The Snowdonia Killings by Simon McCleave.

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Publication Date - 16th January 2020

Publishers - Stamford Publishing

I received an ARC from the author in return for an honest review.

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Description

A small town murder. A big city detective.

DI Ruth Hunter's dream of escaping the murderous streets of South London to the rural peace of Snowdonia has come true - until a brutal killing turns it into her worst nightmare.

Detective Inspector Ruth Hunter lives with the pain of her partner’s mysterious and unsolved disappearance. About to hit fifty, the veteran police officer trades in the crime-ridden streets of London for a more peaceful life in rural North Wales. But Ruth has barely settled into her new position in North Wales Police, when the body of a brutally murdered woman is discovered…with strange symbols carved into her skin.

Teaming up with an obstinate deputy, Ruth struggles to eliminate anyone from a long line of suspects. When another slain victim is discovered with the same cryptic markings, she’s forced to re-think the investigation.

Has Ruth got what it takes to solve the case before the murderer attacks again?

The Snowdonia Killings is the first book in the DI Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller series and set against the majestic backdrop of Snowdonia, a timeless land of Arthurian legend, folklore and myth.

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I loved this book. Simon is a master at creating characters that sing off the page! Read my last blog post to get a feel of this wonderful author!

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The characters of Ruth and Nick are extremely well formed, a intriguing backstory for Ruth and an addiction battle for Nick. Ruth’s romantic partner suddenly went missing a few years back with no traces. Nick is an alcoholic and during is trying to detox by himself whilst working the case. After first impression prejudices have been worked out they develop into a great detective duo!

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The setting of Snowdonia allows for the mysticism of the area to filter into the narrative which only added to the complex layers in the story. I hope that this continues throughout the series. This book has all the bones to make a great police procedural series - Simon is hoping to release 5 books this year alone!! Yes, you read that right! I think if you also sign up to Simon’s newsletter on his website you get a link to download a free copy of a prequel story ‘The Theatre Street Killings’. I have also read this and it is an interesting read as it about the big break that Ruth gets at the start of her detective career.