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The Perranporth Murders: A Cornish Crime Thriller! (DI Ryder Murder Mystery - Book1)

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Detective Inspector Ryder thought leaving the chaos of London behind and transferring to a remote coastal town in Cornwall would give him a fresh start. But his new life is anything but peaceful. Struggling to adjust to the stark contrast between the bustling city and the eerie stillness of the seaside town, Ryder feels like a complete outsider. The locals are tight-lipped, and his colleagues are openly hostile, making him wonder if he’ll ever fit in. But when a young woman’s mutilated body is found at the foot of the cliffs, any hope for a quiet life is shattered.
The investigation begins as an apparent suicide, but as Ryder digs deeper, it becomes clear that it was murder. Her death is just the tip of the iceberg and the case spirals quickly out of control, and Ryder is left questioning everyone, including his own team.
He finds an unlikely ally in DC Ellie Tozer, another outsider who seems just as much of a misfit as he is. But there’s something about Ellie that doesn’t add up; her guarded behavior and cryptic remarks make him question whether she’s truly on his side.
As tensions within the police force escalate, another body is discovered, sending shockwaves through the community. The press descends, and Ryder’s superiors are breathing down his neck, demanding answers. With his back against the wall, he is pushed to breaking point, As he edges closer to the truth, he realizes that it may come at a steep cost.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A brilliant start to a series – the Cornish setting and detective work had me hooked from page one!”

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2024

85 people are currently reading
57 people want to read

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Jack Christie

18 books3 followers

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5 stars
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43 (31%)
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
717 reviews39 followers
February 3, 2025
3 stars because it wasn't bad enough to be 2 stars and not good enough to be 4 stars.

DI Ryder is sent down from London to a new posting in Cornwall. There was an 'incident'. We don't know what but Ryder was the only member of his team to survive. When he arrives in Cornwall, he witnesses what looks like a suicide, but his gut says wasn't. His new team, who doesn't want him there in the first place, will take come convincing.

The mystery was ok and I was surprised at one characters actions, but I also felt the character of Ryder was solely created as a rule breaker. The character had little depth outside of this.

It's a series (or will be). Not sure that this first installment was enough to make me want to read a follow-up.

523 reviews5 followers
September 11, 2025
London policeman DI Ryder is transferred to Cornwall pending an internal investigation of an operation that had gone wrong. The popular Cornwall officer he is assigned to replace, DI Penhaligon, has recently died under mysterious circumstances. Some of the Cornwall police are not glad about Ryder's arrival, seeing Ryder as an outsider who has been forced upon them.

But Ryder's big-city skills are needed in Cornwall. As soon as he arrives, he witnesses a woman falling off a cliff, apparently pushed. Soon afterward a prominent citizen is shot to death. Will the Cornwall police support their new detective? Ryder is determined to succeed despite the opposition he faces.

I found the plot tp be fast-moving but rather disjointed.

Profile Image for Susan.
7,282 reviews69 followers
January 23, 2025
DI Ryder is sent to Cornwall under a cloud, and forced on the local police. The day before he is due to start he witnesses a possible suicide though he is not convinced. His team take convincing and what is the actual job of DC Ellie Tozer. Is she out to make more trouble for Ryder.
An enjoyable modern mystery. A good start to this new series.
71 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2025
A “stay up all night” read

A riveting and fast-paced thriller. Workplace politics, gender discrimination, betrayal and violence are expertly woven together to keep the reader on edge throughout. Multiple suspects emerge creating ongoing suspense.
Profile Image for Ted Bun.
Author 91 books33 followers
September 4, 2025
Not really my cup of tea ... too many repetitive memes.
Profile Image for Martin Herrmann.
113 reviews
September 8, 2025
Really fun mystery with lots of interesting characters and a twisting plot with a satisfying conclusion. Definitely kept me turning the pages and wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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