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Bay Tanner #6
Bishop's Reach
Bleached-blond call girls rarely bring good news, especially the one who bursts through the door of Bay Tanner's struggling inquiry agency and into her already complicated life. Karen Zwilling swears she's been viciously attacked but can't--or won't--go to the police.
With the tragedy of her husband's murder finally resolved, Bay has been yearning for a little tranquillity, but that hope is shattered, both by Karen's plea for help and by the unexpected reappearance of aging playboy Win Hammond, scion of an old Beaufort family, who has been missing for more than twenty years. Why has the prodigal son chosen this moment to return, and what will the consequences be for his sister, Bay's beloved Miss Addie? Add to all this a suspected embezzlement by a local businessman and his questionable relationship with his partner, and suddenly Bay and her young associate, Erik Whiteside, find themselves hip-deep in cases and clients.
When a disfigured corpse is discovered on the beach at Hilton Head, Bay's longed-for peace and quiet are irrevocably washed away on the outgoing tide, and suddenly it's clear that no one is who they appear to be, including Bay's former nemesis Ben Wyler. As the pieces finally tumble into place, the shocking resolution may prove as deadly for Bay Tanner as the treacherous waters of Bishop's Reach.
With the tragedy of her husband's murder finally resolved, Bay has been yearning for a little tranquillity, but that hope is shattered, both by Karen's plea for help and by the unexpected reappearance of aging playboy Win Hammond, scion of an old Beaufort family, who has been missing for more than twenty years. Why has the prodigal son chosen this moment to return, and what will the consequences be for his sister, Bay's beloved Miss Addie? Add to all this a suspected embezzlement by a local businessman and his questionable relationship with his partner, and suddenly Bay and her young associate, Erik Whiteside, find themselves hip-deep in cases and clients.
When a disfigured corpse is discovered on the beach at Hilton Head, Bay's longed-for peace and quiet are irrevocably washed away on the outgoing tide, and suddenly it's clear that no one is who they appear to be, including Bay's former nemesis Ben Wyler. As the pieces finally tumble into place, the shocking resolution may prove as deadly for Bay Tanner as the treacherous waters of Bishop's Reach.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2006
7 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn R. Wall
17 books80 followersKathy 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 10, 2020
This is a mystery that takes place on Hilton Head but I did not get any atmosphere or sense of place from it. The mystery was good but rather than being solved it was very close to being one of those books where the detective finds out who the murder as the murderer tries to kill the detective.
February 15, 2025
Take my rating with a grain of salt. This is the 6th book in this series and the first one that I've read.
Set in Hilton Head, this story is about Bay Tanner and her work as a PI. In this installment, she takes on 3 different cases. The first is the disappearance of Win Hammond. He's the brother of an aging woman that Bay is very close to. He shows up at his sister's house and then just as quickly disappears.
The second case is when a woman shows up at her office stating that she, as well as several other women, have all been raped by the same man. When Bay asks why she doesn't want to go to the police, the woman replies that she is a professional escort and the police wouldn't take her seriously. Then a male corpse is discovered on the beach with his face destroyed to make him unrecognizable. His wallet is later discovered with his identification inside indicating he is the same man as the alleged rapist. The facts don't add up and Bay suspects that the corpse is not the man the police thinks he is. The final plot line happens when a woman wants Bay to follow her husband because she suspects him of business fraud.
There's a fair amount of stuff happening in this book. You have several different storylines that are all pretty intersecting. You also have some tension between Bay and Ben and it's clear that Bay's dad who was a former Judge is integral to the series as well. Since I haven't read previous books, a lot of the stuff surrounding these relationships was lost on me. My recommendation is to start the series from the beginning. While this book can be read as a stand alone, I feel you will miss out on quite a bit without knowing the character history.
Overall, I liked the characters and the character development. The plot lines held my interest. The setting really didn't factor much into it. While it is set on Hilton Head, if that wasn't mentioned I would have had no idea.
Not a bad book. I may gp back to the series start and see how it goes from there!
Set in Hilton Head, this story is about Bay Tanner and her work as a PI. In this installment, she takes on 3 different cases. The first is the disappearance of Win Hammond. He's the brother of an aging woman that Bay is very close to. He shows up at his sister's house and then just as quickly disappears.
The second case is when a woman shows up at her office stating that she, as well as several other women, have all been raped by the same man. When Bay asks why she doesn't want to go to the police, the woman replies that she is a professional escort and the police wouldn't take her seriously. Then a male corpse is discovered on the beach with his face destroyed to make him unrecognizable. His wallet is later discovered with his identification inside indicating he is the same man as the alleged rapist. The facts don't add up and Bay suspects that the corpse is not the man the police thinks he is. The final plot line happens when a woman wants Bay to follow her husband because she suspects him of business fraud.
There's a fair amount of stuff happening in this book. You have several different storylines that are all pretty intersecting. You also have some tension between Bay and Ben and it's clear that Bay's dad who was a former Judge is integral to the series as well. Since I haven't read previous books, a lot of the stuff surrounding these relationships was lost on me. My recommendation is to start the series from the beginning. While this book can be read as a stand alone, I feel you will miss out on quite a bit without knowing the character history.
Overall, I liked the characters and the character development. The plot lines held my interest. The setting really didn't factor much into it. While it is set on Hilton Head, if that wasn't mentioned I would have had no idea.
Not a bad book. I may gp back to the series start and see how it goes from there!
February 17, 2019
I'm all for a complex plot, but when the plot sprouts so many growths that it finally collapses into itself, it might be just a little much. The problem is there are too many loose ends to tie up. This, together with a totally unnecessary and unrelated subplot about a runaway teen, was what detracted from this otherwise suspenseful and page-turning book.
Well, that and the protagonist's apparent inability to figure out just what she wants or doesn't want in a lover. But that's a whole other thing.
Well, that and the protagonist's apparent inability to figure out just what she wants or doesn't want in a lover. But that's a whole other thing.
February 21, 2018
Who's obsessed with this series? Oh, yeah, I am. This one is a tale of identity theft, a serial rapist, and Southern men who still think they are boys. The former NYC detective, Ben Wyler, plays a larger part in the inquiry business Bay Tanner is now heading, much to her dismay. It's cool to be reading this while here on HHI--today, we drove to Palmetto Bay and checked out one of the major sites mentioned in the book. These are perfect vacation reads--time to begin #7!
February 18, 2020
interesting to read while in Hilton Head; appreciate the scenery and can relate while in that environment. Three plots going at once can be a bit too much to follow or can be good exercise for the brain
May 7, 2022
I didn’t like the his book. Maybe if I had previously read some of the Bay Tanner Mysteries, I would have been more into it. It just seem d very unrealistic to me; a lame storyline, and no big surprises or turns or twists. Meh 🫤
February 13, 2023
Set on Hilton Head with characters from old families as well as incomers and some grifters, death stalks the island and Bay Tanner and her associates seek to discover the truth and bring justice.
February 21, 2023
I am enjoying this series
October 8, 2019
Love this book and all the Katherine Wall books
Katherine Wall writes about the South Carolina Low-country and since I live there all the places she mentions are familiar to me, Her stories are nail bitters from begin to end. Her characters are believable and she keeps you involved from beginning to end.
Katherine Wall writes about the South Carolina Low-country and since I live there all the places she mentions are familiar to me, Her stories are nail bitters from begin to end. Her characters are believable and she keeps you involved from beginning to end.
March 19, 2013
After a couple of not so good Bay Tanner books, this was a welcome surprise. While I admit Bay is beginning to get on my nerves a bit, she is learning and you can see the growth in things she does. First off, no spoilers in my review, so feel free to read on, I never talk about anything that isn't discovered by reading the front cover.
First off, a woman comes to Bay (at her new office) and wants to hire Bay, because she and a friend have been raped, they want Bay to find the man.
Second, Erik Whiteside (Bay's computer partner), has found Miss Addie's brother (mentioned in previous books) and Bay has to wonder why the guy is returning after 25 years absence.
Several arguments between Bay and other people (her father, Ben Wyler and Red) occur in this book and I found myself on the side against Bay every time. I am wondering if reading all her books back to back wasn't a mistake, maybe too much of Bay at one time grates the nerves, but if that is the case, its poor writing. I should be able to read the books back to back and enjoy them, like I do most series, but Bay not so much.
First off, a woman comes to Bay (at her new office) and wants to hire Bay, because she and a friend have been raped, they want Bay to find the man.
Second, Erik Whiteside (Bay's computer partner), has found Miss Addie's brother (mentioned in previous books) and Bay has to wonder why the guy is returning after 25 years absence.
Several arguments between Bay and other people (her father, Ben Wyler and Red) occur in this book and I found myself on the side against Bay every time. I am wondering if reading all her books back to back wasn't a mistake, maybe too much of Bay at one time grates the nerves, but if that is the case, its poor writing. I should be able to read the books back to back and enjoy them, like I do most series, but Bay not so much.
July 29, 2011
Wall's winning sixth Bay Tanner mystery (after 2005's Resurrection Road) finds the Hilton Head, S.C., "inquiry agent" up to her lovely green eyeballs in clients with hidden agendas. When a two-year search by Bay's partner in her PI agency, Erik Whiteside, finally locates the black sheep brother of Miss Addie, an elderly lifelong friend of Bay's family, the brother's return to Hilton Head is the first clue in a tangle of criminal activities and murder. An attractive escort service employee enlists Bay's help to hunt down a rapist, and a Georgia socialite wants to locate her missing Prince Charming. When a badly beaten corpse shows up on the beachfront, the dead man may fit one or both of these bills. Digging deeper whisks Bay into a puzzle that stretches from the mainland to the Virgin Islands and involves both lowlifes and the monied aristocrats. Oozing Southern charm, this whodunit flows like hot molasses to a deliciously clever conclusion.
October 10, 2012
Bay and Eric finally locate Miss Addie's long lost baby brother Win. Now we all new from what was written that her brother, Win, was not deserving of her love and devotion and that proved true. He is selfish, self-centered and he brought danger to his sister's front door...shame on him!
Then there is a supposedly separate case involving a rape victim reporting a possible serial rapist.
Long story short, the 2 cases are connected. Because Win owed money from his gambling, he agrees to help steal valuables to repay his debts. He then becomes an accomplice to a murder as well when a man is found dead with his face bashed in. Stolen identity is involved also.
There was a lot going on in this book, but at the end...Win goes to jail...finally, Addie will know where he is...and where he belongs.
Then there is a supposedly separate case involving a rape victim reporting a possible serial rapist.
Long story short, the 2 cases are connected. Because Win owed money from his gambling, he agrees to help steal valuables to repay his debts. He then becomes an accomplice to a murder as well when a man is found dead with his face bashed in. Stolen identity is involved also.
There was a lot going on in this book, but at the end...Win goes to jail...finally, Addie will know where he is...and where he belongs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2016
Another great story
I have enjoyed each book in this series so far. This one is by far my favorite. The story moved along quickly and held my interest throughout. Love the characters. It felt like I was reconnecting with old friends. Looking forward to reading the next one in this series.
I have enjoyed each book in this series so far. This one is by far my favorite. The story moved along quickly and held my interest throughout. Love the characters. It felt like I was reconnecting with old friends. Looking forward to reading the next one in this series.
December 29, 2009
I started with the newest of this series. The books do stand alone, but they make me want to read the rest for character development even more than plot.
September 7, 2010
This book was my favorite. It was well-written with twists and turns in the plot. It provided a nice surprise ending.
January 9, 2013
Another awesome book by Kathryn Wall. Another Tanner mystery that keeps you in the edge, a book that I couldn't put down...
December 11, 2013
Bought an autographed copy of this in HHI by an author who loves there. Fun to read about familiar placed. Pretty decent mystery.
July 8, 2023
Another reread, love this series
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December 19, 2016Reading too many of these too close together. Bay Tanner's all the time arguing with somebody...the whining about other things...can't do anything to please her.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews