book it the series!
My thanks to Simon McCleave and Damp Pebbles for letting me take part in this blog tour.
This was my first introduction to DI Ruth Hunter and I found her to be an easy to engage with lead character.
Having recently holidayed in Wales it was easy for me to conjure up images of the area and found this added to the atmosphere of the book.
I feel the need to go back and read book one to find out more about Hunter's need to re-integrate with the police and her team - there's clearly a great back story here.
Her partner Nick is an interesting character, classic alcoholism and a dangerous vendetta - what's not to love?
All in all a good read with the promise of more to come in the next book it the series!
My thanks to Simon McCleave and Damp Pebbles for letting me take part in this blog tour.
January 11, 2026
The Harlech Beach Killings is book two in the DI Ruth Hunter series by Simon McCleave. Due to stress, Detective Inspector Ruth Hunter moved from London to North Wales and joined the Liverpudlian law enforcement when she caught a case involving the body of a businessman, which was found on a secluded North Wales shore. To complicate the case, the murder victim was the ACC Davenport's ex-husband, which caused another level of stress. Intertwined with the murder case, Detective Inspector Ruth Hunter and Detective Sergeant Nick Evans were involved with the task force to catch a local drug lord. Readers of The Harlech Beach Killings will continue to follow DI Ruth Hunter and Detective Sergeant Nick Evans as they investigate what happened.
The Harlech Beach Killings is the second book I have read by Simon McCleave, and I continue to enjoy reading his books. I engage with the story and the characters of The Harlech Beach Killings from the first page through the end. Simon McCleave highlights social issues and how they affect everyone around them, which started me thinking about them. Simon McCleave did an excellent job of showing the problems caused by law enforcement corruption.
I enjoy the way Simon McCleave portrays his characters and their interactions throughout this book. The Harlech Beach Killings is well written and researched by Simon McCleave. I like Simon McCleave's descriptions of the settings in The Harlech Beach Killings, which let me imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
The Harlech Beach Killings is the second book I have read by Simon McCleave, and I continue to enjoy reading his books. I engage with the story and the characters of The Harlech Beach Killings from the first page through the end. Simon McCleave highlights social issues and how they affect everyone around them, which started me thinking about them. Simon McCleave did an excellent job of showing the problems caused by law enforcement corruption.
I enjoy the way Simon McCleave portrays his characters and their interactions throughout this book. The Harlech Beach Killings is well written and researched by Simon McCleave. I like Simon McCleave's descriptions of the settings in The Harlech Beach Killings, which let me imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
July 9, 2024
DI Ruth Hunter is investigating the death of a local billionaire. Could he and his partner have been involved with a local drug lord? Ruth's partner Nick, who can't seem to function without alcohol, is determined to catch the sociopathic drug dealer, but it seems as if there is a leak in the police department. There was a bit of a cliffhanger ending, which was disappointing.
June 25, 2020
Several surprise ending twists made the story better. I don't care for Hunter's personal story as much as Nick's. I wasn't impressed though that he got back on the sauce at the beginning. He is interesting though. The novel had a lot of elements that the writer skillfully wove into a great story.
February 17, 2021
The very first sentence of the book mentions the village of Beddlegert, which just happens to be where one of my Welsh ancestors came from. Although I chose to read this series because it is set in Wales, the mystery keeps you guessing up to the end and waiting for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews