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Wesley Peterson #28
Coffin Island: An unmissable mystery in the DI Wesley Peterson crime series
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26The next gripping mystery featuring DI Wesley Peterson by the million-copy-bestselling author Kate Ellis.
Despite many years living in South Devon, DI Wesley Peterson has never visited the tiny island of St Rumon's. That is, until a storm uncovers a body illegally buried in the church yard.
It is clear the death has occurred through sinister circumstances and Wesley and his team identify the bones as those of a woman. But who is she? And who is responsible for her murder?
The island has only a small number of inhabitants. Yet one resident keeps cropping up in Wesley's the famous academic, Quentin Search.
Wesley's friend, archaeologist Neil Watson, is meanwhile conducting a dig at the priory on the island. His discovery of a journal, written by a reverend in the sixteenth century, uncovers an eerie history of strange rituals and disturbing deaths.
As Wesley begins to wonder if the past might be repeating itself, another murder occurs . . . There is a calculated killer on this island - one whose grip is as deadly as the rising tide.
Despite many years living in South Devon, DI Wesley Peterson has never visited the tiny island of St Rumon's. That is, until a storm uncovers a body illegally buried in the church yard.
It is clear the death has occurred through sinister circumstances and Wesley and his team identify the bones as those of a woman. But who is she? And who is responsible for her murder?
The island has only a small number of inhabitants. Yet one resident keeps cropping up in Wesley's the famous academic, Quentin Search.
Wesley's friend, archaeologist Neil Watson, is meanwhile conducting a dig at the priory on the island. His discovery of a journal, written by a reverend in the sixteenth century, uncovers an eerie history of strange rituals and disturbing deaths.
As Wesley begins to wonder if the past might be repeating itself, another murder occurs . . . There is a calculated killer on this island - one whose grip is as deadly as the rising tide.
416 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 2, 2026
138 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Kate Ellis
119 books603 followersKate Ellis was born and brought up in Liverpool and she studied drama in Manchester. She worked in teaching, marketing and accountancy before first enjoying writing success as a winner of the North West Playwrights competition. Crime and mystery stories have always fascinated her, as have medieval history and archaeology which she likes to incorporate in her books. She is married with two grown up sons and she lives in North Cheshire, England, with her husband. Kate was awarded the CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY award in 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 21, 2024
3.75 / 5.0
Good old classic Ellis, I know I can rely on her series for a comfy read and I was not disappointed. I have to admit though that even though I found the book easy to follow, it’s a difficult book to get into if it’s your first book you’ve read of the series. The plot like usual has two running stories one in the past (generally a historic one) and one current. Ellis executes the timing of the interchanges between the two plots well, where there is no stall in the momentum of the plot. I found this to be an engaging read, but I do believe having read the previous books and knowledge of all the characters displayed helped feed into the enjoyment. It’s a difficult book to get your hands in if it’s the first of the series - hence why I understand why the reviews on this book isn’t the highest.
I always find Ellis series a comfort read, I know I’m in a journey and one that will have a pleasant twist and turns with nothing dramatic and crazy. I found the pace, and direction of the plot unpredictable which kept me at my toes. It all stems from a storm leading to a the erosion of a cliff which reveals three bodies buried outside of a churchyard. Two are of ancient skeletons and one is very recent which sets the scene off as a murder case. Soon his team are on a mission to figure out who is responsible (at the start there is a lot of names and information which does seem like an information overload) but once you get past it - things will become a lot clearer. We also see the return of his best mate Neil which is fascinated by the remains of the old priory. Overall it’s comfort read, one that you can rely on that won’t disappoint.
Good old classic Ellis, I know I can rely on her series for a comfy read and I was not disappointed. I have to admit though that even though I found the book easy to follow, it’s a difficult book to get into if it’s your first book you’ve read of the series. The plot like usual has two running stories one in the past (generally a historic one) and one current. Ellis executes the timing of the interchanges between the two plots well, where there is no stall in the momentum of the plot. I found this to be an engaging read, but I do believe having read the previous books and knowledge of all the characters displayed helped feed into the enjoyment. It’s a difficult book to get your hands in if it’s the first of the series - hence why I understand why the reviews on this book isn’t the highest.
I always find Ellis series a comfort read, I know I’m in a journey and one that will have a pleasant twist and turns with nothing dramatic and crazy. I found the pace, and direction of the plot unpredictable which kept me at my toes. It all stems from a storm leading to a the erosion of a cliff which reveals three bodies buried outside of a churchyard. Two are of ancient skeletons and one is very recent which sets the scene off as a murder case. Soon his team are on a mission to figure out who is responsible (at the start there is a lot of names and information which does seem like an information overload) but once you get past it - things will become a lot clearer. We also see the return of his best mate Neil which is fascinated by the remains of the old priory. Overall it’s comfort read, one that you can rely on that won’t disappoint.
December 16, 2024
Spoiler alert.
The plot of this one did not do it for me at all. Way too many characters, some of them essentially interchangeable. I had no empathy for any of the victims.
There was one VERY bright spot: Neil says he's engaged to Annabel. HURRAY! I love the Neil character and have been desperately wanting him to evolve for at least the last ten books in this series. Romantic evolution may not be the most interesting possible path forward, but I'll take it. If it's going to happen, however, Ellis is going to have to make Annabel a real character; so far, she's been mentioned in many books but has yet to have a real conversation with anyone or a real role in the action. Here's hoping it happens in the next book.
The plot of this one did not do it for me at all. Way too many characters, some of them essentially interchangeable. I had no empathy for any of the victims.
There was one VERY bright spot: Neil says he's engaged to Annabel. HURRAY! I love the Neil character and have been desperately wanting him to evolve for at least the last ten books in this series. Romantic evolution may not be the most interesting possible path forward, but I'll take it. If it's going to happen, however, Ellis is going to have to make Annabel a real character; so far, she's been mentioned in many books but has yet to have a real conversation with anyone or a real role in the action. Here's hoping it happens in the next book.
August 19, 2024
I have been anticipating the arrival of Kate Ellis's recent release since I was given the publishing date and it was worth the wait, her Crime novels always are.Again a brilliantly written, imaginative Detective Novel with one of my favourite detectives DI Wesley Peterson. All of this series manages to entwine the current case with histories relating to it in previous centuries with great ease. We have traveled through 28 books with our hero from his leaving London, with his family, to work in the supposedly quieter areas of Devon. I have come to know the regular characters, very varied and all interesting, and watched them strengthen and mature.
All these combinations make the books more than just 'A Detective Novel' as you have crime, history and life dramas and none distracts from the other but makes the novels more interesting and never tedious.The biggest problem is reading them too quickly and then having, hopefully, to wait for the next brilliant novel from an author who has given me so much enjoyment over many years.
All these combinations make the books more than just 'A Detective Novel' as you have crime, history and life dramas and none distracts from the other but makes the novels more interesting and never tedious.The biggest problem is reading them too quickly and then having, hopefully, to wait for the next brilliant novel from an author who has given me so much enjoyment over many years.
October 8, 2024
This is really a 3.5 stars but I settled on 4 rather than round down to 3.
I loved the plot although lots of characters became confusing but I was really disappointed by the writing style. It all felt a bit like a story written for a school project . It was like a seamless description of walking around and describing just every day activities and a ‘he said she said’ stream of words . It didn’t feel rounded at all , Gerry in this book came across as someone who ought to be pensioned off.
Not really a police procedural at all , it came across all rather amateurish .
I loved the plot although lots of characters became confusing but I was really disappointed by the writing style. It all felt a bit like a story written for a school project . It was like a seamless description of walking around and describing just every day activities and a ‘he said she said’ stream of words . It didn’t feel rounded at all , Gerry in this book came across as someone who ought to be pensioned off.
Not really a police procedural at all , it came across all rather amateurish .
September 18, 2024
Situated just off the Devonshire coast, the small island of St Rumon’s is known locally as Coffin Island. Although most people insist it is called this because of the shape of the island, others claim there is a more sinister reason behind the name.
Until the Reformation, the island had housed a Roman Catholic priory, but when Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the monasteries the monks were driven away and the prior was killed. It is rumoured that the memory of this death is the reason that the island pub is named The Hanging Man. During low tide the island is accessible by a causeway but at other times it can only be reached by boat, which means the vicar who serves five parishes, including St Rumon’s Church, has had to learn how to handle a small motorboat.
The day after a severe storm the vicar approaches the island and sees that part of the cliff that borders the churchyard has broken away and, to her horror, she sees that two skeletons are lying on the shore. When she gets near enough to see properly, she discovers that there is also a third, far more recent body, half-rotted, and wrapped in a purple nylon sheet.
Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson achieved a degree in archaeology before he entered the police. When he and his superior officer, Detective Chief Inspector Gerry Heffernan, arrive on the island they realise that the skeletons had been buried outside the church wall and Wesley wonders about the reason for this unsanctified burial, however it is the fate of the third body that they must investigate. They can tell that the corpse is that of a woman who had died in the last few years, but the body is too badly decomposed to be identifiable. However, the sheet in which she is shrouded is in the style of the 1970s, which means it was fashionable long before the victim’s death. It is evident that she was unlawfully buried, and it seems probable that she was unlawfully killed. Neil Watson is an eminent local archaeologist who has been a friend of Wesley since their university days and Wesley asks him if he can arrange for a facial reconstruction of the dead woman. Neil becomes fascinated by the destroyed priory and arranges an archaeological dig on the site.
The largest house on the island is Coffin House, which is owned by the author and self-styled academic Quentin Search, who lives there with his troubled daughter, Ginevra, and his assistant-cum-mistress Jocasta. Search’s wife no longer lives there, and he claims that she has left him and has travelled abroad but that he does not know her current whereabouts. Wesley and Gerry suspect that Search is lying but they know they are prejudiced against him because of his offensive arrogance. Search claims to be an academic but Neil has warned Wesley that he is a charlatan who falsifies history and makes up dramatic, untrue stories in order to sell his books. In order to publicise his books, Search mounts a vendetta against Neil, claiming that he and his fellow archaeologists are denying the truth of Search’s claims because they work for the establishment. Neil is upset and angry but he knows that he cannot afford the financial output to sue Search for slander and so he concentrates on his archaeological work and on arranging the facial recognition for the police. At the same time, Neil’s lover, Annabel, assists him by researching sixteenth century church records and she uncovers the diary of a vicar of St Rumon’s parish that reveals the identity of the two skeletons and the reason why they were buried outside the churchyard.
Wesley and Gerry question everyone on the island, including the residents of Coffin House and the local cottages, the team of visiting bell ringers and Search’s ubiquitous builder. Despite all their efforts, the death toll continues to rise and it is not until Wesley links the story in the five-hundred-year-old diary to their current investigation that the truth finally becomes clear.
Coffin Island is the twenty-eighth novel featuring Wesley Peterson and it lives up to the high standard of its predecessors. It is a fascinating mixture of contemporary crime and historical records and the historical diary both explains and anticipates the main contemporary story. The scene setting is superb, the central characters are engaging, and the plot is complex and well-constructed. Coffin Island is a compelling read, which I recommend.
------
Reviewer: Carol Westron
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Until the Reformation, the island had housed a Roman Catholic priory, but when Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the monasteries the monks were driven away and the prior was killed. It is rumoured that the memory of this death is the reason that the island pub is named The Hanging Man. During low tide the island is accessible by a causeway but at other times it can only be reached by boat, which means the vicar who serves five parishes, including St Rumon’s Church, has had to learn how to handle a small motorboat.
The day after a severe storm the vicar approaches the island and sees that part of the cliff that borders the churchyard has broken away and, to her horror, she sees that two skeletons are lying on the shore. When she gets near enough to see properly, she discovers that there is also a third, far more recent body, half-rotted, and wrapped in a purple nylon sheet.
Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson achieved a degree in archaeology before he entered the police. When he and his superior officer, Detective Chief Inspector Gerry Heffernan, arrive on the island they realise that the skeletons had been buried outside the church wall and Wesley wonders about the reason for this unsanctified burial, however it is the fate of the third body that they must investigate. They can tell that the corpse is that of a woman who had died in the last few years, but the body is too badly decomposed to be identifiable. However, the sheet in which she is shrouded is in the style of the 1970s, which means it was fashionable long before the victim’s death. It is evident that she was unlawfully buried, and it seems probable that she was unlawfully killed. Neil Watson is an eminent local archaeologist who has been a friend of Wesley since their university days and Wesley asks him if he can arrange for a facial reconstruction of the dead woman. Neil becomes fascinated by the destroyed priory and arranges an archaeological dig on the site.
The largest house on the island is Coffin House, which is owned by the author and self-styled academic Quentin Search, who lives there with his troubled daughter, Ginevra, and his assistant-cum-mistress Jocasta. Search’s wife no longer lives there, and he claims that she has left him and has travelled abroad but that he does not know her current whereabouts. Wesley and Gerry suspect that Search is lying but they know they are prejudiced against him because of his offensive arrogance. Search claims to be an academic but Neil has warned Wesley that he is a charlatan who falsifies history and makes up dramatic, untrue stories in order to sell his books. In order to publicise his books, Search mounts a vendetta against Neil, claiming that he and his fellow archaeologists are denying the truth of Search’s claims because they work for the establishment. Neil is upset and angry but he knows that he cannot afford the financial output to sue Search for slander and so he concentrates on his archaeological work and on arranging the facial recognition for the police. At the same time, Neil’s lover, Annabel, assists him by researching sixteenth century church records and she uncovers the diary of a vicar of St Rumon’s parish that reveals the identity of the two skeletons and the reason why they were buried outside the churchyard.
Wesley and Gerry question everyone on the island, including the residents of Coffin House and the local cottages, the team of visiting bell ringers and Search’s ubiquitous builder. Despite all their efforts, the death toll continues to rise and it is not until Wesley links the story in the five-hundred-year-old diary to their current investigation that the truth finally becomes clear.
Coffin Island is the twenty-eighth novel featuring Wesley Peterson and it lives up to the high standard of its predecessors. It is a fascinating mixture of contemporary crime and historical records and the historical diary both explains and anticipates the main contemporary story. The scene setting is superb, the central characters are engaging, and the plot is complex and well-constructed. Coffin Island is a compelling read, which I recommend.
------
Reviewer: Carol Westron
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Read
March 21, 2025It is difficult to imagine that this is book twenty-eight of the DI Wesley Peterson series. It seems that it was not long ago that the first book hit the shelves, and now here we are several decades into this enlightening series. Wesley continues to grow as a person, with so many variables in his life, but there is one constant, and that is he is certainly one of the more analytical Deputy Inspectors when it comes to solving complex cases. And the latest one facing him is most puzzling.
It takes place on the tiny island of St. Rumon’s. The population is definitely sparse, and many of the inhabitants there know one another quite well. Little of consequence occurs, until there is a massive storm, which causes some unusual things to take place. The vicar on the island heads out to inspect the damage, and finds some most unsettling things. The erosion from the storm reveals not only two very old skeletons, but there is also a body that is wrapped inside a purple sheet. It is obvious that the body is definitely not as ancient as the bones.
DI Peterson heads to the island along with Detective Chief Inspector Gerry Heffernan. Some things are obvious, one of them being the skeletons were buried outside the church grounds. There had to be reasons for these to be buried in this area. But of course a more pressing matter is the body that was definitely placed there, likely the victim of murder. It is a female body, and now the job is to discover who she was, and why she ended up in that manner, a murder victim.
Soon people on the island are questioned, most notably Quentin Search, an author who lives in what is noted as Coffin House. Neil Watson also comes onto the scene. He is an archeologist from the area, an expert on bones. But it is Quentin who raises the most eyebrows. He lives with her daughter Ginevra, and his assistant Jocasta. His wife does not live there, and Quentin says he has no idea where she is. The red flags go straight up, as the man is rather callous in his manner and certainly not helpful in the probe.
At the same time there is a parallel story from the 1500’s, in the form of a historical diary that is found, and a tale is told of a cleric, and some unsettling events and deaths during that time. But it is present day that is most pressing, and while Wesley, Gerry, and Neil do find answers, there are even more deaths, perhaps to silence people who know too much, by possibly the killer of the body in the purple shroud. Yet, that old diary holds the most information, giving authorities answers to their many questions, and connections when they finally put the collar on the killer.
This police procedural keeps readers entertained and guessing, making COFFIN ISLAND, a most compelling tale.
It takes place on the tiny island of St. Rumon’s. The population is definitely sparse, and many of the inhabitants there know one another quite well. Little of consequence occurs, until there is a massive storm, which causes some unusual things to take place. The vicar on the island heads out to inspect the damage, and finds some most unsettling things. The erosion from the storm reveals not only two very old skeletons, but there is also a body that is wrapped inside a purple sheet. It is obvious that the body is definitely not as ancient as the bones.
DI Peterson heads to the island along with Detective Chief Inspector Gerry Heffernan. Some things are obvious, one of them being the skeletons were buried outside the church grounds. There had to be reasons for these to be buried in this area. But of course a more pressing matter is the body that was definitely placed there, likely the victim of murder. It is a female body, and now the job is to discover who she was, and why she ended up in that manner, a murder victim.
Soon people on the island are questioned, most notably Quentin Search, an author who lives in what is noted as Coffin House. Neil Watson also comes onto the scene. He is an archeologist from the area, an expert on bones. But it is Quentin who raises the most eyebrows. He lives with her daughter Ginevra, and his assistant Jocasta. His wife does not live there, and Quentin says he has no idea where she is. The red flags go straight up, as the man is rather callous in his manner and certainly not helpful in the probe.
At the same time there is a parallel story from the 1500’s, in the form of a historical diary that is found, and a tale is told of a cleric, and some unsettling events and deaths during that time. But it is present day that is most pressing, and while Wesley, Gerry, and Neil do find answers, there are even more deaths, perhaps to silence people who know too much, by possibly the killer of the body in the purple shroud. Yet, that old diary holds the most information, giving authorities answers to their many questions, and connections when they finally put the collar on the killer.
This police procedural keeps readers entertained and guessing, making COFFIN ISLAND, a most compelling tale.
July 29, 2024
What did I just read? A supposed police procedural with cut corners, conclusions and unprofessional characters.
This is a disappointing read, with stereotyping of a Scouser in the Liverpudlian DI, Gerry, and of Wesley, a DI with roots in the Caribbean. Of course, George calls people 'love' and makes inappropriate comments. Of course Wesley has experienced racism, but there's no evidence or clarification given.
I tried to ignore the above, but the jumping-to-conclusions/not investigating thoroughly before announcing things to potential bereaved persons/the unprofessional actions of both Wesley and George/the frankly boring characters in this book, made me think I'd wasted my time. The only interesting version were the words of the old clergyman, about the necromancer (rumoured).
On top, the characters were forgettable and why oh why use the same first character for so many names? We had:
Gerry the DI, George the racist, misogynistic old guy, Greg and Ginevra.
Kylie, Karen and Kiara.
Annabel, Amelia, Ashley, Anne and Alison.
Craig, Charlie, Cuthbert, Colin and Carl.
Eddie, Elias and Edith.
Rachel and Rob.
Neil and Nigel.
Meera, Michael, Matt, Maggie, Mark and Moriarty.
Pam and Paloma.
Jack and Julia.
Barbara and Bryan.
The Scott plot involving a power of attorney and selling someone's house using the document? Uh uh. Wouldn't work, because a power of attorney dies when the donor does, and any solicitor worth their salt would check this out or risk reputational damage and being sued. The Swiss bank account plot? Wouldn't work, as you need to be a millionaire in the first instance (it's part of the day job, dealing with this sort of stuff), and Scott wasn't. On top, AML amd KYC checks would've caught him out.
Sooo many characters not relevant to the plot made it into the book. There was so much filler, there's no way it's been edited. The mention of Rachel, a new mother, and Wesley, the DS, once almost having a 'thing' because of some glances, but hey, she had Neil and he had Pam and nothing came of it? Not just urterly irrelevant but insulting to their partners.
Save your time, don't bother with this one. The blurb is written to draw you in, but the book lets you down.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK.
This is a disappointing read, with stereotyping of a Scouser in the Liverpudlian DI, Gerry, and of Wesley, a DI with roots in the Caribbean. Of course, George calls people 'love' and makes inappropriate comments. Of course Wesley has experienced racism, but there's no evidence or clarification given.
I tried to ignore the above, but the jumping-to-conclusions/not investigating thoroughly before announcing things to potential bereaved persons/the unprofessional actions of both Wesley and George/the frankly boring characters in this book, made me think I'd wasted my time. The only interesting version were the words of the old clergyman, about the necromancer (rumoured).
On top, the characters were forgettable and why oh why use the same first character for so many names? We had:
Gerry the DI, George the racist, misogynistic old guy, Greg and Ginevra.
Kylie, Karen and Kiara.
Annabel, Amelia, Ashley, Anne and Alison.
Craig, Charlie, Cuthbert, Colin and Carl.
Eddie, Elias and Edith.
Rachel and Rob.
Neil and Nigel.
Meera, Michael, Matt, Maggie, Mark and Moriarty.
Pam and Paloma.
Jack and Julia.
Barbara and Bryan.
The Scott plot involving a power of attorney and selling someone's house using the document? Uh uh. Wouldn't work, because a power of attorney dies when the donor does, and any solicitor worth their salt would check this out or risk reputational damage and being sued. The Swiss bank account plot? Wouldn't work, as you need to be a millionaire in the first instance (it's part of the day job, dealing with this sort of stuff), and Scott wasn't. On top, AML amd KYC checks would've caught him out.
Sooo many characters not relevant to the plot made it into the book. There was so much filler, there's no way it's been edited. The mention of Rachel, a new mother, and Wesley, the DS, once almost having a 'thing' because of some glances, but hey, she had Neil and he had Pam and nothing came of it? Not just urterly irrelevant but insulting to their partners.
Save your time, don't bother with this one. The blurb is written to draw you in, but the book lets you down.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK.
December 15, 2025
Another excellent “twofer” from Kate Ellis. That is, there are two stories, one in the past and one in the present, both of which contribute to the denouement. In this case, a strong storm causes cliff erosion off the local island and three bodies are discovered. Two are clearly male and old, and Neil Watson, Wes Peterson’s archaeologist friend, confirms they are from the late 16th century, the third is female and obviously more recent as it is wrapped in a lurid purple sheet that the police date to the 1970s. Several candidates for who the body might be almost immediately present themselves but DNA testing eliminates all but one. Now it’s a race to find out who she might be and how she got there. As the second theme, Ellis introduces the priest of St Rumon’s Island through his journal entries, and we learn about the “necromancer” who lives in the old house that used to be part of the priory which was suppressed by Henry VIII in the 1530s. As the two stories move forward, we see how they overlap and intersect not through people but through themes of love, jealousy, and murder.
December 12, 2025
A more recent Wesley Peterson outing in which he and Gerry investigate a strange murder on remote Coffin Island which shares some similarities to Agatha Christie's Soldier Island and the real life Lundy Island off the North Devon coast. This time, a storm dislodges a section of cliff revealing two ancient skeletons (enter Dr Neil Watson) and a body who, it appears has been interred for little over twelve months. Further deaths follow, and to make matters worse, Neil has to face his arch nemesis, a conspiracy theory touting pseudo historian who insists on peddling the utter nonsense associated with those who believe Mary Magdalen to have been married to Jesus Christ....
Although this is the twenty eighth in Ellis' series, it seems there is a lot of life left in DI Peterson (thankfully, the irritating Pam doesn't feature massively!) and a new novel, the twenty ninth is imminent.
Although this is the twenty eighth in Ellis' series, it seems there is a lot of life left in DI Peterson (thankfully, the irritating Pam doesn't feature massively!) and a new novel, the twenty ninth is imminent.
August 19, 2024
No one blends history and mystery quite like Kate Ellis, and if you love Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves, you need to at least sample Ellis's Wesley Peterson mysteries. That's what I did, and I've been with her characters for twenty-eight books now. Now... if the thought of beginning such a long series scares you, never fear. You can start with this one and not feel lost. (But don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for the other books!)
Ellis ties Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, the mythical land of Lyonesse, and even bellringing in with a modern-day murder investigation filled with excellent misdirection. But Coffin Island isn't all about the mystery. I doubt I would've stuck with this series if that's all there was to it. No, I also love this series for its cast of characters. Wesley, his wife Pam, their growing children, and Wesley's pain-in-the-neck mother-in-law. Archaeologist Neil Watson, his own relationships, and his fascinating digs into history. And-- of course-- Wesley's boss, DCI Gerry Heffernan, an old-fashioned copper with an irreverent sense of humor. ("I've yet to meet a homicidal cleaning lady" or "I'll never think of getting plastered in the same way again.") I feel as though I've been a part of these characters' lives, and it's been an absolute pleasure.
If you like character-driven series filled with history as well as mystery, you can't go wrong with Kate Ellis's Wesley Peterson.
Ellis ties Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, the mythical land of Lyonesse, and even bellringing in with a modern-day murder investigation filled with excellent misdirection. But Coffin Island isn't all about the mystery. I doubt I would've stuck with this series if that's all there was to it. No, I also love this series for its cast of characters. Wesley, his wife Pam, their growing children, and Wesley's pain-in-the-neck mother-in-law. Archaeologist Neil Watson, his own relationships, and his fascinating digs into history. And-- of course-- Wesley's boss, DCI Gerry Heffernan, an old-fashioned copper with an irreverent sense of humor. ("I've yet to meet a homicidal cleaning lady" or "I'll never think of getting plastered in the same way again.") I feel as though I've been a part of these characters' lives, and it's been an absolute pleasure.
If you like character-driven series filled with history as well as mystery, you can't go wrong with Kate Ellis's Wesley Peterson.
August 17, 2024
I have enjoyed this series very much. I have come to love the familiar characters moving around the mysterious goings-on. Well-written and the pace moved pretty fast. It held my attention. Once you've read a couple of books in this series, you realize the older letters or journal and current story lines are going to parallel. Because, as readers, we had access to the cleric's journal, the "surprise" ending in Wesley's time was pretty well spelled out before Wesley realized the answer. And the "surprise" in the very ending of the cleric's journal was pretty easy to guess as well which led to the second "surprise" ending in current times. I enjoy reading these books in the series and trying to see how long it takes me to spot the parallels.
November 16, 2025
Coffin island
3.5⭐️
Very easy going mystery even though it’s part of a series I adored DI Wesley and the team— Very much cosy mystery set in south Devon - and as I know south Devon area well it was nice to read something with places that I know well
Loved all the characters and the investigating elements - although as one of my book club members discusses the DI’s don’t do all the collecting of interview work - but reminds me of a midsommer murders episode or beyond paradise episode
Loved the historical element of 1570’s within south Devon discussing witches - not sure how truthful it is but intriguing all the same - with going back in time to the history of the specific island
The twists at the end I really enjoyed
3.5⭐️
Very easy going mystery even though it’s part of a series I adored DI Wesley and the team— Very much cosy mystery set in south Devon - and as I know south Devon area well it was nice to read something with places that I know well
Loved all the characters and the investigating elements - although as one of my book club members discusses the DI’s don’t do all the collecting of interview work - but reminds me of a midsommer murders episode or beyond paradise episode
Loved the historical element of 1570’s within south Devon discussing witches - not sure how truthful it is but intriguing all the same - with going back in time to the history of the specific island
The twists at the end I really enjoyed
October 20, 2024
A severe storm causes a cliff fall on St.Rumon's Island, off the coast of Devon. With the falling rocks come two skeletons, ancient burials centuries old. But there is a third body, much more recent, and clearly that of a murder victim. As Peterson and his boss Gerry Heffernan struggle to identify the body, it appears very likely that the killer is one of the island's small number of permanent residents. As with all this series, the modern day story is interwoven with a sixteenth century tale of mysterious rituals and murders.
September 15, 2024
4.5 down to 4, mainly because Gerry is a bit of a dunderhead sometimes, missing major points. Great to have Wesley back, along with Pam and Neil, and the cop crew. Such an interesting setting, although the logistics of cops walking the causeway, or getting a boat, or driving and then being stuck with high tide, did all seem a little unrealistic. Much less archeology and more mysticism in this one.
November 14, 2024
The combination of archeological mystery and present-day police procedural gets strained in this very twisty story taking place on one of those strange little islands off the UK only reachable by a causeway at low tide or a boat. One wonders why anyone ever wanted to live there. The upheaval by a storm of some ancient burials and one modern one starts the story, and then the complications--and of course the bodies--simply pile up. Good mystery reading.
June 8, 2025
28th in the series and so such a cosy and familiar feeling when I started reading. Always a pleasure to revisit Wesley and the team. Please Kate Ellis never stop writing these books! A great setting this time, St Rumon's Island, cut off from the mainland by tides. Dark and murderous goings-on in the present day and Elizabethan times need the attention of Wesley and Neil. Not one of my favourites but, as always, much to enjoy.
November 30, 2025
Read as part of my book club & glad I did! It’s a long old book so took me longer than expected to get through but definitely enjoyed it overall. I found the plot to be continuously interesting with many twists & changes, the character development engaging and the overall the story was captivating and kept me entertained. Being based in my local area also added a nice relatable touch! Overall 4 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 18, 2025
I've probably slightly over-starred this one: should be three and a half. But it was exactly as expected, which is what I want for this type of bedtime reading. I've borrowed the words of another reviewer on this site: "Good old classic Ellis, I know I can rely on her series for a comfy read and I was not disappointed."
November 12, 2025
This is the first DI Wesley book and Kate Ellis book that I have read. Although it’s a crime thriller novel, it is one of the least gruesome books that I have read of this genre and I enjoyed it, finding it weirdly comforting. Ellis’ way of intertwining both past and present is done well, and I will be sure to look out for any of her other books.
August 14, 2024
Great series
This is a really good, gripping series. I really enjoy the characters and the blend of modern and historical plots. I love the area where it is set and look forward to the next one.
This is a really good, gripping series. I really enjoy the characters and the blend of modern and historical plots. I love the area where it is set and look forward to the next one.
August 4, 2024
Wonderful
August 16, 2024
Good read
August 30, 2024
I actually enjoyed this more than the last couple of Wesley books. Plot, setting and characters were all interesting, and there wasn't too much Pam 😄.
A good solid installment in the series.
A good solid installment in the series.
September 15, 2024
Another exciting outing with Wesley and Gerry, along with the supporting cast of characters. I enjoy these books - looking forward to the next one!
October 17, 2024
Absolutely brilliant. Forgot how much I love this series.
October 22, 2024
This is one of my favorite crime series and I have something of a book crush on Wesley Peterson!
November 25, 2024
Reasonable, but not the best of the set.
November 30, 2024
Definitely a page turner; I loved the dual storytelling and felt the ending brought everything together nicely.
January 1, 2025
Probably good bedtime reading as I nodded off several times per chapter. Sadly, I do not read in bed.
January 17, 2025
DNF Not for me.
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