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Binnacle Bay
More than a year has passed, yet small-town Police Chief Pat Fitzlaff is still haunted by his failed love affair with Sasha Murdoch. A complaint about a barking dog and the sound of a gunshot at the home Sasha shares with her new husband brings Pat racing to the scene, his instinct telling him something is very wrong. When he arrives at the secluded beach house, he is confronted by an immense hound standing guard near Gus Murdoch’s lifeless body. Gus has been murdered, and Sasha is missing.
Now with the dog, Murphy, his constant companion, Pat begins an investigation that will jeopardize his job, his career and ultimately his life and Murphy’s to catch a clever and heartless killer with a long criminal past and an uncanny talent for disguise
Now with the dog, Murphy, his constant companion, Pat begins an investigation that will jeopardize his job, his career and ultimately his life and Murphy’s to catch a clever and heartless killer with a long criminal past and an uncanny talent for disguise
222 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 18, 2014
Binnacle Bay is an extremely enjoyable and well-written mystery novel, and it is even more impressive when you realize this is S.C. Harker's debut novel! It says in her biography that the author lived in a coastal area for a while, and you can see that in the realism she brings to her story. She does a great job of describing the bay, how people go about their business in this area, and just how life unfolds in this setting. I like the touches she adds of describing certain meals, a local restaurant that looks like a dive but has great food, the weather along the beach on a misty night, etc. The author puts you into this town, and you feel comfortable in her hands. It was all very believable and realistic to me. Also very realistic and well done are the dialogue and procedures that the protagonist Pat takes part in as he investigates the case. I was very impressed with these real-world tones and conversations, because in a mystery such as this you need to believe someone is following the normal steps that an investigator would take to solve a case.
The mystery unfolds well, with tantalizing clues and questions that you know will get answered, and you look forward to when they are answered. I especially like how Pat determines where a key secret room is located within a certain house! Very clever writing - especially because you are given the clue beforehand. I like that in a mystery - being presented with certain things that later turn out to be vital. A confident and skilled writer can pull that off, and S.C. Harker did.
The characters are well-drawn, distinct, and enjoyable to the story. Especially Murphy! I am an animal lover, and I loved his place in the story, his loyalty and his bravery. And I like that he is living somewhere happily ever after!
S.C. Harker writes very well throughout her story. I was impressed with many phrases and sentences, like this one: "I knew with her charm she could probably hold a wasp in her closed hand, and it wouldn't sting her." Cool! Ms. Harker is a very talented author; I don't think it is easy to write a suspenseful, believable mystery, but she does it. And even more a tribute since it is her first novel. I hope she writes another novel soon.
I really like the final sentence in the story, too. A nice sentiment, indeed.
The mystery unfolds well, with tantalizing clues and questions that you know will get answered, and you look forward to when they are answered. I especially like how Pat determines where a key secret room is located within a certain house! Very clever writing - especially because you are given the clue beforehand. I like that in a mystery - being presented with certain things that later turn out to be vital. A confident and skilled writer can pull that off, and S.C. Harker did.
The characters are well-drawn, distinct, and enjoyable to the story. Especially Murphy! I am an animal lover, and I loved his place in the story, his loyalty and his bravery. And I like that he is living somewhere happily ever after!
S.C. Harker writes very well throughout her story. I was impressed with many phrases and sentences, like this one: "I knew with her charm she could probably hold a wasp in her closed hand, and it wouldn't sting her." Cool! Ms. Harker is a very talented author; I don't think it is easy to write a suspenseful, believable mystery, but she does it. And even more a tribute since it is her first novel. I hope she writes another novel soon.
I really like the final sentence in the story, too. A nice sentiment, indeed.
December 20, 2014
Pacific Northwest skullduggery
I enjoyed this debut novel by author S.C. Harker. I especially liked the setting of a fictional small coastal town in the Pacific Northwest. I thought the author did a superior job of describing the setting, with raging ocean scenes, heavy fog and a spooky lighthouse.
The character of Chief of Police Pat Fitzlaff was well developed, as were the other main characters of the story. I especially liked the backstory of architect Gus Murdoch - I'd like to meet him in real life. And I loved shaggy canine Murphy.
The book could have used better proofreading. The mistakes were distracting. But the story was still readable and the mistakes weren't enough to make me wish I hadn't read the book.
All in all, this is a good police procedural and the suspense built steadily throughout the story up to a surprise ending.
I would definitely read another book with Pat Fitzlaff as the protagonist.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this debut novel by author S.C. Harker. I especially liked the setting of a fictional small coastal town in the Pacific Northwest. I thought the author did a superior job of describing the setting, with raging ocean scenes, heavy fog and a spooky lighthouse.
The character of Chief of Police Pat Fitzlaff was well developed, as were the other main characters of the story. I especially liked the backstory of architect Gus Murdoch - I'd like to meet him in real life. And I loved shaggy canine Murphy.
The book could have used better proofreading. The mistakes were distracting. But the story was still readable and the mistakes weren't enough to make me wish I hadn't read the book.
All in all, this is a good police procedural and the suspense built steadily throughout the story up to a surprise ending.
I would definitely read another book with Pat Fitzlaff as the protagonist.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 10, 2017
I enjoy reading works by new and first time authors, particularly when there is a good plot and they are well written. Sue Harker, in her first novel, Binnacle Bay, has managed to cleverly develop the characters, provide a graphic descriptions of the rugged foreshore and surrounding scenery and come up with an absorbing plot. I’m also a sucker for dogs and “Murphy” a monstrous canine who adopts the Chief of Police, was my favourite character.
I am always reluctant to mention more about the actual story than is included in the synopsis as to do can spoil it for future readers. I can say that one of the most enjoyable parts of this book for me was that the ending came out of left field and was a real surprise. Binnacle Bay, is an excellent first novel and I look forward to reading more of Sue Harker's work.
I am always reluctant to mention more about the actual story than is included in the synopsis as to do can spoil it for future readers. I can say that one of the most enjoyable parts of this book for me was that the ending came out of left field and was a real surprise. Binnacle Bay, is an excellent first novel and I look forward to reading more of Sue Harker's work.
January 26, 2016
Binnacle Bay, a murder mystery featuring Detective Pat Fitzlaff, as he faces the murder of his ex's new beau, Gus--a renowned architect and the man who stole the love of Pat's life, Sasha. Yet with Sasha missing, Pat must follow the clues that leave Sasha's innocence a looming question mark. Fast-paced and entertaining, S.C. Harker weaves a compelling thriller that will put Pat's life on the line in a small town where a motive for murder is as elusive as its locals' secrets. If you enjoy a solid whodunnit in an ocean town that comes to life, you've found your next catch.
October 20, 2014
I really liked this book! I had a hard time putting it down. I did not guess who the killer was. I loved Murphy, the dog. He was a great addition to the story. I recommend this book to those that like suspense mysteries.
The reason I gave it only four stars was there are so many typos in the book. At times I felt like I was reading an Advance Reader Copy. Misplaced quotation marks was a big distraction. But the story was a good one. Thank you, S.C. Harker!
The reason I gave it only four stars was there are so many typos in the book. At times I felt like I was reading an Advance Reader Copy. Misplaced quotation marks was a big distraction. But the story was a good one. Thank you, S.C. Harker!
May 24, 2019
Excellent!
Very unusual murder mystery! Small coastal town of Binnacle Bay is the scene of a murder/ suicide or is it?? Sheriff Pat investigates and runs afoul of many roadblocks imposed by the mayor, interested only in his own career and tourist trade. There are many enjoyable town residents who help or hinder the investigation, which has a spectacular finale!
Very unusual murder mystery! Small coastal town of Binnacle Bay is the scene of a murder/ suicide or is it?? Sheriff Pat investigates and runs afoul of many roadblocks imposed by the mayor, interested only in his own career and tourist trade. There are many enjoyable town residents who help or hinder the investigation, which has a spectacular finale!
November 18, 2015
Enjoyed the book specifically because I liked the setting along the Pacific Northwest. Characters were interesting (especially Murphy), and it kept your interest to the end.
February 26, 2016
Excellent
A very well written story with a bit of everything a mystery fan enjoys, action, suspense, surprises aplenty and just a touch of romance. An all nighter.
A very well written story with a bit of everything a mystery fan enjoys, action, suspense, surprises aplenty and just a touch of romance. An all nighter.
July 11, 2016
Enjoyed
If you like seacoast books, this one's for you.
Enjoyed the book, will most likely read the next one in the series.
If you like seacoast books, this one's for you.
Enjoyed the book, will most likely read the next one in the series.
January 11, 2016
A prominent architect is dead in the kitchen of his stunning seaside home. His wife is missing. Police Chief Patrick Fitzlaff is landed with an investigation that will stretch to the limit his personal relationships and professional boundaries.
Author Sue Harker has hit on a winning formula with her debut novel, Binnacle Bay – mysteries to unravel, a lively cast of characters and a lazy, little seaside town that jumps off the pages due to her lavish attention to detail. There were times when I simply closed my eyes to savour the smell of an offshore breeze, the sound of breaking waves or the atmosphere of a meal in a picturesque café. This author makes the canning of peaches a sensuous a read!
I was left wanting more. By the end of the book I still hadn’t a firm grip on some of the characters I thought I should know better. It wasn’t that loose ends weren’t adequately tied up. Perhaps some of the attention to location detail could have been applied to the characters. It is not necessarily a bad thing to leave a reader wanting more. I will definitely put the second book in this series on my reading list.
Author Sue Harker has hit on a winning formula with her debut novel, Binnacle Bay – mysteries to unravel, a lively cast of characters and a lazy, little seaside town that jumps off the pages due to her lavish attention to detail. There were times when I simply closed my eyes to savour the smell of an offshore breeze, the sound of breaking waves or the atmosphere of a meal in a picturesque café. This author makes the canning of peaches a sensuous a read!
I was left wanting more. By the end of the book I still hadn’t a firm grip on some of the characters I thought I should know better. It wasn’t that loose ends weren’t adequately tied up. Perhaps some of the attention to location detail could have been applied to the characters. It is not necessarily a bad thing to leave a reader wanting more. I will definitely put the second book in this series on my reading list.
May 5, 2016
A good read!
I enjoyed this mystery all the way to the very end. The characters were interesting, but need to be developed a bit more. I read a lot of mysteries and had guessed who the killer was before the end. I believe this was a great first attempt and have already purchased the second book in the series.
I enjoyed this mystery all the way to the very end. The characters were interesting, but need to be developed a bit more. I read a lot of mysteries and had guessed who the killer was before the end. I believe this was a great first attempt and have already purchased the second book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews