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DI Ruth Hunter #3
The Dee Valley Killings
A twisted serial killer. A deadly game of cat and mouse. Can DI Ruth Hunter catch a crazed psychopath who seems intent on destroying her life?
DI Ruth Hunter hopes that settling in Snowdonia with will melt away the grief of a missing partner. Burying herself in her work, she senses that her current missing persons case isn't all that it seems. When a man's body turns up torn to pieces, Ruth realises that she is now tracking a deadly serial killer.
Working with her fiercely patriotic Welsh partner, DI Hunter soon has a prime suspect in her sights - although he seems to always be one step ahead of them. When the killer begins to claim a personal connection to her, Ruth fears a grisly end to her and her family.
DI Ruth Hunter hopes that settling in Snowdonia with will melt away the grief of a missing partner. Burying herself in her work, she senses that her current missing persons case isn't all that it seems. When a man's body turns up torn to pieces, Ruth realises that she is now tracking a deadly serial killer.
Working with her fiercely patriotic Welsh partner, DI Hunter soon has a prime suspect in her sights - although he seems to always be one step ahead of them. When the killer begins to claim a personal connection to her, Ruth fears a grisly end to her and her family.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2020
2424 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
September 3, 2021
I definitely didn't like this one as much as the others. So much was unlikely and far too much happened, so many stories at the same time. As I loved all the other books I will give no. 4 a go in a while, but if I have mixed feelings about that one I'll give the series a miss.
January 9, 2022
Loved it. Even though the focus is clearly on the criminal case, there are some other plots going on too. I cannot wait to see how the story about Ruth Hunter's missing former companion Sarah develops, but expect that the slow development of this part of Ruth's story will be used as a teaser for a long time to come.
Since there are some subplots in this, i could imagine that some would love this style of writing while others simply might not. It worked fine with me, though. 5 out of 5 stars.
Since there are some subplots in this, i could imagine that some would love this style of writing while others simply might not. It worked fine with me, though. 5 out of 5 stars.
February 13, 2021
Third book in the series and I'm enjoying it!
It's fast paced with good characters that, although flawed offer drama, wit and warmth.
The only thing I dont like is the plot holes and police procedure non-conformance. But I can just about get past that as the story is more about people/place than plot.
I do like Ruth and Nick and want to follow more of their adventures:)
It's fast paced with good characters that, although flawed offer drama, wit and warmth.
The only thing I dont like is the plot holes and police procedure non-conformance. But I can just about get past that as the story is more about people/place than plot.
I do like Ruth and Nick and want to follow more of their adventures:)
February 16, 2024
This book is so riddled with grammatical and editing errors that I often had to stop reading to figure out what it was supposed to say. A twelve year old student could have done a better job. And seriously, Alberta and Saskatchewan are provinces in Canada, not cities. Maybe a little more careful research should have been done. Put a little more effort into your writing, please.
June 14, 2021
I’ve read the first two books in this series and this one is by far the worst so far.
Maybe it is the over the top, ridiculously written serial killer, or the complete ineptitude of the police in responding and acting, but this one really misfired for me.
The subplot with Nick and his girlfriend was just ridiculous, and the whole alcoholism thing is really starting to grate now. I was able to suspend belief enough to think a police force would cover up someone drinking on the job and driving so recklessly, but the continuation of this storyline and the addition of the girlfriend who ‘accidentally’ killed someone just defied belief.
There were horrendous continuity errors - Nick allegedly hadn’t managed more than 2 weeks sobriety in this book, but had managed 10 months in the book preceding this, which was commented on extensively. There was also Ruth arranging to meet the serial killer at 4pm, which then turned to 3pm, and back to 4pm.
The dialogue is starting to feel disjointed and contrived, and the amount of deus ex machina’s in the book just really felt obvious and unbelievable.
Fortunately this books were ‘purchased’ using Amazon Unlimited, so I haven’t paid for the series, but am going to give a break before the fourth book as feeling rather disillusioned!
Maybe it is the over the top, ridiculously written serial killer, or the complete ineptitude of the police in responding and acting, but this one really misfired for me.
The subplot with Nick and his girlfriend was just ridiculous, and the whole alcoholism thing is really starting to grate now. I was able to suspend belief enough to think a police force would cover up someone drinking on the job and driving so recklessly, but the continuation of this storyline and the addition of the girlfriend who ‘accidentally’ killed someone just defied belief.
There were horrendous continuity errors - Nick allegedly hadn’t managed more than 2 weeks sobriety in this book, but had managed 10 months in the book preceding this, which was commented on extensively. There was also Ruth arranging to meet the serial killer at 4pm, which then turned to 3pm, and back to 4pm.
The dialogue is starting to feel disjointed and contrived, and the amount of deus ex machina’s in the book just really felt obvious and unbelievable.
Fortunately this books were ‘purchased’ using Amazon Unlimited, so I haven’t paid for the series, but am going to give a break before the fourth book as feeling rather disillusioned!
June 15, 2021
Won't be reading anymore.
Maybe the author should think things through a little more. In this book it states that Nick hasn't been sober for more than 2 weeks in a decade, but in the previous book that he was sober for nearly 10 months. Also that Alberta and saskatchewan are provinces in canada and not
Cities The plausibility and and research poor. The bar when Nick was wired why so long to realize something was wrong and why was the car parked out back, when the original plan would have been to leave by the front. How could Gates escape so easily when it had early stated lots of uniformed officers soco and two large German shepherd dogs, surely a 39 year old alcoholic would not be the only one to give Chase. Another thing would Gates have unsupervised access to the net while on remarned for multiple murders, cut through modern police handcuffs with a hacksaw and set up as an estate agent in hours. How did he know Ella was even looking for a flat. l could give many more examples but why bother it will have been given many 5 star ratings regardless
Maybe the author should think things through a little more. In this book it states that Nick hasn't been sober for more than 2 weeks in a decade, but in the previous book that he was sober for nearly 10 months. Also that Alberta and saskatchewan are provinces in canada and not
Cities The plausibility and and research poor. The bar when Nick was wired why so long to realize something was wrong and why was the car parked out back, when the original plan would have been to leave by the front. How could Gates escape so easily when it had early stated lots of uniformed officers soco and two large German shepherd dogs, surely a 39 year old alcoholic would not be the only one to give Chase. Another thing would Gates have unsupervised access to the net while on remarned for multiple murders, cut through modern police handcuffs with a hacksaw and set up as an estate agent in hours. How did he know Ella was even looking for a flat. l could give many more examples but why bother it will have been given many 5 star ratings regardless
July 17, 2024
The Best Book ( So far) in the Series!
Ruth Hunter is tracking a serial killer, that poses as a gay man to lure other men out, and the kill them, dismember them, keep pieces of them so he can relive the thrill, and get off on his cleaning of the world.
Nick catches a case, of an old Scholl chum who is found dead at the bottom of a cliff, head smashed, 4 women were last seen on the mountain, where the crime took place.
As Ruth and Nick work through their cases, The serial killer takes Ella (Ruth's daughter) and Nick finds love at his AA meeting, and soon he will learn more about Amanda that he'd wish he hadn't!
The Dee Valley Killings is a 5 Star read!
Ruth Hunter is tracking a serial killer, that poses as a gay man to lure other men out, and the kill them, dismember them, keep pieces of them so he can relive the thrill, and get off on his cleaning of the world.
Nick catches a case, of an old Scholl chum who is found dead at the bottom of a cliff, head smashed, 4 women were last seen on the mountain, where the crime took place.
As Ruth and Nick work through their cases, The serial killer takes Ella (Ruth's daughter) and Nick finds love at his AA meeting, and soon he will learn more about Amanda that he'd wish he hadn't!
The Dee Valley Killings is a 5 Star read!
September 7, 2020
Book 3. Beginning to understand the characters a lot more and the changes that have happened since Book 1, when DI Ruth Hunter left the MET Police and relocated to Snowdonia to ease the grief of her missing partner Sarah. The bond between Ruth and Nick is lovely to see, as the English - Welsh walls are coming down, with mutual respect. This book looks at multiple murders, Nick’s fight with alcoholism, his new love for Amanda and then the killer Andrew Gates, who takes Ella (Ruth’s daughter), making it very personal. Book 4, I cannot wait; hoping to find out more about Sarah, Nick and Amanda....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2022
The Dee Valley Killings is the third book in the DI Ruth Hunter series. A man's body turns up torn to pieces. Ruth realizes that she is now tracking a deadly serial killer. When the killer begins to claim a personal connection to her, Ruth fears a grisly end to her and her family. Most of the main characters in this series are flawed. Ruth battles with her smoking and missing her partner Sarah who has not showed up yet. Nick is still going to AA and is helping his friend Amanda with her alcohol problem. I'm looking forward to see how their relationship develops. If you like dark, psychologically complex characters and a gripping rollercoaster of a plot, then this book is for you.
April 13, 2023
Great!
I have only recently discovered Simon McCleave and am so glad I did. North Wales is my favourite place to holiday and I read the first in the series while on holiday in Porthmadog.
I feel as though I am becoming friends with the protagonist and am eager to find out what happens next in her life. The main story going through the book is always thrilling and makes me want to read the whole book in one sitting.
I have only recently discovered Simon McCleave and am so glad I did. North Wales is my favourite place to holiday and I read the first in the series while on holiday in Porthmadog.
I feel as though I am becoming friends with the protagonist and am eager to find out what happens next in her life. The main story going through the book is always thrilling and makes me want to read the whole book in one sitting.
January 18, 2025
i enjoyed this series so far but this book had so many errors that it didn’t even feel like a final draft
i haven’t really noticed editing and grammar issues in the past books but this one had spelling errors, grammar errors, and weird paragraph spacing where we suddenly jump to another characters pov
it ruined the book overall so i probably won’t carry on with the series :/ i wonder what happened to make the editing so poor
i haven’t really noticed editing and grammar issues in the past books but this one had spelling errors, grammar errors, and weird paragraph spacing where we suddenly jump to another characters pov
it ruined the book overall so i probably won’t carry on with the series :/ i wonder what happened to make the editing so poor
February 15, 2021
The exact book as the first in the series
What started out as a promising series of police procedurals with an interesting protagonist with some potential for depth and development has now devolved into a formulaic find and chase bad television show that includes an idiotic and obsessed female cop being systematically outwitted by the devilishly clever serial killer, blah, blah, blah and of course she becomes the ultimate obsession of the evil monster who, of course, decides to attack her through her only weakness, her own daughter, R blah, blah and only by ignoring procedure and risking herself alone is her daughter miraculously saved and justice served.
You can fill in the rest of the plot yourself. Empty headed and formulaic. Enough chases, unsuccessful of course, by foot, and car to fill three Starsky and Hutch episodes. Clearly the dumbest and least competent police force on the planet must be in north Wales, where this drooping series is set.
In addition we have the recurring and never resolving emotional drama of the gay DCI moping over her long lost lover WHO LEFT HER TWO DECADES AGO. Please get a life, and move on for God’s sake.
Unfortunately there will be more in the series. The author clearly doesn’t know how his own story needs to end, and needed to end two novels back.
What started out as a promising series of police procedurals with an interesting protagonist with some potential for depth and development has now devolved into a formulaic find and chase bad television show that includes an idiotic and obsessed female cop being systematically outwitted by the devilishly clever serial killer, blah, blah, blah and of course she becomes the ultimate obsession of the evil monster who, of course, decides to attack her through her only weakness, her own daughter, R blah, blah and only by ignoring procedure and risking herself alone is her daughter miraculously saved and justice served.
You can fill in the rest of the plot yourself. Empty headed and formulaic. Enough chases, unsuccessful of course, by foot, and car to fill three Starsky and Hutch episodes. Clearly the dumbest and least competent police force on the planet must be in north Wales, where this drooping series is set.
In addition we have the recurring and never resolving emotional drama of the gay DCI moping over her long lost lover WHO LEFT HER TWO DECADES AGO. Please get a life, and move on for God’s sake.
Unfortunately there will be more in the series. The author clearly doesn’t know how his own story needs to end, and needed to end two novels back.
February 25, 2022
After reading the first two books in the series and liking them both immensely, this is definitely not up to standard and is a bit of a disappointment.
The novel focuses on a serial killer whose personality is so over the top, it defies belief. They are more of a caricature of every twisted serial killer you have ever read about. The police are completely inept in responding to every clue to his identity and when they realise who he is, they make error after error in trying to apprehend him.
There is then a subplot that covers Nick and his ever-present problems with alcohol that are still not obvious to all his work colleagues. Only this time he has gained a girlfriend who has also got an alcohol problem and has managed to inadvertently kill someone as well.
There is then another murder that doesn't appear to have been committed by the serial killer. I mean, I live in North Wales. It's hardly Chicago!!
There were also a number of continuity errors - it really is imperative that if authors write a series, they check this as a basic.
This novel is definitely a weak entry in the series. Hopefully, it is the only one.
The novel focuses on a serial killer whose personality is so over the top, it defies belief. They are more of a caricature of every twisted serial killer you have ever read about. The police are completely inept in responding to every clue to his identity and when they realise who he is, they make error after error in trying to apprehend him.
There is then a subplot that covers Nick and his ever-present problems with alcohol that are still not obvious to all his work colleagues. Only this time he has gained a girlfriend who has also got an alcohol problem and has managed to inadvertently kill someone as well.
There is then another murder that doesn't appear to have been committed by the serial killer. I mean, I live in North Wales. It's hardly Chicago!!
There were also a number of continuity errors - it really is imperative that if authors write a series, they check this as a basic.
This novel is definitely a weak entry in the series. Hopefully, it is the only one.
February 25, 2021
Disapointed
Although the story, the plot, was excellent I have never in my 70 years read a book with so many typos. Words being missed, extra words making sentences confusing. It is as if it was never proof read before going to print. Books one and two were not a problem. I hope book 4 will be better produced or I will have consider abandoning the series.
Although the story, the plot, was excellent I have never in my 70 years read a book with so many typos. Words being missed, extra words making sentences confusing. It is as if it was never proof read before going to print. Books one and two were not a problem. I hope book 4 will be better produced or I will have consider abandoning the series.
April 7, 2020
Brilliant
Another brilliant book with its twists and also learning more about the characters. Some happy and sad moment's alongside some good old fashioned detective work. Can't wait for book four and hopefully more news of "Sarah".
Another brilliant book with its twists and also learning more about the characters. Some happy and sad moment's alongside some good old fashioned detective work. Can't wait for book four and hopefully more news of "Sarah".
July 26, 2020
Best yet of the three!!! They get better each time. Just ordered boos 4 and 5!! If that is not a recommendation to read this series then what more can i say. Means more as i live in middle of where these novels are based. Well done Simon... and your Welsh is getting better!! H
March 22, 2023
Quite gripping but there is something in this series and characters that irritates me.
July 31, 2025
Grammatical errors aside, was solid. Better than the second but not as good as the first.
March 5, 2022
For me this book in the series was quite chilling. There were many parts where the murderer scared and angered me with his smugness and cold conviction that what he was doing was right. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it, because I actually loved every minute of it. The plot dragged me in totally and I felt that I was part of the story. Once more, Ruth and Nick had their work cut out trying to solve, not one, but two murders – possibly related. There was an intensely horrific serial killer who urgently needed catching but he was not coming quietly. The action was fast paced with a race to the end. The twists were nail-biting and, for the most part, totally unexpected. This investigation was extremely harrowing for Ruth, personal for Nick and exciting for the reader. These books continue to get better with each one and I am enjoying them all.
September 13, 2022
So this is the second book (read no2) i,ve read and its so repetitive we have nicks alcoholism and ruth missing partner sarah. Also ruth has got to be the most stupid di ever promoted , the amount of mistakes she makes trying to catch the villain who is pretty dim himself (,no spoilers). This ongoing theme spoilt the book for me although i finished it , shall try no4 but if its the same with nick and ruth very much doubt i will finish it. Looking at the author on fantastic fiction he seems to have written 7 books in 2020 and another 7 in 2021. In the end i was bored with simon and ruth and i think this writer just churns them out and its affects the quality.
April 2, 2020
Nicks new girlfriend
I've enjoyed the previous books and this was good, however some parts annoyed me. How had Harvey received his scars? Etc. But worst of all was Nicks new girlfriend, madly in love after a day, murders his friend in a cold blooded way, yet nobody cares not even the victims brother... Maybe I'm just not into lovey sorry stuff.
I've enjoyed the previous books and this was good, however some parts annoyed me. How had Harvey received his scars? Etc. But worst of all was Nicks new girlfriend, madly in love after a day, murders his friend in a cold blooded way, yet nobody cares not even the victims brother... Maybe I'm just not into lovey sorry stuff.
August 13, 2020
Yet another superman villain
Not another superman villain
Gates is so clever and talented
Ruth is so stupid
Do me a favour
Spoiled the book completely
Not another superman villain
Gates is so clever and talented
Ruth is so stupid
Do me a favour
Spoiled the book completely
April 21, 2025
We, the readers, know virtually from the beginning who the murderer is. This book revolves around DI Hunter realising there is a serial killer on the loose, identifying the suspect, collecting forensic evidence to prove his guilt and trying and failing to capture him while he justifies his crimes and dreams of being the subject of books and TV programmes thus achieving everlasting fame. The killer also really believes that he and DI Hunter have a close personal relationship. Rather unlikely, the suspect escapes from police custody and seemingly within a day sets himself up as an estate agent while on the run so that he can get close to Hunter’s family.
After consulting a criminal psychologist to gain an understanding of the murderer’s motives and an insight into his possible next moves, Hunter reviews boxes of photos, cards and memorabilia taken from his home and hits on a possible hiding place. Hunter is, of course, correct and we get the almost obligatory dramatic dénouement.
Meanwhile Det Sgt Evans is investigating the suspicious death of a school friend on the slopes of Snowden. In his personal life he has become involved with a new member of his AA group and he learns something about her that, as a policeman, he really didn’t want to know. He has a quandary – does he bury this information or not?
The long running mystery of Sarah’s disappearance hovers in the background and presumably will float in and out of Ruth Hunter’s life until McCleave decides to explain where she is.
Like the previous novel in this series, the plot is riddled with annoying inconsistencies and spelling and grammatical errors which really detract from enjoyment of the book. Just a few examples -
A victim’s ex-wife is called Linda. When Det Sgt Evans visits her, she has become Fiona.
In Chapter 2, Hunter and Evans are looking for robbery suspect Ethan Reid, an unidentifiable helmeted figure appears & 5 lines later they announce they are following Harvey Jones.
“ she went switched on the dishwasher”
page 49 – DI Hunter shows her warrant card to Gates and introduces herself as Ruth Hunter
page 88 – Ruth wonders how Gates knew her first name – she hadn’t told him at any point when meeting him.
The suspect walks along the High Street, 3 paragraphs later he gets out of his car.
Dundee Bill in book 2 of the series has become Aberdeen Bill.
The novel is clearly set in Dec 2018, a character admits she was raped “last year”. Some pages later, the rape happened “six months earlier”.
I really can only give 3 stars.
After consulting a criminal psychologist to gain an understanding of the murderer’s motives and an insight into his possible next moves, Hunter reviews boxes of photos, cards and memorabilia taken from his home and hits on a possible hiding place. Hunter is, of course, correct and we get the almost obligatory dramatic dénouement.
Meanwhile Det Sgt Evans is investigating the suspicious death of a school friend on the slopes of Snowden. In his personal life he has become involved with a new member of his AA group and he learns something about her that, as a policeman, he really didn’t want to know. He has a quandary – does he bury this information or not?
The long running mystery of Sarah’s disappearance hovers in the background and presumably will float in and out of Ruth Hunter’s life until McCleave decides to explain where she is.
Like the previous novel in this series, the plot is riddled with annoying inconsistencies and spelling and grammatical errors which really detract from enjoyment of the book. Just a few examples -
A victim’s ex-wife is called Linda. When Det Sgt Evans visits her, she has become Fiona.
In Chapter 2, Hunter and Evans are looking for robbery suspect Ethan Reid, an unidentifiable helmeted figure appears & 5 lines later they announce they are following Harvey Jones.
“ she went switched on the dishwasher”
page 49 – DI Hunter shows her warrant card to Gates and introduces herself as Ruth Hunter
page 88 – Ruth wonders how Gates knew her first name – she hadn’t told him at any point when meeting him.
The suspect walks along the High Street, 3 paragraphs later he gets out of his car.
Dundee Bill in book 2 of the series has become Aberdeen Bill.
The novel is clearly set in Dec 2018, a character admits she was raped “last year”. Some pages later, the rape happened “six months earlier”.
I really can only give 3 stars.
December 2, 2024
More twisted and a lot darker that the first two- I loved this. However there’s a lot of mistakes listed below my favourite quotes that I found. I’ve never read a book with this many mistakes so minus a star for that. It’s the Amazon published version with the mistakes, not sure if others are the same.
“Passing the signs to Valle Crucis Abbey - Valley of the Cross - which were the ruins of a thirteenth-century Cistercian monastery…” -41
“Maentwrog meant 'Twrog's stone. According to legend, a giant known as Twrog threw an enormous boulder - maen meaning stone in Welsh - from the top of a hill down into the village, destroying a pagan altar the villagers had built.” -61
“Nick slowed the car as he entered Betws-Y-Coed, a small town at the heart of Snowdonia National Park. In Welsh it meant 'prayer house in the wood'.” -123
“Nick noticed he (Chivers) was wearing mustard-coloured corduroy trousers. He made a mental note to get someone to shoot him if he reached the stage of life where he thought that was okay.” -151
“Wintry trees lined the roadside like dancers poised to start their show.” -296
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Minus a star for the amount of typos/ mistakes in the Amazon published version:
“Gates said, putting squeezing her shoulder gently.” -52
“Closing the car door, Nick pulled the collar of coat up as the sharp wind cut against his face.” -58
“He fingers moved rhythmically on the table” -79
“Nick had also now established that it would very difficult to overpower Harv” -148
“Ruth's heart sank. Gates had committed suicide before revealing all the locations of his victims. And it was her fault he had been out of the handcuffs…. Gates manoeuvred himself into a sitting position, his legs outstretched. With his hands still cuffed together, it was as if he was tobogganing down the hill.” -171
- is he handcuffed or not?
“Nick took inspected the flag on the rucksack again.” -258
“She a hair that had fallen in front of her eyes” -324
“Passing the signs to Valle Crucis Abbey - Valley of the Cross - which were the ruins of a thirteenth-century Cistercian monastery…” -41
“Maentwrog meant 'Twrog's stone. According to legend, a giant known as Twrog threw an enormous boulder - maen meaning stone in Welsh - from the top of a hill down into the village, destroying a pagan altar the villagers had built.” -61
“Nick slowed the car as he entered Betws-Y-Coed, a small town at the heart of Snowdonia National Park. In Welsh it meant 'prayer house in the wood'.” -123
“Nick noticed he (Chivers) was wearing mustard-coloured corduroy trousers. He made a mental note to get someone to shoot him if he reached the stage of life where he thought that was okay.” -151
“Wintry trees lined the roadside like dancers poised to start their show.” -296
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Minus a star for the amount of typos/ mistakes in the Amazon published version:
“Gates said, putting squeezing her shoulder gently.” -52
“Closing the car door, Nick pulled the collar of coat up as the sharp wind cut against his face.” -58
“He fingers moved rhythmically on the table” -79
“Nick had also now established that it would very difficult to overpower Harv” -148
“Ruth's heart sank. Gates had committed suicide before revealing all the locations of his victims. And it was her fault he had been out of the handcuffs…. Gates manoeuvred himself into a sitting position, his legs outstretched. With his hands still cuffed together, it was as if he was tobogganing down the hill.” -171
- is he handcuffed or not?
“Nick took inspected the flag on the rucksack again.” -258
“She a hair that had fallen in front of her eyes” -324
March 13, 2020
Well Simon has done it again! This is a smasher of a book and my favourite so far in the series.
.
This book has some gruesome aspects and is very dark and matter of a fact in places - not that I am complaining. At one point I actually messaged Simon going - ‘huh!’ since the scene totally got me by surprise! When you get to it you will know what I mean.
.
I am loving the domesticity that is a theme with the characters this time. Both Ruth and Nick seem much more settled and enjoying life and it’s lovely to see.
.
The villain in this one totally creeped me out. However, as a migraineur all I’m going to say is ‘yes I know they look creepy but they don’t automatically turn us into freaks!’ 😂😂😂. Simon has really got into his groove when it comes to this villain as it’s very easy to see why he turned into what they became from his background etc. Still doesn’t excuse being evil though.
.
The second strand of the narrative involving Nick and the death of his friend whilst climbing Snowden, let’s just say I’m shocked by its resolution. Can’t say much more than that or we would be in spoiler territory. I’m conflicted but then I think Simon meant us to have this reaction.
.
So, in conclusion I loved this one! There is lots of plot points I can see having an effect on our duo in the next couple of books and I can’t wait to read them. This is a humdinger of a book and I actually read in well into the night to finish it as I couldn’t wait to find out what happened! Well done Simon 👏👏👏
.
This book has some gruesome aspects and is very dark and matter of a fact in places - not that I am complaining. At one point I actually messaged Simon going - ‘huh!’ since the scene totally got me by surprise! When you get to it you will know what I mean.
.
I am loving the domesticity that is a theme with the characters this time. Both Ruth and Nick seem much more settled and enjoying life and it’s lovely to see.
.
The villain in this one totally creeped me out. However, as a migraineur all I’m going to say is ‘yes I know they look creepy but they don’t automatically turn us into freaks!’ 😂😂😂. Simon has really got into his groove when it comes to this villain as it’s very easy to see why he turned into what they became from his background etc. Still doesn’t excuse being evil though.
.
The second strand of the narrative involving Nick and the death of his friend whilst climbing Snowden, let’s just say I’m shocked by its resolution. Can’t say much more than that or we would be in spoiler territory. I’m conflicted but then I think Simon meant us to have this reaction.
.
So, in conclusion I loved this one! There is lots of plot points I can see having an effect on our duo in the next couple of books and I can’t wait to read them. This is a humdinger of a book and I actually read in well into the night to finish it as I couldn’t wait to find out what happened! Well done Simon 👏👏👏
March 26, 2020
A twisted serial killer. A deadly game of cat and mouse. Can DI Ruth Hunter catch a crazed psychopath who seems intent on destroying her life?
DI Ruth Hunter hopes that settling in Snowdonia with will melt away the grief of a missing partner. Burying herself in her work, she senses that her current missing persons case isn't all that it seems. When a man's body turns up torn to pieces, Ruth realises that she is now tracking a deadly serial killer.
Working with her fiercely patriotic Welsh partner, DI Hunter soon has a prime suspect in her sights - although he seems to always be one step ahead of them. When the killer begins to claim a personal connection to her, Ruth fears a grisly end to her and her family.
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
DI Ruth Hunter hopes that settling in Snowdonia with will melt away the grief of a missing partner. Burying herself in her work, she senses that her current missing persons case isn't all that it seems. When a man's body turns up torn to pieces, Ruth realises that she is now tracking a deadly serial killer.
Working with her fiercely patriotic Welsh partner, DI Hunter soon has a prime suspect in her sights - although he seems to always be one step ahead of them. When the killer begins to claim a personal connection to her, Ruth fears a grisly end to her and her family.
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
July 8, 2022
Really enjoying this series for a number of reasons.The stories are interesting in themselves. I've not read much about or within Wales; there was a series I read a few years ago, also police procedural based, that I wish would continue. Other than that I know very little of Wales or the Welsh.
I particularly enjoy that the main characters have lives, personal issues, that they're working on, because they don't, not any of them, work at crime-solving 24/7: the struggles of these people are clearly real (as far as fictional characters can have "real" struggles), and they're dealing with them like real people might).
Most of the books I read audiobooks. These are not, I have enjoyed reading them. They have voices from my imagination. And the pacing is different, somehow. I'm no going to give up a audiobooks, but ebooks are pretty handy to carry around, I try to always have at least a dozen on my Kindle or phone.
But back to this book. Highly recommend the series to anyone else who enjoys crime-solving.
I particularly enjoy that the main characters have lives, personal issues, that they're working on, because they don't, not any of them, work at crime-solving 24/7: the struggles of these people are clearly real (as far as fictional characters can have "real" struggles), and they're dealing with them like real people might).
Most of the books I read audiobooks. These are not, I have enjoyed reading them. They have voices from my imagination. And the pacing is different, somehow. I'm no going to give up a audiobooks, but ebooks are pretty handy to carry around, I try to always have at least a dozen on my Kindle or phone.
But back to this book. Highly recommend the series to anyone else who enjoys crime-solving.
Read
September 2, 2024A twisted serial killer. A deadly game of cat and mouse. Can DI Ruth Hunter catch a crazed psychopath who seems intent on destroying her life?
DI Ruth Hunter hopes that settling in Snowdonia with will melt away the grief of a missing partner. Burying herself in her work, she senses that her current missing persons case isn't all that it seems. When a man's body turns up torn to pieces, Ruth realises that she is now tracking a deadly serial killer.
Working with her fiercely patriotic Welsh partner, DI Hunter soon has a prime suspect in her sights - although he seems to always be one step ahead of them. When the killer begins to claim a personal connection to her, Ruth fears a grisly end to her and her family.
'The Dee Valley Killings' is the third book in the acclaimed DI Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller series. If you like dark, psychologically complex characters and a gripping rollercoaster of a plot, then this book is for you.
Didn't finish. Read first two.
DI Ruth Hunter hopes that settling in Snowdonia with will melt away the grief of a missing partner. Burying herself in her work, she senses that her current missing persons case isn't all that it seems. When a man's body turns up torn to pieces, Ruth realises that she is now tracking a deadly serial killer.
Working with her fiercely patriotic Welsh partner, DI Hunter soon has a prime suspect in her sights - although he seems to always be one step ahead of them. When the killer begins to claim a personal connection to her, Ruth fears a grisly end to her and her family.
'The Dee Valley Killings' is the third book in the acclaimed DI Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller series. If you like dark, psychologically complex characters and a gripping rollercoaster of a plot, then this book is for you.
Didn't finish. Read first two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2025
Another fantastic book in this detective series, with one of the creepiest most unnerving murderers I've ever read. I enjoyed the multiple narratives and murder cases going on in this book, and liked that as the reader, I knew who the main murder was early on and that we heard part of the story from him. HOWEVER, the editing on this book (kindle edition) was horrendous- so many mistakes, both spelling and grammatical, and the formatting was a nightmare. Multiple lines left between sentences in the same scene so it was unsure if it was a new scene/place, and so many capital letters as if to start a new chapter, but at the beginning of sentence after sentence. I accept some mistakes will get through, but this was ridiculous, as much as I love the series (another easy 5 star read) the terrible reading experience will mean I'll read some other things now rather than going straight onto book 4.
April 28, 2021
The third Ruth Hunter book returns with an almighty bang, with the Llancastell CID on the hunt for a vicious and calculated serial killer.
I won’t go in to lots of detail, simply because I don’t want to take away the enjoyment that other readers of this series will have.
It goes without saying that this is another strong outing and keeps you on your toes for the duration.
I would go as far as to say that not many authors can successfully bring their main character in to a fight against a serial killer with such success, but Mr McCleave does just that.
The character development is also on point, with everyone that the novel focuses on, developing nicely with some tasteful and rather well thought out backgrounds and side stories.
I cannot praise this enough and I look forward to this series continuing.
I won’t go in to lots of detail, simply because I don’t want to take away the enjoyment that other readers of this series will have.
It goes without saying that this is another strong outing and keeps you on your toes for the duration.
I would go as far as to say that not many authors can successfully bring their main character in to a fight against a serial killer with such success, but Mr McCleave does just that.
The character development is also on point, with everyone that the novel focuses on, developing nicely with some tasteful and rather well thought out backgrounds and side stories.
I cannot praise this enough and I look forward to this series continuing.
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