In for a Penny

Bay Tanner #1

by Kathryn R. Wall

Murder and blackmail amid the ruins of antebellum splendor... Someone is making a killing in real estate.

Coastal South Carolina...ancient live oaks, pristine beaches, the remains of antebellum splendor...

Bay Tanner's world is paradise until she witnesses her husband's horrific death. Wounded and grieving, Bay retreats to her hideaway on Hilton Head Island. Then a cry for help forces her back to reality. Can she ignore the plight of her old money friends and family whose involvement in a shadowy land scheme may lead them to financial disaster? And what does all this have to do with Rob's murder? When a body is discovered floating near the ruins of an old plantation house, Bay is forced to confront these questions and admit that one thing is certain--someone is making a killing in real estate.

From In For A Penny: the sharp blare of sirens penetrated my half-conscious mind. My attacker dropped me, face down in the pine straw, and sprinted away. I had just managed to struggle to my hands and knees when the night was shattered by a blast so loud it seemed to come from inside my head. I had barely a second for the smoke and flame to register on my numbed senses.

Then choking darkness enveloped me.

Genres: Mystery, Southern, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Cozy Mystery

264 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

About the author

Kathy wrote her first story at the age of six, then decided to take a few decades off. She grew up in a small town in northeastern Ohio and attended college in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. For twenty-five years she practiced her profession as an accountant in both public and private practice. In 1994 she and her husband Norman retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Her road to publishing success has taken many twists and turns. She self-published her first Bay Tanner mystery, In For a Penny, in 2001 using the innovative print-on-demand technology. Its success led to an offer from a small, regional publisher who reissued the first novel along with its sequel, And Not a Penny More, on Valentine's Day of 2002. A reprint of both books had to be ordered within six weeks.

Then serendipity struck. An editor for St. Martin's Press, visiting relatives in nearby Beaufort, was introduced to the Bay Tanner mysteries. A month later she called to offer Kathy a hardcover contract. They have since published Perdition House, Judas Island, Resurrection Road, Bishop's Reach and Sanctuary Hill in both hardcover and paperback. The eighth Bay Tanner novel, The Mercy Oak, is slated for release April, 2008.

Kathy is a founding member of Island Writers' Network and serves as treasurer for both the Sisters in Crime National Board and the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

Kathy has been a mentor in the Hilton Head schools and participates as a Friend of Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry. When not writing and touring for her books, Kathy and Norman play tennis, share long walks on the beach, and enjoy the lush beauty of the tidal marsh from the decks of their Hilton Head condominium. She has two stepsons and four grandchildren.

Series:
* Bay Tanner

Reviews

[R Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amazed I finished this.

[Elizabeth Tremayne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the worst book. The mystery wasn't even a real mystery and the main character, though a woman, acted like those James Patterson main characters (ala Alex Cross), where every person of the opposite sex who meets them 'falls in love' with them immediately - just can't resist them. And this character, when not having men drool over her, acted like a complete jerk to them and to everyone else - slamming doors and yelling at her father like she was a teenager (but she was supposed to be an adult). This was an infuriating read and I would not recommend this book to anyone.

[Ro Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, entertaining read. I especially enjoyed it because it's set in Beaufort SC where we lived for a year in the late 60's. The "Low Country" is like no other place I've lived. We aren't "from there," so we never felt that we were really a part of the community. I must admit I was delighted when my husband accepted a job in another state. It was interesting to read about characters who are truly part of that community.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a year since Bay's beloved husband was murdered by the scumbags he was investigating. Her grief and a festering sense of injustice have kept her isolated, though with a beautiful view: the scenic Hilton Head Island. Abruptly, the world conspires to yank her out of her rut when an elderly family friend asks Bay to use her accounting skills to evaluate a shaky investment, another friend's nephew is murdered, and her childhood crush sweeps back into town. The setting is spot on, but Bay's numerous mistakes and general ineptitude, though understandable, are frustrating.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very strong debut. Since her husband’s small plane exploded a year ago, Bay Tanner has been in suspended animation. They were a team of special investigators following the money to uncover financial chicanery and corruption. While there were leads and theories about who killed her husband, it was unlikely to be solved and the responsible party made to pay. At the urging of her father, she agrees to look into an investment an elderly family friend was concerned may be fraudulent. As she investigates, the trail back to her husbands death become more clean. Bay is a heroine you can root for, she’s savvy and doesn’t do dumb things for the sake of the plot. I’m looking forward to reading more about her.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a series, the series being the wildly popular Bay Tanner series.

I was a little skeptical at first, Bay is about a year out from losing her beloved husband to an airplane bomb and still suffering. With all that emotional baggage I wasn't sure if she could get past it to deal with everything going on in the book. But, Kathryn R. Wall handled the situation in a masterful manner.

It all starts out when Bay's father (the Judge) recommends she talk to an old friend of her mother. Bay remembers Miss Addie and agrees to see if there is anything she can do to help the woman find out if a real estate deal is above board or if Miss Addie is in danger of losing her retirement nest egg.

Needless to say, Bay is soon swept up in intrigue and murder and must work to find out who is behind all this to save Miss Addie, the Judge and even herself.

Pretty action packed story but takes the time to build the characters, especially Bay, her father, and the two women who take care of each of them.

I'll be reading more in this series.

[Charmayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually discovered this series while we were vacationing in Hilton Head, South Carolina and since we were there I wanted to read them. It's a very good mystery series, some of the books stronger than others and I actually am behind a few and need to catch up. But the characters are believable and the mysteries are good enough to hold your attention. I like to read them just to get another glimpse of Hilton Head. I enjoyed my brief stay there and would really love to have my own house on the ocean. :-)

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book to read if you are on vacation on Hilton Head or in Beaufort. I believe this is the author's first book and for a first book, it was very engaging. There were a few unimaginative wrap up items at the end, but all in all, this is an above average "vacation read". I spend quite a bit of time in the Beaufort area and found it to be very fun reading about places that I travel regularly. The author has a real feel for the area.

[Arrel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Low-country mystery (#1) from Kathryn Wall, former high-school classmate of Sally Kochers - her mother taught them both English and Latin too, I think.

Murder and mayhem associated with an eco-unfriendly planned development in the pristine marshes near Hilton Head (where Wall and her husband currently reside).

OK read mostly because we know Sally - not sure I will bother with the next ones, which Kochers have loaned to me

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting characters and plot. So many moving pieces that I got lost a few times. (hazard of reading two books at the same time). Follow the main character Bay Tanner, her father and many other interesting people, as a real estate development leads to drugs, money laundering and murder. For someone (Bay) who has never officially investigated a case she comes close to death several times, including her own.

[Judy West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

This is my first time reading Katherine Wall . When I was looking for another book to start, a good friend suggested this book. I was not disappointed. It has everything I look for in the books I read, which is lots of edge of your seat drama, great character development with a little romance thrown in. I highly recommend this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recording quality was sketchy, but I really enjoyed this mystery. Straightforward, appealing main character, few of those emotional asides that always make me think the author is reminding him/herself that they need to insert an emotional reaction everywhere and a lot of them end up sounding fake.... this was old school. I'm going to grab the second.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only thing I liked about this book is its set in Beaufort. The author literally describes every one’s race in every scene like it a big deal. She fat shames everyone. If it hadn’t been for that it may have been better. The FMC is a whiny and acts like a child at 38. And who in the worlds listens to classical music at 38.

[karen oakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery! I liked the detail to the area.

I have visited South Carolina many times and found the description of the area quite good. I felt like I was there. The character development was good. I will read more of this series.

[Kay Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young mans body is found in the marsh. The housekeepers grandson is suspected. The recently widowed Bay Tanner has to work this all out while dealing with her bossy father, lustful brother-in-law and teenage crush. Pretty boring.

[Rennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little over done on the whole character of the south thing and the handy psychiatrist friend swooping in to help just seemed a bit too contrived but it was over all worth reading and I could see myself trying book two in the series.

[Gloria Mccracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, fast read with interesting characters. I wouldn't mind reading more in the series.

[Betty Wershing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mystery

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great beach read! Good mystery and I loved that it was based in Hilton Head - one of our favorite vacation destinations

[Kathy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters were believable and the story moved quickly. I also liked the location. It was fun to read familiar names of familiar places in the book.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilton Head local book series

[Jusangie1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading books about places I know, this was exciting til the end....

[Diane Laughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good first book in a promising series except she lites a cigarette every ten minutes. Not cool, not healthy, not necessary to her persona nor necessary to the plot!

[Ginger Hudock · Rating 5 out of 5]

love reading a mystery about HHI!

[Pcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dated but enjoy the main character and interested to see how she develops. Atmospheric not just of the place but also the southern culture.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vacationing at Hilton Head. Read a local author who has a ton of books in this series. Not bad!

[Brenda Cappy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Love that it takes place primarily on Hilton Head. Good suspense

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and plot. Nice cozy mystery.de ent development of characters. A tad predictable.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read, very familiar with the beautiful setting…