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DI Ruth Hunter #14
The Llandudno Pier Killings
THE LLANDUDNO PIER KILLINGS
When the body of a local boat tour operator is found on the beach beside Llandudno Pier, it seems that her murder might be linked to an ongoing rivalry with a new boat tour company. However, when it is discovered that the victim had recently started a relationship with a much younger man, the focus of the investigation changes.
When another body is discovered hidden on a boat, Ruth and her team are forced to re-evaluate the case. With time running out, Ruth realises that the victim's plans for a new life might just be the key to finding the killer.
The Llandudno Pier Killings is the fourteenth book in the DI Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller Snowdonia 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. Perfect for fans of JD Kirk, JM Dalgleish, Rachel McLean and LJ Ross.
When the body of a local boat tour operator is found on the beach beside Llandudno Pier, it seems that her murder might be linked to an ongoing rivalry with a new boat tour company. However, when it is discovered that the victim had recently started a relationship with a much younger man, the focus of the investigation changes.
When another body is discovered hidden on a boat, Ruth and her team are forced to re-evaluate the case. With time running out, Ruth realises that the victim's plans for a new life might just be the key to finding the killer.
The Llandudno Pier Killings is the fourteenth book in the DI Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller Snowdonia 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. Perfect for fans of JD Kirk, JM Dalgleish, Rachel McLean and LJ Ross.
308 pages, Paperback
Published February 9, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
March 14, 2023
Surprising errors spoil the book
There were 2 egregious mistakes, totally unnecessary to the story, but enough to nag at me throughout the book. Both dealt with women and pregnancy. The first was when a female who had never had a child knew she was pregnant after two weeks and suffered from horrible morning sickness. The second was when an autopsy showed that a 52 year old woman was 3 months pregnant. I'm not saying it was impossible, but it was certainly rare enough for someone to have commented on it.
I usually like the Snowdonia Murder Mysteries, but these two errors bothered me.
There were 2 egregious mistakes, totally unnecessary to the story, but enough to nag at me throughout the book. Both dealt with women and pregnancy. The first was when a female who had never had a child knew she was pregnant after two weeks and suffered from horrible morning sickness. The second was when an autopsy showed that a 52 year old woman was 3 months pregnant. I'm not saying it was impossible, but it was certainly rare enough for someone to have commented on it.
I usually like the Snowdonia Murder Mysteries, but these two errors bothered me.
February 25, 2023
I enjoy the stories of these, but there are creeping factual errors and frustrating mistakes which distract. I'm also sure there are adjectives other than sardonic.
March 29, 2024
Another great book. Had me on the edge of my seat anxiously hoping bad things didn't happen to good people.
February 20, 2023
Some typos that an electronic spell checker wouldn't catch, but an editor should have. Still, always great to see what Ruth & Nick & the gang are up to.
March 26, 2023
I like the D I Ruth Hunter books. Worth giving it a read.
December 22, 2025
Cliffhanger
This is an ongoing series, I think like most readers we have become very attached to these characters. It a big risk putting the most vulnerable characters in life threatening situation. Like others I am anxious to continue reading . Both Ruth and Nick have survived more than their s hare of difficult situations , this new one hits very close to home and one wonders how long their luck will hold out. Before things don't work out.
This is an ongoing series, I think like most readers we have become very attached to these characters. It a big risk putting the most vulnerable characters in life threatening situation. Like others I am anxious to continue reading . Both Ruth and Nick have survived more than their s hare of difficult situations , this new one hits very close to home and one wonders how long their luck will hold out. Before things don't work out.
September 8, 2024
Another fabulous Book in the series!
A family run boat tour company, A rival company running drugs by some well know dealers, and then two of the family members are dead, the mother and son, leaving only the daughter left.
Ruth and Georgie are hot on the case, as it unfolds, who you think is the obvious suspects are not, and who it turns out to be is easily expected as the investigation gains momentum.
Nick escapes prison, and finally gets the evidence he needs to put Curtis Blake behind bars for a long time. But, just as he gains freedom, Amanda (wife) and Megan (daughter) are taken! Is Blake behind this? Will Nick get his total freedom back? And what case will the CID Team catch next?
A family run boat tour company, A rival company running drugs by some well know dealers, and then two of the family members are dead, the mother and son, leaving only the daughter left.
Ruth and Georgie are hot on the case, as it unfolds, who you think is the obvious suspects are not, and who it turns out to be is easily expected as the investigation gains momentum.
Nick escapes prison, and finally gets the evidence he needs to put Curtis Blake behind bars for a long time. But, just as he gains freedom, Amanda (wife) and Megan (daughter) are taken! Is Blake behind this? Will Nick get his total freedom back? And what case will the CID Team catch next?
February 25, 2023
Another strong DI Ruth Hunter tale
This is a really fast moving story, and my one regret is that I wasn't able to read it in one sitting. There's a really got mix of an on going issue in the series with a new investigation. Some of the characters are becoming quite familiar to regular readers, but Simon McCleave always manages to throw us a curved ball on at least one of them. Looking forward to the next in this great series.
This is a really fast moving story, and my one regret is that I wasn't able to read it in one sitting. There's a really got mix of an on going issue in the series with a new investigation. Some of the characters are becoming quite familiar to regular readers, but Simon McCleave always manages to throw us a curved ball on at least one of them. Looking forward to the next in this great series.
August 31, 2023
???
She was hit on head but had water in her lungs so why didn't Ruth figure out she didn't die in her room at the inn???
She was hit on head but had water in her lungs so why didn't Ruth figure out she didn't die in her room at the inn???
May 17, 2024
I have stuck with this series because it has its good points and always ends on a cliffhanger so I am interested to see where that will lead. However I am getting increasingly irritated by the repetition of what has gone on previously, which in the case of the Sarah storyline seems to go on for pages (I could almost write it myself from memory I have read it that often) as it now includes not only her disappearance but also how she is rescued.
This book has really made me lose patience however. Does the author even remember what he has written. In this story the postmortem confirms that the victim had a bash on the back of her head but that she had actually drowned as there was water in her lungs. Move forward a day or so and the crime scene is located and suddenly the same pathologist is saying that she was hit on the head, died and was wrapped in a carpet and moved to the beach where she was found……. Who proofreads the book - the author should sack them!
I think we all now know that suspects “regulation grey tracksuits” during interview - as we are told every time one is interviewed.
……. and find some other word for “empathetic” and “quipped”
The author’s explanation in every book as to what HOLMES (and other acronyms) stands for is tedious, and spoils the flow of the story. And surely he doesn’t have to explain what a burner phone is (and does it really need to be written as “a ‘burner’ phone”)?
The author should also do some research. To sell a company you can’t just file a few forms at companies house before you even have a buyer, and companies house certainly don’t email the directors to let them know - ever - and certainly not within hours of the forms going in. That part of the storyline was ridiculous !
It maybe because I have read all the books one after the other that these things have annoyed me.
This book has really made me lose patience however. Does the author even remember what he has written. In this story the postmortem confirms that the victim had a bash on the back of her head but that she had actually drowned as there was water in her lungs. Move forward a day or so and the crime scene is located and suddenly the same pathologist is saying that she was hit on the head, died and was wrapped in a carpet and moved to the beach where she was found……. Who proofreads the book - the author should sack them!
I think we all now know that suspects “regulation grey tracksuits” during interview - as we are told every time one is interviewed.
……. and find some other word for “empathetic” and “quipped”
The author’s explanation in every book as to what HOLMES (and other acronyms) stands for is tedious, and spoils the flow of the story. And surely he doesn’t have to explain what a burner phone is (and does it really need to be written as “a ‘burner’ phone”)?
The author should also do some research. To sell a company you can’t just file a few forms at companies house before you even have a buyer, and companies house certainly don’t email the directors to let them know - ever - and certainly not within hours of the forms going in. That part of the storyline was ridiculous !
It maybe because I have read all the books one after the other that these things have annoyed me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2025
Really, I wouldn't still be reading this series but I feel compelled to see it through since I've invested this much time in it already. And I'm two-thirds of the way through now. Given that I'm reading it on Kindle Unlimited, I can justify that at least I'm not "paying extra" for it. At least it's more or less "average" and the cliff hangers at the end of each book are teasers enough (so far) to keep me going. So, we'll see.
Problems? Where do I start? There are factual inconsistencies in the writing, typos, and incomplete sentences in every book so far. Why haven't the editors picked up on these? The consistent use of "me and ..." in dialogue drives me crazy. So many things happen that just aren't believable. I'm all for a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, but these are just laughable and ridiculous. How IS it that these "coppers" keep their jobs after losing so many of their collars on the way to jail?? Sheesh!! And then, the writing is so formulaic. OMG. There's always a chase scene and there's always a close call, a scrape by within inches, whereby a TRACTOR (for several books in a row - how believable is that?) pulls out in front of the cops between them and the criminal or, finally, a LORRY (a decidedly nice change after so many tractors). There's always a 180-degree turn in who's guilty. And, who knew, apparently, there is a dirth of names in Wales, because the same few names keep being recycled through the sequel books: Amanda, Kevin, Sian. I mean, what's up with that?
Apparently, I'm in the minority of my criticism of this series, as there are so many four and five star reviews. I see that there are other series by this author, but if they are anything like this one, I'll be taking a pass.
Problems? Where do I start? There are factual inconsistencies in the writing, typos, and incomplete sentences in every book so far. Why haven't the editors picked up on these? The consistent use of "me and ..." in dialogue drives me crazy. So many things happen that just aren't believable. I'm all for a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, but these are just laughable and ridiculous. How IS it that these "coppers" keep their jobs after losing so many of their collars on the way to jail?? Sheesh!! And then, the writing is so formulaic. OMG. There's always a chase scene and there's always a close call, a scrape by within inches, whereby a TRACTOR (for several books in a row - how believable is that?) pulls out in front of the cops between them and the criminal or, finally, a LORRY (a decidedly nice change after so many tractors). There's always a 180-degree turn in who's guilty. And, who knew, apparently, there is a dirth of names in Wales, because the same few names keep being recycled through the sequel books: Amanda, Kevin, Sian. I mean, what's up with that?
Apparently, I'm in the minority of my criticism of this series, as there are so many four and five star reviews. I see that there are other series by this author, but if they are anything like this one, I'll be taking a pass.
July 12, 2023
Banged up.
With Nick Evans incarceration still central, the case will obviously be continued in book 15 of the Ruth Hunter series.
I anticipated the events at the end of this book from half way through. Nick has three weak spots - Amanda & Megan, Alcohol and Ruth - two are being utilised by Curtis Blake to exact revenge and manipulate him. Bent coppers are at his disposal and will use them as needed.
Cliff hangers are great, when you know there is a deep drop and no safety net. However in this case you are aware from previous events, that it is highly likely, a last minute safety net will appear or a hidden ledge concealed by bushes 6ft down.
Have to admit, the stand alone books are my preference. They have a beginning,middle and end still have the odd seemingly insignificant thread which is captured in the next tome.
Easy to pick up and out down as required.
With Nick Evans incarceration still central, the case will obviously be continued in book 15 of the Ruth Hunter series.
I anticipated the events at the end of this book from half way through. Nick has three weak spots - Amanda & Megan, Alcohol and Ruth - two are being utilised by Curtis Blake to exact revenge and manipulate him. Bent coppers are at his disposal and will use them as needed.
Cliff hangers are great, when you know there is a deep drop and no safety net. However in this case you are aware from previous events, that it is highly likely, a last minute safety net will appear or a hidden ledge concealed by bushes 6ft down.
Have to admit, the stand alone books are my preference. They have a beginning,middle and end still have the odd seemingly insignificant thread which is captured in the next tome.
Easy to pick up and out down as required.
April 23, 2025
I have been reading this whole series and recently have become disenchanted. The descriptions of Wales are stunning and so we'll written and I enjoyed getting to know the characters but these neverending continuing story lines are getting old. Why does some member of the team have some personal connection to most of the cases or have friends or family members kidnapped or killed?
There are mistakes -- wrong words and even more egregious -- plot discrepancies that should have been caught.
Why can't it just be a murder mystery without all the background drama reiterated over and over. The wording isn't even changed -- copy and paste.
I think I'm done with Snowdonia. I dread the day when Daniel gets kidnapped -- I hope that doesn't happen in future books but the pattern seems to be set for this series.
Compelling cliff hanger or not, I'm not reading the next book.
There are mistakes -- wrong words and even more egregious -- plot discrepancies that should have been caught.
Why can't it just be a murder mystery without all the background drama reiterated over and over. The wording isn't even changed -- copy and paste.
I think I'm done with Snowdonia. I dread the day when Daniel gets kidnapped -- I hope that doesn't happen in future books but the pattern seems to be set for this series.
Compelling cliff hanger or not, I'm not reading the next book.
February 21, 2023
Another gripping story
There are two stories unfolding in this book. Ruth Hunter is investigating the murder of a woman in her 50s, found washed up on the beach at Llandudno. As we follow the twists of that investigation, we also have to follow the other strand, the story of Ruth’s colleague Nick who’s on the run from prison. Nick is trying to track down Curtis Blake, a Liverpool drugs gang leader, who has set Nick up as the suspect for a murder.
All I can say is that we’re left on a cliff edge waiting to find out what happens!
If you have been reading the rest of the series you’ll love this. If you haven’t, you should probably read the others first or it won’t make as much sense.
There are two stories unfolding in this book. Ruth Hunter is investigating the murder of a woman in her 50s, found washed up on the beach at Llandudno. As we follow the twists of that investigation, we also have to follow the other strand, the story of Ruth’s colleague Nick who’s on the run from prison. Nick is trying to track down Curtis Blake, a Liverpool drugs gang leader, who has set Nick up as the suspect for a murder.
All I can say is that we’re left on a cliff edge waiting to find out what happens!
If you have been reading the rest of the series you’ll love this. If you haven’t, you should probably read the others first or it won’t make as much sense.
April 23, 2023
I’m the first to admit these books are quite formulaic - with small tweaks the structure of the story is more or less the same. But what keeps me locked in to the series is the main character DI Ruth who’s is a 50-something career police woman and the author has her character & her life down to a tee. He characterises her mindset & experiences in life so well - I’d love to meet her in real life. I also like his so sympathetic characterisation of DS Nick Evans - a recovering alcoholic and although on the wagon for many years now, how it still impacts his life.
And also how areas of gorgeous North Wales are used in each story. They are described perfectly and it’s an area I visit frequently and love
And also how areas of gorgeous North Wales are used in each story. They are described perfectly and it’s an area I visit frequently and love
June 4, 2023
This title in the series is still a good one, but I also felt a bit like it was this little bit too generic. It did not really faze me, though, since there is not only the plot about the Pier killings going on, but in this title the plot around Nick becomes so much more important, and I enjoyed this part a lot.
What I also still like in this series is how we can follow the main characters through their lives. They change, their situations evolve, and they experience emotional ups and downs, too. I am still waiting for the Sarah plot to take more center stage, since this has been a thread that has been in the series from the start, and it has not been fully resolved yet.
4 out of 5 stars
What I also still like in this series is how we can follow the main characters through their lives. They change, their situations evolve, and they experience emotional ups and downs, too. I am still waiting for the Sarah plot to take more center stage, since this has been a thread that has been in the series from the start, and it has not been fully resolved yet.
4 out of 5 stars
June 12, 2024
All Came Out Right in the End...
Except... OMG. Now what? All will be revealed in the next book, hopefully. What a great rollercoaster ride. Poor Nick. How does Sarah come and go from her secret house and the baddies haven't found her??? How did Molly get a murder diagnosis of drowning in one scene and hard object impact on the head later??? The author did himself proudly poetic in his descriptions of the sea, etc. How do the police team get through so much CVTV footage??? How did forensics get DNA results in an hour??? I guess you just have to suspend reality in this series. Great teamwork, as usual. Love this set of mysteries.
Except... OMG. Now what? All will be revealed in the next book, hopefully. What a great rollercoaster ride. Poor Nick. How does Sarah come and go from her secret house and the baddies haven't found her??? How did Molly get a murder diagnosis of drowning in one scene and hard object impact on the head later??? The author did himself proudly poetic in his descriptions of the sea, etc. How do the police team get through so much CVTV footage??? How did forensics get DNA results in an hour??? I guess you just have to suspend reality in this series. Great teamwork, as usual. Love this set of mysteries.
September 23, 2024
When a woman is found on a beach near Llandudno Pier, it quickly becomes a murder investigation. As the owner of boat company, many people are under suspicion, family, colleagues, partners and a rival organisation. With Nick still trying to deal with the fallout with Curtis Blake, it is down to Ruth and Georgie to figure out who the murderer is.
The continuing storyline of Nick and Amanda continues in this instalment. With Georgie also on the brink on a long running plot that will almost feature in the future books. It will be interesting to see how those and Sarah’s plots develop and conclude.
A good read, with some decent plot twists.
4 stars.
The continuing storyline of Nick and Amanda continues in this instalment. With Georgie also on the brink on a long running plot that will almost feature in the future books. It will be interesting to see how those and Sarah’s plots develop and conclude.
A good read, with some decent plot twists.
4 stars.
March 27, 2023
As usual, this was another top read. Also as usual, I flew through it. I find the style easy to read and the storyline is always good enough to keep me hooked throughout and wanting to read more.
There were plenty of things going on here, with the Nick story on one hand and the murder of the owner of a boat company on the other hand. Just when things looked like being wrapped up neatly, there were a few twists at the end and one in particular which leaves us with a cliffhanger. Not happy! At least there's not long to wait til the next one.
There were plenty of things going on here, with the Nick story on one hand and the murder of the owner of a boat company on the other hand. Just when things looked like being wrapped up neatly, there were a few twists at the end and one in particular which leaves us with a cliffhanger. Not happy! At least there's not long to wait til the next one.
June 17, 2023
Not a bad read. I think a few factual errors were present. A 52 year old woman has only a 0-1% chance of becoming pregnant. While technically possible that little tid bit could have been left out. When Molly's body was found early on, it was sad that she was hit in the head, thrown in the water and drowned. Later she was killed in her room at the B&B. The crime part was interesting with good characters. Waiting to read the next book to see the progress of the "Nick/Amanda/Megan saga. I hope that it doesn't go on for numerous books like the sarah one.
August 27, 2023
Still good reading, but…
I am still enjoying these novels, but am a bit annoyed about complete paragraphs being inserted in each one to bring readers up to date. The other repetitions are the descriptions of fast car chases. It reminds me of a Computer Translation Programme that brought up sections of text already translated elsewhere, which one could then insert in the text with a single tap. Great for repetitive legal or commercial contracts, but a bit irritating in a crime thriller.
I am still enjoying these novels, but am a bit annoyed about complete paragraphs being inserted in each one to bring readers up to date. The other repetitions are the descriptions of fast car chases. It reminds me of a Computer Translation Programme that brought up sections of text already translated elsewhere, which one could then insert in the text with a single tap. Great for repetitive legal or commercial contracts, but a bit irritating in a crime thriller.
February 21, 2023
When I read Simons books, I'm so engrossed in the story, it's like living with the characters. I remembered the sequel to the Llandudno Pier Killings, where it left off and even after a few months, I picked up where I left off. This latest book was full of drama and thankfully it has been left open to link in with the next part of the story of DCI Nick Evans and DCI Ruth Hunter. Pre ordered it and will look forward to it. Thank you Simon McCleave for another great book.
March 5, 2023
This is an impressive book. As well as the killings of the title, we follow Nick Evans in his quest for innocence. This goes right through the book and ends with a cliff-hanger about him and his family. We get to know a little more about Ruth, although Sarah takes a back seat this time. We are also left a tease about Daniel's future and appreciated Georgie's development. Really looking forward to no. 15 in the series - what's not to like?!
Julian Tremayne, East Yorkshire
Julian Tremayne, East Yorkshire
March 21, 2023
Ruth is called to the scene when a woman's body is found on a beach. While investigating Ruth and her team, minus Nick, find the victim was having several issues with family members, business rivals and her much younger boyfriend. Which if any of them would kill her...meanwhile Nick is having issues of his own which get worse by the day and the ending is with very serious issues for him to be addressed in the next book
June 29, 2023
This book continues with some of the storylines which thread through the whole series as well as a new murder for the team to solve. Sometimes the stories feel a little far fetched but they are great for escapism and a quick read (this series I can usually do a book in a day!) If you’re looking for a new series to get stuck into, esp if you have kindle unlimited, then you can’t go wrong with this one
September 5, 2024
OK, I have enjoyed this series so far but didn't enjoy this one quite so much. As well as the current investigation of the murder if a woman found on the beach, we have a continuation of the storyline involving Nick Evans. It seems that this will continue into the next book because this book ends in a HUGE cliffhanger.which annoyed the hell out of me! Will give the next book a try and hopefully the Nick story will come to a conclusion without another cliffhanger!
March 23, 2025
Rating: 4.5*
This series gets stronger with each book. Another fast paced read, alongside the continuing situation with Nick, one of police team. My only issue is that the two elements felt a bit in conflict with each other. I found myself a little irritated being pulled from one to the other. I do wonder if it would have been better giving Nick his own book in the series rather than as an aside over a few in the series.
This series gets stronger with each book. Another fast paced read, alongside the continuing situation with Nick, one of police team. My only issue is that the two elements felt a bit in conflict with each other. I found myself a little irritated being pulled from one to the other. I do wonder if it would have been better giving Nick his own book in the series rather than as an aside over a few in the series.
February 21, 2023
Yet another great read from Simon
This fourteenth book in the D I Hunter series received one day and finished reading the next. So many twists just had to keep reading to find out who did it, and also how Nick was going to clear his name. The story ends with a cliffhanger to ensure that I read the fifteenth novel in this series.
This fourteenth book in the D I Hunter series received one day and finished reading the next. So many twists just had to keep reading to find out who did it, and also how Nick was going to clear his name. The story ends with a cliffhanger to ensure that I read the fifteenth novel in this series.
February 23, 2023
The Llandudno Pier Killings: a Snowdonia Murder Mystery (A Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller Book 14)
This was a very good read, it had so many woven threads and twists and turns but still able to follow the story. I love following Ruth Hunter in her varied career as a Police Officer. Can’t wait to see how Nick’s family’s story fans out. Thank you Simon McCleave x
This was a very good read, it had so many woven threads and twists and turns but still able to follow the story. I love following Ruth Hunter in her varied career as a Police Officer. Can’t wait to see how Nick’s family’s story fans out. Thank you Simon McCleave x
February 23, 2023
Another incredible journey
As always another brilliant book in a great series. The pace of the story and the clever way 2 stories are intertwined make it compelling to read more of the book in 1 go. Also like the way the ending leaves you counting down the days to the next book. Highly recommend all of the series.
As always another brilliant book in a great series. The pace of the story and the clever way 2 stories are intertwined make it compelling to read more of the book in 1 go. Also like the way the ending leaves you counting down the days to the next book. Highly recommend all of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews