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DI Ruth Hunter #16
The Wrexham Killings
The Wrexham Killings
When a young woman is discovered in Wrexham covered in someone else’s blood, it seems that a horrendous crime has been committed. The only questions are who and where. But there’s a major problem. She can’t remember a thing – not even her name! Once the grisly crime has been uncovered, the Llancastell CID team must track down the killer before they strike again.
When a young woman is discovered in Wrexham covered in someone else’s blood, it seems that a horrendous crime has been committed. The only questions are who and where. But there’s a major problem. She can’t remember a thing – not even her name! Once the grisly crime has been uncovered, the Llancastell CID team must track down the killer before they strike again.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2023
666 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 29, 2023
Wow what a book read it in 2 sittings. Couldn't put it down kept me on edge of chair. Highly recommend this book and series
August 5, 2023
Great work
It arrived in my kindle on Wednesday. I've finished it today,Saturday. These stories are getting better. Great work,Simon. These two storylines were excellent and fast moving too. I did figure out the perpetrator in the murder investigation about half way through. It was a brilliant finish to the book and a great lead into the next installment.
It arrived in my kindle on Wednesday. I've finished it today,Saturday. These stories are getting better. Great work,Simon. These two storylines were excellent and fast moving too. I did figure out the perpetrator in the murder investigation about half way through. It was a brilliant finish to the book and a great lead into the next installment.
September 19, 2024
A corrupt Cop, kidnapper, on the Run! A dead Mother, Daughter with Amnesia and a druggie son!
Two sensational cases in one awesome book. Ben a task force cop involved with human trafficking is found out by Georgie, so he has no choice but to take her, pick up his son, and go in the run. He has a score to settle with people that wronged him. His childhood wss messed up, and he wants justice.
French and Garrow work the case of a murdered mother and her daughter who is suffering amnesia, from a nasty smack to the head. The son, in and out of rehab is seen at the scene, and is the prime suspect. But some things just don't add up. The amnesia is all to fitting, the crime scene a tad to convenient, and a Will, was the daughter written out, does she have a motive to kill.
The kidnapping comes to a very tragic end, with the suspect dead, A DC banged up, and Ruth shot! This wss yet another 5 Star read, for a 5 Star series.
Two sensational cases in one awesome book. Ben a task force cop involved with human trafficking is found out by Georgie, so he has no choice but to take her, pick up his son, and go in the run. He has a score to settle with people that wronged him. His childhood wss messed up, and he wants justice.
French and Garrow work the case of a murdered mother and her daughter who is suffering amnesia, from a nasty smack to the head. The son, in and out of rehab is seen at the scene, and is the prime suspect. But some things just don't add up. The amnesia is all to fitting, the crime scene a tad to convenient, and a Will, was the daughter written out, does she have a motive to kill.
The kidnapping comes to a very tragic end, with the suspect dead, A DC banged up, and Ruth shot! This wss yet another 5 Star read, for a 5 Star series.
August 3, 2023
Do what is right
Georgie is at Ben's flat, the story continues from book 15. She has made the connection between Ben and the Boss.
The story continues throughout North Wales bodies and injuries add up. Resulting in a cliffhanger ending.
Meanwhile French & Garrow are called to an incident, a young woman has been found unconcious, covered in blood, but it is not her own. Taken to hospital, she is unconcious, when she wakes up, she claims she remembers nothing, not even her name. One detective believes her, the other is suspicious. Her brother, Steve is missing, they find he suffers from PTSD and is addicted to heroin. Having identified her by a receipt found on her, they track down her mother's address, but no one answers the door. Checking the back garden, the interior is visible, as is all the blood splatter.
Excellent story, well written and addictive.
Georgie is at Ben's flat, the story continues from book 15. She has made the connection between Ben and the Boss.
The story continues throughout North Wales bodies and injuries add up. Resulting in a cliffhanger ending.
Meanwhile French & Garrow are called to an incident, a young woman has been found unconcious, covered in blood, but it is not her own. Taken to hospital, she is unconcious, when she wakes up, she claims she remembers nothing, not even her name. One detective believes her, the other is suspicious. Her brother, Steve is missing, they find he suffers from PTSD and is addicted to heroin. Having identified her by a receipt found on her, they track down her mother's address, but no one answers the door. Checking the back garden, the interior is visible, as is all the blood splatter.
Excellent story, well written and addictive.
November 14, 2025
I am enjoying this series and am enjoying the characters and how they have developed and how they support each other
Based on how they follow procedure I was at a loss as to how DS Nick Evans managed to get get remanded for murder on such flimsy evidence 🤔
I'm also mystified as to where DCI Drake has gone, at one point he was considering going for a promotion and putting Ruth forward to take over his role and then nothing happens and he is no longer in the picture 🤔
Also everytime Ruth and Sarah's background comes up in every book it's like copy and paste and the same with Nick
So it just becomes something to fill the pages and really does not add to the story at all
The plots on the whole are good although sometimes a bit far fetched, in this one there is no way that Ben would not have been checked for a weapon not with the armed response team there and shooting him....come on they all knew he was armed
Based on how they follow procedure I was at a loss as to how DS Nick Evans managed to get get remanded for murder on such flimsy evidence 🤔
I'm also mystified as to where DCI Drake has gone, at one point he was considering going for a promotion and putting Ruth forward to take over his role and then nothing happens and he is no longer in the picture 🤔
Also everytime Ruth and Sarah's background comes up in every book it's like copy and paste and the same with Nick
So it just becomes something to fill the pages and really does not add to the story at all
The plots on the whole are good although sometimes a bit far fetched, in this one there is no way that Ben would not have been checked for a weapon not with the armed response team there and shooting him....come on they all knew he was armed
December 14, 2023
This is book 16 in the DI Ruth Hunter series and follows a similar theme to the rest of the series, though I did find this one more enjoyable than the previous couple.
This book sees two different narratives play out - one a murder and one an abduction - and keeps you interested from the start. There are lots of twists and turns, and a couple of cliff hanger type endings to finish on leaving you wanting to read the next book straight away. I do find a couple of characters in this series a bit annoying (Nick and Georgie especially!) but not enough to put me off reading them, and a couple of things that happened in this are a little far fetched so you do need to suspend belief for a little bit! Overall another good instalment and I’ll be reading book 17 next!
This book sees two different narratives play out - one a murder and one an abduction - and keeps you interested from the start. There are lots of twists and turns, and a couple of cliff hanger type endings to finish on leaving you wanting to read the next book straight away. I do find a couple of characters in this series a bit annoying (Nick and Georgie especially!) but not enough to put me off reading them, and a couple of things that happened in this are a little far fetched so you do need to suspend belief for a little bit! Overall another good instalment and I’ll be reading book 17 next!
May 16, 2025
Following on the previous book, this picks up as corrupt police Ben has kidnapped Georgie, and is on the run. As he then kidnaps his own child, he sets off on his own personal mission, in his mind, righting the wrongs of his childhood. Whilst George desperately tries to raise the alarm.
Alongside this, a woman is found covered in blood near Wrexham, with no memory as to how she got there or what happened. French and Garrow set out to identify her, and work out whose blood is on her clothing. As another body turns, the detectives set out to work out what really happened and who is actually responsible.
A couple of twists in both cases, and then the book finishes on a pretty major cliffhanger..
4 Stars
Alongside this, a woman is found covered in blood near Wrexham, with no memory as to how she got there or what happened. French and Garrow set out to identify her, and work out whose blood is on her clothing. As another body turns, the detectives set out to work out what really happened and who is actually responsible.
A couple of twists in both cases, and then the book finishes on a pretty major cliffhanger..
4 Stars
August 3, 2023
Another tense DI Ruth Hunter story
This time there's a lot of involvement of junior officers. The team are having to deal with two unconnected murders and a kidnapping by a corrupt policeman and a nail biting prolonged car chase. It all builds to a surprising and shocking conclusion with a worrying teaser for the next book in the series.
As usual Simon McCleave weaves an intricate story that evolves at a rapid pace but still has room and time to include small details like the meanings of Welsh place names and some traditions.
This time there's a lot of involvement of junior officers. The team are having to deal with two unconnected murders and a kidnapping by a corrupt policeman and a nail biting prolonged car chase. It all builds to a surprising and shocking conclusion with a worrying teaser for the next book in the series.
As usual Simon McCleave weaves an intricate story that evolves at a rapid pace but still has room and time to include small details like the meanings of Welsh place names and some traditions.
May 4, 2024
Cliche
As much as I like Simon's series of books I thought this one was filled with 'soap opera' like cliches. Excitement builds, will she get to the radio, will she be able to phone, suddenly the bad guy appears in time to thwart her. Timely car crashes and dramatic scenes abound to aid the criminal and when the old woman fell and gave the show away I nearly tossed my Kindle out the window. If the helicopter had crashed I would have followed it. Never mind I generally love the characters and hope Ruth survives. Cheers.
As much as I like Simon's series of books I thought this one was filled with 'soap opera' like cliches. Excitement builds, will she get to the radio, will she be able to phone, suddenly the bad guy appears in time to thwart her. Timely car crashes and dramatic scenes abound to aid the criminal and when the old woman fell and gave the show away I nearly tossed my Kindle out the window. If the helicopter had crashed I would have followed it. Never mind I generally love the characters and hope Ruth survives. Cheers.
August 3, 2023
Well, another Simon McCleave book that leaves you hanging at the end. I doubt that the author will let anything happen to his goose that lays the golden egg. As for Georgie - she ceertainly doesn't have much romantic luck. While I ususally abhor hostage stories, this one was passable. This was really 2 seperate stories. From the beginning, most of us had figured out that all was not as it seemed with Lucy and her whinney ways.
August 6, 2023
This book was easy to read and interesting but the title is very misleading.
The Wrexham Killings except there’s only one and the majority of the book follows a kidnapping storyline that doesn’t even take part in Wrexham. I feel that the author just named his book The Wrexham Killings to profit from the towns resent limelight. I haven’t read the letter books in the series, but I will, so I don’t know if this is a common theme in this series.
The Wrexham Killings except there’s only one and the majority of the book follows a kidnapping storyline that doesn’t even take part in Wrexham. I feel that the author just named his book The Wrexham Killings to profit from the towns resent limelight. I haven’t read the letter books in the series, but I will, so I don’t know if this is a common theme in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2023
A woman with no memory of who she is or why she is covered in blood is found and taken to the hospital. While investigating her case the police find the body of her dead mother. Did the girl kill her own mother? As a second case for the police, one of their own is kidnapped by also one of their own who seems to be out for revenge for something in his past. And, as always, a chilling cliffhanger at the end...
July 31, 2023
Good story
This one is actually two stories in one. One is a murder mystery where DS French gets go lead. The other is a kidnapping which adds Ruth and Nick reunited as a team. It isn't all smooth sailing and happy endings. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out in the next book.
This one is actually two stories in one. One is a murder mystery where DS French gets go lead. The other is a kidnapping which adds Ruth and Nick reunited as a team. It isn't all smooth sailing and happy endings. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out in the next book.
August 4, 2023
This is a satisfying follow-up to the previous book. Though the chase scene goes on to sometimes unbelievable lengths, it resulting a satisfying conclusion. Of course, this wouldn't be a DI Hunter story without bait at the end to lure you in to buying the next one. It is not as irritating as last time.
August 5, 2023
Couldn't put it down
Once more Simon McCleave has produced a DI Ruth Hunter story line to keep me turning the pages, including 2 threads running through out. The ending was totally unexpected though not unusual for this series . I look forward to the next luckily October is not to long to wait.
Once more Simon McCleave has produced a DI Ruth Hunter story line to keep me turning the pages, including 2 threads running through out. The ending was totally unexpected though not unusual for this series . I look forward to the next luckily October is not to long to wait.
August 9, 2023
Simon Mcleave never fails his tribe.
The Ruth Hunter series just keeps growing with twist and turns in every murder mystery created for her team. We as her devoted readers have become entrenched in her story. Lets continue to believe she will come out on top and deliver us another amazing mystery.
The Ruth Hunter series just keeps growing with twist and turns in every murder mystery created for her team. We as her devoted readers have become entrenched in her story. Lets continue to believe she will come out on top and deliver us another amazing mystery.
August 13, 2023
The books don't disappoint, they just maintain the high quality of crime thriller writing of which Simon is master and well deserved best selling author. As with all the previous books I can't wait to read the next book and to watch the up and coming TV series.
Please don't kill off DI Ruth Hunter, she's always been indestructible and I would miss her if she was gone.
Please don't kill off DI Ruth Hunter, she's always been indestructible and I would miss her if she was gone.
August 14, 2023
As I live in Wrexham I was looking forward to the familiarity of the setting the story was set in, however most of it takes place in various places throughout North Wales. I did like the injection of bits of Wrexham's history and the Welsh place names, which is the only reason I have given It three stars instead of two.
August 18, 2023
Simon McCleave’s books are quick reads.
I like the characters and plot lines but I’m getting tired of the “wait for my next book” endings, aka “cliffhangers”.
And, no surprise, another cliffhanger.
I do enjoy the trip down memory lane that I get, having visited some of the areas and towns featured in some of the books.
But, it wasn’t difficult to figure out who did it.
Sorry, Simon.
I like the characters and plot lines but I’m getting tired of the “wait for my next book” endings, aka “cliffhangers”.
And, no surprise, another cliffhanger.
I do enjoy the trip down memory lane that I get, having visited some of the areas and towns featured in some of the books.
But, it wasn’t difficult to figure out who did it.
Sorry, Simon.
June 13, 2024
Yikes! That Cliffhanger is mean!
This was another exciting set of rides. This author has quite the imagination and it's great that he can keep some threads going through several volumes. Lots of surprises in this one. Hold onto to your seats lest you get tossed through the windshield. All is not as it seems.....
This was another exciting set of rides. This author has quite the imagination and it's great that he can keep some threads going through several volumes. Lots of surprises in this one. Hold onto to your seats lest you get tossed through the windshield. All is not as it seems.....
January 6, 2025
Great Storyline
I absolutely love this series and the storylines throughout and this book was no exception.
My only bugbear is the chapters are super short and it flitted too fast between the kidnap and the murder. Felt like a game of tennis and that I wasn’t getting anything of substance until every 3rd chapter (per storyline) 😆
It may just be me 🤷♀️
I absolutely love this series and the storylines throughout and this book was no exception.
My only bugbear is the chapters are super short and it flitted too fast between the kidnap and the murder. Felt like a game of tennis and that I wasn’t getting anything of substance until every 3rd chapter (per storyline) 😆
It may just be me 🤷♀️
May 25, 2025
Feels rushed
This book feels like it was rushed. There were obvious mistakes, such as referring to Arlo as Ben. As well as mistakes with timings, etc.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but this feeling has been building throughout the last few books. I hope it improves. It would be such a shame for the series to end at the same quality as this book.
This book feels like it was rushed. There were obvious mistakes, such as referring to Arlo as Ben. As well as mistakes with timings, etc.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but this feeling has been building throughout the last few books. I hope it improves. It would be such a shame for the series to end at the same quality as this book.
August 25, 2025
Series getting sillier
I like these books and the last few have been an easy beach read over the summer. But they are getting sillier. Plots are fairly obvious, the research in the previous few books of what Companies House does and absolutely does not do was poor and now we have terminator recovery level villains.
I like these books and the last few have been an easy beach read over the summer. But they are getting sillier. Plots are fairly obvious, the research in the previous few books of what Companies House does and absolutely does not do was poor and now we have terminator recovery level villains.
August 1, 2023
Simon has pulled out another cracking story, following on directly from the last one. Once again, all the familiar characters come to the fore and the story is told with great realism. And once again, we end on a cliffhanger so cannot wait for no. 17
Julian Trewmayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
Julian Trewmayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
August 1, 2023
A great read with the customary twists and turns
Another great read with 2 story lines to follow and the usual twists and turns keeping you guessing. The end leaving you in suspense as to what happens to a main character until the next book in the series.
Another great read with 2 story lines to follow and the usual twists and turns keeping you guessing. The end leaving you in suspense as to what happens to a main character until the next book in the series.
August 3, 2023
Brilliant
Once again Simon Mcleave has produced a fast paced page turning classic that is impossible to put down,with another heart stopping twist at the end,which leaves the reader waiting with baited breath for the next installment.
5 stars is not enough
Once again Simon Mcleave has produced a fast paced page turning classic that is impossible to put down,with another heart stopping twist at the end,which leaves the reader waiting with baited breath for the next installment.
5 stars is not enough
August 4, 2023
Absolutely the Best
I was gripped from the start. All the characters are so believable. The plot was terrifying and I just had to get to the end (3-10am). I just hope I can get to sleep. There has to be a book 17
I was gripped from the start. All the characters are so believable. The plot was terrifying and I just had to get to the end (3-10am). I just hope I can get to sleep. There has to be a book 17
August 6, 2023
Brilliantly twisting and turning!
As always Simon weaves a wonderful tail, Georgie has to think quickly to get herself out of trouble but will Ruth be ok? Hopefully Simon won’t kill her off!!
As always Simon weaves a wonderful tail, Georgie has to think quickly to get herself out of trouble but will Ruth be ok? Hopefully Simon won’t kill her off!!
August 13, 2023
This is another brilliant story to add to the list by Simon McCleave. After reading all the series they are unputdownable stories, holding the reader in suspense and savouring every chapter.
Keep them coming Simon, you're a great story teller.
Keep them coming Simon, you're a great story teller.
August 14, 2023
Fast paced
A real page turner with two murders being investigated and a a chase of a corrupt officer and hostages. A twist in the but the perpetrator of the murder is arrested. Ruth is in danger!
A real page turner with two murders being investigated and a a chase of a corrupt officer and hostages. A twist in the but the perpetrator of the murder is arrested. Ruth is in danger!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews