The Bodies in the Beach

by Paul Stephens

It’s cold by the English seaside in winter, but warm under the lights in the Forensics tent where Detective Sergeant Mary Miller and her boss, DI Steve Jones, examine the body of a young woman buried in a shallow grave under Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier. Faced with an unsolved murder and no clues, Mary risks her career by trusting Michael Slade, the eccentric shop worker who seems to know more than he should about the case. There’s more to Michael than meets the eye – but does that include being a killer who gets his kicks by playing games with the police? Amazon customer “What a cracking story. Well up there with the Reacher, Rebus, Roy Grace, DI Banks, Faraday and Charlie Fox novels. When's the next book due?”“Gutsy and authentic crime thriller. Highly recommended reading with many twists and turns. If you're a lover of crime fiction and super smart detective work this is for you.”“A brilliant story, very clever plotting, sympathetic detectives and an absolutely wonderful ‘assistant’… Am now waiting hopefully for many follow ups !”“An excellent story which held me engrossed right through. I hope the characters appear again in future stories, soon please!”“A wonderful murder mystery set in Weston Super Mare. It had me gripped from the first page.”The Bodies in the Beach contains some strong language, and one scene where a character uses sexually disparaging comments as provocation. There are no descriptions of violence or sexual acts. Visit us at www.facebook.com/thebodiesinthebeach*** Sequel ("Death in the Deauville") now available! ***

480 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2013

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author for me and a great first in series, looking forward to the next one.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting Stuff

Extremely well planned and having great,strong characters ... some with whom it is easy to identify and even find likeable. Just enough angst from central character. Plot had me pickled enough to be intrigued a d caused enough loss of sleep because I simply couldn't put it down. I'd recommend this to any fan of crime reading. Pretty believable and well enough written.

[Grace El-yasir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. Well written with lots of hidden turns. Can't wait to read the next one, which I have just purchased.

Loved the book. Well written with lots of hidden turns. Can't wait to read the next one, which have just purchased. Great characters.. the author brought them alive.

[J Steel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

Great story, characters you grow to like and plots to follow. Up there with some of the best crime writers in my opinion.
Also set local to me so really enjoyed trying to work out places where names were changed. Can't wait to read Stephen's next book. Hope there will be more to follow.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read!

Riveting read, full of plot twists and references to my adopted home town of Weston super Mare. Recommended to anyone who enjoys police procedurals and in particular to anyone living in the area.

[Matt Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent thriller with a strength of plot and characterisation unusual in a first novel. Reminiscent of Rankin, but instead of Edinburgh you get Weston-super-Mare, brought to life with its muddy beaches and seedy pavilions; and instead of Rebus you get DS Mary Miller, balancing the tensions of local immigration and international crime against the politics of modern policing. Add to the mix Michael Slade, the supermarket checkout attendant with the super-high IQ, and it makes for a rattling good read that keeps you involved to its suitably satisfying conclusion. Can't wait for the sequel!